Builder - November 2008 - (Page 73)

TECHTOOLS TECHNOLOGY FOR THE MODERN HOME BUILDER ■ EDITED BY STEVE ZURIER Technology Comes Together Best-of-breed technology lets a Canadian builder keep pace in the challenging market. C anadian home builders haven’t experienced as severe a downturn as U.S. builders, but Brandon Campbell, sales manager for Starward Homes in the Toronto metro area, says that’s no excuse to stay complacent. For Campbell, to stay competitive today, he says builders need to cut paperwork costs, run the production process more efficiently, and improve the customer experience. One of the best ways to reach these goals, says Campbell, is by deploying the latest software technology. Starward Homes has opted for best-of-breed technologies from Sales Simplicity (sales software); Builder MT (production management/workﬂow); Sage Timberline Office (accounting); and Corrigo (warranty management). Builders have long waited for a single system to accomplish all of their goals, and while there are some options that handle most of the tasks, such as products from Constellation, Reﬂex, and Mark Systems, many builders have decided that integrating best-of-breed products is the most effi cient option. Many home builders like that they can add modules over time, absorbing the costs over several months, even years. “I like the way the different companies work together,” says Campbell. “And if it ever comes to pass that one of the partners needs to be replaced, it doesn’t mean that I have to pull apart the entire system,” he adds. Starward’s goal is to slash paper costs by automating work orders and purchase orders; operate more efficiently through a trade portal that posts schedules, documents, and invoices; and improve customer relations by having a sales and warranty system that offers customers accurate information in real time. Campbell says builders should budget about $250,000 for a similar software project. Half the Price B uilder1440 is now offering a scaleddown version of its CRM system for small custom builders. The software lets builders manage contacts, register users, and run automated campaigns and marketing reports, all for half the price of the standard Builder1440 system. Sales1440 Standard Edition sells for $69 a month per user. Visit www .builder1440.com. Get Interactive F The CD, ﬂash drive, and onday’s technologysavvy buyers by line version offer videos of stanletting them view dard maintenance issues such as A new service from Constellation maintenance and caring for the new home’s ﬂoors brings homeowner’s guides to life. warranty ainfor- or the HVAC system. Home buymation on CD- ers are prompted every quarter or years, buyers re- ROM, via a ﬂash drive, or to view the videos and access ceived their homeowner’s online. Home buyers who want the user guides via targeted manual on closing day, a printed materials may also re- e-mails. Some builders opt to thick, encyclopedic vol- ceive paper versions. send the e-mails for several years ume that may have beyond the warranty pebeen read just once by the riod. Posting the informaaverage homeowner. tion electronically saves Now, Constellation builders paper and mailHomeBuilder Systems is ing costs and helps them marketing BuildServ, a connect with buyers. series of multimedia BuildServ, which is products that help create sold as a service to home an interactive experience builders starting at $500 between the builder and a month, is also the name the home buyer during of the company Constelthe standard one-year lation acquired last sumwarranty period. mer. BuildServ has about 30 customers. Visit www. Instead of handing ownershipguide.com for buyers a paper manual, VIDEO GENERATION: BuildServ features at more information. B BuildServ appeals to to- least 20 videos on home-maintenance topics. Sage Security T he new 9.5 version of Sage Timberline Office is now shipping. The software features streamlined security management that lets IT managers set policies and access rights in one location, as opposed to setting separate access rights for accounts payable, estimating, general ledger, and payroll. It also has a daily report feature that allows project managers to track weather reports, equipment status, and job progress in Timberline’s project management module. DO YOU HAVE A TECH STORY? E-MAIL DENISE DERSIN AT: ddersin@hanleywood.com W W W.BUILDERONLINE.COM nov e m ber 2008 B U I LD E R ■ 73 http://www.builder1440.com http://www.builder1440.com http://www.ownershipguide.com http://www.ownershipguide.com http://WWW.BUILDERONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Builder - November 2008

Builder - November 2008 Contents Editor’s Notes B-Mail Book It Missing Links Inside Story Top Shelf Green House Business Update Sales Strategies Industry Insight Products Tech Tools National Best Seiders' Economy Sifting Through the Ruins Cottage Industry Upside Down Ad Index Last Word

Builder - November 2008

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