RIDGID, one of the leading manufacturers of hand and power tools and video inspection devices, announced today the launch of RIDGIDConnect™ — a first-of-its-kind online business tool designed for contractors and service professionals to allow them to securely share and store job site information via a computer, laptop or smart phone.

RIDGIDConnect creates a digital platform for professionals such as plumbers, HVAC technicians and facilities managers to store job site photos and videos, job reports and histories, maintenance records, customer lists, and other files needed for recordkeeping. The online tool enables subscribers to share information with customers, other contractors and third parties. RIDGID unveiled the new subscription-based service at the AHR Expo 2010, the international HVAC/R trade exposition which took place in Orlando, FL.

“Think of this online tool as the contractor’s version of an electronic medical record for each of their customers. We conducted hundreds of hours of research with contractors and maintenance professionals to identify their needs and make sure our online tool could easily and quickly be adopted to help manage their digital assets.“ 

- Jay Gatz, vice president of strategic planning, RIDGID

It looks like pricing for the service will run between $49 - $129/month according to information received on a conference call shared with industry professionals last week. For most companies this will be well worth it if the software proves to be as accessible and well-designed as RIDGID has proposed. RIDGIDConnect is available in four subscription plans to suit the needs of businesses and organizations of various sizes. Payments are made on a monthly basis.  The subscription plans are:

RIDGIDConnect is designed to meet three primary contractor needs when it comes to handling information and digital media assets: Share, Store and Simplify.

RIDGIDConnect: Share

The “Share“ aspect of RIDGIDConnect enables professionals to overcome communication challenges previously associated with digital media assets. RIDGIDConnect subscribers have the ability to:

• Prepare and send detailed, professional job reports that include notes and customer details to multiple recipients.
• Edit and narrate digital media (videos and photos) to provide concise, easy-to-follow explanations.
• Control recipients’ access privileges.

RIDGIDConnect: Store

RIDGIDConnect stores and protects a professional’s digital assets on a secure and continually backed-up system, including:

• Detailed customer lists and job histories.
• Uploaded digital media from inspection tools (any manufacturer) and digital recording devices.
• Project files and records.

RIDGIDConnect: Simplify

RIDGIDConnect simplifies and bridges the technology gap by:

• Eliminating the need to copy digital files to DVDs, CDs or USB flash drives.
• Lessening the back-and-forth explanation between clients and/or co-workers.
• Providing around-the-clock access to records from any location.
• Utilizing RIDGIDConnect mobile to conduct business in the field via a smart phone.

RIDGIDConnect is available in four subscription plans to suit the needs of businesses and organizations of various sizes. To register for a free 30-day trial or for additional information about RIDGIDConnect, visit www.RIDGIDConnect.com.

About RIDGID and Emerson Professional Tools
RIDGID, a leading manufacturer of hand and power tools, markets its products in more than 140 countries. The company’s broad offering of more than 300 types of tools serve the rental, plumbing, HVAC/R, utility, industrial, electrical, petroleum, institutional, commercial and hardware markets. RIDGID is part of Emerson Professional Tools™, a business of Emerson, which brings technology and engineering together to design and produce some of the highest-quality tools and equipment in the world. From wet/dry vacs to the industry’s best-selling pipe diagnostic system, key brands include RIDGID, KNAACK, PROTEAM and WEATHER GUARD.

About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Emerson’s sales in fiscal 2009 were $20.9 billion. The company is ranked 94th on the Fortune 500 list of America’s largest companies. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.