Embracing the Computer Age

In this age of technology, businesses both big and small in many industries use computers in their everyday work. To find out where the landscape industry stands in comparison, Lawn & Landscape surveyed its readers.

The results show the landscape industry is largely no exception with more than 94 percent of the 860 respondents using a computer in their businesses. Most businesses, about 48 percent, use one computer for their businesses and 37 percent use between two and five computers.

Not only are companies using computers, but many of them – 76 percent – utilize the vast resources of the Internet for their businesses. About 25 percent of these companies only have Web access for one computer, but some companies have access for most of their employees. More than 39 percent have access for two to five employees, 7 percent for six to 20 employees and 1 percent had access for more than 20 employees.

Managers and employees alike use the Internet for a variety of tasks at work. About 76 percent use the Internet for online research, 50 percent visit manufacturers’ Web sites and 17 percent use message boards. Some respondents – 11 percent – use the Internet for other activities such as e-mail, parts orders, checking the weather, contacting customers and employee training.

Many software companies have programs available that were specifically created for the landscape industry. About 48 percent of contractors use these industry-oriented programs.

In terms of software use, more than 60 percent of contractors use it for landscape design and imaging, 74 percent use it for accounting purposes and 43 percent use this software for job scheduling and routing. Nearly 7 percent use software for other purposes, such as bidding, inventory, plant identification and labeling.

This use translates to significant software investments for some landscape businesses. About 27 percent of respondents said that they spend more than $1,000 on computer software per year, with 18 percent spending between $1,000 and $2,499, 5 percent spending between $2,500 and $4,999, 2 percent spending between $5,000 and $9,999 and 2 percent spending more than  $10,000 annually.

Survey Results

Total responses: 860

1. How many computers are used in your business?

None      6%
One        48%
2-5         37%
6-20 7.   5%
21+        1.5%

2. Does your company use any software specifically designed for the landscape industry?

 Yes     48%
 No      52%

If so, for what applications?

 Landscape design/imaging 235  61%
 Accounting   286  74%
 Scheduling/routing  165  43%
 Other    27  7%

Other applications listed included: Bidding, determining postage, labeling, estimating, invoicing, job tracking, plant identification, inventory, lawn care guides and marketing.

3. How many of your employees have Internet access at work?

 None    24%
 One    25%
 2-5    39%
 6-20    7%
 21+    1%
 All (no number given)  4%

4. If your employees use the Internet, what do they use it for?

 Research    76%
 Visit Manufacturers’ websites 50%
 Message Boards   17%
 Other     11%

Other uses listed included: Company website, industry/government info, parts orders, warranty information, e-mail, training, check weather, bidding, MSDS information, customer service and personal uses.

5. What is your company’s annual software expense?

 $0-$999   73% 
 $1,000-$2,499   18%
 $2,500-$4,999   5%
 $5,000-$9,999   2%
 $10,000 or more  2%

The author is a contributing editor to Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at mjenkins@gie.net.