The Data That Changed Everything: A CrewIntel Success Story
Meta Description – Discover how TOP Green’s Operational Intelligence Platform is transforming job planning and efficiency for landscaping businesses. Learn how Greenscape leveraged real-time data to optimize crew management, reduce inefficiencies, and improve profitability with data-driven landscaping tools
In the landscaping industry, efficiency is everything. From crew scheduling to job execution, every minute counts when managing large commercial properties and HOA communities. But how do you optimize operations when traditional planning tools fall short?
Enter TOP Green, an operational intelligence platform that helps landscaping companies optimize job planning, improve labor efficiency, and monitor performance in real time, all without adding administrative overhead.
To dive deeper into how CrewIntel is making an impact, we sat down with industry experts from Greenscape to hear firsthand how CrewIntel has transformed their approach to landscaping operations, crew management, and job planning.
Q&A: How CrewIntel is Transforming Landscaping Operations
Q: What is CrewIntel, and how does it help landscaping companies?
Matt Grimmer (Sales Executive, TOP Green): CrewIntel is an AI-driven tool that helps landscaping businesses streamline job planning, track real-time production data, and make actionable improvements without adding extra administrative work.
Q: How did Greenscape get involved with CrewIntel?
Daniel Currin (CEO, Greenscape): We met Sashi and the TOP Green team at a tech conference and their approach really stood out. It was unlike anything else in the industry. After some conversations, we realized CrewIntel could solve a lot of challenges we were facing, so we decided to become early adopters.
Q: Before CrewIntel, how did you plan and execute maintenance jobs?
Yates Hamilton (Project Manager, Greenscape Durham Branch): We used a mix of path-of-motion maps, Gantt charts, and estimating tools to plan our work. It was detailed, but putting those plans into action in the field was a challenge. Execution didn’t always match the plan.
Q: What were the biggest challenges in job planning before using CrewIntel?
Daniel Curran: The biggest issue was the time spent planning versus executing. We spent a lot of time mapping and scheduling, but once the crews were out in the field, we didn’t always have the resources to make sure things were happening as planned. CrewIntel bridged that gap by giving us real-time data work with.
Q: How does CrewIntel’s technology work in the field?
Matt Grimmer: CrewIntel uses wearable safety vests with built-in tracking, so crews don’t have to check in manually or log their time. We also place small beacons on equipment to track machine usage. It all runs seamlessly in the background.
Q: How did Greenscape introduce CrewIntel to its crews? Was there resistance?
Yates Hamilton: Surprisingly, no. Our crews were already wearing safety vests, so swapping them out for CrewIntel vests was easy. We made it clear this was a tool to help them work more efficiently, not something to micromanage them. Once they saw how it improved efficiency without affecting their hours, they were all in.
Q: What were the first insights from using CrewIntel on job sites?
Matt Grimmer: One of our first tests was on the Calyx job site. The estimate was that mowing the property would take 90 minutes, but CrewIntel data showed it actually took 37 minutes. That was an eye-opener.
Q: How did you act on this data to improve efficiency?
Yates Hamilton: We analyzed the data and made a simple change—reducing the crew from four to three people. The remaining crew members adjusted their tasks slightly, and we got the same results while freeing up one worker for other jobs.
Q: What was the biggest takeaway from using CrewIntel?
Daniel Curran: The efficiency gains aren’t just about fixing underperforming crews. Even “good” job sites had hidden inefficiencies. Our crews naturally aim to complete work within the assigned hours, but CrewIntel helped us uncover optimization opportunities even in areas where we thought we were doing fine.
Q: How does CrewIntel impact job estimating and profitability?
Matt Grimmer: Instead of relying on industry-standard production rates, CrewIntel gives us real, site-specific data. This eliminates guesswork and allows businesses to bid more competitively while maintaining strong margins.
Q: Does CrewIntel require crews to use mobile devices?
Matt Grimmer: No. The vests start collecting data the moment they’re put on, no need to log in, push buttons, or interact with an app. It’s completely automated.
Q: What about battery life and charging? How do you make sure vests stay charged?
Yates Hamilton: Charging is simple—crews just hang their vests up at the end of the day, and they connect to a magnetic charger automatically. We’ve had zero issues with dead vests so far.
Q: How does CrewIntel identify which equipment is being used?
Matt Grimmer: Beacons are attached to each machine. When a crew member wearing a vest uses a piece of equipment, CrewIntel logs the activity—no manual input needed.
Q: How can CrewIntel help improve training and team performance?
Daniel Curran: It’s like game tape for landscaping. We can look at performance, identify best practices, and coach teams on how to work more efficiently. It’s a huge asset for training new hires and improving overall crew productivity.
Q: How does CrewIntel contribute to labor efficiency without reducing workforce hours?
Yates Hamilton: The goal isn’t to cut hours—it’s to reallocate labor to higher-value tasks. Instead of crews wasting time, they can take on extra work, improve property details, and deliver better service without increasing labor costs.
Q: How does CrewIntel fit into the broader industry shift toward operational intelligence?
Daniel Curran: The industry is moving toward data-driven decision-making. CrewIntel makes it easier to manage labor, track performance, and optimize planning. It’s the next step in professionalizing the industry.
Q: Any final thoughts?
Matt Grimmer: CrewIntel isn’t just another tracking tool—it’s a business optimizer. The goal is to make planning and execution seamless so companies can focus on growth, not guesswork.
Daniel Curran: The best tech is the kind you don’t have to think about. CrewIntel works in the background, letting us focus on delivering great work for our clients.
Yates Hamilton: It’s about setting up crews for success. When you have the right tools and the right insights, everything runs smoother.
Want to See CrewIntel in Action?
If you’re interested in how CrewIntel can optimize your landscaping business, watch the on-demand panel discussion for a deeper dive into real-world success stories and insights,
Ready to See CrewIntel in Action?
Want a personalized look at how CrewIntel can work for your team? schedule a personalized demo with Top Green today. See how it can help take your team’s performance to the next level.