On-Screen Estimating Takes Off!

By Joe Salimando

Exclusive for McCormick Systems

McCormick Systems rolled out a new product, On Screen Estimating - an interface to On-Screen Takeoff, at the NECA and IEC shows in October.  In addition, McCormick is now a VAR (Value Added Reseller) for the On-Screen Takeoff program.

Contractor response: Tremendous! Despite our deep experience as an exhibitor at each event, we found ourselves swamped (see photos below) at each event. As President Todd McCormick described it: “We could have had three or four additional staff members at each show – both IEC and NECA – because of the overwhelming response to On Screen Estimating and On-Screen Takeoff.”    

Further below, you’ll find a press release we’ve sent to the media. But we thought our customers might want a more in-depth explanation.

Here’s a quick Q-and-A for McCormick customers on On-Screen Takeoff:

Q. Is this different from your CAD Estimating product?
A. Yes! CAD Estimating is a McCormick Systems product with which electrical contractors – those who are able to use it – fall in love. But not everyone can use CAD Estimating, for the simple reason that not everyone can obtain CAD project drawings from architects and engineers.
Or, not every contractor can absorb the overhead to have a project’s drawings recreated in CAD.
As the old saying goes, “there are horses for courses.” If you can’t get CAD files, but you can get project drawings in other computer file formats, On-Screen Takeoff is the “horse” for you.
In fact, one of our CAD Estimating users, visiting our booth, clearly saw the value of On-Screen Takeoff. His company is now using both -- CAD Estimating, for the projects done via CAD; On-Screen Takeoff for the rest of the work.

Q. What does this product do for me?
A. You probably can obtain PDFs or .Tiff files of projects. Or you might get drawings in another format. You probably take the PDFs( to pick one format), over to a print shop and have them printed out, completely.
Then you do the estimate on paper.
At the very least, that adds a step (and perhaps 24 hours) to the process of estimating that job. For some jobs on which you want to submit a bid, that’s a loss of some very precious estimating time.
What if you could take the PDFs and do the takeoff right on the screen? And what if that takeoff was – accurately and easily – synced directly to your McCormick estimating software?
There's more. Let's say you get an addendum or a revised set of drawings for the 3rd floor of a building. A pain? Not with this software! You can overlay the new drawings over those you already have -- on the screen. The program will show you what's been added (in blue) and what's been deleted (in red). We've already heard from one of our contractors that the program more than paid for itself on the first job because of just this one feature. 

The program will show you what's been added (in blue) and what's been deleted (in red) in your addendums.

No fuss, no mess, no loss of time, no screw-ups in re-entering data. No printing. No paper. Cut costs; eliminate waste! Save time with changes as they occur. There are numerous benefits.

Q. I’m comfortable with paper, and so are my estimators. How is this different?
A. It’s not different! You’ll still “spot and dot,” just as you now do on paper. Except you’ll do it on the computer. There are also time and accuracy advantages, obviously.
As estimators become more familiar with On-Screen Takeoff, they gain expertise in using it to speed up estimates (breaking out the fire alarm piece of the job from the power, for example).  It’s not at all difficult.
For example: Taking off counts like fixtures, devices, telephone outlets, etc. are simple, but what about branch?  You can also take off lengths right on the screen. How difficult is that? It is very simple, all you do is select the pipe and wire, click on the start of the run, click on the end of the run . . . and you've got the takeoff.   You can even square off the runs, route the conduit, and even pick up the ups and downs. 

Branch and Fixture takeoff with drops.

Further, when you’re finished, the estimate you’ve done on the computer syncs directly into McCormick’s software. There’s no time lost there, either (and no chance to introduce errors by re-keystroking the takeoff into the estimating software).
In other words: You’ll do the same thing you’ve always done, but faster and easier.

Q. You say this comes from another company. What does this mean? 
 A. McCormick is, of course, a VAR reseller for On-Screen Takeoff.  On Center Software has been in business over 20 years.   You will buy On-Screen Takeoff from McCormick and get support and training from On Center Software.  McCormick has developed a database for On-Screen Takeoff set up for our trades. 
Do you really want to do the takeoff on your computer, print it out, and then re-key it into the McCormick Software? That’s the beauty of what we’re offering here. It’s why the customers who are already using it are so happy with this new option.

Q. Is there more?
A. A few additional points to consider:
1. Let’s say you are doing a job walk. With paper drawings, you carry them with you; you’ll make notes by hand, perhaps, on the paper. With On-Screen Takeoff, you’ve got the whole thing (takeoff and estimate) on a laptop. Bottom line: It’s going to be a lot easier to modify the takeoff on your laptop (as compared with messing with paper drawings, whether they are blueprints or PDFs you had printed out for you). This will mean more time savings!

2. Everyone wants to claim his/her company is “Green” these days. This is a Green product! By using On-Screen Takeoff, you eliminate the need for paper. You don’t have to print out PDFs in order to do the takeoff!

3. Contractors who work on projects often have to put up a deposit to obtain the drawings. Someplace along the line, all that paper gets a bit beat-up and marked up . . . and that deposit often does not come back to you. Here’s another dollar savings.

4. At any point in working with On-Screen Takeoff, you can provide a set of working drawings for your foreman. At the end of a job, you can even use the software to provide owners with an electronic set of as-built drawings.

For our 29-year history, McCormick Systems has focused on increasing the productivity of how electrical contractors estimate and manage their projects. We wish we’d invented On-Screen Takeoff. But since we didn’t, we’re doing the next best thing: Bringing it to you, neatly packaged with software that syncs the On-Screen Takeoff output, automatically, into your McCormick software. You'll move faster, waste less, and be enabled to proclaim yourself greener!

Salimando (ecdotcom@gmail.com) writes for and edits electrical industry publications, including Rexel’s Power Outlet. He’s the editor of McCormick Systems’ newsletter and the proprietor of The EleBlog.

Report From NECA & IEC Shows

The McCormick Systems booth was at the front of NECA’s Show in Chicago, Oct. 5-7, and our products (including the new On Screen Estimating, see release below) attracted more than their share of attention. Photos by Robert W. Colgan.

If you didn’t attend one of the two shows, here’s where you can find more from the two associations:
IEC
– site devoted to the Convention.
– download handouts from the Educational Sessions.

NECA
– Post-show press release.
– national awards winners.
– formal policy on Energy Independence
– live blog from NECA Convention

What we’re telling the media:

Faster Estimating + A Green Angle!

McCormick Enables Contractors

To Do Takeoffs On Screen

McCormick Systems offers a unique new opportunity to electrical contractors: No matter how a set of electronic drawings ends up in your computer, you can do all your takeoffs on screen – and move the results (automatically) to your McCormick estimating system.
Up until now, most contractors worked with drawings on paper. A significant exception – for those using McCormick’s CAD Estimating software – pertained only to those who could obtain CAD drawings electronically from architects and engineers.
Now, thanks to the McCormick interface with On Center Software Inc.’s On-Screen Takeoff product, estimates can be done on screen. Quantities can then be automatically moved to the McCormick estimating system (via a special link and database).
Bottom-line: Here’s another McCormick-created avenue to raise estimating productivity for electrical contractors and their estimators.
Important notes:

• This arrangement applies to drawings that come to the contractor in virtually any electronic format --.tiff, .pdf, .dwf, .dwg, .jpeg . . . and many, many others.
• Exclusive to McCormick Systems.
• On Center Software is no Johnny-come-lately to construction software; the company in 2008 is celebrating its 20th year.

“Contractors we’ve talked with about this seem to love it – and there’s a ‘green’ angle as well,” said Todd McCormick, the company president. “Contractors we have spoken with about this new arrangement told us in addition, it would save a lot of trees!”
Typically, several contractors obtain paper drawings for a specific project – to submit a bid for the work. When the winner is determined, the others, quite naturally, dispose of the paper. The McCormick-On Center Software interface should help make that waste (of time, resources, and money) obsolete for the savvy electrical contractor.

About On Center Software, Inc.
Founded in 1988 by construction industry professionals, On Center Software’s products eliminate the tedious task of creating takeoffs on paper plans and trying to calculate accurate results for complicated figures with a calculator. See www.on-screentakeoff.com.

About McCormick Systems
Privately owned McCormick Systems (Chandler, AZ) is the nation’s leader in software used for electrical and ABS estimating and project management. The company’s products enable contractors to quickly produce consistent, profitable estimates for electrical and voice-data-video work, and more.
More information: www.mccormicksys.com or 800-444-4890.

Where You Can See Us In Early 2009!

1 – We’ll be at the BICSI Winter Conference, Jan. 19-22 in Orlando, FL You’ll find us in Booth #706. More info here.

 2 – You’ll also find McCormick Systems at the Electric West show, March 18-20 in Las Vegas. Go to Booth #300. Click here for more.

Don’t forget the McCormick Systems User’s Conference, April 22-25 in Scottsdale, AZ.

PERSPECTIVES
early November news items from www.eleblog.com

Wachter Uses BIM

(posted 11/14) According to a KC Biz Journal article (9/8/08), Wachter Corp. (Lenaxa), an electrical contractor (with $124M in 2007 revenue), began in 1/08 to use BIM. This is noteworthy. Wachter says it has:
-- "cut time in the field by 60% by pairing BIM with . .  . [a system in which] the contractor prefabricates materials for delivery to the jobsite."

AND

BIM "furthers [Watchter's] focus on becoming a more sustainable business. More accurate dimensions mean less waste. Employees also use laptops on-site to access plans" (instead of paper blueprints).

Conference Room Considerations

(posted 11/7) Jeffrey S. Weill e-mails (to those who request it) a monthly newsletter, Office Times. He's a commercial real estate guy in Walnut Creek, Calif. And he's a good writer with a real nose for what's important.

His August NL included these "Ten factors critical to conference room design" -- lots of ELECTRICAL/DATACOM stuff to think about here:
    1.  Large electrical floor boxes to accommodate both data and audiovisual connectivity
    2.  Conduit sized for HD video, audio and data cabling
    3.  Millwork designed to allow easy connection of microphones and computers to audiovisual           presentation and conferencing systems
    4.  Enclosures for loudspeakers and projector cabling
    5.  Proper light for video conferencing
    6.  Acoustical treatment
    7.  Isolation from external noise
    8.  Control of mechanical noise levels
    9.  Mechanical systems designed to handle additional cooling requirements
  10.  Space allocated for audiovisual and conferencing equipment cabinets and racks  Buildings (May 2008).

JEFF ADDED THIS (i.e., this is NOT from the EleBlog) --
I would like to add a few more key items to consider – drop-down projection screen, flexible dimmer switches for lighting, if interior glass, blinds if privacy is important. 
One of my clients just installed a very cool (and expensive) system where the conference doors and interior glass turn opaque at the flip of a switch, using some new technology that does something electronic to the molecules in the glass. 
Also, consider where to locate conference rooms to proximity of main reception (do you want visitors walking through your office space on the way to the meeting?), restrooms and coffee bar or lunchroom (closer is better unless you already have coffee-colored carpeting). 
Lastly, if you occasionally bring lunch in for conferences is there a set-up area for the caterer or a counter to put out the food?

Ed Begley Jr. Goes Electrical

(posted 11/7) Electric West has announced that Ed Begley Jr., the actor, is doing the keynote at the March 2009 show. For what it's worth, the Nov/Dec issue of "E" magazine says Begley is #1 on its list of the Top 10 Eco Celebs.

Contracting -- How It Works

(posted 11/4) EMCOR Group's Q3 conference call with Wall Street analysts was interesting. I read the transcripts of a lot of these calls (and listen to some) and Frank T. MacInnis, the boss at EMCOR Group, is a one-of-a-kind chairman/CEO. He speaks plainly. In my experience (and limited knowledge) -- he tells the truth, too.

A potent combination.

Here's a slice from the recent conference call, which printed out @ 14 pages single-spaced -- found here at SeekingAlpha.com:

"EMCOR is in the business of charging a premium for sophisticated technical services and most of the customers who will pay us for those services in a way that would enable us to gain a profit on our major product, which is trained technical labor . . ."

He went on from there to talk about parts of the world. But that short sentence is the essence of how an electrical contractor SHOULD see his/her/its business.

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There was another part that was interesting -- an answer from Tony Guzzi, president.
in 2002 about 35% of our profits came from New York City and if you took the broader north east, it did approach 40, 45%. Today, although still very important to us, New York City is less than 10% of our profits. Now, one is our base has grown and the characteristics of our New York City business has changed, especially it was very data com and focused on the telecom part of that very extensively back then.
- - - - -

Incidentally, EMCOR stock (symbol EME) seems like a screaming bargain to me. The company has very little debt and no pressing need to borrow (which is very good right now, isn't it?). It has an established business. It has a big backlog. Very little of its core business (if any) can be moved off-shore. When you talk about "outsourcing" . . . well, EMCOR is in the outsourcing business!

According to Yahoo! Finance, EMCOR closed yesterday at $17.58, about half of its all-time high. At the nine-month mark, the company's earnings were $1.82 per share. It's possible the earnings will be around $2.40/share when the year ends, or thereabouts . . . which means it's trading at a price-earnings ratio of 7x. With almost no debt.
[NOTE: The stock closed at $12.45 on Wednesday, 11/19/08]

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SO WHY DON'T YOU BUY IT, JOE? I have a rule against buying the stock of companies I have to write about. It's a rule I've stuck with. No one imposes it on me, I do it to myself. It's simple common sense -- how can anyone reading anything I write put any credence in what I say if I'm enthusiastic not about a company, or a simple industry trend . . . but my investments?