Construction Software

Posts Tagged ‘Things’

10 Interface with Microsoft Word have a report writer

The estimate you present to your customer is a reflection of your professionalism. Typically, it’s left behind for them to review and compare to other contractor’s estimates. If it’s chicken scratching on the back of an envelope or just some numbers printed out it’s not going to compare favorably with the estimates prepared by other contractors.

If the “finishing touches” on your estimate are done through Word, or a report writer, you can customize the estimate to make it look absolutely fabulous. You can add your contract terms, pictures (a picture is worth a thousand words) of what you’re going to do, before and after pictures of other jobs, etc. Your estimate will be on the top of the heap. You will get jobs where your bid is not the lowest because of the professional look of your estimate.

9. Synchronize your laptop and your desktop

Many contractors have a laptop computer they take out to the field and a desktop computer in the office that they use when they are in the office. Does this sound like the way you work? It’s important that you have an easy way to synchronize the information on your laptop with the information on your desktop. This means that you don’t lose any of your work on either computer.

Also, the system must allow you to use the program on your laptop as well as your desktop with one license so you don’t have to purchase two copies of the program. This saves you money and gives flexibility.

8. Produce a material list so you can get exact pricing from your suppliers

You will find that material lists are important because you can get exact pricing for the materials for your job. A detail list of the specific quantities of each material can be sent to your suppliers and they will respond with the prices you will have to pay for each of the materials.

This means that you can use those prices in your estimate so you will be right “on the money” for your material prices. This means that you won’t lose money because your material prices were out of date.

7. Allow notes in your estimate

Being able to add notes to your estimates is important for several reasons:

1. You can remind yourself why you estimated a line, or a section, a particular way so when you’re looking at the estimate a week or a month from now you’ll understand what you were thinking. I don’t know about you, but I will look at something I did a week ago and wonder what I was thinking when I did it.

2. You can describe what you are doing in specific areas of the job, like what material you’re going to use and why. This allows you to demonstrate to your customer that you understand what needs to be done and how you’re going to do it. You also have a written agreement on how specific items are going to be handled because it’s and integral part of the estimate.

Project Management Software entails scheduling, cost control, budget management, collaboration and communication which are used to arrange the elaboration of the large projects. It is practical, powerful software that execute tasks in an effective way. As you can see that projects whether small or large are being manipulated by project management software. All such project management software will be in a position to accommodate reports and other information required by project management team. However, for those who execute multiple projects, their assumption from the online project management software. It will accommodate the benefits like Task Management, Resource Management, Time Tracking, Collaboration and Real Time Chat. It will be easy to use and have centralized amenity. Now you see that companies are more absorbed in having online management service so that their team members, as well as clients have approach to information and data from any location. It is software that provides up-to-date information regarding all the reports and all of them. Online project management software makes everything easy and simple.

As there is one more thing about the project management software is that it keeps teams on schedule and it also facilitates your company team in accomplishing projects, keeping within your budget, staying on track and collaborating as well. Effective project management software supports you to handle the complex projects without disruption from unclear roles. IT Project Management software easily collaborates with your employees and executes your whole project team and makes your project on success.

Project Management Software Provides:-

Software Module – As a program firstly, you should make sure the project management software you select runs on your company’s operating system
Flexibility – As you can see that that flexibility equally matters. Project management software accumulates everyone on your team on the same page and making sure that each group or resource should know that what the others are doing. This lets the project managers to assign tasks, schedule deadlines, assess risks and more.
Accountability – It should be personal and financial accountability. Most of the project management software accumulates graphs, time sheets, milestones and task assignment. The best also monitors budget, regulates resources and calculates the costs.
Executing Resources – Resource Management is also equal and being flexible. It manages all the resources in the management software like people, talents, money and time. An adequate resource management will let you build the team profiles to allocate the right task to the right person.
Ease of Use– You can see that all the project management software has a learning deviate, but the best functions easy to find and simple which even anyone can use it.

The process of installing and training staff on a new construction software system is certainly not a walk in the park. Companies that do so successful begin by getting an understanding of their objectives and how the software fits in to their overall business goals. Once they do this, they can begin to develop and execute a plan that will provide the best match between the software and the organization’s objectives.

This article goes in to some details about several key factors that companies need to keep in mind when they’re trying to successfully implement a new software package. These things should all be discussed and thought through before any implementation begins. Not only will they raise some key questions, but they will also help in developing the best plan for each organization.

Identify Key Individuals

The group or team of employees that are selected to complete the sofware conversion should consist of a leader with layers of support below that have more layers of support below them. If you’re picturing a pyramid in your mind as you read that statement, then you’re on the right track.

Team Leader: This will be the leader of the entire conversion project. This person will likely be the person in the organization with teh most expertise in the area and does not necessarily need to be a company president or C-level executive. This person will also be the primary communicator with the software vendor. They will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the implementation and keeping everything on schedule.

Level Two – Management: Below the project leader in the structure of the team will be managers from every department of yoru company that will be affected by the new software. Their main responsibilities will be ensuring that the new software performs every operation that their department needs it to with no problems.

Level Three – End Users: Below the managers will be a group of end users that are selected to participate in the conversion. Their input may be the most valuable in terms of finding ways to use the software to improve company processes and they will also be responsible for inputting all the data in to the new system.

Other Support: These three levels will also need to get support from other key individuals within the organization who may not need to be permanent members of the conversion team. It is highly important to ensure that every individual or department that will be impacted in some way or another has an opportunity to voice their opinions and ideas or is represented by a member of their department during the implementation.

You may also consider asking your accountant (if you use an outside service) to be a part of the team as a consultant since they will also be affected by the change.

Get Input from Your Vendor

The software vendor that you work with will undoubtedly have the most knowledge about successfully implementing their system. Although this may be your first or second software conversion, they will have gone through the process hundreds or thousands of times and will be able to provide you with some sound advice.

If your vendor offers some sort of conversion or implementation manager, you should strongly consider using their services. Additionally, and information that your vendor can provide, like checklists or similar documents, should also be used.

Keep in mind that some vendors will charge a fee for these additional services. In most cases, the costs are well worth it. You will have to pay an up front fee for the services, but the software will be up and running quicker and you’ll be able to start reaping the cost saving benefits of the new software sooner.

Another bit of advice – ask your vendor for some recommendations for places to order forms, checks, and other materials that you’ll need to get the most from your software since they will know what works the best with their package.

Plan a Timeline

You’ll want to talk with some representatives from the software vendor and get their help in creating a timeline for the software implementation. Start by brainstorming a list of everything that needs to be done (in no particular order) and get some input from the entire conversion team as well as your vendor. When making this list, be as thorough as possible to reduce the risk of unplanned events or problems coming up down the line.

Once the list/brainstorming is complete, you might want to categorize each task the get organized. Things can be categorized as “pre-install,” “testing” and so on. If you’re going to need to upgrade your hardware during the implementation, remember to account for that as well.

Once all your tasks are categorized, you can begin to create a timeline. Use a calendar format and set dates for each milestone. Designate one team member to be responsible for monitoring the progress that you make and ensuring that everything stays on track. If delays occur, the calendar must be updated to reflect the delays and changes.

Finally, make sure you set the all important “Go Live” milestone at the very end!

Move Your Data to the New System

When the time comes to convert your data from your old construction accounting software system to the new one, you have two options – manual conversion and electronic conversion. There will be several factors to consider when deciding which route to go, but the key things to consider is what level of service and support your vendor offers and how much of the old data will be moving to the new system.

Converting Data Manually: There is nothing fancy about manual data conversion and it is exactly what it sounds like – the data is entered in to the new system manually by employees. This is often a good choice for companies that only plan to move a small amount of data.

Obviously, the big concern with manual conversion is the accuracy of the data entry. Companies that decide to use manual data conversion must ensure that there is a solid system in place to verify the accuracy of the data that is transferred.

Converting Data Electronically: The advantage of using technology to convert the data to the new system is that is it much faster and does not involve a lot of human labor. It is the preferred solution, especially for companies with small conversion teams or those that are transferring a lot of data.

Some vendors offer tools that convert the data for you and if they do, you should seriously consider using them, even at a small cost. The vendors will be able to guide you through the conversion and will know what kinds of formats the data must be in to make the conversion successful.

Cleaning Data: The old saying of “garbage in, garbage out” certainly applies here. If the data in your old system is inaccurate, full of errors, etc., then you will want to clean it up before transferring it to the new system. Set aside some time to go through your old data, standardize it, delete duplicates, test its validity, and make any necessary formatting adjustments before transferring it.

Testing: Equally important to cleaning the data is testing it in the new system after the conversion. This should be done before, during, and after all of the data is uploaded to the new software.

The testing of your data after the conversion is complete should be viewed as a “dry run” for the real deal. Have the new software create reports and verify their accuracy against the old system to ensure that everything is running properly.

Companies that are extremely large and have a lot of data to convert should consider hiring temporary help during the data transition period. This will speed the process up without the need to take other individuals away from their normal duties.

Training

Once the new software is installed, all the data is converted, and everything is running smoothly, the final step in the process is to train the end users to properly use the new software. This is arguably the most important step in the new software process. Do not cut any corners here. Even users that have knowledge of the new system need to complete the training to ensure everyone is on the same page.

On-site training through your vendor is generally the best way to do this. Users get experience using the new software in the environment that they will be using it while working with the same data that they will work with every day. Start with the basics and move on only after everyone has grasped the core essentials.

Follow up training sessions are also recommended but can be done using online or phone training sessions. Ongoing training/refreshers should also be mandatory for all employees at regular intervals.

Stay in Touch With Your Vendor

Once the new software is up and running for real, do not end your relationship with your vendor. Keep in touch with them regularly so that when problems arise (they will), you will get the best possible support. Offer to serve as a reference for them for similar companies and make an effort to attend conferences or trade shows in your area where they appear.

The construction accounting software industry is very complex and it will pay off in the long run to have a positive relationship with your vendor. Nurturing an ongoing relationship with them is one of the best ways to ensure the success of your new software.

Companies in the middle of selecting new construction software have likely realized that what sounds simple on paper is far from as easy task. Organizations that are the most successful in this undertaking, in terms of both identifying the best possible solution and implementing it as quickly as seamlessly as possible, generally have somebody or group of people in charge of the new software project. If an individual is chosen, this person needs to have an intimate knowledge of both software and of the company’s operational procedures. Further, the individual needs to have a deep understanding of how the software and company operations impact each other. This includes knowledge and experience working with software interfaces and the standard data collection/protocols for construction companies. Unfortunately, most companies do not have an individual with these qualifications working for them, so the purpose of thise article is to describe the kind of input that decision makers should seek out from other areas of the company as well as provide a list of areas that all companies must research extensively when evaluation potential construction management software packages.

Input and Software Selection Team Members that are Good to Have

While larger companies will have the advantage of being able to assign one individual to oversee the entire software selection process, all companies will need to get input from multiple areas of the company. The following segments of the entire organization should be included, to some extent, in the new software identifcation and evaluation team. Some of these members will need to be permant members of the team while others can be consulted on an “as needed” basis. To what extent members are “as needed” or permanent will very depending on the company.

1) End users – this group consists of anyone that will be responsible for using the software, particularly those responsible for inputting data

2) Management – Mid and upper level managers will be the ones that use the software primarily for reporting purposes. As such, it is important to know what kinds of data are relevant for the particular company.

3) Accounting – Changes in software will impact how data is recorded and reported for accounting purposes. Thus, the accounting department (or third party accountant) will need to be involved in identifying the best software.

4) Payroll – Regardless of if your company has an internal payroll department or uses an external payroll service, they will need to provide valuable input in terms of selecting new construction accounting software.

5) IT (Information Technology) – Your IT department will play an integral role in installing the new software while allowing the company to not miss a beat. Thus, they will need to know what is required from them for any potential software solution to identify areas where current hardware may not mesh with the new software.

6) Other Departments – this includes any other departments in your company that will be impacted by new software. Which departments these are will depend on your organizational structure and company size.

7) Sub-contractors – These indidivuals need to be aware of how your change in software will impact their business operations with your company.

8) Suppliers – as with sub-contractors, your suppliers will need to know what changes are required on their end to allow you to make the most of your new software.

9) Vendors – When selecting software, be sure to pay as much attention to selecting the right vendor as you do selecting the right software. Check their service history, ongoing relations with clients, and so on to ensure you aren’t without the support you need down the road.

10) Other members, as deemed necessary based on the size of your company and your company’s unique operational procedures.

Factors that All Companies Need to Consider and Evaluate

While smaller companies will likely not benefit from having a full team dedicated to selecting new software, there are still things that all companies much consider when evaluating new construction software.

At the very least, all companies need to complete a thorough evaluation of the following factors and research points:

1) Product varieties – How many are there? What makes them different?
2) Vendors – How many are there? What makes them different?
3) Product history – look for testimonials from trusted sources or check construction software reviews
4) Vendor history – testimonials
5) Product functionality – while most software does the same “stuff” the manner in which it does it will be different. What is right for one company may not work for another.
6) Product protocols – what reports are standard? Can it create the custom reports you need?
7) Product interface – this will come down to personal preferences more than anything, but is important that you choose software that is the most user friendly for your set of users. Again, this will vary based on your unique company.
8) Product integration – will there be any issues integrating it with your current processes? Do you need to change processes or search for a different piece of software?
9) Other – This will depend on the unique organizational structure, personnel, and processes of your organization.

In the past, most construction companies relied on using a drafting table to create blueprints and outline projects by hand. The process was a long one. And companies had to hire a talented person with the training to complete such tasks before they could even get started on the project. Not only was a lot of time spent on drafting the project, the blueprints had to be stored somewhere. So, a lot of space was needed for the drafting table and storage.

Computers and construction software brought about the birth of CAD, Computer Aided Design. At first, only large firms could afford the software and workstations that were required to implement such a design strategy. In many cases, the price tag was six figures.

Eventually, though, the software became affordable to even the smallest companies. Today, CAD software can be purchased for as little as $50. And with computers being so cheap, an additional $500 is all that is needed to set everything up and start using computer software to design construction projects.

CAD software, regardless of cost, makes the design stage of your project easier. The software increases productivity; it is easy to carry around; and it allows a team to enhance their construction abilities. Builders can also use this software because there are programs that are designed especially for builders. CAD software can be broken down into two main categories: high end and low end. High end software deals mainly with analytical tools, whereas low end software deals with blueprints and visuals.

High End software is used to create blueprints that depict basic structure and fatigue analysis. But it doesn’t stop there. Advanced systems can work with other systems to perform in-depth structural analysis. Additionally, the work can be completed very quickly with only a few people. The old-fashioned way took a huge team and months to complete. Moreover, the quality wasn’t as guaranteed.

Low end software is merely a reduced version of the high end software, meaning that is it the same software but it has limited ability. With this type of software, blueprints can be created. Some of the low-end versions even contain building feature libraries. These libraries help those with little training add accurate details. According to construction software reviews, the programs are user-friendly and easily learned by those with limited computer knowledge.

The graphics associated with the low end software are intense. The programs create realistic, detailed 3D images. A builder can virtually stroll through their design and invite clients to come along with them. Want to “stage” your design? The feature libraries contain everything that you need to “state your design including furniture and decorative items.

Not only is the use of Computer Aided Design software efficient, it is also required in many construction projects regardless of their size. Most cities require that plans be submitted electronically when applying for permits and such. In many cases, even homeowners are required to purchase software in order to get a remodel approved by the city authorities.

Another great feature of CAD is its mobility. Gone are the days of carrying around bulky blueprints that could become damaged at any step of the journey. Now, plans can be put directly on a jump drive and carried easily in a pocket or briefcase. You can even email your plans.

Construction software is a great way to increase the productivity and profit margin of any business regardless of how small or large.