Maxwell Systems Launches 'My Maxwell'

Maxwell Systems Inc., a provider of construction business management software solutions, has unveiled enhancements and redesign of online customer-exclusive support and resource website to deliver a fresh look, added convenience, and other enhancements.

Accessible via secure login at www.maxwellsystems.com/mymaxwell, the site provides what customers need for around-the-clock access to support, training, product information and account details, and much more from a central location. It is a flexible way customers can learn more about using Maxwell Systems software to its fullest, and so work with greater ease and efficiency, while maximizing their technology investment through the lifetime of the solution used, whether construction estimating software, construction accounting software, construction project management software, or complete construction software.

The My Maxwell website is a convenient way for contractors to accomplish more in less time with greater ease and efficiency. Users can live chat with a support tech; download valuable software updates; submit product enhancement requests; watch self-paced training videos; coordinate classroom or on-site training; and reference thousands of searchable, helpful how-to articles, user guides, tax information, product news, and more.

"The redesign makes it easier to get to favorite features and puts navigation at a glance," says Mike Zarzeka, VP, customer operations at Maxwell Systems. "Plus the entire site is now packaged neatly and conveniently within the Maxwell Systems home page. So My Maxwell, made available exclusively to customers with an active Maxwell Systems support agreement, is now a single bookmark for a powerful online resource."

New Version of Construction Software From Corecon

Corecon Technologies has unveiled updates to Corecon V7, a web-based estimating and project management software suite. The new enhancements provide Corecon V7 subscribers with even more on-the-go accessibility options and efficiency tools to effectively manage the construction process.

Corecon streamlines project collaboration through Corecon’s TeamLink Portal which provides team members with access to pertinent project information in Corecon V7 on an as needed basis. In addition, CoreconLink utilities integrates Corecon V7 with popular productivity software such as QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, Sage Simply Accounting or SAP Business One.

New Corecon V7 Features

• Ability to use Corecon V7 with Google Chrome and Apple Safari browsers enabling the use of V7 on the Apple iPad.
• New “landing” dashboard pages for Contract Administration, Procurement, Correspondence and Documentation modules with the addition of more than 50 drag-and-drop widgets illustrating crucial data and alerts.
• Improved print options for project scheduling including the ability to filter by status in the Gantt view, which has been upgraded to Microsoft Silverlight 5. In addition, tasks shown on the Gantt chart are now color coded to visually reflect not started, started and completed status providing quick glance recognition of prioritized tasks. The Gantt chart colors match the color coding on the task calendar view.

New Construction Business Managment Software From Sage

Sage North America, a provider of business management software and services, has launched the latest version of Sage Timberline Office. This release includes key enhancements to areas such as credit card management, making it easier to enter and reconcile credit card payments and statements; and workforce management, offering 70 customizable human resources forms to help manage hiring, discipline and evaluations.

The Fall 2011 version of Sage Timberline Office is designed to improve system performance, enabling customers to more quickly and easily access information and complete tasks. It also adds increased security to the installation process. The release is full of time- and money-saving features, including a server migration tool to help streamline hardware upgrades; an auto-file journal feature that shortens journal length and saves paper; and estimating line item attachments allowing users to attach files directly to database items. Increased speed, efficiency and productivity, plus access to a built-in live chat link for technical assistance combine to deliver an improved customer experience.

Sage’s construction and real estate products include Sage Timberline Office, Sage Timberline Enterprise, Sage Master Builder, and Sage Peachtree software that are industry-tailored to help companies optimize financial and operational performance.

Dexter + Chaney Form Construction Ops Group

Dexter + Chaney has created a new business unit focused on innovative technology solutions for construction operations. The Dexter + Chaney Operations Group will deliver new construction software platforms and applications to those involved in construction operations across all phases of the project lifecycle, from pre-construction through live construction.

“Construction collaboration has been an industry buzzword for a number of years,” says John Chaney, president and co-founder. “We created the Dexter + Chaney Operations Group with one objective in mind: Use technology to help make collaboration a reality, not just a buzzword.

“We looked at the sheer number of different applications used by our customers from pre-bidding through to project completion, and we were shocked," Chaney continues. "We knew that there had to be a better way to deliver technology to construction firms trying to work together. That’s when we began forming the Operations Group.”

A culmination of more than two years of recruiting construction operations talent and researching new technology approaches, the Dexter + Chaney Operations Group will be hitting the ground running.

According to Chaney, “What we’ve done with the Operations Group is gather the right people together with the skills and industry domain experience to address the challenges of construction collaboration and Integrated Project Delivery.”

The Operations Group will announce its first product offerings in early-2012.

Sage, CFMA Partner for Education

Sage North America, a provider of business management software and services to more than 3 million small and midsized businesses in Canada and the United States, is partnering with the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), an international, professional non-profit association focused on the educational needs of financial professionals in construction.

Sage’s Construction and Real Estate business will partner with the association to deliver quality educational programs to CFMA members and the overall construction industry. The partnership seeks to accelerate the development of timely, relevant educational content fulfilling the specialized learning needs of financial managers working in the construction industry.

Through this partnership, Sage will sponsor various existing CFMA educational programs, as well as fund the establishment of the Sage Educational Fellowship, which will develop new educational programs. Sage product lines have been recognized as the most widely used applications for construction estimating, job costing, accounting, payroll, and project management in the mid-market, according to the CFMA's 2010 Information Technology Survey for the Construction Industry.

“Working with Sage to advance educational programs in construction will be a boon to the field as a whole,” says Stuart Binstock, president and CEO of CFMA. “CFMA takes pride in delivering the best learning opportunities to its members. Partnering with a market leader such as Sage will allow us to further expand those opportunities for our members and the broader construction community.”

On Center Software Academic Program Offers Scholarship

On Center Software announced its 2011 Academic Program Scholarship is now open to applicants. The scholarship will be awarded to a university student currently enrolled in a construction-engineering program at an accredited U.S. school.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to one student during both the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. To apply for the upcoming fall semester, students must complete a case study using On Center Software’s Quick Bid and/or On-Screen Takeoff programs, and submit it before May 31, 2011. Free trial software licenses are available for students who wish to participate, because it is On Center Software’s goal to provide the next generation of construction professionals with the tools they need to succeed in the industry.

Scholarship recipients will be determined based on the following criteria:
· Professionalism of case study
· Content
· Industry knowledge and standards
· Level of software usage
· Grammar
· Format.

Possible case study topics include:
· Electronic plans and bidding
· The cost and effect of change orders on a project
· Rapid takeoff with several methods of organization
· Takeoff ideas and concepts for customers using software.

The winner of the On Center Software Academic Program Scholarship will have his/her case study published on www.oncenter.com, and it will be showcased within universities across the United States. For a complete list of rules and requirements, please contact On Center Software’s Academic Program representatives at educator@oncenter.com, or call at 800.880.8254.