You've been using Excel for years. Maybe decades. Your quote template has 47 formulas, 3 nested IF functions, and a material price list on the second sheet that hasn't been updated since 2019. It works. Sort of. Most of the time.

But it costs you 45 minutes per quote, you have no idea if your last job was profitable, and when a client asks for version 2, you spend 10 minutes searching your Downloads folder for "Quote_Smith_v2_FINAL_v3.xlsx".

Here's how to switch completely in under an hour.

Step 1: Create account (5 minutes)

plotoniq.com/app/register. Email, password, company name. No credit card. You're in.

PlotonIQ asks a few things on first login: What services do you offer? (Signs, glass, vehicles, channel letters, large format, exhibition). What accounting tool do you use? What language for PDFs?

Step 2: Import customers (15 minutes)

Export your customer list from Excel as CSV. In PlotonIQ: Settings → CRM → Import → Upload CSV. The system auto-detects columns (name, address, email, phone). Review mapping, import. 200 customers import in under 30 seconds.

Alternatively: if you use sevDesk, Lexoffice, or another supported provider, just connect the API key. All contacts sync bi-directionally — no import needed.

Step 3: Materials (10 minutes)

PlotonIQ already knows current market prices for all common materials. The AI knows what Oracal 751 costs, what 3M IJ180 costs, what aluminium composite panel 3mm costs at major distributors. You only need to add your special prices — negotiated rates with your specific supplier.

Step 4: Connect accounting (5 minutes)

Settings → Integrations → your provider. Enter API key. Start sync. From now on, contacts, quotes, and invoices flow automatically in both directions. No double entry, ever.

Step 5: First AI quote (2 minutes)

This is the moment you realise why you're switching. Go to Quotes → New Quote → AI Calculation. Type or dictate: "Storefront frosting, 3 windows 150x110cm frosted film 3M Crystal, 1 entrance door opening hours white vinyl lettering, installation included, client is Smith's Bakery."

30 seconds later: complete quote with 4 positions, unit prices, material costs, labour, travel, VAT — and an AI price justification per position that explains to the client why the price is fair. Generate PDF, send by email. Done.

Compare that to 45 minutes in Excel.

Step 6: Invite team (10 minutes)

Settings → Team → Invite. Email address, assign role (Admin, Staff, Installer). The invited team member gets an email, clicks the link, sets their password — instant access. No installation, no app store download. PWA in the browser.

What you now have

After under an hour: all customers in the system. Accounting synced. Material prices loaded. First AI quote sent. Team with access.

What you no longer have: 45 minutes per quote. A Downloads folder full of Excel files. WhatsApp approvals without timestamps. No idea whether jobs are profitable.

What you don't lose

Your old Excel files stay where they are. PlotonIQ deletes nothing on your computer. If after 14 days you want to go back, nothing happens — your account goes to free mode, your data stays, and you can upgrade again anytime. Zero risk.