Large national builder attributes reduction in build cycle time by 5 percent to Nextel phone system.
When Frank Scaramuzza, chief information officer for production builder Kimball Hill Homes in Rolling Meadows, Ill., first approached his bosses three years ago about changing to a more expensive in-the-field phone system, there was push back. "The resistance was based on price sensitivity. It's difficult to show productivity gains versus the cost of new phones," says Scaramuzza.
But eventually, Scaramuzza was able to tangibly reduce cycle time by 5 percent. "That translates to a lot of money," he says, given that Kimball Hill Homes is one of the largest non-public homebuilders in the U.S., constructing more than 3,600 homes valued at more than $826 million in 2003.
Scaramuzza did more than just incorporate a new phone system for 400 field personnel, he adopted a more comprehensive strategy that includes using several time-saving services associated with using a nationwide "direct-connect" walkie-talkie/cellular system from Nextel Communications, along with Blackberry devices. Those services were part of an even greater grand plan to create a paperless office.
Change Is Bottomline Driven
Fifteen years ago when PCs were being introduced to the workplace, it seemed like every company in America had dreams of a paperless office. Scaramuzza held onto that dream. His ultimate goal is to create a paperless project cycle at Kimball Hill Homes, from bids to payscale to subcontractors submitting electronics invoices. The hope was to improve efficiency by eliminating human error from multiple inputting. But requiring that the purchasing manager, salesperson, project manager, etc., input the same materials requisition requests is just a system ripe for potential human error.
The transition on the communications side started three years ago at Kimball Hill Homes strictly by looking at the bottom line. "When I looked at our cell bills, we were paying more for straight cell time and over-minute-charges vs. what it would cost us to pool minutes using Nextel devices," says Scaramuzza. At first, there was some resistance. "The units are expensive," he says. "But I knew that as they became more inherent in our corporate culture, there would be more acceptance." Today, 400 Kimball Hill Homes' supervisors (called customer managers), quality assurance personnel, customer care managers, and corporate executives carry Nextel phones. Since the company is a coast-to-coast builder of single-family homes, executives have nationwide calling plans.
Unlike traditional cell phones, Nextel phones use the company's nationwide direct-connect walkie-talkie feature. The units eliminate phone tag and busy signals with instant connections, according to the company. While Kimball Hill Homes has not mandated that its subcontractors, developers and vendors also adopt the same Nextel network, other builders have, according to the manufacturer, which boosts time savings even more. Even still, Scaramuzza says many of his vendors use the system, and he has seen "absolutely better communications with our trades and with each other in the field. We have definitely realized savings and gained more features."
Kimball Hill had another advantage in switching to the service … volume.
"It's not the cheapest service and our per-phone average is high. We get discounts directly from Nextel because of our size," says Scaramuzza. Those discounts are important.
The new communications also led to a new communications policy at Kimball Hill. Employees are now given the option to have a monthly phone cost deducted from their paycheck that is actually cheaper than the cost to maintain a competitive cell service with a high number of minutes. In return, employees can use the Nextel phones for personal calls.
Associated Services Save Time
In addition to using the walkie-talkies/cell phones to communicate, Kimball Hill employees are also taking advantage of other services that come with the Nextel units, including the 444 PermitWorks function that connects field personnel direct to a permit expert from ConstructWorks Inc. That feature provides access to an exclusive nationwide help desk staff by experienced permit specialists who serve as a resource to contractors. Specialists can answer any permit question, such as "How do I obtain a permit?" to "Who do I need to talk to?"
Scaramuzza recently looked into the Corrigo wireless work order system using the phones. Kimball Hill also is just starting to experiment with some of the GPS functions via the phones Lastly, senior execs carry Blackberries. "They love them," says Scaramuzza. - Jason Knott
Serial Data Transceiver
Consolidate a Home Network
The D2510WDM serial data transceiver from International Fiber Systems Incorporated (IFS) is a universal serial data device that can support data rates up to 512kbps, and provide transmission capabilities for a single RS-232, RS-422 or RS-485 data signals over fiber optic cable. IFS says the unit can be used in installations where multiple systems with different data rates are being integrated to save time and equipment costs.
International Fiber Systems, Newtown, Conn., 203-426-1180, www.ifs.com
flat-panel monitors
Connected TV
Net TV's new DTV-34XF3 and DTV-29XF3 flat-panel monitors offer users high-definition capable video resolutions and input options for Web and serial remote control. According to the company, the 32-inch and 37-inch respective displays can be integrated into just about any type of computer network. Additionally, the monitor can display computer graphics, today's current generation of television signals and tomorrow's high-definition television signals. Both displays provide homeowners with all the connection options that are necessary to support a variety of video formats. Net TV, San Rafael, Calif., 800-440-6388, www.net-tv.net
Storage Server
Maintain a Home Network
In today's connected world it is increasingly common for your homebuyers to work from a home office at least part time. Recognizing this growing trend is Iogear. The company's latest product is the Broadband Office Storage Server (BOSS). This device combines networking, Internet access and data storage in a single unit. The BOSS can be used in small business office or home office (SOHO) applications, and the unit can be used to maintain and manage a small network. The BOSS can store files, including photos, music and data, and host a file transfer protocol (FTP) site. The BOSS is offered with optional hard drive sizes of 120GB to 200GB. MSRPs range from $399 to $499. Iogear, Irvine, Calif., 866-946-4327, www.iogear.com
SIDEBAR
Tools for Builders
Other services for builders offered via the Nextel phones (and its partners) are:
AirHours by Airput Inc. Allows field managers to use a Nextel phone to enter and review employee hours and project information, eliminating the need for paper timesheets and freeing them from administrative paperwork. Recorded information can then be imported into applications, including those used for financial spreadsheets, accounting software and payroll services.
Command Alkon Inc. The Commandsignal Vehicle Status Computer (CS-VSC) is a truck-tracking terminal used to transmit status and "canned" messages, receive text messages and, with the aid of optional GPS technology, generate vehicle location and automatic status event transmission. This signaling terminal then wirelessly updates the Command Alkon base dispatch and truck-tracking system.
CorrigoConnect by Corrigo Inc. A wireless and Web-based work order and dispatch-management solution for builders with extensive installation, maintenance and repair needs.
Creditel PowerSwipe Provides secure credit card transaction processing for mobile businesses.
FX Mobile by FieldCentrix FieldCentrix Enterprise automates costly, time-consuming and paper-intensive field services processes. These include communicating with headquarters, receiving work assignments, completing work orders, submitting billing information to accounting and ordering parts. It allows field service companies to increase a technician's productivity, reduce operational costs and boost profitability.
ISR FleetTrack by Integrated Systems Research Corp. Gives fleet managers control over mobile assets through enhanced automatic vehicle location, two-way digital communication, mobile data, vehicle sensors and management reports.
Ideligo by Mobile Data Solutions Inc. (MDSI) Allows field technicians from subcontractors to become part of a builders' workflow by receiving real-time access to Siebel eBusiness applications which allows access to customer records and work-order details.
Salesforce.com Wireless Edition Allows builders access to real-time customer data in the Salesforce.com customer relationship management (CRM) system. Builders can make remote natural language requests of the CRM system; stay in touch with the office; and access and update contact information, sales leads, key customer accounts, calendars and other important documents.
TeleNavTrack by Televigation Uses a GPS-enabled phone to provide phone-based visual and audible driving directions. Features include turn-by-turn driving directions with exact street names and automatic rerouting.
Vettro RainMaker for Salesforce.com Provides Nextel builders with online and offline access to Salesforce.com databases while mobile.
Xora GPS TimeTrack Offers builders the ability to track employees' jobs, hours and locations through their GPS-enabled mobile phones. Bar code scanning is support for data-capture. Up-to-the minute reports can be viewed on the Web or imported into payroll, job costing or billing systems.
Aircharge Offers wireless payment processing on Java-enabled handsets. Compatible with most credit card payment processors, the software uses credit card readers and printers to provide card swipe rates and paper receipts in the field.
Cheetah Tracks Enables builders to track and communicate with employees in real-time using GPS-enabled phones, digital maps and two-way wireless messaging.