Tools & Equipment Review: Construction SoftwareFrom project management to design, software programs help make pros efficient and profitable.

  • By Steve Zurier

Continued from page 2


Using CAD software like ChiefArchitect, builders can show home buyers how a home will look in both 2-D and 3-D views, helping to sell upgrades throughout the house, especially in the kitchen. Some builders report a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in upgrades due to the slide show they show home buyers in ChiefArchitect. The latest version comes with more than 340 CAD details integrated into the core product. 800-482-4433.

ChiefArchitect


ChiefArchitect. Using CAD software like ChiefArchitect, builders can show home buyers how a home will look in both 2-D and 3-D views, helping to sell upgrades throughout the house, especially in the kitchen. Some builders report a 30 percent to 40 percent increase in upgrades due to the slide show they show home buyers in ChiefArchitect. The latest version comes with more than 340 CAD details integrated into the core product. 800-482-4433. www.chiefarchitect.com.


Using Dynami Builder, home buyers can spec a home the way they would a Dell PC. The core product helps builders focus on the nitty gritty of managing sales, mortgages, selections, schedules, and warranties. The system also lets builders customize reports. 888-744-5418.

Dynami Solutions


Dynami Solutions. Using Dynami Builder, home buyers can spec a home the way they would a Dell PC. The core product helps builders focus on the nitty gritty of managing sales, mortgages, selections, schedules, and warranties. The system also lets builders customize reports. 888-744-5418. www.dynamisolutions.com.


Service technicians armed with handhelds can use Corrigo's customer service application to manage warranty calls. The system pushes schedule information to the service techs in the field, who can then notify the back office by signing off on their handhelds when they complete a repair. The application is a time-saver for service techs who spend most of their day in the field. 888-826-5720.

Corrigo


Corrigo. Service technicians armed with handhelds can use Corrigo's customer service application to manage warranty calls. The system pushes schedule information to the service techs in the field, who can then notify the back office by signing off on their handhelds when they complete a repair. The application is a time-saver for service techs who spend most of their day in the field. 888-826-5720. www.corrigo.com.


The Executive Dashboard gives custom builders a quick snapshot of their business. Builders can pull up the dashboard and view the company's cash position, job status, change orders, and accounts payable and receivable. The software also now has the same high quality of estimating tool that Sage builds into its Timberline Office software, a product geared for production builders. 800-726-6278.

MasterBuilder


MasterBuilder. The Executive Dashboard gives custom builders a quick snapshot of their business. Builders can pull up the dashboard and view the company's cash position, job status, change orders, and accounts payable and receivable. The software also now has the same high quality of estimating tool that Sage builds into its Timberline Office software, a product geared for production builders. 800-726-6278. www.sagemasterbuilder.com.


More often than not, expensive warranty claims can be prevented if homeowners maintain their homes properly. This new Web-based service sends monthly maintenance reminders to home buyers. Homeowners can log on to a customized Web page with the builder's logo and click on links to local contractors. Builders also can view real-time reports of their customers' traffic on HomeMinder. 888-863-8449.

Homeminders


HomeMinders. More often than not, expensive warranty claims can be prevented if homeowners maintain their homes properly. This new Web-based service sends monthly maintenance reminders to home buyers. Homeowners can log on to a customized Web page with the builder's logo and click on links to local contractors. Builders also can view real-time reports of their customers' traffic on HomeMinder. 888-863-8449. www.homeminders.com.


One of the first Web-based business management systems for home builders, developers, and sales companies, BuildTopia allows users to track customers, projects, and units using one fully integrated system. Subscribers can manage leads, prospects, customers, selections, job costing, projects, and warranties. Subs, suppliers, and home buyers have access to all core processes through online accounts linked to their builder. 800-773-0711.

BuildTopia


BuildTopia. One of the first Web-based business management systems for home builders, developers, and sales companies, BuildTopia allows users to track customers, projects, and units using one fully integrated system. Subscribers can manage leads, prospects, customers, selections, job costing, projects, and warranties. Subs, suppliers, and home buyers have access to all core processes through online accounts linked to their builder. 800-773-0711. www.buildtopia.com.


CAD software from this vendor can display how the sun hits the house at critical points during the day, a feature that comes in handy for builders working on teardowns in neighborhoods where this is an important issue. One of the high points on a list of more than 400 improvements in the latest version is a Building Options feature that lets builders show customers a 3-D model of how different options look. 800-248-0164.

SoftPlan


SoftPlan. CAD software from this vendor can display how the sun hits the house at critical points during the day, a feature that comes in handy for builders working on teardowns in neighborhoods where this is an important issue. One of the high points on a list of more than 400 improvements in the latest version is a "Building Options" feature that lets builders show customers a 3-D model of how different options look. 800-248-0164. www.softplan.com.


Meritage Homes was the pilot company for this Web-based design center software, a system that lets builders work closely with home buyers to design the features of the house. For example, if a buyer wants carpeting where tile was originally specified, they can change products with a click of the mouse. Meritage integrated the selections features into its Oracle EnterpriseOne back-office software. While EnterpriseOne is a high-end application, Design Center can be scaled for mid-size companies. 888-723-2222.

Constellation Design Center


Constellation Design Center. Meritage Homes was the pilot company for this Web-based design center software, a system that lets builders work closely with home buyers to design the features of the house. For example, if a buyer wants carpeting where tile was originally specified, they can change products with a click of the mouse. Meritage integrated the selections features into its Oracle EnterpriseOne back-office software. While EnterpriseOne is a high-end application, Design Center can be scaled for mid-size companies. 888-723-2222. www.constellationhb.com.


The business process management tool from Builder MT lets builders tailor workflows specifically to their companies. This photo maps a builder's variance purchase order process. BuilderMT also allows builders to electronically send work orders and manage production schedules. 888-757-1991.

Builder MT


Builder MT. The business process management tool from Builder MT lets builders tailor workflows specifically to their companies. This photo maps a builder's variance purchase order process. BuilderMT also allows builders to electronically send work orders and manage production schedules. 888-757-1991. www.buildermt.com.


This Web-based software from Custom Partnership Networks lets home buyers make selections online and updates the customer's tab as they move through the buying process. The company says the program can cut the time it takes to execute the home-buying process in half. Custom builders can make their companies more efficient by using standardized documents and posting blueprints and schedules electronically. 317-585-9200.

SelectionWare


SelectionWare. This Web-based software from Custom Partnership Networks lets home buyers make selections online and updates the customer's tab as they move through the buying process. The company says the program can cut the time it takes to execute the home-buying process in half. Custom builders can make their companies more efficient by using standardized documents and posting blueprints and schedules electronically. 317-585-9200. www.selectionware.com.

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