Contractors help shape the next generation

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Dataforma is using contractor feedback and artificial intelligence to accelerate software development and expand tools for sales, service, production and maintenance. 

Contractor input is playing a central role in how Dataforma designs, tests and releases new software features. During this CoatingsTalk sponsored by Dataforma, Chief Executive Officer Mark Zeleznik and Chief Operating Officer Brian Cook explained how customer feedback, agile development and artificial intelligence (AI) are helping the company update its platform more quickly. 

Describing how customer ideas move into development, Mark explained, “We take that information in, we think about it and say, hey, how can we build the system in a way that can satisfy these problems?” 

Dataforma gathers ideas from thousands of contractors who use the system, monitors how customers interact with its tools and returns to users with prototypes for additional feedback. The company also hosts an annual design summit where contractors can work directly with Dataforma’s team and help shape future development priorities. 

Brian emphasized the value of that direct participation, noting, “It’s your chance to truly put your mark on this software.” One result of that process is a new maintenance contract module designed to help contractors manage recurring visits across multiple buildings. The system is intended to track scheduling, labor, materials, revenue and additional service work generated through maintenance visits. 

Dataforma is also rebuilding its interface and expanding what it calls the Dataforma workflow, which connects sales, production, service and maintenance within one platform. New dashboard options, messaging features, proposals and updated work order views are part of that effort. 

AI-assisted coding and quality assurance are helping accelerate the work. Mark reported that the company is seeing development speed increase by two to five times on some projects, while developers remain responsible for understanding and managing the underlying software. 

The team also expects AI to make contractor data easier to access through reporting tools, application programming interfaces and embedded prompts. However, Mark cautioned that AI-generated results still require review because the technology can produce errors. Reflecting on the pace of development, Mark said, “This year will probably be the most productive year in Dataforma history since the year I founded it.” 

Listen to the podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about how contractor feedback and AI are shaping Dataforma’s evolving sales, service, production and maintenance tools!