March 2006 - Plumbing & HVAC

E-BusinessPiping softwareVic 3D Piping Software from Victaulicis designed for use in AutoCAD drawingsand layouts. It covers piping materialsin carbon steel, copper, ductileiron, HDPE and stainless steel. It includesupgrades to the Vic Blocks 2D,3D and ISO software programs. Featuresinclude a utilities toolbar to draw 3Dpipe within AWWA, copper tubing,HDPE, IPS and Pressfit. There is a PipeData Dialog toolbar for the module,size, description, service and end-conditionoptions for points of piping placement.This software can change size,length and other items of piping, ‘breakand mend’ pipe, plus run a customizedpiping component report routine.Victaulic Co. Canada Circle no. 300Work order softwareAccubid Pocket WorkOrder is a softwareprogram for handheld job sitecomputers that creates, updates,receives and sends jobsite work ordersusing any portable device on Microsoft’sPocket PC2002 or WindowsMobile 2003 operatingsystem. Itrecords materials,labour hours,general expenses,subcontract costs,accesses Accubiddatabase, and records client’s signature.Accubid Systems Circle no. 301Electronic wireless formsMobile workers can wirelessly receiveand transmit electronic versions of theirforms, converted to mForms, to/fromtheir Windows Mobile-based devicesover the Rogers Wireless GPRS/EDGEdata network. This isa packaged end-toendmobile formssolution with the operatingsystem, softwareapplication, wirelessdata network andmobile device with aPC and Internet-baseddispatch interface. Industry-specificform templates allow up to five customizableform changes.Rogers Wireless Circle no. 302Airflow softwareFlovent Version 6 software provides airflowpredictions in buildings, with 3D‘walk-through’ visualization, enhancedfor glazed surfaces; curvilinear geometry;angled fans; centrifugal blowers;and air re-circulation devices. Particlesor streamlines can be colour-codedwith a secondary variable (temperatureor concentration) to visualize airflow.Texture maps can be applied to all surfacesand animations. An automaticheat gain-heat loss calculation throughglazing allows for transmission, absorptionreflection plus solar loading.Flomerics Inc. Circle no. 303Business softwareContractor Essentials is a business managementsoftware from C-U-CSoftware, first designed in 1988, that isnow available through the HeatingRefrigeration & Air ConditioningContractors of Canada. Designed forHVAC/R contractors, it is a flexiblepackage that allows clients to pay foronly those functions they need on amonthly basis, with other lease options.It features all core accounting, servicemanagement, equipment racking,inventory control with extended supportand software updates at no charge.HRAC Div., HRAI Circle no. 304Product ProfileWeb site generates leadsfor HVAC contractorsThe creator of a consumer-basedHVAC web site hopes to generate asignificant number of leads forcontractors.But that’s just the beginning. Thesite will allow consumers to compareproducts and pricing online and thenbook the installation withcontractor/dealers that subscribe to theservice, says Roy Panelli, president,Cool Estate.com Inc.The Cool Estate site will belaunched at the CMX/CIPHEX show.Panelli plans to roll out www.coolestate.com at the CMX/ CIPHEX mechanicalshow in Toronto March 23-25. He will focus on the Ontario market first,although the service will be available nationally.“I wanted the site as user friendly as possible,” he reports. If the customeris looking for an air conditioner, they can start by doing research inthe ‘who-makes-what’ section. Search criteria can be by brand, size, SEERrating, etc. There is a detailed description of each piece of equipment,which also includes factors like noise ratings and environmental issues.And then – this is where it gets interesting for the contractor – once theconsumer has chosen their equipment the prices are listed in a best-to-worstformat. This may sound a lot like a reverse auction. However, Panelli says itis little different from an HVAC dealer advertising flyer. “The bottom line isthat contractors do advertise on price.”The customer clicks on a price and is linked to the contractor offering thatprice. They can check the contractor profile that includes the contractor’scontact information and qualifications.Contractors can indicate if they have time slots available. “Often, especiallyduring a heat wave, the contractor that can provide the fastest serviceis the one that gets the job …regardless of price,” remarked Panelli. Thecustomer must still phone the contractor to finalize the details. “The contractoris still in control,” he added.He doesn’t expect every contractor to jump on board – not initially anyway.“The number one objection I get is: ‘I don’t want my competitors to shopme,’” he remarked. “I am prepared for many (contractors) to say ‘forget it.’”But today the majority of households have Internet access and consumersdo considerable pre-purchase research online prior to calling a dealer. CoolEstate takes that a step further by directing the consumer to a contractor intheir area. In the long-term, Panelli believes this will convince many contractorsto make www.coolestate.com part of their business plan.Residential moduleA residential construction moduleadds to Bluegrass for Windows constructionand service managementsoftware, features a builder table tostore billing information and separatessubdivisions for each builderautomatically with sales tax codes,lists of models, piece rates, techs oneach job, creates work orders, materiallists. A fully integrated project managementmodule for larger projects isalso available.Bluegrass Technology Circle no. 305SELKIRKMETALBESTOS®COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL• Professional Tech Support forSystem Design• New Canadian Program• Complete Product Line• Professional representatives allacross CanadaThe Commercial & Industrial Chimney productsthat Consulting and Specifying Engineeringprofessionals can trust!Pressure StackGrease DuctOil & Gas VentIndustrial Class A-VentLarge diameter B-VentSaf-T Vent AL29-4CWhen recommending or approving Commercial & Industrial Chimney, call1-888-SELKIRK (735-5475)or visit our Dedicated Website @ www.selkirkcommercial.comNEWCircle Number 115 for More Informationwww.plumbingandhvac.ca February/March 2006 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 15