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Automating Preventive Maintenance

Automating Preventive Maintenance with Construction Equipment Management Software

A system like B2W Maintain helps contractors do the work on time to cut costs, breakdowns and downtime

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. Read More

John Kane
|July 31, 2020
How to Synergize Your Construction Fleet Management Efforts

How to Synergize Your Construction Fleet Management Efforts

Unifying scheduling, field tracking and maintenance can multiply the efficiency of each workflow

Within the context of process improvement, “synergy” is defined as the interaction of two or more processes to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. I can think of no greater example of this than B2W Software’s ONE Platform. I have written previously about the value and high ROI that individual B2W Schedule, Track and Maintain elements bring to heavy construction contractors. However, the interaction of all three within the unique ONE database platform creates tremendous synergy and multiplies the value for fleet management. Read More

Herb Brownett
|July 15, 2020
Construction Safety Management

2020 Dodge Construction Safety Management Survey Takeaways

Electronic data capture and analysis with B2W Inform aligns with emerging trends

The recent Safety Management in the Construction Industry 2020 SmartMarket report by Dodge Data & Analytics provides a comprehensive look at efforts by contractors to improve jobsite safety. Here are three highlights related to technology and the potential safety benefits of replacing paper-based processes for data capture and analysis with a system like B2W inform. Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|July 13, 2020
Lakeside Industries

Case Study: Unique Heavy Construction Progress Reporting and Analysis with B2W Track

Flexible daily logs give contractor real-time data from multiple paving and plant operations

Objectives and results may have been typical, but the deployment and customization of B2W Track that took place in between at Lakeside Industries was unique. The contractor with wide ranging requirements exemplified how good things happen by combining honest assessment of workflows, employee involvement and a mobile performance tracking and reporting software flexible enough to adapt to those varying needs rather than one that forces the needs to adapt to the software. Read More

Greg Norris
|June 5, 2020
B2W Cloud

Exploring Construction Technology in the Cloud

5 Key questions about performance, cost and security with B2W cloud based construction management software

Whether they’re looking for performance and cost advantages across essential construction projects in general or specific ways to better use mobile construction technology and desktop applications, more and more contractors are considering the Cloud. These are the most common questions they ask us as they explore options for running B2W estimating and operations elements in a cloud environment. Read More

Greg Norris
|April 30, 2020

COVID-19 and Construction Site Safety

Four best practices for minimizing the risk on construction jobsites, and some useful links

Working in construction comes with more than its fair share of risks. When we think of the common types of risks on the job, we often think of falling, equipment issues or maybe electrocution. Safety on the job is paramount for all and, with the global pandemic of COVID-19, the construction industry faces a new and different kind of risk to workers. At times like these, keeping safety top of mind to prevent or minimize spread of an illness is just as important as being aware of physical jobsite risks. Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|April 3, 2020
Construction software awards winners pictured at the B2W Software User Conference in March 2020

Four Contractors Earn B2W Construction Software Awards

Annual Client Innovation Awards highlight ROI and operational improvements using B2W construction software solutions for estimating and operations

Help congratulate 4 contractors who won construction software awards at B2W Software's user conference for achieving high ROI & measured improvements. Read More

Greg Norris
|March 26, 2020
Construction Software at Tradeshows

Investigating Construction Management Software Options at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020 and other Construction Tradeshows

Eight tips for deciding which booths to visit and what to look for

Construction management software might not command the attention of heavy machinery at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020. Savvy contractors that visit software suppliers at construction tradeshows, however, could uncover opportunities that rival or even exceed the ROI value of that shiny new hardware. Read More

Greg Norris
|February 10, 2020
The University of Notre Dame Football team carrying Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger off the field in 1975.

B2W Software Announces Keynote Speakers for 2020 User Conference

“Rudy” and FMI Corporation’s Russ Young will supplement learning sessions on construction

The unlikely football hero immortalized in the blockbuster film Rudy will be a keynote speaker at the 2020 B2W Software User Conference, and a senior strategist from construction consulting firm FMI will lead a unique panel discussion on innovation and technology. The annual event for B2W users runs March 6-8 in Las Vegas, prior to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2020, North America’s largest construction trade show. Read More

Greg Norris
|January 24, 2020
7 Habits of Highly Effective Heavy Construction Estimators

7 Habits of Highly Effective Heavy Construction Estimators

The best practices that keep industry leaders fast and accurate

Individually, each of these habits can improve a contractor’s ability to estimate with maximum speed and accuracy, free up more time to focus on strategy and, ultimately, win more bids at better margins. There is also strong crossover and complimentary effect across all seven, with specialized estimating software and the concept of real-time connectivity playing important supporting roles. Additional details are available in The Ultimate Guide to Heavy Civil Construction Estimating & Bidding Software. Read More

Greg Norris
|December 4, 2019

Networking: Another Reason to Attend a Construction Software User Conference

Contractors learn from each other as well as from the software supplier

Training might be the first thing that comes to mind when contractors think about a user conference for construction estimating or construction operations software, but classes presented by the supplier are not the only opportunity to get more proficient and get more out of the technology. Read More

Greg Norris
|November 4, 2019
Customer Portal

An Innovative Way for Users to Define the B2W Construction Software Roadmap

Online Community Portal stimulates ideas and feature requests

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. Read More

Jeff Pankratz
|October 8, 2019
ENR Webinar - Equipment Maintenance

Industry experts will cover construction equipment management and fleet maintenance in upcoming webcast

B2W and ENR sponsoring session to explore strategies for automating processes, improving uptime and cutting costs

“When the yellow iron runs, we make money” is a known adage in heavy civil construction, but complex equipment maintenance, uptime and utilization challenges are a constant threat to profitability. Three leading contractors will share strategies and technologies they have adopted to tackle these challenges in an upcoming webinar sponsored by B2W and ENR magazine on Tuesday, October 22 from 2:00-3:00 PM EST. Read More

Greg Norris
|October 2, 2019
Heavy Construction Meetings

Make post-project reviews a more effective tool for managing construction projects

Access lessons learned by making the information searchable instead of relying on “organizational memory”

Best-in-class heavy civil construction contractors not only excel at estimating, project management and field supervision. They also learn from experience and apply the gained knowledge to future projects. Post-project review meetings are important to accomplishing this, and using an e-forms and reporting tool, like B2W Inform, to document the results of these meetings in a structured manner and make that information easily searchable is a smart move. Read More

Herb Brownett
|September 26, 2019
Job Costing

Get Accurate Labor and Equipment Hours to Improve Construction Cost Management

How electronic field logs help contractors achieve valid, error-free reporting

Accurate job cost reporting is essential for successful financial management but, in my experience, many companies not using electronic field logs in construction are plagued by their inability to capture two essential data points from the field. Labor hours and equipment hours, key building block of what are typically the two highest job cost items, are frequently inaccurate. This is because many contractors still rely on paper for construction time tracking and to record equipment hours. Read More

Herb Brownett
|August 22, 2019

B2W Apps Keep Mobile Construction Software Working Online or Offline

Data capture, fleet maintenance and resource management continue regardless of connectivity

Anytime, anywhere connectivity for mobile devices may seem like a given in modern society, but contractors know the reality. Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity is not always available where heavy civil construction takes place. Even when it is, it may not be the most efficient way for some companies to use essential construction management software in the field. Read More

John Sheedy
|July 23, 2019

A Better Way to Track Employee Licenses, Certifications and Training

Check credentials in seconds and get alerts in advance about expiration dates

Credentials are critical in managing construction projects, but keeping track of who is licensed, certified or trained for which activities is a management headache. Many contractors, like RJV Construction in Massachusetts, rely on the ONE Platform to minimize this challenge. Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|July 15, 2019

Accounting or Field Tracking Software?

Contractors say combining both systems can improve project outcomes

There is no dispute about the importance of tracking actual performance in the field against the estimate and budget for effective construction cost management. Contractors, however, often debate whether to rely on an accounting system or a specialized construction field tracking software option like B2W Track to do it. Read More

Doug Seyler
|July 10, 2019

The B2W Knowledge Center

Video library puts remote training resources at the fingertips of B2W users

After a contractor purchases B2W construction software, there are a series of steps before they are ready to start using it. The software is implemented, training sessions are completed, and the users are ready to hit the ground running - right? Yes, but as the B2W support team can verify, questions are bound to come up after initial training. Maybe an employee was out that day, or a new employee was hired who didn’t attend training. Even users with years of experience can use a refresher. B2W also adds new features and updates constantly, so there’s always more to learn. Read More

Kayla Lutz
|June 14, 2019

Stopping the Hidden Profit Killer

Unplanned downtime is costly, but construction equipment maintenance software can help you hold it to below 5%.

The profit killer lurking for many contractors is unplanned downtime. This is the time, outside of scheduled maintenance, when breakdowns or emergency repairs knock a machine out of service. However, contractors with best-in-class maintenance processes supported by software like B2W Maintain can change the equation by taking unplanned downtime rates to five percent or lower. Read More

Herb Brownett
|May 8, 2019
Daily Field Log

Daily Field Logs: Faster, Easier, Better

Video highlights clever user interface features that make life easier in the field

Once the estimating and bidding are completed, the daily logs for construction projects become cornerstones to effective management. Foremen and supervisors know timely, accurate data is vital, but let’s face it. There are more productive things they would rather do than record labor, productivity, materials and equipment utilization. Read More

Jen Musil
|April 24, 2019

Jennifer Musil – Principal User Experience Designer

B2W Employee Spotlight

When good software is hard to use, it’s bad software. As a user experience designer, Jen Musil plays a key role in the “look and feel” of the B2W elements. That involves a lot of listening to what users need, along with the software expertise to make powerful features easy and intuitive to use. Read More

Greg Norris
|April 4, 2019

Costing Construction Equipment Accurately with B2W Software

Without accurate rates and a way to assign them, you never really know if you’re making – or losing – money on a job.

Best-in-class heavy construction contractors accurately cost their equipment. Doing this requires two things: an efficient method for tracking equipment utilization time on the job and an accurate calculation of what it costs to operate that equipment. The B2W Software ONE Platform can help with both. Read More

Herb Brownett
|March 12, 2019

Three Contractors Named B2W Client Innovation Award Winners for 2019

Casella Construction, Priestly Demolition and Soletanche Bachy Canada honored at B2W User Conference

The exceptional ROI value achieved by adopting B2W Software in support of visionary thinking was clearly evident, as three contractors claimed the 2019 Client Innovation Awards at the B2W User Conference in early March. Casella Construction, Priestly Demolition & Soletanche Bachy Canada claimed the 2019 Client Innovation Awards at the B2W User Conference. Read More

Greg Norris
|March 11, 2019

Jennifer Angrisano – Business Analyst

Learn how B2W business analyst, Jennifer Angrisano, helps clients incorporate industry best practices for fleet management.

The team creating and standing behind the B2W Platform is as impressive and important as the software itself. In this article, we profile Jennifer Angrisano, who has extensive experience working directly for heavy construction companies and as an industry consultant. Jennifer is putting that background to work at B2W, helping contractors optimize equipment maintenance with B2W Maintain. Read More

Greg Norris
|February 5, 2019

Building eForms with B2W Inform Just Got Easier

Free library of user-ready templates now available to customize forms for construction safety, equipment inspections and more.

Users can create and manage form templates, fill out forms, and view data anytime, anywhere and on any-device. Features include built-in approval workflows, data binding of form fields to a central database, and the ability to capture rich data on forms, such as e-signatures, images, videos, time stamps and GPS locations. Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|February 1, 2019

B2W Maintain Users Confirm: Strong Preventive Maintenance Requires Software

Automation replaces guesswork, oversight and missed service intervals

Recent comments from equipment experts using B2W Maintain sum up a simple truth about fleet maintenance and management. Preventive maintenance is essential to keeping maintenance costs low and uptime high, and heavy construction contractors will struggle to sustain a strong PM program without specialized software like B2W Maintain. Read More

Jennifer Angrisano
|December 27, 2018

For Subcontractors, Estimating Software Does More Than Help Them Win Bids

Running alternate scenarios and adapting to scope changes are areas where spreadsheets can’t keep up when it comes to writing winning bids

Think about heavy construction estimating, and putting together winning bids is probably the first thing that comes to mind. For companies that serve frequently as subcontractors, however, the ability to evaluate and present multiple alternative scenarios for general contractors can be equally important. Adapting bids to changes in the job scope is also an everyday requirement. Read More

Patrick Reitz
|November 20, 2018

Exploring Holistic Fleet Management at October EquipmentSHIFT Conference

If You Manage Equipment, Look Into Joining the Association of Equipment Management Professional (AEMP)

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. Read More

John Kane
|November 8, 2018

B2W Platform is Technology Product of the Year Finalist

New Hampshire High Tech Council cites disruptive innovation and value to construction industry

The ONE Platform is well known in heavy construction, and now it’s getting some heavy recognition in technology circles in its home state. The New Hampshire High Tech Council named the ONE Platform as a finalist for its annual High Tech Product of the Year Award. The winner will be chosen at the group’s Product of the Year dinner on  Read More Read More

Greg Norris
|September 26, 2018

Production Targets: What They Are and Why You Should Use Them

Setting daily expectations more accurately to improve job management

Timely, data-driven decision making is a key to successful heavy construction operations, and contractors can’t make good decisions without gauging actual performance in the field against the expectations established in the estimate. That comparison on a daily basis provides supervisors with the means to address job issues and make corrections days or even weeks before reports can be generated through their company’s accounting/job cost systems. Read More

Doug Seyler
|August 27, 2018

You Can’t Do That with a Whiteboard

9 Benefits of specialized software for scheduling and dispatching covered in new eBook

Getting crews, equipment and materials to the right place at the right time isn’t easy in the ever-changing construction environment. Doing it effectively goes a long way towards keeping projects on schedule and under budget. Read More

Mike Morneau
|August 7, 2018

Going from B2W Estimate Pro to Enterprise

5 Reasons it might be time to upgrade to the more powerful edition

Each of the three versions of B2W Estimate provides unparalleled performance and reliability. So why would you take the leap from the Professional edition to the Enterprise edition? If any of these situations apply to you, it might be time to upgrade. Read More

Greg Norris
|July 31, 2018

New Survey Yields Interesting Results on Technology in Heavy Construction

Data shows awareness of benefits but also missed potential

Heavy construction companies know there’s a lot to gain when their office, field and maintenance operations run efficiently and communicate with each other in real time. Most recognize that they need software and mobile capabilities to make this happen. Still, many stop short of investing and continue to miss out on opportunities technology could provide. Read More

Greg Norris
|July 20, 2018

Software Adoption for Heavy Civil Construction Companies

5 Big-picture Steps to Ensure Successful Implementation of Construction Software

As technological innovation continues at a breakneck pace, many heavy civil construction companies remain reluctant to move into the era of software-driven business processes. Some fear the unknown. Others have been bitten by experiences with inferior applications, ill-conceived implementations or poor support. Read More

Greg Norris
|June 28, 2018

How Much Does Estimating Software Really Cost?

Actually, it pays for itself many times over

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 clarify. What I mean is,  Read More Read More

Jeff Russell
|May 15, 2018

Turn Employee Competitiveness into an Advantage

B2W Tools Can Make Daily Performance Data a Powerful Motivator in the Field

Heavy construction employees tend to be competitive by nature, and a growing number of managers are using performance data to turn that trait into performance improvements. Relying on tools like B2W Track and B2W Inform, allows them to capture data electronically and use it to populate timely reports and dashboards, which are easy to produce and extremely valuable as motivators  Read More Read More

Greg Norris
|May 9, 2018

A Better Way to Track Time and Materials Work

B2W Track Allows Contractors to Track and Differentiate on a Single Electronic Field Log

Whether it’s called “time and materials”, “cost plus”, or “force account”, the work done outside of a fixed price contract presents challenges on most heavy construction projects. B2W Track provides a more effective, automated way to track this work and ensure that it is accounted for and billed correctly.                        Read More Read More

John Sheedy
|May 3, 2018

Construction Payroll Processing Advantages with B2W Track

Eliminating redundant, manual data entry into accounting systems pays off

M&M Excavating used to refer to it as a “dreaded, day-long Monday ritual”, and the experience is all too familiar at heavy civil construction operations of all sizes and specialties. Two or three employees at that company used to spend most of the day pouring over job reports and time cards for work performed at each job sit the previous week.  Read More Read More

Greg Norris
|April 16, 2018

Talk the Talk:

Top 10 Heavy Civil Construction Technology Terms You Need to Know

Are you considering new software solutions at your heavy civil construction company? Here are some straightforward definitions for the most important software and technology terms contractors need to know. Chances are, these terms aren’t completely foreign. Still, many people have a vague or partial understanding of exactly what they mean. Brushing up will help you sound like a pro, cut  Read More Read More

Greg Norris
|March 7, 2018

Want Best-in-class Fleet Maintenance for Your Heavy Civil Construction Business?

Keep track of these key performance indicators

In addition to personnel, equipment is essential to heavy civil construction operations. Keeping a fleet on the job and in safe, working order is a challenge with considerable financial risks and rewards. Add maintenance and repair costs to the impact that out-of-commission equipment has on productivity, and the bottom line can suffer significantly. The logical solution is to put systems  Read More Read More

Jennifer Angrisano
|January 30, 2018

Streamline the Process for Heavy Construction Equipment Moves

Four Critical Challenges that Arise When Scheduling and Dispatching Heavy Construction Equipment

Not much happens in heavy civil construction without equipment, and those responsible for scheduling and dispatching face four critical challenges: Identifying what needs to be moved Tracking information related to equipment movement Efficiently assigning moves to drivers Communicating with the drivers Let’s take a look at each of these requirements and how a comprehensive software solution like B2W Schedule offers  Read More Read More

Mike Morneau
|January 16, 2018

Don’t Just Collect Safety Data – Use It to Create Actionable Measures and Precautions on the Job Site

Every construction company collects a high volume of safety information, but Minger Construction is using B2W Inform to do something not many others do particularly well. “Instead of just collecting the information, we can actually use it to identify trends and improve our performance,” explains Mike Nelson, safety director for the Minnesota based company. Minger creates Daily Crew Safety Briefing  Read More Read More

Greg Norris
|November 30, 2017

6 Steps to Implementing Maintenance Software

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. Read More

John Kane
|November 20, 2017

Paper Forms in Construction Can Be Costly. It’s Time to Consider Going Paperless with Mobile Data Capture

Paper forms have consistently been the most common method of data capture within the construction industry for decades. However, as technology plays a bigger and bigger role within companies, and business processes become more complex, paper forms are a growing threat to efficiency and profitability. Most companies cannot rely on these slow and inefficient data processes. The following facts will  Read More Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|October 27, 2017

Preventive Maintenance Planning & Scheduling

Best practices to drive equipment uptime, utilization and profitability

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 of Mechanics and put the  Read More Read More

John Kane
|October 23, 2017

Top 10 Things You Can’t Do With Paper Forms

Paper forms and the headaches that accompany them are all too familiar in the construction industry. For many years, paper forms were the most effective solution for capturing data in the field, as digital, mobile solutions were unavailable, not user friendly, or cost prohibitive. However, this has changed significantly in the last ten years with the increased availability of tablets  Read More Read More

Elizah Hulseman
|September 28, 2017

Defining World-Class Software Support

We treat you like a person and help you like a friend 24/7/365

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 automated attendant which forces us  Read More Read More

Jeff Pankratz
|September 12, 2017

The Value Proposition for Mobile in Heavy Civil Construction

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 requirements associated with optimizing people,  Read More Read More

Rich Humphrey
|September 7, 2017

Technology to the Rescue

Mobile is the Technology Platform for the Heavy Civil Jobsite

Recognizing the advantages of new technologies and enabling them in practice, the industry can realize improvements in efficiency & productivity. Read More

Rich Humphrey
|August 30, 2017

Digitizing Your Holistic Safety Program on the Construction Job Site

3 Pronged Approach to Construction Safety Management

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 holistic safety program needs to  Read More Read More

Jen Caesar
|August 29, 2017

Streamlining Key Construction Operations with Software

How to Optimize Critical Processes: Heavy Equipment Inspections, Fleet Repair Requests and Maintenance Work Orders

Equipment inspections, repair requests and maintenance work orders are essential, every-day processes within heavy construction operations. Let’s take a look at: How contractors typically complete these process and the challenges they face with current workflows. How they could complete them more effectively with connected workflows and a unified construction software platform. Problems with Paper and Disconnected Processes For inspections, contractors  Read More Read More

Mark Hooks
|August 4, 2017

B2W Track Tips & Tricks

3 Big Time Saving Tips for Field Log Data Entry

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 Types Auto-Add Foreman Auto Add  Read More Read More

Tom Willey
|June 26, 2017

Automated Warranty Tracking

A Powerful Addition to Maintenance Management

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. Read More

John Kane
|June 23, 2017

B2W Estimate and the Error-check Wizard

Catch Potential Mistakes During the Bidding Process with the Ease of a Spell-Check

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. Read More

Anthony Salvatore
|June 23, 2017

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