Mechanical insulation-specific software solution Appello addresses insulation’s pain points and is leveraging the industry into a digital future.
By Jessica Kirby
When Appello co-founders Corey Shelson, Ian Haase, Matt Vanos, and Chris Vachon decided to collaborate on the mechanical insulation (MI) industry’s first trade-specific operations management software, they knew they were seizing an important opportunity. The industry is at the forefront of bringing environmental efficiency to ICI buildings across North America, yet it lacked a software solution tailored to its needs.
“The insulation industry is under recognized and under serviced in many ways, with specialized or suitable software being a major issue,” says Matt Vanos, third-generation owner of Vanos Insulations. “We strive to be on the forefront of innovation and technology in our industry, and we feel that a tailored software solution is vital to the long-term success of the company and the industry as a whole.”
The founders believe Appello is that solution. It simplifies workflow, automates administrative tasks, and boosts overall efficiency and productivity. Because it is a SaaS platform specifically designed for field service businesses, it integrates all components of field work for the project’s duration, including project, job, and workforce scheduling; equipment and asset tracking; health and safety compliance; training record tracking; time sheets; expenses; and vacation management. It also automates many tasks for MI companies employing unionized workers.
Filling a gap
The software was initially inspired by Corey Shelson, who started the project armed with a mosaic of professional experience, including military leadership, engineering expertise, and entrepreneurial acumen.
In 2020, he met with Vanos and discussed the mechanical insulation industry, and more importantly, its pain points. Vanos Insulation became Appello’s initial customer and continues to serve as a real-world testing ground for the software’s development.
“This practical application was instrumental in shaping Appello into a platform that genuinely understands and meets the unique demands of the insulation industry,” Shelson says. “By working closely with a thermal insulation company, we could fine-tune Appello’s features, ensuring they are tailored to the intricate and specific needs of mechanical insulation.”
Vanos provides guidance from an end user standpoint and mechanical insulation expertise to ensure the software is helping to solve real problems.
“I make my team available to trial new features before they are released to the masses,” he says. “I also leverage my industry relationships to promote the value of the platform and gain new sales opportunities.”
And while Appello has made his own business simpler and more streamlined, Vanos became part of the company’s leadership team for a more robust reason. “I am excited about the opportunity to work with a group of talented, driven individuals toward a common goal with the prospect for growth and success that will change our industry.”
From strong beginnings
These individuals include co-founder Ian Haase, a serial entrepreneur with a passion for small business. Before Appello, he started companies in healthcare, manufacturing, cannabis, and automotive, and assisted hundreds of other people in starting and growing businesses as a startup advisor and mentor. Haase and Shelson met over a decade ago when they both attended the same business school, and the two knew that career-wise the timing was right to link up with the goal of launching Appello.
“I have a passion for helping entrepreneurs, and the mechanical insulation industry is full of hardworking small business owners who are trying to grow their businesses,” Haase says. “The industry needs innovation and digitization in order to continue to thrive in the decades ahead, and I am excited about the possibility for a platform like Appello to contribute to that cause.”
Technical expertise
Appello’s fourth co-founder, Christopher Vachon, has spent the past 15 years building and expanding web-based applications covering everything from marketing to article-based platforms and e-commerce solutions. Most of these have been custom solutions built from the ground up, which proved the perfect foundation for developing Appello.
“Having built a large variety of applications, it has allowed me to develop an expandable framework that is easy to build upon,” he says. “While researching the project’s initial scope, it became clear that mechanical insulation and its related trades are an underserved market in terms of technological advancement and automation. It’s been an exciting and rewarding experience to work with our clients to help find solutions to their process challenges.”
Vision moving forward
Looking ahead, the vision for Appello is to become an integral part of the mechanical insulation industry’s digital transformation. “Key developments in the company include expanding our market reach, enhancing our platform with AI capabilities, and integrating with more third-party tools like Sage accounting software,” Shelson says.
In addition, the company will soon be rolling out a Material Management module, which will allow field workers to order materials directly to the jobsite according to the job specifications.
“We hope the software will revolutionize how mechanical insulation projects are managed, making processes more efficient, reducing overhead costs, and improving communication across all levels of operations,” Haase says.
TIAC’s role in the journey
TIAC and its members have been instrumental in Appello’s journey because their insights into the industry’s needs have shaped the platform’s development.
“We would like to extend our gratitude to the many individuals and organizations whose contributions have been pivotal in our progress to-date,” Shelson says. “There are too many to name individually, but TIAC members have opened their arms to Appello, offering valuable insights to help us continue to build a product that they want to use. We are honored that many have chosen to become early adopters of the platform, and we are hopeful that we can continue to deliver results that attract additional MI companies across Canada.”
“Our collaboration with TIAC and its members underscores the importance of industry partnerships in developing targeted solutions,” Haase says. “Their support has been a testament to the potential impact of Appello in the mechanical insulation industry. We can’t thank the membership enough for their insight.”
Learn more about Appello at useappello.com ▪
