Alternative to Sign Management Software for Paperwork

For new equipment purchases, what forecasted utilization rate do you use to pull the trigger on the purchase of it?

One way to consider doing this — and by no means not the only or even best possible way — is to take the projected monthly payment for the new equipment and divide it by the average number of orders per month involving the equipment. If that rate is equal to or greater than your wholesale cost, you’ll want to wait until you get more orders per month or a better equipment deal. If the rate is significantly less than your wholesale cost, then in this simple model, you may want to pull the trigger, though other things such as training, shop space, power/air needs, etc., must also be taken into consideration.

What is everyone doing for minimum orders? (Someone walks in the door and wants boat registration decals, for example.) What is your minimum charge? Is it a one-hour minimum, a dollar amount (e.g., $300), etc.?

We can’t speak for everyone, but over the past few years we have noticed more Brain Squad members mentioning increasing their minimum charges, either to avoid small orders or at least to keep them reasonably profitable. Three years ago, Maggie Harlow, CEO of Signarama Downtown (Louisville, KY), devoted her Business of Signs column to “how little your small orders add up to” (see ST, March 2022, page 44) — strongly suggesting higher minimums. On the other hand, the range of what a minimum charge might be could be quite large. For example, in our 2025 Big Survey, 40% of respondents reported “less than $200” as their minimum charge to send out a service crew, while 25% stated they ask for “$300 or more” (see ST, Mid-March 2025, page 28).

I would like to know if there is an easier way to get through paperwork without spending a lot of money on a sign management program.

Two letters: AI. Consider the slog of researching up-to-date sign codes and permit requirements, preparing estimates and accessing legal advice for contracts. Using AI to aid in preparing all of those and more is spelled out in our cover story this month (see page 22). “Paperwork” suggests writing to a large degree and ChatGPT can help with essentially any writing situation, including company memos, social media posts, HR documents, sales and marketing posts, and responses to customers. This is not to suggest sign management software no longer has value; it most certainly does. However, for some mundane tasks such as “paperwork,” take a look at what AI can do for your sign company.