Switching from Skimmer to PoolDial: Complete Migration Guide
Thinking about switching from Skimmer to PoolDial? You're not alone. Many pool service professionals are making the switch to take advantage of PoolDial's included AI receptionist, better data portability, and more reliable mobile experience.
This guide walks you through the entire migration process, from exporting your Skimmer data to going live with PoolDial. We'll also address the challenges you may encounter and provide solutions to make your transition as smooth as possible.
Why Pool Pros Are Leaving Skimmer
Before diving into the migration process, let's look at the common reasons pool service businesses switch from Skimmer to PoolDial.
What You'll Gain with PoolDial
Switching to PoolDial isn't just about avoiding Skimmer's pain points. It's about gaining powerful features that help your business grow.
AI Receptionist (Included)
24/7 phone answering that captures leads while you're in the field. Worth $200-500/month if purchased separately.
Full Data Portability
Export your data anytime. Your business data belongs to you, not your software vendor.
Reliable Mobile App
Stable iOS and Android apps built for field use. Full offline support that actually works.
Chemical Tracking
Complete chemical logging with dosage calculations. Track readings over time for each pool.
Route Optimization
Smart routing included at the base price, not locked behind a premium tier.
No Contracts
Cancel anytime. No long-term commitments or hidden fees.
Step-by-Step Migration Process
Migrating from Skimmer to PoolDial typically takes 1-2 weeks. Here's exactly how to do it.
1 Export Your Skimmer Data
This is often the trickiest part of leaving Skimmer. Here's what you need to know:
- Customer List: Go to Customers in the web app and use the export function if available. If not, you may need to screenshot or manually copy customer information.
- Service History: Export service logs from the Reports section. Some users report limited export options here.
- Route Information: Document your route order manually or take screenshots of your route schedule.
- Equipment Notes: Copy any important equipment notes and pool specifications for each customer.
Pro tip: Contact Skimmer support and request a full data export. Even if it's not advertised, they may be able to provide a CSV of your customer data.
Important: Skimmer Export Limitations
Multiple Skimmer users report difficulty exporting their data. Start this process early and be prepared to manually transfer some information. Our migration team can help you work through any export challenges.
2 Sign Up for PoolDial
Create your PoolDial account:
- Visit pooldial.com/demo to schedule a demo and get started
- Our team will help set up your account and answer migration questions
- You'll get immediate access to the web dashboard and mobile apps
- No credit card required for your initial setup consultation
3 Import Customers and Routes
Get your customer data into PoolDial:
- CSV Import: If you have a customer export, use PoolDial's import tool to bulk upload customers
- Manual Entry: For data that didn't export cleanly, add customers directly in the app
- Route Setup: Organize customers into routes and set your preferred service days
- Pool Details: Add pool specifications, equipment info, and any special notes
Our migration team can assist with data import and help you get set up quickly.
4 Set Up Your Team
Get your technicians ready:
- Create user accounts for each team member
- Assign routes and permissions
- Have technicians download the PoolDial mobile app (iOS or Android)
- Walk through the app interface together, highlighting key differences from Skimmer
5 Configure Billing
Set up your invoicing and payments:
- Import or recreate your service pricing
- Connect your payment processor
- Set up recurring billing schedules for regular service customers
- Configure QuickBooks integration if you use it
6 Set Up AI Receptionist
Configure your 24/7 phone answering (included with PoolDial):
- Set up your business phone number forwarding
- Customize your greeting and business information
- Configure email notifications for new leads
- Test the AI receptionist with a few sample calls
7 Go Live
Make the switch:
- Run PoolDial for one week alongside Skimmer if needed
- Verify all customer data transferred correctly
- Confirm your routes work as expected
- Cancel your Skimmer subscription once you're confident
Data Migration Details
Here's what typically transfers and what may require manual entry:
| Data Type | Transfer Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Names & Contact Info | CSV Import | Usually exports cleanly |
| Service Addresses | CSV Import | May need formatting cleanup |
| Pool Equipment Details | Manual/Partial | Export quality varies |
| Service History | Manual Entry | Limited export options in Skimmer |
| Chemical Reading History | Manual Entry | Start fresh in PoolDial |
| Route Order | Manual Setup | Screenshot existing routes first |
| Photos | Not transferable | Download important photos before canceling |
| Billing History | Not transferable | Keep records for your files |
Migration Timeline
Most pool service businesses complete their Skimmer-to-PoolDial migration in 1-2 weeks:
Typical Migration Timeline
Need Help? We've Got You
Our migration team has helped many pool service businesses switch from Skimmer. We know the export challenges and can help you work through them. Book a demo to discuss your specific situation.
Common Concerns Addressed
What if I can't export my customer data from Skimmer?
We've helped many businesses work around Skimmer's export limitations. Options include: requesting a data export directly from Skimmer support, using report exports to capture customer information, or using our manual entry assistance for complex migrations. Our team can guide you through the best approach for your situation.
Will I lose my service history?
Historical service records in Skimmer may not export cleanly. We recommend downloading or printing any important service logs you want to retain before canceling. Going forward, PoolDial maintains comprehensive service history with full export capability.
How long should I run both systems?
Most businesses run both systems for 1-2 weeks to ensure all data transferred correctly. Once you're confident your customers, routes, and billing are set up properly in PoolDial, you can safely cancel Skimmer.
What about my team? Will they need training?
PoolDial is designed to be intuitive. Most technicians pick it up within their first day. We provide onboarding support and can walk your team through the key differences from Skimmer.
Is the pricing really the same as Skimmer?
Yes, PoolDial is $2/pool/month, the same as Skimmer's "Scaling Up" tier. But PoolDial includes the AI Receptionist at no extra charge. That's a $200-500/month value Skimmer doesn't offer at any price.
What if I have problems after switching?
PoolDial offers responsive customer support. You can reach us via email, phone, or in-app chat. We're committed to ensuring your transition is successful and your ongoing experience is smooth.
Migrating from Skimmer to PoolDial gives you the AI receptionist you need to capture every lead, the reliable mobile app your technicians deserve, and the data freedom every business owner should expect.
Our team is ready to help you make a smooth transition. Book a demo today and we'll walk you through the migration process step by step.
Questions about migrating from Skimmer? Book a demo and our team will help you plan your transition.
For a detailed comparison of both platforms, read our PoolDial vs Skimmer comparison or check out our complete Skimmer review.