When customers are traveling by boat, calling the office to make a payment isn’t always convenient. For Just Catamarans, giving customers a way to pay online has helped reduce follow-up, simplify deposits, and save at least two hours of administrative work each week.
Jenn Arbelo Office Manager and Partner Just Catamarans
We spoke with Jenn Arbelo, Office Manager and Partner at Just Catamarans, about the company’s move from QuickBooks to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central and its experience with iSolutions’ iPayments.
Answers have been edited for clarity and readability.
Tell us about Just Catamarans and what you do.
We’re a catamaran service and repair company. If a boat needs maintenance, upgrades, or repairs, customers come to us. We’re an all-in-one service company and handle the work in-house. The business has been around for more than 25 years.
What led you to move from QuickBooks to Business Central?
We had used QuickBooks for about 19 years. When we started holding stock five or six years ago, we found ourselves working around limitations in our setup. That led us to explore other options, and we came across Business Central.
How were you accepting payments before iPayments?
We used a separate credit card terminal because processing payments through QuickBooks was too expensive for us. Customers would call in to pay, and we would process their payments through the terminal. At that time, we didn’t have payment links. Collecting payments could involve phone tag, reminders, or asking customers to send their banking information. It worked, but it required more involvement from our office.
Why did you choose iSolutions?
The salesperson we were working with through So Smart had heard of iSolutions and introduced us. It was the only payment solution we evaluated, and it worked out really well. The processing rates were lower than what we would have paid through QuickBooks, and we were happy with the support we received from the beginning.
How has the payment experience changed for your customers?
Customers were used to calling us to pay. Now they can make payments themselves through a link on their invoice. They like being able to do it right away without calling the office or waiting for a reminder. Many of our customers are on their boats or heading to another destination. Before, they might tell us they would pay when they reached their next stop. Now they can take care of it online.
We’ve seen customers who previously took a couple of days to pay make their payments right away.
What improvements have you seen for your team?
Everything is smoother and easier on the payment side. I save at least a couple of hours each week because I’m spending less time asking for payments, playing phone tag, or collecting banking information. Now customers can click the link, make the payment, and be done. Deposits have also been easy to manage. If an order changes and we need an additional payment, we can update the amount and email another payment request. Customers can see what they owe and take care of it online.
What has your experience with iSolutions support been like?
The support team has been great. The best thing is how quickly they reply. Even if they need more information or more time to resolve something, they get back to us. That makes a big difference when you’re waiting for help. I worked with Cory on an issue with receipts not going through, and he was helpful in working through how everything connected with our setup.
I’d definitely give the help desk a shout-out. I asked a lot of questions at the beginning. When you move to new software and a new payment process, it’s nice to know someone will help patiently, even if you’ve forgotten how to do something.
How would you describe your overall experience?
It’s been a really good system for us. I’ve been pleasantly surprised. Customers are paying faster, payments are easier to manage, and I’m spending less time following up. Having a responsive support team has made the transition easier, too.