Masonry Magazine September 2010 Page. 21
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE
Dunlop Mastclimbers, Premier Scaffolding Solutions, etc.),
Having been the first to really take off in the industry, Fraco
Products Ltd. and Hydro Mobile remain the two main manu-
facturers at the end of the decade.
The MCWP manufacturers offer mostly one or two prod-
ucts, but some offer a broader line of products. The business
approach of most manufacturers is to offer their products by
focusing on a market. Masonry, which represented the largest
application market for MCWP, remains today the most impor
tant market. At the end of the period, almost all manufacturers
are serving the North American market. Only Fraco has a truly
international profile with a strong presence in Europe, Asia and
the Middle East.
Market-driving approach
THE FIRST PHASE of development of MCWP in North
America was characterized by a product-oriented approach.
Manufacturers focus on the characteristics of products offered
or emphases on certain features that are the basis of differenti-
ation from competing products. This approach influences the
emergence of different products that distinguish themselves by
their high loading capacity and speed of elevation.
In January 2008, Fraco Products Ltd. defined itself as a sup
plier of mast climbing access systems. The company went fur-
ther by moving away from certain niche markets and focusing
on segments of the construction market that provide an obvi-
ous potential of growth. Therefore, there is no question of sim-
ply responding to specific requests from non-traditional
market segments. The masonry remains the main niche to be
served, but new opportunities are identified: glazing, infra-
structures, demolition and power generation. Each of these
niches requires changes to products or adding new accessories
that allow Fraco Products to adapt to specific realities. Also, the
establishment of a market-driven approach does not suit all
companies. To achieve this, it is important to have expertise in
each niche, an advantage that grows over the years. An organi-
zational culture that focuses on an entrepreneurial approach in
each segment also is a key factor for success.
If we consider the infrastructure segment, Fraco has been able,
during the last two years, to adapt its products and services to
become a leader for the repair of highways and bridges pillars. It
is the same for the power generation niche; dams and cooling
towers are often characterized by sloping walls that require access
systems tailored to them. Fraco has understood this reality and
offers to this clientele different technical services to meet all kind
of challenges. Demolition and deconstruction projects complet-
ed with mast climbing access systems are becoming more popu-
lar. It seems that MCWP are well suited for chimney demolition
projects, when buildings around the chimney need to be protect-
ed. Fraco has imported its expertise from its people from France,
where that kind of work has been realized several times. The glaz-
ing segment represents the fourth segment of the construction
market to present a lot of potential for the future. Fraco has adapt-
ed some of its accessories as the monorail system to be compliant
with the tools normally used by the glazing market.
www.masonrymagazine.com
On-Screen 3D Take-Off
Just point and click on the digital blueprint and see your walls
displayed. Our new On-Screen 3D Take-Off Engine makes it
simple and fast.
* Runs on Windows PCs and Bootcamp/Windows
on Intel Macs.
* 30 day money back guarantee.
* Support available 7 days a week.
* Comes with more than 400 items in material database.
* See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your
take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE
mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION.
* Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see
the actual finished buildings!
* Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE
BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS,
JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL
CUTS
* Integrate with Accounting Software and transfer data to
Microsoft Excel,
Negotiating projects with a 3D image
will win you more contracts and
enhance your professional image
TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
READER SERVICE #163
September 2010
MASONRY 19