Computer Systems

  • All CAD, All The Time

    How an architectural firm made 3-D computer-aided design central to its design process, from client presentation through project completion.One such firm that has overcome the obstacles and embraced 3-D computer-aided design, making it essential to its business, is Rill and Decker, Bethesda, Md...

     
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    Pocket Camera

    Fed up with $400 in monthly film developing and after failed efforts to share a digital camera among five employees, remodeler A.J. Paron-Wildes bought PalmPix attachments for their m105 Palm handheld organizers. The cameras, which are attached via serial connection on the organizers, have mostly...

     
  • System for accurate kitchen and bath project estimating

    During his 21 years in business, Vincent Castiallo, president of Royal Kitchen Corp. and Total Success Corp., New City, N.Y., developed a great system for accurate kitchen and bath project estimating. The software costs $499.99 and is available through Total Success Corp. at (845) 638-4575.

     
  • Changing contracts

    With the advent of computer technology and automated estimates, we can put in all the specifics in microscopic detail, without having to spend money to do it.

     
  • Leaping into Wireless Networking

    NPDTechworld of Reston, Va., says 802.11b technology sales have exploded, from $5.3 million in 2000 to $74.8 million last year.

     
  • Reader's Choice - Big50 Favorites

    A few product favorites from the Big50 2002.

     
  • Cutting Edge Software's QuickOffice products

    Cutting Edge Software's QuickOffice lets you view and edit Microsoft Word and Excel documents on your PDA -- perfect for fill-in-the-blank change orders or preliminary budgets while walking a site.

     
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    CAD Plus

    Ten years ago I coined the phrase "CAD-Assisted Estimating" to describe early attempts by CAD vendors to provide take-off and bill-of-materials functionality. Now, using CAD to automate the take-off process can be a reality. Most builders will still need to tweak results in a spreadsheet or...

     
  • Using Technology Unconventionally

    A digital camera plus imaging software like Paint Shop Pro (www.jasc.com) goes a long way toward eliminating project misunderstandings. Created as a video/chat product, Netmeeting moonlights as an excellent remote control package, and it's free, unlike LapLink or PCAnywhere. --Joe Stoddard is a...

     
  • Go Paperless

    You may be leery of the "paperless office," but the fact is, it costs less to manage documents electronically than to keep buying filing cabinets (and a place to put them). Subscribe to eFax Plus and fax paper documents from your fax machine to your own eFax number. They'll show up attached to an...