Running a joinery business means wearing many hats.
For Ben Sheppard, Director at Boatswain Joinery Ltd, those hats saw him managing everything from manufacturing to quoting, admin, and customer communication.
In part, it comes with the territory, especially with a family-run operation. Businesses don’t thrive without great people working hard to ensure quality runs through each part, which is why Boatswain now boasts a proud 60-year legacy of excellence.
But as the business grew, evenings were filling up with paperwork, and it was clear something had to change. So back in May 2025, Boatswain took the step to invest in EndtoEnd’s integrate software. One system to hang all those hats on.
Here, Ben shares his experience and how it’s already paying off. Read on to find out more.
Tell us about your business?
Boatswain is a family-run business based in Somerset. We’ve been around since the 1960s and specialise in high-quality timber windows and doors. Our reputation is built on quality work and a personalised service for all our customers.
Why did you need window and door software?
As the business grew, quoting and paperwork were taking up too much time, often spilling into my evenings. Because we’re a tight operation, I found myself overseeing and checking in on pretty much everything — from manufacturing and quoting to admin and customer communication.
Our approach meant we could always guarantee the best service and quality, which is what we’d done for decades. But we were growing, and with it came more paperwork and more time tied down doing admin.
We wanted to keep the personal touch but streamline processes, reduce the admin, and make quoting more efficient so I could spend more time on the workshop floor and less time at a desk.
Had you heard of EndtoEnd IT Ltd and integrate before?
Yes. I heard about EndtoEnd through recommendations from other joiners on Facebook who were already using the software.
They said the things I wanted to hear: time saving, easy to use, maintaining control, and good support. It sounded exactly like what we were looking for.
Ben and his Gramps, Don Boatswain
Were there any concerns before starting?
My main concern was whether the software would work smoothly for a small business like mine and how long it would take to get everything set up properly, particularly on the pricing side.
Business owners know that pricing is key. You can’t afford (sorry for the pun) to get it wrong, so it was a big deal to hand this over and trust the software.
Why did you decide on integrate?
I wanted something purpose-built for joinery that could speed up quoting, improve organisation, and help give customers a clearer idea of their order. The more information and design drawings you can give customers the better, but doing this manually takes a lot of time.
I looked at a few other options but integrate felt like the right fit for what I needed. It was straightforward, built specifically for our window and door industry, and came highly recommended by others already using it.
How’s the software going so far?
Really well.
The software has provided a big step up from how I was working before. Being able to send customers drawings of exactly what they will receive has helped secure more work and improved communication massively. I’m also getting quotes out much quicker now.
Any challenges?
The biggest challenge was learning how to use the software to its full potential and getting the pricing side dialled in. Gareth and the support team were a huge help throughout and made it much easier to get up and running confidently.
What’s the best thing about integrate?
The time it’s saved me, especially in the evenings. Jobs that took ages before are now much quicker, giving me a better work-life balance.
I also get to see more of the bits I love – the workshop and manufacturing – without having the growing mountain of paperwork in the back of my mind.
Are there any unexpected benefits of using integrate?
I didn’t expect the ability to show customers drawings to have such a positive impact. They say a picture paints a thousand words.
It’s made quoting more professional and helped win more jobs because customers can clearly visualise what they’re getting. In fact, it is so good I have already recommended it to others, it felt wrong to gatekeep it!
What’s your advice for others and would you recommend EndtoEnd?
Your investment in integrate software will pay you back quickly.
EndtoEnd know our industry – they’re more than a general software company. They’ve been there and done what you’re doing as a window and door business. It’s worth taking the step, as the time saved and increased efficiency soon add up.
Ben at his desk
From Gareth O’Brien, Director of EndtoEnd Ltd
I love showing our integrate system to companies like Ben’s because, as they talk through the challenges they’re facing, it takes me straight back to my own early days, working late into the evenings with paperwork spread everywhere and no real system to lean on.
Many of our team have lived that experience too. That’s why we’re so passionate about showing there is a better way forward, combining hands-on joinery experience with smart software to help businesses grow while keeping the control, quality, and personal touch that matter most.
You may have some questions about your next software steps. Make sure you get in touch, or why not have a read our post about weighing up whether to invest in software “now” or “later”.
We’ll help your business grow as well, just like Boatswain.