Scheduling Manager

Software for service trades, first released in 1987

Thoughtful Systems built Scheduling Manager for companies that send crews out to customers and need the office side kept in order. The company says its software was the first of its kind for the service business industry when it appeared in 1987, and that it has been improved steadily since and adapted to individual trades. Its examples run from home cleaning to lawn care, swimming pool upkeep and tree work.

Jobs, people and money in one program

At the center is job scheduling, built around interactive calendars where appointments and work codes are laid out. Around that sit records for customers, employees and teams, so the person booking a visit can see who is available and where the customer is.

The billing side covers accounts receivable, which means creating and sending invoices, and payroll for working out what staff are owed. A mapping feature gives directions to customer addresses, and an interface to QuickBooks lets the accounting data move across to that package. A mobile option extends the program to staff working in the field.

Scheduling Manager is aimed at owner-run service companies that want one tool for appointments, pay and invoices rather than separate spreadsheets for each.