The 35-year-old company, with its depot at Dry Creek, first commissioned ESS to create a Year 2000-compliant business system to replace its ageing hire software.

ESS developed a software program called EquipHire which manages KD Gore’s delivery dockets, pickup dockets, invoicing and statement accounts. The software even has a search function that quickly finds where a builder’s delivery is located.

KD Gore Manager Chris Ginn said EquipHire facilitated the company’s whole business. “It was easy to learn and use and it gave us a lot more options than the old software,” he said.

“Because it’s user-friendly, it is easy to use its search engine to look up if a builder’s site has received a toilet that they’ve ordered.”

KD Gore’s core business is hiring and delivering onsite amenities for builders, including builders’ sheds, chemical toilets and small waste bins for paper and cement bags.

The company, which has nine staff and five trucks, services more than 30 customers as far afield at the Yorke Peninsula, Murray Bridge, the Clare Valley and throughout the Adelaide Hills to Victor Harbor.

After the success of this initial project, KD Gore has continued to work with ESS in order to modify the system to meet its customers’ requirements.

“ESS did a recent upgrade to make the software compatible with the packages that builders were asking for,” said Mr. Ginn.

“Builders don’t want monthly invoices. They prefer to know what it is going to cost them as a total package for 18 weeks and then be billed accordingly. We worked with ESS to modify the software so we could make it hassle-free for the builders.”

Partnership with ESS took on a whole new meaning the day that KD Gore staff arrived at work to find their computer had been stolen.

After the insurance company said it would take a week to replace the machine, ESS volunteered to provide and commission a loan machine that day, putting the company back in business without a blip.

ESS has also assisted KD Gore to set up its server and computer network.

Mr. Ginn said the experience of working with ESS was one of success. “It’s great that they’re a local company,” he said.

“If you want to see them, you can visit them personally. If you speak about prices they are competitive. I find it’s a lot more convenient for us and for them.

“When there’s a problem, they are pretty happy to fix it up or change around the program if we’re not happy with it. They don’t try and brush us off. The staff at ESS is very friendly and very professional.”