Get to know the Software for Hardware family with our Staff Spotlight series! First up is Ashley Saldivar, our skilled Client Support Manager. Ashley provides training and support for new and existing customers to help them get the most out of Software for Hardware.
Question: How did you enter the door, frame, hardware industry?
Ashley: I entered the industry as an Administrative Assistant for a large distributor out in Texas. Amongst my responsibilities, I helped out project managers with their submittal packages by pulling and marking up the cutsheets for all the material listed in their projects. This helped me learn the products and nomenclature for many different manufactures.
As my curiosity grew and I became eager to learn more about the industry, my manager had me go through the Door and Hardware Institute‘s online self-paced courses: Fundamentals of Architectural Doors and Hardware, Introduction to Building Codes, and Understanding and Using Construction Documents.
My manager-turned-mentor started taking the time to meet with me every Friday morning to show me how to read project specifications, plans, and how to enter the project takeoff into the software we used. In time, I was submitting bids for all different types of projects.
I was blessed to work with a large corporation with many great mentors on the team. Because of their amazing mentorship and my work ethic, I took on the role of Project Manager. Being a Project Manager in this industry can be very challenging, but it’s rewarding knowing that we contribute to the security and safety of others.
Now, I can’t walk into a building without eyeing the hardware being used on the entry doors and cringing when I see a fire door propped or blocked open. From not knowing what a ball bearing hinge is or what hardware should be on a fire rated door, I now take pride in being a Door Hardware Nerd.
Question: What is your favorite part of working for Software for Hardware?
Ashley: My favorite part is getting to know all our customers and learning how they run their business in different parts of the country. Many of them start from having no project management software and doing project takeoffs by pen and paper or through data entry into Excel.
Many of our new users report a great return on investment since they can quote and manage many different projects faster and more accurately than before. It’s rewarding to know how Software for Hardware has made a positive impact on their business and that I’m part of the support team making it happen.
Question: What is a hobby of yours?
Ashley: I’m a real-life mermaid. So, being from south Texas where we only get about 2-3 months of “winter”, I typically gravitate to anything water related. When I’m in a body of water, I’m at the most peace and feel so free!
