AI For The Trades episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 2, 2026 · 26 MIN

AI For The Trades

from What's Up with Tech? · host Evan Kirstel

Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected] businesses keep our world running, but most of them operate on painfully thin margins. We talk with Fred Voccola CEO from Simpro Group about what happens when you bring practical AI to the job site and the back office, not as hype, but as an operating platform for the trades that helps contractors finish more work right the first time.We get specific about where the ROI shows up fast: cutting “retreads” (repeat visits) by improving job prep, making sure the right technician arrives with the right materials, and optimizing routes and scheduling. Fred breaks down how AI agents can act like affordable digital staff, doing the kind of job-prep, collections follow-up, documentation, and optimization work that only huge companies can normally afford. The payoff is better job profitability, fewer wasted truck rolls, and a real chance to move from 5% to 7% profit margins toward something closer to 20%+.We also dig into customer experience and why service expectations are rising. With ambient listening and automated documentation, the system can capture the “little” details that matter, then prep the next technician with the right context. Finally, we look at the next generation of skilled trades workers, including real-time training support via wearables, plus a preview of Simpro Lightning and its new AI brain and agents.If you care about AI in construction, field service management, job site productivity, and the future of skilled trades, listen, share this with a contractor friend, and leave a review with your biggest question about AI on the job.Everyday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showMore at https://linktr.ee/EvanKirstel

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 2, 2026

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Interested in being a guest? Email us at [email protected] Trade businesses keep our world running, but most of them operate on painfully thin margins. We talk with Fred Voccola CEO from Simpro Group about what happens when you bring practical AI to the job site and the back office, not as hype, but as an operating platform for the trades that helps contractors finish more work right the first time. We get specific about where the ROI shows up fast: cutting “retreads” (repeat visits) by ...

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AI For The Trades

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