Maxwell Systems announced the release of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation Logistics™ 8.0. An add-on capability allows contractors to generate takeoffs straight from digital plan files instead of paper blueprints.

CHICAGO - Software innovations shown at the 2009 International Air-Conditioning, Heating, Refrigerating Exposition (AHR Expo) continue to indicate a trend towards increased integration among specialties, decreasing the potential for errors by automatically calculating changes into the entire design and providing automatic analyses among multiple users.

Maxwell Systems Inc.(www.estimationlogistics.maxwellsystems.com), announced the release of Maxwell Systems™ Estimation Logistics™ 8.0. An add-on capability allows contractors to generate takeoffs straight from digital plan files instead of paper blueprints. Digital Takeoff allows contractors to create a takeoff by tracing a structure on a computer screen. The method produces a complete estimate and captures a graphical takeoff.

Additional enhancements include an added pallet of symbols, line types, thickness, and color to the Toolbox; updated networking capabilities to improve multiuser functionality, allowing multiple estimators to work on the same job at the same time; and the ability to reapply pressure table changes to all sections at one time. Mc4Suite 2008 is an AutoCAD-compatible, fully integrated, stand-alone platform for radiant heating, fire protection, HVAC duct, and plumbing systems design.



Mc4Software’s (www.mc4software.com) Mc4Suite 2008 combines all of the Professional versions and updated Mc4Software programs. The format allows the designer to create and verify any aspect of systems design, and it’s directly AutoCAD® compatible. So, users can draw buildings with both heating and refrigeration systems (duct and pipe systems) in plain view; the program also has three-dimensional graphic representation.

The program automatically reads the quantity of material inserted in the project plan (walls, windows, pipes, valves, boilers, air ducts, sprinklers, hydrants, etc.) in order to create the material list. Once the input of the building is completed and the heating-cooling loads are calculated, the program automatically analyzes the information, as well as the airflow rate, in order to size pipe or duct system terminals.

Penta Technologies Inc. (www.penta.com), announced the release of Penta Mobile Field Service, a mobile construction software application designed to help mechanical, electrical, and other specialty service contractors optimize their field service operations. The application reduces paperwork, eliminates duplicate data entry, expedites approval processes, and provides real-time management visibility to field activity.

Dispatchers have real-time status visibility of all field service techs, and send prioritized assignments for work orders, jobs, or other nonbillable activities, which are automatically received on the field tech’s mobile device. When a task is completed, field techs transmit their labor time, material inventory, and customer equipment information directly into approval queues, to expedite customer billing and employee payroll processes.

The Invensys Wonderware (www.wonderware.com) Industry Solutions for Facilities Management application addresses the special requirements of facilities managers in a variety of industries, including education, health care, government, transportation, and manufacturing.

Today’s facility managers are facing increasing costs for energy, service, and maintenance; the company said its new offering enables more efficient management of facility operations, with the ability to handle “everything from small, single-site systems to large, highly distributed applications with multiple building control vendors.”

Publication Date: 02/16/2009