• Tech Update

    May 1, 2011
    Commercial: Design/BIM/ Engineering Software Residential: Business/Service/Sales Management, Design, Estimation Software

    Commercial:

    Adtek Software
    Adtek Software introduces its newest product "AccuComm", which focuses on commercial load calculations. AccuComm can be used with a standard PC as well as a Tablet PC for ease of use. This software has all of the point & click, drag & drop features to help a user calculate a commercial load in very little time. Following the same format as the easy to use AccuLoad residential application, AccuComm has more internal gain options and more construction values. AccuComm includes an AccuCheckTM feature that automatically checks for input errors, minimizing load calculation errors.
    adteksoft.com
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    EastCoast CAD/CAM
    EastCoast CAD/CAM announces the release of Version 3.4 of its Design to Fabrication software, comprised of tools that further automate and streamline the MEP system design and manufacture for sheet metal, piping, and plumbing industries. Version 3.4 provides additional visualization, editing and reporting capabilities throughout the entire line of tools, giving MEP professionals even more value and use from the full suite of Autodesk’s AutoCAD MEP and Revit MEP, furthering their usage for MEP Contractors, sources say.
    eccadcam.com
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    FLIR
    FLIR Viewer is an intuitive iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch app for importing, analyzing, managing, and sharing thermal images that allows contractors to connect wirelessly to FLIR’s new T620, T640, and E-Series cameras. The FLIR Viewer can also link to new models of the T300, T400, B300, and B400 equipped with Wi-Fi technology.

    Users can connect via Wi-Fi to a compatible FLIR camera and import stored or live thermal images to a mobile device instantly.
    flir.com
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    Lennox
    Designers can now integrate Energence® and Landmark® rooftop units from Lennox into their digital plans using Building Information Modeling (BIM) objects downloaded from the Lennox Commercial website. The 3D REVIT models include complete product parameters and unit performance information on 3- to 50-ton Energence rooftop units and 2- to 25-ton Landmark rooftop units. The REVIT families also provide cooling and heating capacities, electrical loads, and the size and location of electrical, gas, duct and condensate connections.
    lennoxcommercial.com
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    McQuay
    McQuay International provides building information modeling (BIM) content for its HVAC products. The files support building owners, architects, MEP and contractor customers using Autodesk® Revit software.

    High-quality Revit objects are essential to speed up the design process and ensure accuracy. Revit files from McQuay offer low geometric detail to keep response times fast and to allow for faster panning and zooming.
    mcquay.com
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    Professional Estimating Systems
    The HVAC Estimating Software released by Professional Estimating Systems LLC is a tool for Commercial HVAC Contractors estimating Sheet Metal Duct & Piping.

    The software includes PRO-EST HVAC version 2.2: a complete sheet metal and pipe estimating software, Duct-Pro:duct (sheet metal) estimating software, Pipe-Pro: pipe estimating software, Duct-lite: reduced scope duct estimating software and Pipe-lite: reduced scope duct estimating software — all of which work on Windows 7, Vista & XP.
    professionalestimatingsystems.com/
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    Rehau
    Rehau announces the availability of the new Rehau LoopCAD® PRO 2011 and Rehau LoopCAD® 2011 non-graphical design software. The software has been specifically engineered in partnership with Avenir Software Inc. for designing Rehau radiant heating and snow and ice melting systems.
    na.rehau.com/loopcad
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    Residential

    Aptora
    Aptora Corporation announced that it has released a major upgrade to its newest field service management software program called Aptora Mobile. This upgrade allows users to fully manage their work orders and enter timesheet information using a smart phone. Customer, vendor, and employee information can be updated. All updates are made in real-time without the need for synchronization. This upgrade includes dozens of other new features and refinements.
    aptora.com/mobile
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    Building Services Institute
    Building Services Institute announces the launch of an all new GrowMyHVAC.com, an on-line HVAC contractor business development program. GrowMyHVAC.com offers an on-line step-by-step best practice department implementation program.

    The GrowMyHVAC.com is designed for both residential and commercial HVAC/R contractors to help them profitably grow their service, equipment replacement, and retrofit/design-build project business.
    growmyhvac.com
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    Emerson
    Emerson e-Saver™ is a mobile application (available for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android platforms) that provides annual cost savings comparisons for residential HVAC system replacement options. After inputting information like current system, geographic location and data on the contractor’s recommended system, the e-Saver app provides up to three replacement options with cost savings based on annual heating and cooling run hours. The results automatically populate a report, which can be customized with the contractor’s contact information, and emailed to the homeowner for their review.
    emerson.com
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    ESC Mobile
    ESC Mobile is a new mobile app for the iPhone/iPad, Android, and Windows Phone 7 devices. The app is a simple and affordable way to outfit service technicians with real-time dispatch information and time tracking in the field. This low-cost mobile app offers full dispatch details, GPS tracking, mapping, driving directions, time tracking, invoicing, quoting, signature capture, payment processing, the ability to attach pictures from the phone’s camera, and other features. The link to the office is in real-time, which means changes made from the office or from the field are instantly visible to each other.
    desco-soft.com
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    FastEst
    FastEst, Inc. introduces FastWrap. From the creators of FastPIPE and FastDuct estimating software, contractors can use FastWrap to estimate insulation for mechanical, industrial piping, plumbing, HVAC piping and HVAC ductwork.

    According to company sources, FastWrap is ideal for the mechanical insulation contractor.
    fastest-inc.com
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    Intuit
    Intuit Inc. now offers its GoPayment mobile payment service with a free credit card reader and no monthly service fees to business owners.

    GoPayment is compatible with more than 40 popular mobile handsets and a range of credit card readers. This includes the free Intuit Credit Card Reader, which works on a variety of iPhone, Blackberry and Android devices, to make it easier for the cost-conscious new business owner to start taking mobile payments. There are also other robust, professional readers, including the new, sleek, form-fitting mophie credit card reader for the iPhone 4, for established businesses with higher processing volume.
    gopayment.com
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    Rheem
    Rheem introduced DesignStar®, an online program that assists Rheem contractors in the specification of customized HVAC systems for their customers. DesignStar provides an instant analysis of the overall efficiency of a homeowner’s HVAC system components. This analysis results in a repair-versus-replacement recommendation accompanied by a selection of heating and cooling solutions to meet the homeowner’s comfort priorities, energy-efficiency desires and budget requirements.
    rheem.com
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    Team Management Systems
    Team Management Systems, Inc. announced the introduction if their IPAD version of ACOTRUCK – Mobile Work Order software. ACOTRUCK Mobile Work Order is an electronic version of a paper work order that allows technician’s to invoice customers in the field, capture the customer’s signature and upload all of the information back to their office server software.

    With ACOTRUCK, the technician simply enters dispatch times, material used, equipment serviced, and what was done to resolve the problem on one easy to navigate screen that looks like a standard paper work order, company sources state.
    teamservice.com
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    Wrightsoft
    Right-Mobile Consultant™ is a cloud based solution designed for the iPad® and is a tool to automate the technician’s entire selling process in the home. Right-Mobile Consultant™ features:

    Custom Presentations: Quickly and easily add your own presentations on your company, customer testimonials, equipment manufacturer as well as link to your company’s website.

    Manual J Load Calculations: Perform fast and easy ACCA approved Manual J block load calculations were never easier with our revolutionary user interface.
    wrightsoft.com
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