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Information Technology: Digital Percent
Complete
New software offers immediate project
updates from the field
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| 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
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