Constructech 50 Hottest for 2009 is a listing of the most influential construction technology providers with a strong and ongoing market presence.  The Constructech editorial team considered various criteria which included having a strong product/service aimed at the construction industry, customer satisfaction and growth, as well as industry outreach and educational efforts.

“The Constructech 50 Hottest honors the hard work and dedication that these exceptional companies have shown in the construction space.” said Mike Carrozzo, chief editor of Constructech.  “Though ecomonic turmoil has neen prominent and the construction market has seen struggles, this year’s winners have still found success and are taking part in th emove toward improvement in the industry.”

About Constructech Magazine

As the only publication focused exclusively on the technology needs to the construction professional, Constructech magazine division of Speciality Publishing Co., Constructech advises 30,000 unique builders and contractors in all trades within the homebuilding market on the technology, services, and automated home technology that help improve business and increase margins.  With a specialized focused in the homebuilding space, Constructech uncovers the solutions that are shaping the way homes are built.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty.  From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, and vendor portal solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

If you are a builder doing something different, post a comment and let us know.

Here is a picture from the event.

An existing customer that has been using one of our systems for a long time was blown away with how much more they could be doing with our software.  They could be using scheduling better, they could be following up with leads quicker, they could be providing all their warranty materials online, they could be tracking supplier quality better, and they could be using more of our built-in reports.

As a software partner, I feel that we have let them down. They should know that we have been working hard to improve our products and provide them with tools to make them more effective and efficient.  I encourage any builder with a slight interest in wanting to do more with technology to run their business to give us a call.

I’m looking forward to Seth Godin’s talk on Friday.  Should be fun.

We had some great conversations with builders looking for integrated software systems like BuildSoft, Builder 360, NEWSTAR and FAST.  Builders are looking for sales systems as well, so it was good timing when Mike Lyon came by the booth to chat about how Constellation Sales, NEWSTAR Sales and FAST Sales are helping home builders improve their websites and prospect follow-up processes to help close more sales. (starts at about 2:45)

Our sales, production, and accounting systems will help builders respond more quickly to prospects, work better with trades and suppliers, build homes on time with improved quality, and reduce ongoing homeowner warranty and service costs.

See you at the show.

I am frequently asked about the effectiveness of e-mail/on-line media versus printed United States Postal Service (USPS) letters for communicating important information or for soliciting a response.

While I am not claiming to be an expert in print to draw out all the comparisons, one advantage of e-mail is that it gets past the “gate keeper” who opens, sorts and prioritizes mail, in contrast to e-mail which will often get to the actual intended recipient.  In the same home you could also have multiple recipients recieving the same e-mail message directly to their desktop.

Several recent research studies have describe that higher response rates were achieved among certain audiences when using of e-mail/on-line versus paper surveys.  Although customer survey responses are not a perfect analogy for determining the most effective mode for customer interaction; the studies do show a significantly higher response rate for e-mail vs. USPS when recipients are already “on-line” and have been conditioned to use e-mail as the primary means of communication with a particular vendor or service provider.

Certainly more and more home buying customers fall into this “on-line” category….but the most effective way to get a high response rate from this kind of audience is to use a combination of media…e-mail/on-line, phone and perhaps a post card or two.

Here are some helpful blog links on the subject:

E-mail versus snail mail: which ever is better for you…

E-mail vs. Snail Mail: Creative Criticism…

Marketing - Snail Mail versus E-mail, MoneyBlog…

Direct Marketing News, Views and Opinions: E-mail

ICI Homes CEO Mori Hosseini on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money - April 28th, 2009

(Mori appears close to the 3 minute mark)

As the largest homebuilding software provider, Constellation reported an increase in sales from smaller home builders between March and May of 2009. Unlike many other software providers in the homebuilding industry, Constellation is committed to supporting our customers, participating in industry events and supporting trade publications regardless of the current market conditions. Recently, home builder confidence has started to return as demonstrated by a strong commitment toward technology investment. As home builders prepare for improved market conditions, investing in technology ahead of growth can help delay staff increases with better control systems in place to ensure future profitability.

If you need better software to manage your home building business, visit us at the show to learn how the best builders are transforming their businesses and utilizing Constellation products. Don’t forget to ask about our PCBC 2009 show specials.

Constellation continues to demonstrate an unmatched commitment to invest in new technology and services for home builders of all sizes, whether you build 5 homes or 10,000 homes annually. In addition to the numerous enhancements in Constellation’s industry leading ERP product suite, NEWSTAR, FAST, BuildSoft, Builder 360, as well as Constellation CRM, and LandDev, we are introducing six, leading-edge products specifically designed to help home builders meet the challenges of today’s recovering market.

At PCBC, builders can see firsthand why Constellation’s industry commitment and product enhancement efforts continue to make our technology solutions the first choice for home builders seeking world-class software and services.

Please join us to see the latest new products at the Pacific Coast Builders Conference 2009, June 17-19, 2009, Moscone Center at Booth 1316 in the South Hall.

Constellation’s most recent new products include:

Website Sales Integration - WebLeads

Constellation WebLeads is an automated web-based lead qualification and prospect management tool for home builders. WebLeads allows you to quickly qualify, personally respond to, and narrow your focus on prospects that are ready to purchase. Never lose another lead and convert more prospects into homebuyers by immediately responding to new prospects’ online inquires by effectively qualifying and communicating in real-time.

NEWSTAR Enterprise Workflow Management Software

Constellation NEWSTAR Workflow Management is a web-based solution designed for all commercial, residential or condominium property managers with remote building locations and any locations outside head office. It delivers consistent, timely and accurate information to internal or external users for faster, automated and more efficient invoice status, approval and payment control.

Warranty and Homeowner Expectation Management: Driving Referral Sites

Constellation BuildSERV - Ownership Guides is a hosted web portal and e-mail service for the delivery of home care and warranty information to new home buyers. Multiple touch-point communication tools help you track responses and reinforce your warranty and customer service standards. Integrated lead referral programs offered during and after the warranty period will help you drive referral sales.

Constellation Extended Hosting

Constellation Extended Hosting offers homebuilders a cost-effective alternative to upfront hardware and software licensing costs. The NEWSTAR Enterprise and FAST homebuilding production and accounting systems, available in a stable, secure, scalable and supported environment, gives homebuilders instant online access from any location with Internet connectivity.

Constellation Promotional Marketing - Constellation Forms and 4-Color Printing

Constellation Forms is an easy, affordable and effective marketing solution for all home builders. No job is too small or too large. We specialize in creating high quality, four-color marketing materials that look amazing online and in print. We offer design and printing services for stock and custom printed promotional materials. Constellation will work with your marketing staff to translate and develop your concepts into exceptional promotional pieces designed specifically for any target audience. Produce powerful images that best represent your company and deliver the right message to your prospects, all while saving time and money.

Constellation Builder Broadcast - E-mail Marketing System

Constellation Builder Broadcast provides you with affordable e-mail campaign management tools tailored to your requirements to produce polished, professional and targeted e-mail campaigns and services. Measure the effectiveness, impact and overall results with detailed, accurate tracking, reporting and analytics to give you target audience feedback so you sell the right product to the right customer, and open doors to discover and explore new channel and market opportunities.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, and vendor portal solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

Media Inquiries:

Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos(at)constellationhb.com
(888) 723-2222

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During the market downturn builders chose, for the most part, to forego investing in technology.  This is beginning to change as many homebuilders are taking the time now to ensure they can be competitive as the market begins to recover.

For Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, this new confidence is observed by comparing the monthly average of 4 to an impressive 20 home building software implementations in April.  This is most pronounced with smaller builders as they organize for improved market conditions.  These builders are back and are getting prepared for the changing market with a strong commitment toward technology investments.  By implementing technology ahead of growth, they are able to delay increasing staff with better control systems in place.

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems is the largest supplier of software for home builders, helping builders manage their information technology costs with cutting-edge integrated software solutions to run their businesses more effectively.  Constellation continues to invest in product enhancements and service offerings, while providing regular upgrades to keep builders current with today’s technology demands.

Constellation will be at the 2009 Pacific Coast Builders’ Conference (”PCBC”) in San Francisco, CA from June 17-19, 2009, booth #S1316. Please contact us to request an appointment, or visit our booth. All of our new solutions will be available for demos and our product experts will be available for detailed discussions.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems:

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, and vendor portal solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems is a division of Constellation Software Inc. (”CSI”) and is a publicly traded company.

Media Inquiries:
Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos @ constellationhb.com
(888) 723-2222

After three years of public accounting experience and six years as CFO for a multi-state homebuilder, Dan joined BuildSoft. During his eight years at BuildSoft, Dan was instrumental in the success of BuildSoft and the growth of its customer base. He held sales management, executive management and product development positions during the most lucrative years of the company. Dan has an extensive background in software sales for small, medium and large residential remodelers and builders.

Constellation acquired the BuildSoft product in December 2006 and invested in enhancing and improving the product. As a result of this effort, a significant turn-around in customer satisfaction has been witnessed, as reflected in the customer testimonials and references.

After a reintroduction to the newly enhanced BuildSoft product, Dan was impressed with Constellation’s commitment to the product and the many improvements that have been incorporated. These improvements and the introductory pricing available from Constellation have been a contributing influence in Dan’s decision to rejoin the company.

BuildSoft also won Constructech’s Top Products Award for 2009, in the Trusted Product category.

BuildSoft posted a record-breaking month in March with the highest monthly sales in 5 years. With 13 new customers having implemented their software, it is clear builders are beginning to see an increase in activity, and are reorganizing themselves to automate their operational processes in anticipation of better times.

Dan’s addition to the team is sure to reenergize the homebuilder software marketplace, and increase the sales momentum that BuildSoft has generated so far.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems:

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,100 builders manage their information technology costs with integrated software solutions to run their business from dirt to warranty. From planning to homeowner services, we have land development software, new home sales and marketing software, production, purchasing, scheduling, accounting, warranty, electronic homeowner manuals, and vendor portal solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

Media Inquiries
Cathy Kotsopoulos
ckotsopoulos@constellationhb.com
(888) 723-2222