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Information Technology: Vela Systems
Software creates benchmark subcontractor
reports
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| The information from
each tablet is being fed back to the main office, so administrators
can receive each set of data immediately and review the
status of several different jobs under way at the same
time. |
The construction manager who heads out to punchlist a new
apartment complex may now decide to leave his pen and yellow
pad at home.
Vela Systems Inc., a mobile field administration software
developer, says it has a better alternative: a tablet PC with
the Punch List and Closeout module loaded into it.
With this software, the CM can tour the facility, checking
actual progress against what the subs have reported. When
he's done and back in range of a wireless connection, he presses
the sync button and the data is automatically sent to everyone
who needs it.
"The Punch List and Closeout module are one of several
modules Vela has for contractors," says Richard Jennings,
Vela's chief business development officer. "Each one
is designed to streamline a specific field task, and we work
with the individual company to tailor the program to the best
practices of that company."
Other modules include Safety Inspection Slip Tracking/Extra
Work Order, Work-in-Progress, Field Report and Handover.
Jennings says that all of these modules are designed to work
where there may not be consistent wireless service or in what
he calls the "occasionally connected" environment.
The modules run on the local tablet PC, and the user, when
back in access range, can send the new records to the main
office and receive updates in return.
Because the information from each tablet is being fed back
to the main office, company administrators receive each set
of data immediately and can review the status of several different
jobs. Also, they know that field personnel are all receiving
the same information. If someone wants to add a new safety
protocol, it can be distributed wirelessly.
"When you have the architect, engineer and contractor
using the system, the contractor can see what the architect
has done and vice-versa," Jennings says. "We create
a permission-based work flow based on the user group."
The module makes it clear who did what task on a project
and when the task was performed. During critical field inspections,
the contractor's page will show up on the architect's list
as ready for inspection. The contractor can see the architect's
comments but cannot change them. The master database remains
the same and provides a secure audit trail in case of a dispute.
On the financial side, Vela's slip-tracking program lets
contractors manage cash risk and see a sub's extra work orders
and potential productivity across all projects.
"Clients can benchmark extra work orders across subcontractors
and across jobs," Jennings says. "They can see how
one sub compares to another on several jobs. It's easy to
track and benchmark projects, by subcontractor or by trade
across jobs."
Rick Pena, project manager of CMC Group, has used Vela Systems
extensively. He says the software helped streamline the schedule
of a condominium project.
"In the past, I used to have to manage a large, unwieldy
spreadsheet to track tasks for each subcontractor," Pena
says. "With Vela's Subcontractor Reports, I can easily
generate task lists by subcontractor, floor, room and even
by specific issue description."
Jennings says that some clients are using the Vela System
as an integrated part of their marketing response to requests
for proposals and requests for qualifications. "They
will show the clients the Vela safety application, for example,"
he says. "They can pull up the Vela tablet system with
their logo, take it to the client and say, 'Look how we can
maximize your dollars.'"
Vela Systems integrates with the office through Primavera,
Prolog and Timberline software, and it can import and export
Excel records. Call for pricing information.
888-VELASYS
info@velasystems.com
www.velasystems.com
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