UDA Business Certification was officially completed today for tablet PCs,
allowing ConstructionOffice users to better take advantage of the new
mobile technology. Construction firms can now use ConstructionOffice
software to manage their jobs on site, updating estimates, schedules,
checklists, and more.
New ConstructionOffice software offers full functionality on any tablet PC
with Microsoft Office 2003, including Hewlett Packard, Gateway, NEC, Panasonic, Toshiba,
and Compaq. QuickBooks is also compatible with the new devices, allowing
users to export information from ConstructionOffice to QuickBooks using
their tablet PC.
"As the devices become more affordable and more rugged, tablet PCs will be a
staple technology for the construction industry," said Daniel Hayden,
director of product development for UDA Technologies. "Tablet PCs with
wireless internet access offer unmatched flexibility and control for project
management. Soon, users will be able to order supplies, update schedules on
the web, and communicate with subs and customers, all from the truck or job
site.
Testing and certification was managed by the UDA Quality Assurance Group, a
team of engineers and testers responsible for maintaining software standards
at UDA Technologies. As a Microsoft Partner, software created by UDA
Technologies must uphold standards of reliability, business integrity, and
value for small businesses.
Tablet PC mobile technology is ideal for industries like construction, where
portability and ruggedness is key. Compared to laptops and PDAs, tablet PCs
are available in robust versions that can be dropped or splashed. The
tablet-style allows users to hold the device like a pad of paper and input
information with a pen-like stylus.
A tablet PC is lighter weight than a laptop and offers a screen at least 8
times larger than a PDA. Many contractors and architects find tablet PCs
feel more natural to use than a laptop, and the convenience of walking
around the site and entering information makes tablets much more practical.
If a keyboard is needed, most tablet PCs include keyboards or keyboard
attachments that convert the tablet PC to a laptop-style computer.
McGraw Hill Construction recently surveyed architecture, engineering, and
construction firms using tablet PCs about ease of use and adaptability for
the industry. "Once we got used to not having a keyboard, we really
preferred working that way. It's like a pad of paper. It feels good," noted
Henry King of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, an architectural firm
headquartered in New York, N.Y. Review the full McGraw Hill study on tablet
PCs.
When contractors incorporate tablet PCs into their project management
workflow, many find that it's easier to organize and keep track of
information. Sketches, notes, and drawings can now be entered directly into
the tablet PC, and thus files can be saved and stored on hard drives instead
of a file cabinet. Customers can also "sign" a ConstructionOffice contract
or change order using the tablet PC stylus, so contractors can get
signatures immediately and always have access to official documents.
UDA Technologies is currently developing additional technology for
ConstructionOffice designed specifically to enhance tablet PC and mobile
use. New Visual Studio .NET controls from Microsoft will allow users to
apply the stylus more efficiently to input information and manipulate data
in ConstructionOffice.
With all the advantages of on-the-job mobile technology, tablet PCs are here
to stay. Prices have dropped steadily since tablet PCs first became popular
in 2002, and tablet PC prices currently range from $700-$2500. Tablet PCs
are available online from most major computer retailers and at local office
technology stores.
For more information about ConstructionOffice, visit
www.udatechnologies.com or call 1.800.700.8321. Free trials of Construction
Office are available online.
About UDA Technologies
UDA Technologies is the fastest growing provider of construction productivity software in the United States, Canada, and 37 countries worldwide with sustained annual revenue growth of at least 45%. Designed for small to medium businesses, UDA ConstructionOffice software manages over 10 billion dollars of construction annually. Identified as a key partner in construction software technology, UDA Technologies is a certified Microsoft Partner and a Premier Intuit QuickBooks developer.
For further information contact UDA Press Resources at press@uda1.com
