Paper based systems

Advantages: It's easy to write on paper.

Disadvantages: Did I write it down? Where did I put it? Who has the information I need? Is it up to date? Did someone make changes on another copy?

Harder to distribute to people that need it. Risk of multiple copies of similar (but not identical) information floating around. Big problems if information is lost/misplaced. Difficult to manage and communicate with mobile workers. Difficult to grow a business that relies on paperwork.

Regular desktop/server based construction software systems

Advantages: Easy to store, find, and manipulate information (but only from the computer that has the software on it).

Disadvantages: Require at least some computer skills. Could require several different systems - some are complex. Software needs to be installed, maintained, and upgraded. Computers need to be kept running. Computers need to be connected to one another. Information needs to be backed up. Computers and information is vulnerable to theft, flood, and computer crashes.

Connecting more than one computer is essential (it's difficult and expensive - but here's how you can get it free)

Web based construction software systems

Advantages: Easy to store, find, manipulate, and communicate information from any computer with an Internet connection. Easy to access. Easy to use. Avoid virtually all the headaches that come with regular desktop software

Disadvantages: can't access information without an Internet connection, however, computers with Internet connections are everywhere - in the near future high speed wireless connectivity will be everywhere

Learn more about systems...

Learn more about the advantages of business systems for contractors...

The problems with developing your own contracting systems (and how you can avoid them)...

Businesses are not strong until their people and their systems are strong - they depend on both.

People are key - but need to be managed, have bad days, get sick, take vacations, quit, and move on. Systems don't, they stay with the business and build lasting value.

Business systems are the same magic ingredient that makes franchises and nation wide stores dominate in many markets.

Research shows that businesses that put good systems in place dramatically outperform their competition.

The advantages of using systems in your contracting business:

• systems don't have bad days, phone in sick, take vacations, or quit
• provide a consistent, predictable, reliable ways of doing things
• less day to day management (better quality, more streamlined, less finger pointing, less stress)
• provide a solid foundation for controlled business growth
• give more freedom to business owners / managers
• help businesses sell faster (and for more money)

More on systems...

More on the different types of contractor business systems...

The world is full of systems. The economy, governments, military, environment, and our bodies are all systems.

Big systems are made up of smaller systems - which are made of even smaller systems.

For example our bodies are made up of digestive systems, respiratory systems, circulatory systems, nervous systems (a business owners favorite), and many more. Each system is made up of cellular systems. For our bodies to work properly, so must all it's sub systems.

Our economic system is made up of businesses which are also made of systems - accounting systems, management information systems, estimating systems, inventory systems, customer management systems, project management systems, communication systems, etc. For businesses to function properly, so must all their systems.

The problem is, independent small and mid size businesses don't leverage the true power of systems. Owners and a few key people usually act as super glue that hold them together. If they stop, then so does the business - kaput - game over.

More on the different types of contractor business systems...

More on the advantages of business systems for contractors...

Dear BuildIT User,

New features just added to the system:

1. Working Days Calculator

Need some help creating schedule templates? Help has arrived! Want to know how many "work days" exist between two dates (if you subtract weekends and holidays)? Or... what if you start a task next Wednesday that will takes 13 work days to complete, but there's a holiday and a couple weekends during that time? This handy new calculator will tell you which calendar date the task ends on, or how many work days are between any two dates. To access your new Working Days Calculator simply click "tasks", then click "do it" at the top right, then choose "Calculate Working Days" and up pops your calculator. Bonus: you can even print out a schedule that shows calendar days, work and non-work days. Use this handy printout to plan or schedule jobs, crews, or projects.

2. Technical Notes

Anyone who has been on the system for a while has seen new features and upgrades released … now you can check out the new "technical notes" if you want to know more. Click on the "msg ctr" button at the upper right of any screen, then in the left margin, click on "tech notes" and see in plain English what we've released, and what new features are coming.

Best regards,

The BuildIT Team
1 866 585 5050 x1
www.builditsystems.com

PS: Do you work with anyone that needs to be more organized? Click here to let them know about BuildIT and get a free Starbucks card when they sign up.