In heavy construction, there’s a growing understanding that using specialized construction field tracking software, along with accounting software, is an essential combination. Although many ERP or accounting systems offer some project tracking features, they’re designed with accounting logic and for accounting priorities, so they don’t always deliver the timely and specialized insight into construction project […]
Industry-wide effort establishes standards and benchmarks for heavy civil contractors. Recent publication and promotion of the Heavy Equipment Comparator by the Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) and Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) has cast new light on an important way to improve heavy equipment maintenance.
Equipment essential in heavy civil work is expensive to own, operate and maintain. Still, many contractors struggle to measure their costs and the performance of their maintenance operations and to compare that performance against that of similar companies. A task force of AEMP and CFMA members was formed in 2022 to help them do both.
The equipment maintenance approach at a mid-size excavation and site work contractor that recently adopted B2W Maintain software was very typical.
The owner has a mechanical background, knows every piece of equipment inside and out and takes pride in keeping his fleet in top condition. He was managing a relatively effective maintenance program based primarily on his individual knowledge and supported by some basic spreadsheets and paper-based process.
Any construction management software company can claim a ‘client-driven’ approach to developing new features. The real trick is getting beyond the marketing cliché and backing up that claim. B2W does this with a structured process for encouraging input from users, prioritizing it and taking action. The online B2W Community Portal is a valuable part of this process.
The EquipmentSHIFT conferences promise insightful information on innovative technology and how it will impact the construction sector, and this year’s event did not disappoint. A wide range of suppliers, contractors and other industry experts made presentations on an equally broad range of equipment related topics.
When heavy construction contractors that rely on spreadsheets to manage estimating begin to look at an enterprise-class solution like B2W Estimate, one obvious question comes up early in the conversation. “How much does the software cost?” I sometimes answer, jokingly, that it’s free. Before they get their hopes up too much, I feel compelled to […]
Switching from a fragmented mix of spreadsheets and paper-based processes to specialized software to manage equipment maintenance and repairs can have a big impact on profitability for heavy civil construction companies. The most effective companies leverage software sometimes referred to as a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to hold maintenance costs close to the best-practice standard of five percent of total revenue. Their success, however, depends on more than the software itself. These are the top six supporting steps to overcoming resistance, ensuring an effective implementation and achieving long-term results.
Preventive Maintenance is the backbone of a productive, profitable heavy civil construction company. As a matter of fact, keeping assets in the field running and maximizing utilization is, in large part, the Shop Manager’s main focus and a large piece of the profitability puzzle. The modern Shop Manager must analyze the fleet and the capabilities […]
Any computer user who has ever placed a call to a support hotline knows the difference between a quality support experience and, well, the opposite. But what does quality support really mean? Let’s start by talking about what it isn’t. How many of us have… called a support line, only to be greeted by an […]
Heavy civil construction projects need to carefully manage logistics in order to ensure success. Project complexities are driven by large amounts of resources over huge geographic regions, with three key resources needing optimization so projects are efficient and successful: People Equipment Materials The rise of mobile technology is well aligned to address the field operations […]
Recognizing the advantages of new technologies and enabling them in practice, the industry can realize improvements in efficiency & productivity.
Working in the construction industry comes with its fair share of risks: roughly 20% of all worker deaths occur at construction jobsites, with the top four causes of these fatalities including falling, being struck by an object, electrocution, and getting caught/compressed between two objects. In order to help keep workers risk-free and jobsites compliant, a […]
We’re all pressed for time and trying to “do more with less”. This blog post highlights little-known and underutilized features in B2W Track to help recoup some time each day. Over the years, B2W Software continuously adds great features, and more than a few go unnoticed – including these overlooked gems. Exclude Zero Cost Labor […]
Contractors maintaining a few dozen or a few hundred pieces of equipment know that keeping track of warranties and optimizing coverage are real challenges. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars can be lost by not knowing which repairs and replacements could be covered and when.
For heavy construction cost estimators juggling multiple bids on a tight deadline, every second counts and – if they aren’t careful – so can every error. That’s one reason why the B2W Estimate software application includes a unique and powerful tool: the Estimate Error-check Wizard.
While similarities exist between vertical and horizontal construction projects, there are key differences that alter software requirements.
An accounting or ERP system is the go-to tool for managing project costs at many heavy construction companies, but those systems are specifically designed for recording and reporting after costs occur. The limitation is that they are not very effective at helping contractors stay on top of project costs where and when those costs actually […]
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Technology is gaining prevalence in the construction industry. While this upward momentum in tech—specifically mobile tech—allows contractors benefits such as GPS tracking, account management, bidding, equipment management, etc., there remains a drawback. A primarily untapped market has the potential, once technology gains footing, to become flooded with various software and applications. This issue is already affecting the construction industry.
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