Package does everything for service manager

WINTAC PRO 2003 IS a comprehensive service management program for contractors with all functionalities and capabilities, including accounting, integrated in one seamless solution.

The software (Intac International, www.wintacpro.com, 800/724-7899, single-user: $2,495; multi-user network: $3,995 for unlimited seats) handles dispatching, scheduling, budgeting, job costing, estimating, equipment tracking, multi-truck inventory, time and material, flat rate and phase billing, letter writing with automatic mail-merge, and full accounting with payroll, and is pre-configured to take advantage of mobile computing for transmitting job information wirelessly to and from e-mail-enabled PDA devices and other mobile computers.

With the built-in link to MS Outlook and two-way PDA messaging capability, Wintac Pro enables personnel in the office to instantly send work orders, proposals, purchase orders, and other data to technicians in the field who are equipped with e-mail-enabled PDA devices or other mobile computers. The technicians, in turn, can transmit job resolution information for billing and other record keeping. The software also can automatically generate invoices for completed jobs based on data sent from the field.

The Dispatch Board features color-coded, drag-and-drop scheduling and on-the-fly call entry and updating. To help expedite service, the program, which features integrated caller ID with automatic customer record locator, keeps track of when customer calls were taken and posts the data on the Dispatch Board. Dispatchers can assign jobs from the Unassigned Jobs column and reassign existing jobs.

The solution, which has user-definable multi-level password security, also interfaces with your own company Web site. If your Web site is programmed to allow customers to fill in a service request form that is then submitted to MS Outlook, Wintac Pro can automatically generate work orders from those requests. The software can automatically scan for those requests and then create work orders and add them to the Dispatch Board. In effect, customers can set up their own service calls and the dispatcher becomes aware almost immediately.

The program features unlimited job and service scheduling with automatic recurring maintenance scheduling and routing and automatic scheduled billing for recurring invoices based on user-definable intervals, and has the ability to bill for partial payments.

The software can generate a variety of reports, including accounts payable and receivable with 30-60-90 day aging reports, sales analysis, expenses, budget vs. actual costs and employee productivity. The solution also features equipment tracking by model number, serial number, jobsite, description, install dates, service dates and warranty expiration dates.

Other contractor-friendly capabilities include the Employee/Payroll Manager, for tracking wages, withholding, hours and multiple rate categories for an unlimited number of employees; Contact Manager, for tracking leads and prospects; bar code scanning for scanning inventory items into invoices and proposals; and an easy facility to instantly attach graphics to files.

Wintac Pro also has built-in links to alpha-paging, street mapping, and several popular accounting programs, industry flat-rate systems and industry pricing data solutions.

CAD package

CAD HVAC Ducting (Heatproof Inc., 888/228-4904, www.heatproof.com, $1,000 per computer) is an HVAC drawing package that runs within AutoCAD to quickly generate three-dimensional duct drawings and a bill of materials. The program features a built-in “ductulator” that, once the user inputs the initial CFM and FPM, calculates the friction factor or, if the friction factor is input, changes the FPM for the given CFM. It also features duct auto-routing and pipe sizing for condenser water and chilled water.

The program lets users draw individual duct pieces after sizing them with the online ductulator. The user draws main ducts, branches and tapers, and the program calculates the sheet metal area and suggests the gauge selection.

For auto-routing, the user places all the diffusers and grilles at their locations, and inputs the size by a choice of commonly accepted methods. A single line diagram is then drawn based upon the actual route the duct should have. The user defines settings, including maximum and minimum height, minimum width, friction factor, taper length, maximum aspect ratio and standard duct length, and defines the line representing the main duct, the lines representing the branches and their parent ducts, diffusers, grilles and parent ducts. The resulting duct drawing is in 3D. The program automatically calculates the gauge and sheet metal area. Variables, including insulation, dampers, fire dampers or filters can be factored in. Users can also find out the fan static pressure requirement for the ducting by selecting the ducts that form the longest route.

The software, which includes a customizable 2D and 3D symbol library for equipment and valves and an isometric dimensioning facility, features automatic updating of drawings. When the user changes a single line position of the duct, position of the diffusers/grilles, bottom of the diffusers/grilles or CFM supplied to the diffusers/grilles, the CAD drawing is changed accordingly.

The bill of materials is automatically generated with a single-line drawing. Changes in the single-line diagram are immediately reflected in the drawing and in the bill of materials.

William and Patti Feldman can be reached at [email protected].