Autodesk Fabrication is a set of applications extending building information modeling (BIM) across the building lifecycle to support the fabrication and construction of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) projects. Coupled with the company’s existing BIM software solutions, the applications will further extend BIM to MEP contractors.

Oh, those funny people at Google. What once was a free online search service allowing billions of searchers to locate “nose hair trimmers in Cleveland” — at no cost to Nose Hair Clipper Depot — has morphed into an actual business. Are you prepared to navigate this new advertising model?

This is a dangerous subject about which to write. For one thing, I know very little about the subject. Secondly, most of you out there probably either know all about it and consider yourselves experts, or you are like the rest of us who know just enough to be afraid of it. What topic is it? 

A program removes the tedious work associated with completing a Manual S calculation and is part of the Right-Suite® Universal software module. Right Suite Universal automatically uses manufacturer-supplied data to follow the Manual S procedure to select appropriate equipment.

Available on the cloud, Service Skeds is a forward-thinking service management technology, the company said. The smartphone and cloud technology connects Android and iPhone devices seamlessly for all functions of service management.

Created for small- and medium-size field service businesses, a cloud-based field service management solution with native mobile apps is available. It digitizes the service workflow, eliminating the need for paperwork orders and allowing field service companies to significantly streamline the scheduling process.

Plumbing and mechanical contractors can build professional job submittals, ready to send to the project owner, general contractor, architect, or engineer for sign-off with Submittal Manager™. Submittal Manager can also be used by plumbing and mechanical distributors as a time-saving tool when asked to take on the submittal building task.

The easy-to-use cloud-based tool Right-Mobile Consultant™ automates a repeatable sales process with selling techniques for the HVAC dealer. The versatile cloud-based tool for HVAC professionals was designed to work on a multitude of devices, including desktop PCs, laptops, and tablets.

Here are additional products that were exhibited at the 2012 AHR Expo, including components and software.

Contractors and trade professionals are relying on smartphones and other mobile technology like laptops and tablets to assist in purchase decision-making, according to a national research study conducted by Eric Mower + Associates (EMA) Group B2B.