Planswift Mechanical HVAC takeoff software (ConstructConnect, www.planswift.com, 888/752-6794) generates precise materials lists and estimates of labor for projects/jobs. The software opens blueprints and job files from various digital sources, including emails, thumb-drives, and online plan rooms.
Suitable for companies of any size, it facilitates takeoff of simple or complex areas, items, lengths, volumes, and perimeter via assigning a distinct color to the item/distance/space to be counted. Users can create assemblies of commonly used materials and labor and drag and drop them onto the take-off items for accurate estimates.
The solution features a visual point-and-click interface that enables coloring of the item/distance to be counted and drag-and-drop functionality that lets users isolate plan areas and create individual counts. Results can be printed or exported to Excel. (The software integrates with Excel spreadsheets and templates and other third-party solutions.)
HVAC users can quickly trace linear takeoff A/C lines, instantly derive volume of rooms for heating and cooling, and generate materials for HVAC assembly. Users can isolate plan areas and create individual counts for ducts, pumps, switches, controls, and other elements. An overlay feature lets users highlight changes in the digital plans.
Job costing and tracking features incorporate the ability to input your own prices to customize costs and build your own templates. You can override any data in a template for a specific project and can create additional pricing storable for re-use.
Pricing: one time purchase plus annual cost for maintenance plan (updates and support); add-on modules and plug-ins carry additional cost (planswift.com/plugins); free 14-day trial available.
ViewpointOne (A Trimble Company, www.viewpoint.com, 800/333-3197), a secure, scalable, cloud-based construction management suite for contractors of all sizes, integrates ERP (enterprise resource planning) platforms, collaborative project management software, data analytics, business intelligence solutions, and mobile applications in the field, ensuring real-time information-sharing across project teams within a single environment.
A ViewpointOne solution can be centered around either of Viewpoint’s Vista or Spectrum ERP solutions and includes Viewpoint Team. Viewpoint’s ERPs feature integrated modules that address and expedite workflows, including accounting, operations, HR and payroll, project planning and project delivery, field management, service management, materials management and inventory, control reporting and analytics, and other capabilities.
ViewpointOne pairs a construction ERP offering with Field solutions (Field Management and Service Management) which enable capturing, viewing and sharing critical project data, including time tracking, daily logs, punch-lists, safety observations, inspections, defect management, work orders and commissioning; as well as Viewpoint Team, a collaborative project and document management solution that connects contractors’ field and office operations together in real time.
The ViewpointOne ERPs also provide multiple service management capabilities, including service contract management that addresses quoting, pricing, renewals, scheduling, and periodic billing functionalities. Users can automate scheduling of routine maintenance work for each customer, facilitate agreement-based billing, automatically generate work orders directly from the maintenance schedule and track add-on work as it occurs against the agreements.
Scheduling of service technicians is facilitated with a digitized, drag-and-drop dispatch board that gives access to details on each technician’s’ skill set.
The mobile work order management solutions—Vista Field Service or Spectrum Service Tech—connect service technicians to the back office via their phones, giving accessibility to data on assigned jobs in real time, including notes about work sites and past service history. Technicians can attach images and notes to work orders, record costs of labor, equipment, materials and other data, capture customer electronic signatures on work orders, and close completed work orders and submit them to the office from their mobile devices.
Viewpoint Analytics, which pulls connected data from across Viewpoint’s solutions, provides real-time metrics, live visualizations using charts and graphs and dashboards for drag-and-drop self-service reporting and predictive analytics.
PaySimple (www.paysimple.com, 800/466-0992) is a flexible integrated payment management solution for service-based businesses. It can generate one-time or automatic recurring invoices and process credit/debit card, electronic checks (e-Checks), and ACH payments in any of three ways: in person via swipe or key in of a charge card or charge accounts on file; online on any mobile device through a credit card and ACH payment via invoices; and through a mobile app, PaySimple Mobile for Android or iOS devices, using a credit card readers or keyed-in payment processing.
The invoices can feature a company logo. If a company already has a mobile or field service app, PaySimple can integrate with it via PaySimple AppConnect.
PaySimple’s online tracking capabilities include viewing when invoices are viewed, paid, due, and overdue. A company can automate email reminders and late notices and implement automatic pre-stated late fees. The solution’s mobile and web apps sync, giving users of any device access to all the same payment and customer data. PaySimple integrates with QuickBooks Online, syncing data in real time. PaySimple also integrates with MailChimp and Constant Contact to support email marketing campaigns.
A self-service online customer portal empowers customer to access their account, manage payment preferences, and pay bills online.
Pricing: monthly subscription fee + individual transaction and processing fees (credit card hardware not included but available for purchase).
Patti Feldman writes articles and web content for trade magazines and manufacturers of building products. She can be reached at [email protected].