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George Kreykes and David Hatcher in the user lab |
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Each year -- for 26, now -- McCormick Systems has invited its
customers to our annual User's Conference. Each time, we try
different things, talk about new and old aspects of our
software, and focus on ideas that will help electrical contractors
and their estimators be more productive. We also ask customers for
their input on enhancements they'd like to see in our products.
AND: One additional important thing happens each year, in the same
way: We ask our guests for feedback -- how they enjoyed it
(or didn't) he event, what they learned, and how we can do better.
Here's some of what we heard after this year's User's Conference
ended:
"It is an excellent forum to talk to
other estimators/companies about business. It's a great time
to be away from the office and focus on the program without
too many interruptions."
-- Steve Arnold, Thoma Electric.
"A great learning experience; I attended
the Advanced Training class as well. It makes me realize how
versatile -- and under-utilized -- your software is back in
our office. I got lots of great ideas!"
-- Greg Merz,
Acme Electric.
"I liked the Takeoff session and the
Proposal section. Both gave me ideas to look at in the lab
-- and what we might be able to do back in the office."
--
Albert Brown, F.B. Harding, Inc.
"It was a great opportunity to boost my
knowledge and be informed of the latest, including McCormick
updates and improvements. Also, I got a chance to interact
with other users for ideas."
-- George A. Kreykes,
Kreykes Electric.
"It was a great conference. I got help in
sharpening my skills. It was helpful to provide input for
future upgrades."
-- Don Rawlins, Legacy Electric.
One
highlight of the event was a session on Takeoffs. Todd McCormick and
Dick Manrod presented 42 different ways to use
McCormick's software to take off feeders. It was popular; even those
who had no intention of changing their own method were interested in
hearing about what other people do! We'll try to recreate this
session here on McCormickSys.com in short order.
Other notable developments:
-
The appearance of representatives of
Autodesk Subcontractor, NetPricer, and Trade Service. Each
spoke during conference sessions; each had space in our
expanded "computer lab" to meet with attendees and discuss
what's on offer.
-
As usual, the "lab" was popular with
attendees. This time -- in double the square footage of the
2007 U.C. -- we had 25 work stations available (besides what
the three vendors had) for the 100+ attendees at the
conference.
- Attendees also obtained a new angle on
how to get project management under control -- a session on
using McCormick's CAD Estimating as a PM tool
Overall this years user conference was a great success. Everyone at McCormick Systems looks forward to speaking with old friends and new faces every year, and this year was no exception. We anticipate a great turnout at next years event and encourage everyone to plan ahead for next year as we locked in our location early. See you then!
INTERESTED in Conference '09?
Next year's McCormick Systems
User's Conference is set for April 22-25, 2009, in
Scottsdale, AZ.
For info or to reserve your spot, call
800-444-4890.
Honorees: The Desert Dogs
Regular attendees at McCormick's User's Conference are honored as
"Desert Dogs." Erle Howard is the lead "Dog" -- he's been to 23 of
the 26 events! Other honorees included:
Jack Beatson, 20 years
Dave DeFelice, 19 years
Bill Andrews, 17 years
Brent Loney & Greg Bolte, 13 years.
Louis Lee, 12 years.
Steve Arnold, 11 years.
Rod Wohl, Skip Stewart, and Mark Jackson, 9
years.
Dan Alexander, Rick Hansen, George Kreykes,
Tim Meiners, and Dave Spotanski, 8 years
Honorable mention -- Benjamin Ward, 7 years; Matt Firestone,
Randy Ward, and Brian Warnemunde, 6 years; Albert Brown and David
Walsh, Sr., 5 years; and with four years each -- Barney Cabuag; Mike
Carle; Bud Larosh; John Leahy, Jr.; Dave Peterson; Seth Peterson;
Tom Schmidt; and Gordon Tinnin.
Tournament Notes |
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Some User's Conference
attendees took part in our Wednesday morning
McCormick Masters Golf Tournament.
Writing their
names into the record books were:
ROGER LINDSEY:
lowest gross score
SETH PETERSON: highest gross
score
DARYL KINSLOW: longest putt
DAVE BOWLIN:
longest drive and
BRIAN WARNEMUNDE: closet to the
pin. |
Guest
Commentary: From www.EleBlog.com
On Green
Retrofits
As it turns out, Green Retrofits are becoming my
favorite subject. Green new construction is great -- and it is the
main focus of the USGBC, LEED, the NAHB, and many more.
But retrofits are the main chance -- at the very least, to use
energy much more efficiently -- in a country with 5M + existing
commercial buildings (and 128M existing dwelling units).
Commercial Property News ran a Q-and-A with a Dallas-based company
"that greens buildings at no cost" (& without forcing the building's
owners to take on debt). I really, really, REALLY like this interview,
including the answers to these two questions:
CPNTechnology: Why do you think that
more companies are NOT doing what you are doing?
Gossett: According to the National Association of Energy
Services Companies (NAESCO), commercial real estate has
historically comprised less than 5 percent of the total energy
efficiency projects performed in the United States . Traditional
ESCOs, technology manufacturers and contractors think in terms
of expense savings, technology improvements and finite duration
construction projects. Their traditional transaction models do
not serve the unique needs of commercial real estate. There is
plenty of “low hanging fruit” in energy savings projects in
schools, universities, hospitals, government buildings and owner
occupied buildings. Why should they suffer through learning all
about recurring capX, expense stops, mortgage loan covenants,
etc. that make commercial real estate unique?
CPNTechnology: What does it mean to be truly green?
Gossett: A truly green building is highly energy
efficient and operated in an environmentally responsible manner.
As you know our focus is on existing buildings rather than new
construction. I believe the new LEED O&M standard is a
reasonable, objective standard to determine if a building is
truly “Green.” In order to obtain the LEED O&M certification a
building must first prove that it is energy efficient by
obtaining an EPA Energy Star rating of 70 or more (out of 100).
Then the building must submit proof it has adopted various
sustainable operating and maintenance practices. This involves
such things as implementing a building recycling program and
eliminating all polluting chemicals used in building cleaning
and maintenance
-- posted 4/29/08 by Joe
Salimando.
McCormick 2008 Calendar --
Dates For Your Planning
We'd like to talk with you. Please consider coming to see us at the shows listed below.
Sept. 29-Oct. 2, Las Vegas, NV -- BICSI Fall Conference.
Oct. 4-7, Chicago, IL -- NECA Show
Oct. 30-31, Atlanta, GA -- IEC Electric Expo.
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