Oklahoma-based Alliance Maintenance cleans up janitorial business

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jun 9, 2008 by David Page

About 18 months ago Neil Boyd started working with a computer technician to develop a software accounting system for janitorial companies.

Boyd owns Alliance Maintenance, a Norman-based commercial cleaning company.

Alliance Maintenance recently launched its online account management system and about 25 janitorial companies in six states are using the program developed in Norman for payroll, billing and marketing.

"The reason this system is so groundbreaking is that it links all aspects of a janitorial business together," said Boyd. "The system gives owners access to a virtual team of professionals who generate leads, handle payroll and coordinate customer billing. Best of all, it's integrated into one database and accessible via the Internet at any time and any place."

The system provides real-time recording of transactions related to customers and personnel.

"They can access the system and see what checks were received today," Boyd said. "When they get a new account they enter the information into the system and we send the invoices from our office in Norman."

The system helps janitorial companies increase productivity and profits, he said.

"We have a business model about how to make the janitorial business profitable," he said.

The real-time program allows cleaning company owners to focus on providing services for customers.

"It takes what is probably a 15-hours-a-week job and turns it into a job that takes three to four hours," Boyd said. "It saves me about 25-30 hours per week in this office."

Companies post transactions about accounts and personnel online. Once data is entered, transactions including delivering 1099s, billing, credit reports, sales tax reports and payroll are handled from Alliance Maintenance's corporate office.

"Owners have complete access to the information and control what happens, but they don't actually have to do all the legwork," Boyd said. "Literally, it probably saves them 75 percent of the time than if they were actually doing the tasks themselves."

Real-time updating allows owners to project their business income in advance, he said. The account management system is accessible through a private Alliance Maintenance Web site.

There is no setup cost for any janitorial company in Alliance Maintenance's network. Fees are based on profits and growth.

"We look for companies that have growth potential," he said.

The Alliance network includes companies in six states representing approximately 800 accounts generating $8 million in annual revenue.

In addition to providing the software program for janitorial companies, Alliance provides cleaning services for office buildings, medical facilities and retail stores.

Boyd, a Norman native, started Alliance 25 years ago.

"I was doing some part-time cleaning for my dad and realized I was pretty good at it," he said.

He started doing cleanup work for new construction projects, including apartments. Then he started bidding on other cleaning jobs.

"I cleaned a lot of toilets, emptied a lot of trash cans and did a lot of all-nighters," Boyd said. "I built the company from there."