Masonry Magazine February 1993 Page. 53
Connectivity Needed for Construction Software
To evaluate new computer packages, determine how well they meet both current requirements and anticipated requirements two to three years down the road.
By SHEILA WIRTZ
Berkshire Consulting Group
The main issues in construction software for the nineties will be related to connectivity. Information generated in one software program needs to be available for use in other programs. Software integration and local area networks will be used to solve connectivity issues, according to a panel of experts speaking at the Construction Contractors Conference sponsored by the Illinois CPA Society.
Jean Luber, manager of information technology services for Coopers and Lybrand, served as panel moderator. She outlined the steps a contractor should take to purchase new technology. First, the contractor must determine his needs and then the availability of appropriate hardware and software in the marketplace. Then, the contractor should review vendor literature, meet with vendors and see demonstrations of their systems.
To evaluate packages, determine how well they meet both current requirements and anticipated requirements two to four years down the road. Consider whether the systems will work with your existing software and hardware and whether they are affordable as well. Evaluate maintenance costs, update costs, and the vendor's support services. Get references from other users to determine whether the system will live up to its claims, Luber said.
Finally, negotiate to buy the system. Although software and hardware costs may not be negotiable, Luber said that hourly rates for maintenance and training may very well be negotiable.
Jay Albrecht of ContrAcct Systems reported that contractors increasingly are turning to specialized construction accounting systems. The reason is the need for specialized construction job costing systems which provide for liens, AIA billing, and so forth. Albrecht noted that, while DOS-based systems offer greater flexibility, Unix systems are faster for job costing.
Steve Potts of Moore Business and Software Shop Systems, said that computers are well established in the construction industry. His company is now replacing or adding on to existing computer systems. Customers "suddenly want to go to the next level and get construction specific job costing, computer estimating, maybe even CAD systems, he said. The tough economy and changes in accounting needs (union certification, workers comp, etc.) may be triggering the demand, he said.
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MASONRY JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1993 53