Computers have invaded virtually every aspect of the business world, including masonry contracting. Hardware has shrunk from room-sized to pocket-sized, while capabilities have skyrocketed. Computing speed and the capability to process and store data have grown rapidly. RAM and hard disk storage that was unimaginable just a few years ago are now attainable and affordable.

Are computers holding your company back or helping it grow in today's ever-changing business climate?

Constantly evolving technology

A custom-made information system is fine for a company with a computer expert on staff. However, many good tools are readily available off-the-shelf for those contractors who don't want to build an information system from scratch.

Software programs--the specific instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do--also have evolved. Many program features are becoming more standardized as mainstream computing gravitates toward the Windows operating system.

Unlike the all-text days of DOS when learning each new program was a major undertaking, today's applications often look and feel very much the same. Performing similar functions in different programs is often nearly identical. For example, copying and pasting text, printing, changing text formats, and controlling the document's look are very similar operations in many programs.

Some special purpose programs, such as QuickMeasure from San Diego-based Tally Systems, build on what is already known about a mainstream program, such as Excel. This program links the input from a roll-up vinyl digitizer and pen directly to the Excel spreadsheet.

Using the pen to trace shapes allows the estimator to quickly determine areas and quantities of even odd shapes. The digitizer feeds the data into the existing spreadsheet so the need to learn and adapt to a new estimating package are eliminated. The result is faster, more accurate blueprint reading.

As part of the integration, the program adds several new tasks into the Excel toolbar, including buttons to select whether you are counting or measuring a line, area, or segment. Selecting the "eyeball" tool shows an outline of the area represented by the spreadsheet cell. Because this information is stored in the cell, the outlines can be recalled at any time and printed out as needed.

The accuracy of digitizing also has benefited from advances in computer hardware. The digitizer provided by QuickMeasure has a resolution of 2540 lines per inch, which permits very accurate takeoffs.

Time and materials

Many masonry contractors are finding time-tracking systems very useful. Jobclock, offered by Exaktime Inc., Woodland Hills, Calif., consists of a battery powered job clock, color-coded key tabs, two software programs, and a key tab reader that connects through a PC's USB port.

This system allows workers to record job time by simply touching the appropriate tab--green tab to check in and red tab to punch out. Additional tabs can be assigned to track the start and stop times of various other activities, such as time in transit, by simply assigning different colored tabs to specific functions.

Jobclock Reader (Palm Pilot software) allows the foreman to collect (but not edit) the data from each job clock. A simple Hot Sync operation in the office loads the data from the job clock into a database in the PC. The PC software (Jobclock Manager) offers a dozen preconfigured, customizable reports and allows the data to be exported to accounting software.

Those companies preferring a more integrated turnkey approach can use HCSS (Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc.) software. This package prepares a detailed cost estimate and easily converts it into a bid, while allowing last-minute changes. A more limited version is available at entry level pricing for smaller contractors.

HCSS also offers field management software for collecting, disseminating, and dispatching daily jobsite information. Other available programs from the Houston-based company include a free Internet-based historical bid pricing tool and one to track bulk material and truck tickets.

Sourcing information

Besides financial and accounting data, product and technical information are increasingly important to contractors. Early efforts distributing information on floppy disks and then on CDs have been replaced by the Internet, which is much more practical and functional. Today, information on Internet-based services is continually updated.

BuildSite, Oakland, Calif., presents this type of information online for more than 150 manufacturers of building materials, and offers a single starting point to search for items by ASTM number, MasterFormat, or product name. The service is offered by monthly subscription and is organized into four modules:

* Current product and technical information

* Assembling and printing an MSDS documentation packet

* Finding "or equal" products

* Putting together a submittal package and printing or submitting it electronically--a feature sure to become more popular as owners and general contractors move toward requiring all-electronic submittals.