New integration streamlines workflows for commercial roofing contractors

By Jenny Yu. 

Dataforma and QXO team up to reduce manual processes and strengthen supplier communication. 

Commercial roofing contractors have long asked for tighter integration between business management software and supplier ordering systems. Now, a new integration between Dataforma and QXO aims to simplify that process by connecting estimating, purchasing and project management workflows in one platform. 

In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards spoke with Brian Cook, COO of Dataforma, and Gabriela Fornino, e-commerce change manager at QXO, about how customer demand helped drive the collaboration and what the integration means for contractors managing increasingly complex operations. 

Brian said the idea grew naturally from conversations with contractors already using both platforms. “Knowing that we worked with such a large number of commercial roofing contractors, it was a natural fit,” Brian explained. “Within a few months we had an agreement and we were moving.” 

The integration allows contractors to create requests for pricing, generate purchase orders and manage project costs directly within Dataforma without switching between systems or manually reentering information. 

Gabriela said the goal was to eliminate repetitive tasks while maintaining the relationships contractors value with their suppliers. “We took it and cut steps in half that people were taking in Dataforma previously,” Gabriela said. “It’s not replacing any relationship that you have or the amount of communication that you would have with the team over at QXO. It’s just doing it in a different channel and format.” 

The integration also gives contractors access to QXO’s product catalog and pricing tools during the estimating phase, helping teams develop tighter project estimates before converting them into purchase orders. 

Brian noted that user feedback played a critical role throughout development. “My whole role now at Dataforma is constantly talking to our contractors and asking, ‘What do you need?’” Brian shared. “If you don’t have eyes on it, by the time it goes out, you’re missing 10 or 15%.” 

For QXO, contractor input was equally important. “If it’s a product for contractors, it has to be made in part by contractors,” Gabriela said. “Unless it’s efficient in the hands of the user who’s going to be using it day in and day out, that’s what matters most.” 

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about the Dataforma and QXO integration and how it can help contractors improve efficiency and streamline operations.