New Software Offers Immediate Project Updates from the Field

10/1/2006

constructor.construction.com

	DPC brings transparency to nearly every aspect of the job on a daily basis and provides information to field personnel through hand-held devices such as tablet PCs.

What happens when you combine a project's estimated budget with daily time-card information and add the job's graphic take-off?

You get a visual representation of how complete the job is. Throw in some number comparisons and you get a powerful way to see-as they're happening-how the realities of the job match your initial expectations.
That's now possible because On Center Software has added Digital Percent Complete (DPC) software to its other two programs, On-Screen Take-Off and Quick Bid.

"The problem with traditional job costs is that contractors do not realize they are losing money until after they have lost it," says Leonard Buzz, On Center Software's CEO. "That's because job accounting is historical."

DPC moves the reporting time frame from the historical to the present so that every aspect of the job is transparent on a daily basis. It also provides information to field personnel through hand-held devices such as tablet PCs.

Even in the early stages of a job, a company using DPC can see efficiencies. Steven Wiese, a senior project manager with drywall and ceiling contractor Jacobson and Co. in Elizabeth, N.J., says he's been able to catch mistakes that are normally discovered in the traditional pen-and-blueprint checks.

"Right now, we are doing both handwritten reports and DPC, so we can compare both methods," Wiese says.
Wiese says that on one job hand-calculated reports showed them to be behind schedule. But with DPC, the same work was tracked as being on target. It turned out that the hand version was not being reported correctly.
"Since DPC highlights the job you are looking at visually, you can't miss anything," he says. "The chance for error is reduced because it is tied in with the take-off and the estimate."

Wiese says that DPC is easy to use. "It highlights each code on the drawing so you know exactly what the item is and what percent is complete," he says. "And I learned to use it in a few hours."

Buzz says jobsite managers can get additional value by checking off material or labor activities as they are completed. "By pressing the send key on their tablet PC, this information is sent directly to the company's office where managers can work with the foremen on site to keep projects moving and on budget," he says.

Estimators can use this information to immediately determine the status of every project. "Most estimators run between five and 12 jobs," Buzz says. "With DPC, the estimator can look and say, this one is making money and this one's losing money, and let's do something about it."

Among the benefits of using DPC, there is one contractors should not forget, Buzz says. "The more accurate you can be on your absolute costs, the gutsier you can be on your bidding on future projects," he adds.

Digital Percent Complete runs in a Windows environment. Call for pricing.

On Center Software
1400 Woodloch Forest Drive
Suite 400
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
866-627-6246
www.oncenter.com