Article Number : 2217 |
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| Date | 8/14/2007 9:04:27 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=2217 |
| Abstract | By Sarah Zimmerman They say, “Time is money.” But, then again, so are efficiency, functionality and precision. Luckily, technology has afforded the industry a little extra time—money—with software programs such as estimating systems... |
| Article | By Sarah Zimmerman They say, “Time is money.” But, then again, so are efficiency, functionality and precision. Luckily, technology has afforded the industry a little extra time—money—with software programs such as estimating systems. Estimating software determines the most effective use of materials for the installation of flooring and wall products. “If you break it down to the simplest explanation, a complete novice in the flooring industry can draw rooms to scale on a computer, assign the materials to that room or series of rooms, push a button, and the computer will calculate the most efficient layout and cutting diagram for all materials,” said Bob Noe Jr., president of Pacific Solutions. Cathy Welsh, operations manager for CDMS, noted estimating packages help to determine every cost and size needed for a customer order, including room transitions, waste tolerances, labor costs such as moving furniture, removal of existing flooring, installation supplies, etc. “This allows the estimator to become more productive, therefore reducing the cost of performing the estimate for the customer.” Flooring estimates must be accurate and timely, according to Dev O’Reilly, president and CEO of RollMaster. “Therefore,” he said, “estimating software must be designed to assist the professional floor covering job estimator in performing rapid, complete and auditable cost estimates.” One of the main benefits of estimating software is that it is so visual, said Trent Ogden, CFO of QFloors. “It allows the sales rep, the customer and the installer to see exactly how the finished job will be laid out—where the seams are, pattern matches, what cuts to make, how much waste there will be and why, etc.” He noted, with an estimator, the sales rep can show the customer options, and then consumers have a higher level of confidence in their purchases because they can see exactly how much material is needed and why. “Estimating software helps eliminate problems with ordering, installing and communication. It also justifies the price to the consumer.” Chad Ogden, president and CEO of QFloors, added that estimating software is an effective tool in helping owners or managers train new salespeople. “It teaches them the measuring and installation process and helps them recognize all the important factors to consider when calculating materials.” He also said these programs are very helpful to the installer, providing detailed descriptions as to how the product should be installed. “As we all know mistakes are expensive, and this means there are fewer shorts and mistakes.” Estimating systems translate to dollar profits, stated Steven Wang, president of Floor Covering Soft. He agreed that the software increases productivity efficiency by saving time, increasing accuracy and decreasing material waste and mistakes. There are many benefits to using estimating systems, and they all lead to minimized material waste, avoidance of errors and decreased material and installation costs, according to Edgar Aya, president of Comp-U-Floor. “It is much faster than traditional manual systems,” he said. “It allows the user to create different flooring scenarios and compare efficiencies for each, it provides a visual project where the installers can quickly understand the project scope, and it provides an interface for flooring-management and inventory systems so the floor plans can be incorporated in the preparation of work-orders for installers.” Noe agreed estimating systems prove many advantages for companies over those without such software, the biggest being a competitive edge. “The programs increase profitability and help grow business in three ways: reduction of mistakes, speed of estimating and increased professionalism.” Most flooring businesses net about 1.5% each year, he said. If mistakes can be eliminated or significantly reduced, the increased profits go straight to the dealer’s bottom line. “If you are 6 inches short on material for a job due to an estimating error, you cannot simply order 6 inches of carpet to complete the job. Most of the time an entire room has to be re-ordered, which gets costly.” According to Tracy Ward, director of sales for RFMS, by bringing technology into your business you draw in the consumer and get her engaged in the purchase. “People today are intrigued by technology, from cell phones to GPS to iPODs. When they enter a flooring store, they expect to see technology used in the process.” He said if the industry does not use technology in our business, the consumer will lose interest and confidence. “Customers want to feel they are spending their dollars with businesses on the cutting edge.” Estimate offerings “In today’s flooring industry market, estimation data goes far beyond a simple cost budget,” RollMaster’s O’Reilly said. “Professionals know that estimates influence all aspects of the project lifecycle from project feasibility, takeoff, scheduling, project management, as well as sales and marketing.” So, now that whether to implement and use estimating systems is no longer a question, what’s available? As Trent and Chad Ogden said, choices are endless with the recent FSDE (Flooring Software Data Exchange) standard, which provides all sorts of industry-related software—including estimating systems—with across-the-board integration and compatibility. QFloors gives an easy-to-use estimating product called QEstimator. RollMaster provides a Web-based estimating software that functions independently or integrated with RollMaster software products called FloorMaster. It is available as a product integrated with the RollMaster System or as a free-standing product and can be used from any Internet connection. CDMS has an interface with the Floor Wizard estimating package by Floor Soft. It is designed as an interaction tool between the customer and the salesperson and allows the salesperson to draw a job and collect all pertinent information pertaining to that job. It works as a closing tool, calculating the total cost of a job by developing workable seam plans and assigning appropriate supporting materials to the quote. Floor Wizard also provides a printed package to installers and includes a scheduling tool for measuring and installation appointments. Floor Covering Soft offers both desktop estimating and Web-based estimating systems with easy-to-use drag-and-drop feature advancements and automatic layout functions. Pacific Solutions has had estimating software on the market for almost 10 years now. Its system called FloorRight is offered in two versions: Floor-Right Professional and Floor-Right Commercial. The company also offers SiteDraw software teamed with Leica Laser Range-finder for quick and accurate on-site measuring, and training for all of its products is available in Pacific Solutions’ San Diego classroom or at its dealer’s site. It will be releasing a 3D version later this month. Measure by RFMS offers a full suite of estimating products. From Measure Commercial to Measure Design to Measure Simple, RFMS covers every avenue. |