Masonry Magazine April 2005 Page. 42
TECHNOLOGY
"I was using a generic accounting program and then the job-costing, but there was nothing that tied it together. That's why I first got involved with Master Builder, because it does both the accounting and the job-costing. It forces you to keep everything in check."
And there is the key so often overlooked: integration of data. "The new term is interoperability," corrects Shiner. "The goal is to have the software - if it doesn't do everything, and no software can do 100% of everything-at least do what it needs to do and do it really well. Then have it be able to talk to another piece of software that also does what it needs to do and does it very well."
Shiner sees several trends that will impact mason contractors. "One of the issues is that construction is getting harder and harder because of the number of agencies that have their fingers in your books. Particularly for commercial contractors, we've got prevailing wage laws, Davis-Bacon work, the liability carrier coming in and making you sign all these waivers, etc. All these insurance companies are coming in and demanding all this stuff from you and, if you don't have it, demanding that you get it from somebody else. In the good old days, you hired somebody and you paid them. It's not that way anymore.
"It comes from both directions. It comes from the client, whether it's a GC, demanding their subs have all these indemnification agreements, or it comes from the mason contractor having to track waivers and everything else from their employees and clients."
"One of the issues is that construction is getting harder and harder because of the number of agencies that have their fingers in your books." - Leslie Shiner, Intuit Construction Business Solutions
She continues, "I can use a generic accounting program like QuickBooks and then track indemnification agreements on a spreadsheet. That's fine - that's a system. But what companies are moving toward is 'I want my accounting software, when I go to pay somebody or I receive payment from somebody, to tell me what I need to know. That's where a program like Master Builder, that's written for contractors, comes in handy. Mason contractors don't have issues that a retail store has, but their software absolutely must address the issues that a contractor who's doing prevailing wage work and who's got certified payroll does have. The contractor tries to be legal, and there are all sorts of agencies out there that are telling you what you have to have, what you can and cannot do, and what you have to do. Ultimately, you're trying to get a software package that will help you out."
Custom Looks... Standard Installation
That's right, the color options and impervious surface of structural glazed brick and tile are available using typical masonry construction methods - no unique skills or equipment are necessary!
In fact, because of their impervious, lasting finish, most ceramic glazed masonry products are resistant to staining and install neatly and cleanly regardless of job site conditions.
In the Mason Aids section of our website, you'll find construction tips for the proper use and handling of ceramic glazed masonry products to help you from the planning stages through the final job site clean-down. Architects and specifiers will also find resources including specification guides and wall system design information.