History of RollMaster Flooring Business Software
Origins and Early Development:
- Late 1970s: RollMaster Flooring Software got its start when its founder, Dev O’Reilly, faced challenges with the lack of industry-specific software for his family’s flooring distribution business. O’Reilly, who began working in sales for Port Distributing after being discharged from the US Navy in May 1973, saw the need to manage growth and margin through software.
- 1975: O’Reilly began development on a flooring business software to address these needs. By the late 1970s, with Port Distributing having expanded to two locations and becoming a 12 million dollar distributor, the groundwork for RollMaster was laid.
- 1979: RollMaster Software was featured on the front cover of Floor Covering Weekly, marking its first significant public recognition.
Growth and Evolution:
- Mid-1980s: The company launched a Retail System named RollMaster. This system was designed to deliver real-time, fully integrated data from multiple locations, setting the foundation for a scalable platform that could grow with its clients while maintaining profitability.
- Pre-2000: Initially, RollMaster software was sold along with server hardware. However, with the approach of Y2K, the software was rewritten and transitioned to a hosted system, marking the company’s move into cloud-based solutions well before “the cloud” became a mainstream term.
- 2000s: RollMaster continued to expand its offerings, serving various sectors within the flooring industry, including distribution, retail, multi-family, and home builder operations. It established itself as a leader in Cloud Based Flooring Business Management Software.
- 2012: RollMaster emphasized its cloud capabilities, highlighting benefits like fast deployment speeds, low upfront costs, and scalability. The company also focused on vertical market cloud solutions tailored specifically for the flooring enterprise.
Acquisition and Integration:
- November 2021: Broadlume, a company known for its all-in-one tech ecosystem for the flooring industry, announced the acquisition of RollMaster. This acquisition aimed to integrate RollMaster’s cloud-based ERP system into Broadlume’s platform, enhancing the ability to track digital marketing ROI and providing dealers with a seamless tech ecosystem.
- Post-Acquisition: Patrick Ferries, COO of RollMaster, noted that while RollMaster had its own plans for elevating software in the flooring business, Broadlume’s vision for an integrated tech stack would accelerate these goals. Current RollMaster customers were reassured that their use of the software would not change much, but there would be forthcoming upgrades and new features as part of the integration.
Legacy and Impact:
- Industry Recognition: RollMaster has been recognized as the premier flooring business management software package in North America, with a focus on real-time solutions and integrated data from estimating to financial statements. Its commitment to training, support, and providing ever-improving technology has made it a backbone for many flooring businesses.
- Team and Clients: At its peak, RollMaster boasted over thirty team members and served thousands of flooring professionals across the US and Canada, emphasizing a culture of helping clients succeed and prosper.
- Market Position: Even after the acquisition, RollMaster retains its identity as the complete solution for managing residential or commercial flooring businesses, with an enhanced capability through Broadlume’s broader tech offerings.
RollMaster’s history reflects a journey from a necessity-driven project in a family business to becoming a pivotal player in the flooring industry’s software landscape, adapting to technological advancements, and ultimately merging with broader tech ecosystems to continue serving the evolving needs of the flooring sector.
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