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Productivity Gains Drive User's Conference Attendees With an unbelievable number of attendees- almost doubling our 2002 total-- the 2005 McCormick Systems User's Conference was certain to be a "hit" before the first session convened. But what are more important to the company's people (and to you, as a reader who might attend in the future) is results. David Suggs, senior estimator at Bryant-Durham Electric Co. (Durham, NC) noted that the conference was "an excellent opportunity to get a guided tour of McCormick's new V8.0 product from the people who know it best." He added that, for him, a conference highlight was "the opportunity to see how other contractors use the same product." Dan Goar of Rayco Electric (Bradenton, FL) e-mailed this: "I really enjoyed your conference this year. I left with some very helpful hints about some great features of your system. As I told you before, I think your staff does a great job of helping (me) get through issues that I run across."
And from Eddie Lammers, President of Lammers Electric (Winter Park, FL): "This year's conference was great. I like the camaraderie and sharing of good information from strong users. It's great to be in America!" Not every user signed our critique form, which means we took in some anonymous comments. But anonymous, in the case of the 2005 User's Conference, did not necessarily mean critical: · "This was my first conference, we will be back again next year." · "All of McCormick's people were very friendly & helpful. No question was too minor to address." · "My first conference -- very helpful. The hands-on lab area was the best." · "This was a learning experience. The last one I attended was in 1998. I feel the conference was well worth the trip." Most common complaint? It was typified by this note: "The info was all good. But I would like to see the conference set over three days!" The comment we liked the best: "The upgrade to Version 8.0 was so awesome, everything else [at the conference] was secondary. Good job, McCormick!" -- from Rick Hansen of BCL Electric (Moscow ID)
Conference Highlights In Brief Our conference format included pre-event education sessions, a golf tournament and opening reception, two full days of sessions, and an open "lab" with a record number of computers -- open all day on the Thursday and Friday session days, and also on Saturday morning (get-away day) until noon. Obviously, we won't be able to report in full here on everything that happened. Some highlights: 1. Version 8.0 of McCormick Systems electrical estimating software was the #1 agenda item. The company went through the productivity-boosting enhancements, additions, and changes to the program -- in detail. 2. Review where needed. One example: Edit Extension. When this part of the session began, attendees were asked if they use Edit Extension to its full capabilities -- and roughly one-fifth of the attendees raised their hands. While Edit Extension was a prime feature of 7.0, McCormick's session leader took the time to thoroughly review how to use this important feature. At the session's end, many contractors and estimators indicated they'd be making better use of this when they returned home.
3.Unearthed hidden gems.
Apparently, electrical contractors are doing more project schedules
these days. While the Scheduling feature has been elemental to
McCormick's system for many years, a review of this subject in a
conference session drew a great deal of interest. In the "lab"
period that ensued (at a conference break), McCormick employees
looked around to discover that most of the contractors at computer
keyboards were playing with the Scheduling feature. Lesson learned
for McCormick's employees: Don't assume the customer knows what's in
the product!
5. Future focus. "We got great input from our existing users," said President Todd McCormick. "There was a ton of feedback -- everyone seemed to appreciate that we did what they asked us to do last year. And we got new direction, of course."
Honors: The Desert Dogs! What is a Desert Dog? Individuals win that honorary designation on attendance at their 4th McCormick User's conference. The names of the Desert Dogs are called to the attention of visitors to our HQ (in Chandler AZ) on plaques. Desert Dogs each are recognized during our event and get special recognition on their name badges; those who attend eight conferences receive a plaque to take home. Here are this year's Desert Dogs: 20 years -- Erle Howard 19 years -- Fred Bauer 17 years -- Jack Beatson 16 years -- David DeFelice; Joe Dolan 13 years -- Tom Lanum 11 years -- Joe Klein; Louis Lee 10 years -- Greg Bolte 9 years -- Tom White 8 years -- Joe Cavanaugh; Gary Charlesworth 7 years -- Steve Becks; Rod Wohl 6 Years -- David Caprio; Rick Hansen; Henry Hurt; Mark Jackson; Eddie Lammers; Skip Stewart 5 years -- George Kreykes; Tim Meiners; Jeff Williamson; New Desert Dogs (4 years) -- Doug Fitzsimmons; Kerwin Kortman; John Leveille; Benjamin Ward.
About The Attendance Increase After 9/11, attendance at McCormick's User Conference understandably fell. The 2002 event drew the fewest attendees in the history of McCormick’s User Conference -- as the economy was struggling and national pessimism peaked (we hope!) in that year. This year's attendance nearly doubled that low with attendees up 35% over the last year alone!
Report From The 19th Hole
Here's the honors board from the
Wednesday golf event at the User's Conference:
Lowest net score: Fred Bauer, Bauer Electric (Winona MN) Lowest gross score: Scott Ihrig, Major Electric (Woodinville WA) Longest drive: Scott Ihrig Closest to the pin: Alfred Dennison, Dennison Electric (Los Alamitos CA)
Why McCormick Sustains The User's Conference No one should forget his roots. At McCormick Systems, we don't forget how our company started -- a spin-off effort (26 years ago) by an electrical contractor named Jack McCormick. Our company is rooted in the electrical estimating software business, not the entertainment and hospitality industry . . . and therefore, each year the User's Conference is a bit of a stretch for us. Why do we do it? It works. We're not Johnny-come-latelies to this -- our company has been holding these conferences for 23 years. We know that our customers get numerous benefits out of the event, not the least of which are those conversations a contractor from Toledo might have with someone from Sacramento (about how to use our estimating system -- or about the electrical contracting business itself, with little or no direct relevance to software!). An additional reason: We at McCormick Systems spend the conference hours listening. We learn from our customers. While V8.0 is the best software we've released, there's no question that we can -- and will -- make it better. But there is another BIG reason, which was summarized succinctly in a post-event e-mail to me from Dale A. Moll, an estimator with Dnesco Electric, Inc. (Greenfield, Wis.): "It is true that sometimes we may overstate our concerns during the conference, or become a little emotional about our views. But this is because, after 13 years, we almost assume some ownership of McCormick Systems. That is, we believe in the people and products so much that we may take it all personally."
Customers -- taking ownership of
McCormick Systems? We wouldn't have it any other way. -- Todd
McCormick
TRAINING FACT SHEET -- updated!
a. There's still time to register for the next STANDARD training classes ARIZONA -- to be held June 22-24. MARYLAND -- to be held August 3-5 b. STANDARD classes will be held in May in Arizona -- .July 13-15 and July 20-22. c. The next ADVANCED class is schedule for Aug. 3-5 in Arizona. d. MARYLAND has a class scheduled for Oct. 12-14. d. Call to register for any of the above classes, including those in Maryland: 1-800-444-4890. e. We've posted 2005 training dates to this site. Hit the "Training" tab in our left-hand menu on the home page, or go to this page: http://www.mccormicksys.com/train.htm f. Training can be "suitcased" to your facility. We can tailor our training to your needs. Ask us about customized training at your site!
Need info?
Don't be shy -- call with any questions on training: 800-444-4890.
Elsewhere In Construction & Computers Not Your Dad's Cad -- article from Engineering Inc. magazine eBay Now Offering Equipment Buyer Protection -- from Engineering News-Record Bentley's New Electrical Engineering Solution -- from CADwire.net Leading Technological Innovation From Within -- from EC&M
McCormick Mentions McCormick's New Software Wins 'Best In Show' Award -- posted to Wireville.com's "Heard On The Street." Tomorrow's Estimator -- Electrical Contractor Editor John Fulmer -- piece quotes McCormick's Dick Manrod.
Construction Headlines You Might Have Missed MDU Resources Buys Largest EC In Las Vegas IES Sells Off 10th Business Unit Dodge Economists Say April Contracts For New Construction Rose 2% (In Dollar Value) NECA Works Against Reverse Auctions In Federal Construction 'Standup For Kids' Gives Highest Honor To IEC 3rd Of 3 Columns On The Future Of Copper Prices (By Joe Salimando) If you are
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