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Contractormag 3196 Presentation
Contractormag 3196 Presentation
Contractormag 3196 Presentation
Contractormag 3196 Presentation
Contractormag 3196 Presentation

Daily business and sales presentation software solutions

July 13, 2016
The suite, which carries a monthly subscription, integrates with Corecon’s Mobile Apps for iOS and Android Business development features include a contact management system that supports tracking job opportunities HVAC Showroom by Opportunity Interactive is a visual tool for mobile computing devices Eleven non-brand specific animations are available

Corecon V8 by Corecon Technologies, www.corecon.com, is cloud-based construction software tailored for small- to mid-sized contractors. Designed to automate aspects of daily business, it includes modules for estimating, contract administration, procurement, time tracking, correspondence, documentation, quality control, safety and scheduling. It also integrates with popular accounting software and has online team collaboration functionality, providing outside firms secure access to project information on an as needed basis.

The suite, which carries a monthly subscription, integrates with Corecon’s Mobile Apps for iOS and Android, enabling field personnel to view and enter project information on smartphones and tablets.

For navigation, the software utilizes a “Menu” layout with module-specific landing pages that provide comprehensive views of project information. “Alerts” identify missing information, potential issues and status changes. For example, progress invoices that have been approved, but not exported to accounting or not locked would be indicated in the “Alerts” listing.

Business development features include a contact management system that supports tracking job opportunities using project leads that can be categorized with user-defined classifications such as lead source or type of structure type. Estimators can share drawings, specs and renderings with vendors using the “Invitation to Bid” and bid due dates and correspondence reminders will appear on the bid calendar.

Business development features include a contact management system that supports tracking job opportunities.

Contractors can build custom cost databases or utilize industry standard databases from RS Means, can create base bids and alternates for a project, and can organize line items using four-tier Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Estimate markups can be configured via line item, WBS Section, and Global.

Request for Pricing Packages (RFPs) are integrated with estimates, enabling comparison of vendors’ item cost rates. Multiple estimators can work on the same estimate while vendors simultaneously submit pricing via the TeamLink Portal.

When a project lead is awarded, a wizard can transfer all related data and documentation to the “Project” module, enabling the estimate to be used to set up the client contract and budgets. Corecon supports four types of contracts: fixed sum, cost plus with Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP), cost plus without GMP, and unit price. Within each prime contract, the user can document scope of work, enter original budgets for cost, contract amount and hours, and set default retention/holdback percentages.

The software provides numerous correspondence and documentation options, including RFIs, submittals, transmittals, daily logs and progress photos, with reminders and due dates available for many of the time-sensitive options.

A “Quality Control and Safety” landing page provides information on checklists, comply notices, permits, punchlist items, safety accidents and test/inspections, with color-coded graphics identifying status of open or closed items. It also shows an analysis of upcoming due dates — greater than seven days, due in seven days or overdue.

Contractors can create, track, and share project schedules using a variety of visualization tools, including Gantt charts, a calendar view, and tasks filtered by resource (worker or equipment). Corecon V8 can also link tasks using finish-to-start, start-to-start, and finish-to-finish relationships. The Teamlink Portal allows contractors to share schedules and real-time updates with customers and vendors securely from within the software.

There are several options for tracking time on each project. Field supervisors can enter timecards for employees and for equipment or each employee in the field can enter a timecard using the Corecon Mobile app. Management can also use dashboards that show and analyze cost, revenue, labor hours, and equipment hours for each project. 

An optional CoreconLink for Microsoft Outlook add-on provides integration with Corecon V8 for import/export synchronizing of companies and contacts and facilitates exporting project alerts to Outlook’s Calendar. It can also upload Outlook emails (with attachments) to Corecon’s Journal feature. Contractors can also add a CoreconLink that links, specifically, to one of several third party accounting software solutions.

HVAC Showroom by Opportunity Interactive, www.opactive.com, is a visual tool for mobile computing devices that, utilizing graphics and animation, is designed for use by contractors on sales calls with homeowners to help “sell” the features and benefits of new HVAC equipment.

The theory behind the software is that the gained awareness and in-depth knowledge on the part of the customer will increase the scope of the job.

The theory behind the software is that the gained awareness and in-depth knowledge on the part of the customer will increase the scope of the job, upsell and closing ratio. HVAC Showroom, which can also be used to train employees on the types of products covered, can be downloaded to each user’s Windows or Android device, typically a laptop or tablet. It is also available as an app on mobile devices for in-home sales presentations. The animations can also be used a company website. The professional narration of each animation can be turned on or off during any presentation.

Eleven non-brand specific animations are available, covering the basic functions and advantages of Air Filtration (both electronic and media filtration systems); air handlers, including the variable speed blower; Air Conditioners; Duct Smoke Detector; Furnace, including demonstration of variable speed and multi-stage burners; Straight Heat Pump, discussing heating and cooling functions and balance point calculator for specific manufacturer model numbers); Hybrid Heat Pump; Safety Valve; Surge Protection; the Ductless Mini split;, and Geothermal Heat Pump, which includes the ability to compare energy costs by inputting local utility rates and unit efficiencies to evaluate cost of operation across the different fuel types.

Bill and Patti Feldman write articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. They can be reached at [email protected]

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