The Move of tecHOMExpo and the IBS to Orlando Brings a Bold Change of Scenery, and Strong Demand for Information on New Home Products. Here's an Early Look at What's Hot for Orlando in January.

The International Builders' Show (IBS) provides new homebuilders with the perfect opportunity to see the latest technologies that are fueling the growth of the building industry.

The show's tecHOMExpo exhibits will showcase the latest hardware and software solutions in an environment conducive to learning about technology. Show attendees can meet with representatives from the companies that are operating on the cutting edge and experience first hand how the implementation of new technologies can improve the efficiency of their businesses and attract more consumers.

Anticipation is building for this year's show, which remains the largest builder show in the country. This year the event moves from Las Vegas to Orlando, Fla. To help homebuilders get a jump on their show plans, TecHome Builder invited exhibitors to share a sneak peak at some of the new products they will be launching or unveiling at the show. Following is a sampling of those products, covering a wide variety of home technology areas, from back office software, to whole-house audio and home theater.

Web Services
The Power of the Internet
Renderings.com provides building professionals with a vast range of services from hand-illustrated drawings, topographic tables and scale models to computer-animated virtual reality tours and photo-realistic renderings. The Renderings.com team employs architects, interior designers, animators, programmers and artists to provide new homebuilders with a complete list of sales and marketing.

Renderings.com, Orlando, Fla., 866-214-7929, www.renderings.com

Central Vacuuming
The Perfect Split
The Silent Partner S1600 from Vacu-Maid is a multi-component central vacuum system. The two-part system features a motor assembly that is housed in a foamed-lined chamber and a separate dirt canister that's used for filtration and dirt collection. The system employs a cyclonic filtration system that is able to divide the larger and smaller dirt particles, which allows the system to vent the smaller particles outside of the home.

Vacu-Maid, Ponca City, Okla., 800-546-3729, www.vacumaid.com

Lighting Control
Welcome to the Party
When lighting control was first introduced to the public it was an amenity reserved for the affluent homeowner. Things are different today. Centralite's new litejet is designed to be an affordable hardwired lighting control product for homes under 2,500-square feet in size. LiteJet has the ability blend into other home automation systems.

CentraLite Systems, Inc., Mobile, Ala., 877-466-5483, www.centralite.com

Builder Software
Doubling Building Efficiency
The new SolidBuilder and BidBuilder software programs from Digital Canal Corp., serve separate, but important functions for the new homebuilder; the SolidBuilder software allows for true 3D rendered drawings, and the BidBuilder is an estimating tool with database capabilities. The SolidBuilder program can reduce design mistakes before they happen, which can save on material and labor costs, and the BidBuilder software can be used to manage material, labor and pricing.

Digital Canal, Dubuque, Iowa, 800-449-5033, www.digitalcanal.com

Builder Software
Get Real-Time Updates
SiteStream's latest version of its Builder's Software took more than four years to develop and it incorporates four integrated modules that allow for single data entry and instant reporting throughout the software's four modules. The software is designed to help new homebuilders manage their building projects with real-time information updates. The software's modules are divided into four categories: Land, Build, Sales and Care.

SiteStream, Atlanta, Ga., 800-659-5830, www.sitestream.biz

Home Automation
Control a Home from a PC
HAI's new Home Control for Windows Media Center (WMC) software offers homeowners the ability to control their home's HVAC, home theater and security system through their PCs. The software is designed to install easily into any PC that runs Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 and 2005 operating systems. The software's setup wizard provides a means to ensure that the software is installed quickly and correctly, and once installed it interfaces with HAI's Omni Controller.

Home Automation Inc., New Orleans, La., 800-229-7256, www.homeauto.com

Builder Software
Follow the Paper Trail
The Project Document Control Module from Maxwell Systems, Inc., is designed to support project managers. The module works with the company's Maxwell Management Suite, and it provides users with a fully integrated document creation program that can track and manage RFIs, transmittals, submittals and meeting minutes. The program is compatible with popular software packages such as Microsoft Word and it can also create its own text documents that can be emailed, printed and saved.

Maxwell Systems, Inc., Norristown, Pa., 800-688-8226, www.maxwellsystems.com

Builder Software
Draw on Experience
The new Master Builder version 10 software from Intuit provides new homebuilders with a complete business management tool that builds on the company's background of producing business software. Version 10 offers new homebuilders the ability to track cost estimates, building production, accounting and job analysis. Intuit has added more than 60 new features to the software that are designed to facilitate the building process.

Intuit, Mountain View, Calif., 800-726-6278, www.intuit.com

Home Networking
Easy Web Access
The new Wireless Access Point (WAP) from OnQ Home is specifically designed for residential use, and it allows homeowners to surf the Internet from anywhere in their house. The WAP integrates into any home network and runs on the popular 802.11g wireless networking standard. The unit integrates into a variety of home interiors and it can be painted to further mask its presence within a room.

On-Q Home, Middletown, Pa., 800-321-2343, www.onqhome.com

Builder Software
Streamline Communications BuildLinks is an Internet-based tool for small-to-mid-sized new homebuilders that facilitates scheduling and change orders throughout the building process. The tool's project scheduling feature is accessible from any Web-connected computer or wireless telephone and it can maintain and communicate an accurate building schedule to an entire building team. The tool's change order capabilities coordinates options, specifications and deadlines in one central location.

BuildLinks, Morrisville, N.C., 888-700-9470, www.buildlinks.com

Design Software
Make Design a Snap
Chief Architect's latest 3D architectural CAD software can be used by builders, remodelers, designers and architects to create 3D drawings that can be used for design and sales. The software includes tools such as automatic roof generation, framing, foundations and dimensioning, and it can be used to for kitchen and bath design, remodeling, CAD and cost estimating. Chief Architect supports the software with more than 35 hours of how-to video tutorials.

Chief Architect, Coeur D' Alene, Idaho, 800-482-4433, www.chiefarchitect.com

Builder Software
Take Control of Scheduling Conflicts
Virtual Boss, Inc.'s VirtualBoss software is designed to simplify the building management process. The software streamlines scheduling by notifying the user of important events such as service calls and other items. The software can display any past, present or future job and filter these jobs in any manner in which the user wants to view the information. VirtualBoss operates on any standard PC that runs Microsoft's Windows operating system and it is compatible with other Windows-based devices.

Virtual Boss, Inc., Perrysburg, Ohio, 419-872-7686, www.VirtualBoss.net

Builder Software
Build a Successful Blueprint
Quest Solutions' new Quest Takeoff software expands upon the company's other automated takeoff and estimating software products, and allows builders to work directly from digital-plan files, which eliminates the need to work from a blueprint or digitizer board. Quest says the benefit of working with digital-file plans includes not having to pay for blueprints and not having to connect to a digitizer.

Quest Solutions, Inc., Sarasota, Fla., 800-452-2342, www.questsolutions.com

Builder Software
Free and Clear Communications
Timberline's BuilderMT production software for new homebuilders now incorporates the ability to facilitate real-time wireless scheduling through the software's jobsite management application. The software allows for specific scheduling within the field, the reception of client information while on the jobsite, real-time vendor contact information and updated completion dates. The software is compatible with wireless devices such as Smart Phone's, PDAs and Blackberrys.

Timberline, Lakewood, Colo., 888-757-1991, www.BuilderMT.com

Web Services
Find a House
HPC Publications' New Home Group publishes a national network of building related listings that include new homebuilders, developers, new-home communities, products and services on a Web site called NewHomeGuide.com. The site features additional online content for new homebuyers, and it offers home related materials for every type of consumer.

HPC Publications, Norcross, Ga., www.NewHomeGuide.com

Design Software
Mark It Up
SoftPlan Systems, Inc. has released a new plug-in module for its SoftPlan Version 12.5 software program. The new SoftPlan ReView functions as a drawing viewer and mark-up tool, and it is designed to facilitate communications. The module gives instant access to users interested in viewing drawings, and the access can be granted through any type of device, including a pocket PC.

SoftPlan Systems, Inc., Brentwood, Tenn., 800-248-0164, www.softplan.com

Marketing Services
Green Light for Web Traffic
AmericanHomeGuides.com is an Internet marketing service that's available across the United States and Puerto Rico. The site uses common keywords to drive traffic to homebuilder Web sites. The site features a HomeFinder program, which provides registered homebuyers with builder and community brochures. The site also features online builder tools, including contact management tools, online newspapers, lead generation functions, and a silent salesman option.

AmericanHomeGuies.com, Hollywood, Fla., 888-354-8225, www.americanhomeguides.com

Builder Software
Go with the Flow
Argos Systems' Vertex PDM data-management software is a back office tool that enables building companies of any size to streamline their workflow and incorporate it into their design processes. The software is based on a browser platform, and it can be made available to anyone working on a project remotely from any Web enabled computer. Argos' Vertex PDM software can also be used for other builder-related functions.

Argos Systems, Inc., Bedford, Mass., 781-271-9111, www.argos.com

Builder Software
Some Help for the Sales Staff
The latest version of Aareas Imperative's 24//7 SalesCenter software combines the flexibility of the Internet, email and traditional business tools to help builders manage the entire builder-client relationship. The software's main provisions include tools for lead-generation, client communications, options and customer-service management.

Aareas Interactive Inc, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 888-613-2677, www.aareas.com

Home Theater
Redefining the HT Experience
Arguably, one of the most compelling exhibits at the upcoming IBS show's TecHOMExpo will be JBL's home theater demonstrations. During the event the company will showcase its line of THX-certified speakers that feature a number of the company's proprietary audio technologies integrated into a speaker line-up that takes into consideration the lifestyle concerns of the discerning consumer and new homebuyer. The line of speakers includes JBL's S4A, S4HC, S4VC in-wall loudspeakers and HTPS400 powered subwoofer.

JBL Consumer Products,Woodbury, N.Y., 516-255-4525, www.jbl.com