A rental professional shares his tips for choosing an equipment rental management ERP that optimizes and maximizes your profitability.
Locatoumat specializes in the sale and rental of construction equipment for building and public works, landscaping tools, personal protective equipment, power tools, and machinery for both professionals and individuals. To save time and boost productivity, the rental agency chose to implement an equipment rental management ERP. Jacques Voisin, IT manager at Locatoumat since 2015, shares his experience and reasoning behind investing in a rental management solution. He oversees IT operations across the company’s 12 branches and organizes annual skill assessments for users of the rental management ERP. An interview between Locatoumat and hitech software.
What are the benefits of an equipment rental ERP?
The benefits of an equipment rental ERP are numerous, no matter the size of your business. “We chose to invest in an equipment rental management solution because it offered the best balance between functionality and cost. The decision has truly driven the implementation of networked IT systems at Locatoumat. We’re now working together to scale up the solution,” explains Jacques Voisin. “The entire process—from quotes to reservations, contracts, and invoicing—is much clearer thanks to the rental management software, and our customer tracking is far more precise.
When it comes to fleet management, we now have full visibility over our equipment based on usage hours or mileage, and maintenance is handled efficiently. This leads to better equipment longevity and easier oversight. For our employees, information is easier to access and share. The equipment rental ERP ensures that company processes are followed across all 12 branches. It brings consistency to our workflows, which has been made possible thanks to the software,” he adds.
How to implement an equipment rental ERP?
To implement an equipment rental ERP effectively, a company needs a structured and well-planned approach. “The equipment rental ERP software replaced a legacy solution that had reached the end of its life. The implementation was carried out through a series of study sessions to assess our needs directly from the field, along with a tailored training program to support the transition, and a responsive after-sales support team to fine-tune our use of the software,” explains Jacques Voisin from Locatoumat.
“Today, the equipment rental ERP is a key component at Locatoumat, and we maintain a strong relationship with our project manager. You can’t work with such an essential provider without solid communication and mutual understanding. Even though rolling out rental software in our organization hasn’t always been easy, we’ve built a real relationship of trust and partnership. Part of my job is to help the software vendor understand our challenges, and at the same time, make our management more aware of the software’s importance—which isn’t always simple!” he adds.
“The ERP continues to evolve, which is great news. The use of a tablet-based check-in and check-out inspection app is a fantastic tool. The challenge is taking the time to implement it and get some people comfortable using tablets! We’re also looking forward to the upcoming launch of a workshop management module,” concludes Jacques Voisin.
How to choose an equipment rental ERP?
To choose an equipment rental ERP, it’s important to carefully evaluate your company’s needs and long-term goals. An equipment rental management software is a powerful and comprehensive tool that allows you to control every aspect of your rental operations. A well-designed solution will greatly optimize your rental processes and fleet management through a wide range of intuitive features. Make sure the ERP offers all the key functionalities needed to enhance and maximize the profitability of your rental business—such as cost control, inventory tracking, and activity scheduling.
When properly implemented, equipment rental software generates valuable time and cost savings for your organization. With an ergonomic, customizable interface, the system supports all types of rental agencies—whether you specialize in equipment, tools, or heavy machinery, and whether your business focuses on short-, medium-, or long-term rentals. A strong rental ERP adapts to companies of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises, with pricing models suited to each. Just like Locatoumat, are you looking to choose a complete, innovative, and high-performance equipment rental ERP? Explore all our tips to manage your rental activity and fleet more efficiently.
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