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Builders Get ‘Hands-On’ Software Knowledge at IBS
 Builders and associates gained some “hands-on” knowledge about how IT solutions can benefit their businesses at several computer labs hosted by NAHB’s Business Management and Information Technology Committee at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) in Orlando last month.
“I think the labs are a wonderful outlet to get a hands-on feel for the software to see exactly what these vendors offer,” said Michael Watanabe of JW Incorporated in Honolulu. “It’s hard to get that experience on the show floor, so this way you can get a small group together in one place.”
The committee sponsored 17 computer labs on Feb. 13-15 at IBS. Each 90-minute session was interactive with instructors walking attendees through key aspects of the software being sampled.
“I learned a lot of new applications and functions for the software we already have,” said Kerry Stanley, of Morrison Homes in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. “This show is a lot more than I expected and it gives us a good handle on where the market is going.”
Stanley worked on Sage Software estimating software, a software tool for budgets, proposals and schedules.
“This is my seventh lab,” said instructor Mark Reich of Sage, “and this year was one of the best. I commend the IT people involved.”
“Educating the industry on quality software applications is why we participate in events like the computer labs,” said Tom Gebes, president of BuilderMT, a financial and operations software. “The builders do not know what they do not know if we do not host these types of venues at the Builders' Show.”
Other computer labs at IBS included:
- Avid Ratings, customer loyalty management
- Axis Pointe, post construction services software
- Builder Links, wireless
- CDCI, full-cycle costs control software
- Construction Imaging Systems, paperless solutions for contractors
- Dynami Solutions, LLC, profit solutions software
- Site Stream, lot scheduling tools
- Soft Plan, Cad design
- Sprint, builder communications
For more information, e-mail Joshua Nester at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8461.
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 Free NAHB Kit Gives Builders Back-to-Basics Tips to Navigate the Slowdown
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