Tech Brief

The Associated General Contractors of America

August 11-12, Chicago IL
Having a successful IT strategy and operation is paramount in running any successful business. The 2011 IT Forum Conference is the construction industry’s one-stop-shop to learn the latest techniques that are saving money, improving operations and taking firms to the next level. This meeting is suitable for IT Professionals, System Analysts, Networking and Database Administrators, and Technology Support Professionals of the construction industry. Join your peers learning more about Enterprise Content Management (ECM), ITmetrics, Data in the Field and so much more!

The opening session will be on IT Trends and Strategy, gaining awareness of important developments in Construction and Technology affecting contractors and their IT strategy. Other sessions include topics such as SharePoint, Tablet Computing, Remote/Job Site Connectivity, Cheap IT, and much more. Attendants select breakout sessions to delve deeper into topics of interest, or participate in roundtable discussions with peers. Walk away from this year’s IT Forum Conference with practical skills that you can begin to implement immediately. Plus, take advantage of this rare opportunity to network with and learn from colleagues who experience the same challenges daily.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148749&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

How 3D visualization is changing the industry

In simple terms, augmented reality is the process of using technology to overlay virtual imagery and data on top of real world images (either through a camera-enabled device, sunglasses, a transparent display or LED-enabled contact lenses). For the sake of this discussion, augmented reality is the result of the convergence of several key technologies now available on the open market:

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148750&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

My objective is well summarized as stated in the 2010 announcement: an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on some of the IT challenges facing the construction industry.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148751&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

These ideas help computer users at all levels navigate through the day more effectively.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148752&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

FROM THE IT FORUM
The IT Forum gives AGC members an opportunity to discuss best practices and garner feedback about products and services that increase efficiencies. The following questions and answers were taken from recent forum posts.

Q: Have any of you put together an RFI/RFP for a CRM/project history solution that you’d be willing to share?
Ben Stromberg
Knutson Construction
 
A: We are not using it but our business development wants us to look at Cosential http://www.cosential.com/construction.html. They tell me that several of the companies we are joint-venturing with for projects are using that system. I was also looking at setting up a SugarCRM solution because it would be much cheaper but just don’t have the time to customize it to our needs.
Brett Berdine
Byrne Construction Services

A: We are using Cosential. Our marketing and BD group have been on it since October 2010. If you’re migrating from another system it could be challenging, but with all conversion of that nature "garbage in, garbage out." We migrated from ACT. From what I can tell since we have settled in everyone is happy with it.
CJ Rainer
Doster Construction Company, Inc.

 

August 11-12, Chicago IL
Having a successful IT strategy and operation is paramount in running any successful business. The 2011 IT Forum Conference is the construction industry’s one-stop-shop to learn the latest techniques that are saving money, improving operations and taking firms to the next level. This meeting is suitable for IT Professionals, System Analysts, Networking and Database Administrators, and Technology Support Professionals of the construction industry. Join your peers learning more about Enterprise Content Management (ECM), ITmetrics, Data in the Field and so much more!

The opening session will be on IT Trends and Strategy, gaining awareness of important developments in Construction and Technology affecting contractors and their IT strategy. Other sessions include topics such as SharePoint, Tablet Computing, Remote/Job Site Connectivity, Cheap IT, and much more. Attendants select breakout sessions to delve deeper into topics of interest, or participate in roundtable discussions with peers. Walk away from this year’s IT Forum Conference with practical skills that you can begin to implement immediately. Plus, take advantage of this rare opportunity to network with and learn from colleagues who experience the same challenges daily.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148749&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

How 3D visualization is changing the industry

In simple terms, augmented reality is the process of using technology to overlay virtual imagery and data on top of real world images (either through a camera-enabled device, sunglasses, a transparent display or LED-enabled contact lenses). For the sake of this discussion, augmented reality is the result of the convergence of several key technologies now available on the open market:

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148750&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

My objective is well summarized as stated in the 2010 announcement: an opportunity to discuss and share best practices on some of the IT challenges facing the construction industry.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148751&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

These ideas help computer users at all levels navigate through the day more effectively.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=148752&issueID=24103 to view the full article online.

 

FROM THE IT FORUM
The IT Forum gives AGC members an opportunity to discuss best practices and garner feedback about products and services that increase efficiencies. The following questions and answers were taken from recent forum posts.

Q: Have any of you put together an RFI/RFP for a CRM/project history solution that you’d be willing to share?
Ben Stromberg
Knutson Construction
 
A: We are not using it but our business development wants us to look at Cosential http://www.cosential.com/construction.html. They tell me that several of the companies we are joint-venturing with for projects are using that system. I was also looking at setting up a SugarCRM solution because it would be much cheaper but just don’t have the time to customize it to our needs.
Brett Berdine
Byrne Construction Services

A: We are using Cosential. Our marketing and BD group have been on it since October 2010. If you’re migrating from another system it could be challenging, but with all conversion of that nature "garbage in, garbage out." We migrated from ACT. From what I can tell since we have settled in everyone is happy with it.
CJ Rainer
Doster Construction Company, Inc.