Computer System Uses for Contractors
Current and Near Future Trends
Bill Zeigler - Zeigler Associates, Ltd
March 4, 2000
- Intro - presentation scope and method
o Not a review of accounting and estimating software
o Not a live on-line demonstration of all discussed points, but system and connection setup available
o Encourage exchange and dialog to share on-point experiences
o Q+A can involve a variety of things, time allowing
- Internal Analysis and Recordkeeping
o Columnar sheet or calculator -> spreadsheet
o Name/address management
o Time management and [group] schedules
o Tight[er] integration of accounting system to all operations
§ Receipts, orders, changes recognized immediately
§ Changes into estimates and billings
o Development history akin to fax machines
o Bid solicitation and placing quotes
o Electronically documented and organized contact history, format dependent upon the email program in use
o Job progress / field reporting and documentation including timecard submission
- E-Commerce
o Definition - Broad based for discussion - any Internet based commerce
o Developing stage for doing business
o Current and real life examples: Abbott, Dayton-Hudson
o A broad offering of goods and services, even groceries and prescription refills
o Consider what products/services you offer that can be offered on the Web
o Capitalizes on the assumed demand to transact anytime and in the desired electronic environment [next section on Your Website]
Your Own Website - Related to Offering Your Product / Services
o Not everyone can benefit from the same implementation extent
o Immediately distributed brochure
o Job Site progress
o
Commerce
[previosu section]
- Others' Websites - Internet Resources
o Software / Hardware Support
o Research References
§ Tax forms
§ Regs/laws
§ Advice, legal and safety
§ Punch - lcca site
o Customer driven scenarios
§ Abbott EDI
§ Dayton/Hudson
§ HHH description
o Sales
§ Price check and purchase
§ Credit card processing
§ Information gathering
§ Problem resolution
o Contractor - specific web sites
- Future Trends [review booth list of recent trade/tech'y shows]
o 'Infostructure' - elevating priority of technology
o 'Instantaneous' Internet connections and web page designs and features
o Hand held videophones
o Input devices and methods
§ Voice recognition
§ Scanners / wands to automate events at the source
§ Renote timecard submission
o Electronic Meetings - NetMeeting, concurrent video/audio connections [obviously more practical with improving bandwidth]
o Digital image job monitoring [eg of weather station showing ski slope scenes]
o Plans electronically distributed and formatted for estimating