Maintenance FAQs

How can we see the SLICEplus software work?

We have found the most convenient way for you to see SLICEplus software is a “live” real-time demonstration, via an internet connection, with one of our sales representatives or at one of the many trade shows we attend.  Please see our Trade Show schedule for the show nearest you.  Instead of using demo disks, which are often confusing and complicated, we connect your computer to ours, then walk you through the SLICEplus system right from the comfort of your own desk.  If you would like to see SLICEplus in action, call or email us and we will be happy to set up an appointment for a demonstration.

Do I need other software packages to use the SLICE system?

Actually, SLICEplus is a fully integrated software package, which gives you a more powerful system and saves you countless hours of dual entry.  Why not use one package instead of struggling to get 3 or 4 different software packages to work together?  SLICEplus was designed by Green Industry veterans and it handles all of your daily operations.  SLICEplus offers a fully integrated accounting module that is seamlessly connected to the operations module.  Then we give you an internal report generator and allow you to use any of the 300 standard reports, modify an existing report or create your own custom reports.  SLICEplus enables you to do all of your business in one system, saving you time and money.

Will your software help my business run more smoothly?

SLICE is actually not just a software system; it is a business plan. SLICE has over 100 years of combined green industry experience and is an active member of many national and state associations. We are green industry people, not just software people. Because of our history, we understand what you do day to day. This gives us the ability to not only help you set up your software to run more efficiently, but to aid you in establishing policies and procedures that help your business run more efficiently. SLICE gives you the tools to help your business prosper and provides you with proven methods to make it happen.

We have several different operations and profit centers. Can SLICEplus keep track of my different operations and give me multiple profit and loss statement for them?

Yes, SLICEplus can allow you to run each part of your business as a separate operation and still have one accounting system.  We give you the flexibility to share any part of the program, inventory or customers for example, or any other information you desire between operations, divisions or companies.  This allows you to have as many profit and loss statements as you would like per operation and still have one general ledger and balance sheet.

How is SLICEplus different from other programs?

The thing that we hear most from our customers is how well SLICEplus fits their business.  Unlike some software that was written by computer people with no hands-on green industry experience, SLICEplus was designed and written under the guidance of the Thornton family in 1983.   Thornton Gardens was founded in 1946 as a retail garden store and nursery.  They later added landscape and maintenance divisions and SLICE was developed to run all of the operations for each of the Thornton divisions.  So we don’t just sell software, we understand your business.  With our experience and knowledge of the industry, we can get you on a proven track for success.

Do you provide upgrades for your program?

SLICE is continually enhancing our software.   Updates are provided to clients as they become available.  Having worked in this industry for 50 plus years, we know is it is always changing and strive to keep current with the needs and wants of our customers.  We strongly encourage our clients to submit enhancement ideas as a majority of our modifications and revisions come from their requests and inquiries.  You are not only a customer, but also our advisory and development board.

How many people can use SLICEplus at one time?

SLICEplus is a true multi-user system.  With SLICEplus, you could have your accounting people doing their work at the same time your purchasing people are receiving inventory and sales people are entering orders.  This ensures that you will be able to take care of all of your operations without delay and allows your people to be more efficient at their jobs. 

How does SLICE train us on the software?

We realize that software programs offer a higher return on investment if they are used effectively.  That means training.  SLICE has several methods to train users.  Clients can choose “on-site” training at your location, “on-line” training via the internet and our tech support 800 line.  Other resources like tutorials, integrated program “help text” and user manuals are also provided.  We believe our best asset is a happy and well-trained user.

What kind of support does SLICE provide?

Experienced SLICE support personnel are available to assist you if the need arises.  We offer Monday through Friday 800-line support, plus weekend pager support.  You can always reach a support person for those unexpected problems even on the weekends.  We are capable of either answering questions over the phone or dialing into your system to fix any issues.  If the help text in the software or the manual does not provide you enough of an answer, call us on our 800-line and we will help you out.  Our experienced support staff is dedicated to making the use of SLICEplus an enjoyable experience.

What kind of information can I get out of SLICEplus?

SLICEplus comes standard with over 300 different reports in each of the programs.  Whether you are looking for real-time accounting information, customer information or accurate and up-to-date inventory information, SLICEplus has a report for it.   SLICEplus provides more accurate and up-to-the-minute information than any other industry package.   And yes, you can combine or customize any of our standard reports or create your own with the provided report writer. 

How long does it take me to get up and running on SLICEplus?

Naturally, implementation time varies depending on the company size, divisions and software purchased.  We provide detailed instructions and personal assistance to get you up and running as quickly as possible with as little disruption to your daily business

Does SLICEplus handle payroll?

Clients can choose to use our fully integrated 3^rd party payroll solution or export payroll data to several external payroll services.   Whether you do payroll or not does not affect what the program can do for you.

Can I track the sales performance of my sales people in SLICEplus?

Yes. You can track not only revenues generated, but profit by salesperson in each of the SLICE packages.  This allows you to maximize profits and stay on track to a profitable year.

Can we use our current computers with SLICEplus?

SLICE requires you have a Windows platform (2000, 2003) for the network, and Windows XP PRO or 2000 on computers for the workstations.  A network is not required to run SLICEplus as a single user system

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The SLICEplus Maintenance package is a complete bidding and estimating system that contains an integrated contact management system which allows you to track information and schedule activities for prospects, clients and vendors.  SLICEplus allows you to quickly produce accurate estimate.  Once the estimate is in the system there is no need for any further data entry.  You just move the estimate to an order, schedule the job by route or crew and then produce it.  Then SLICEplus gives you several options for billing, whether you bill monthly, cyclical or by the job.  It is all done in a timely, efficient manner.  SLICE eliminates needless multiple entries.  Since the industry’s best accounting is built in, there is no need to re-enter the job into another accounting package. SLICE has already done that for you.  Why spend you time entering data in a computer when you could be spending it making money?

Can I job cost in SLICEplus?

One of the strengths of the SLICEplus Maintenance package is the job costing.  You can look after the job is done and know if you made money.  If you run our "Bid Sheet" report, you’ll see if the job has enough profit in it before you even bid the job.  SLICE tracks equipment and materials used on the job, plus job labor hours on a daily basis.  This tells you whether you are on track to complete the job on time and on budget.  Why is the SLICE job costing system the best in the industry?  Simple - we used this proven system for 35 years, 20 on the computer.  Can your software company say that?

Can I do my routing and scheduling in SLICEplus?

The other strength of the SLICEplus Maintenance package is the routing and scheduling capability.   SLICEplus allows you to schedule jobs by frequency and route them by crew and location.  Since routing and scheduling are important to you, we give you the flexibility to route and schedule your jobs to your preference.  We realize that sometimes you are at the mercy of the weather, so the flexibility to reschedule activities and change schedules quickly is built right into SLICEplus. 

Does SLICEplus provide the forms I need?

Yes, included in our 300 standard reports are forms for work tickets, shipping tickets, purchase orders, invoices, plant tags and several customer proposals.  All of these can be modified or customized with the included report writer.  From a simple 1-page proposal to a sophisticated multi-page proposal with detailed description of services, SLICEplus can suite your needs.  

Does SLICEplus track inventory?

SLICEplus can not only give you real-time data on your inventory, but it also has the ability to give you a complete history of what you have used on each job. SLICEplus also allows you to track what inventory you will need for future jobs.  If you want accurate, up-to-the-minute inventory, SLICEplus is the package for you.

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