Markham, ON, June 25, 2010 –Constellation HomeBuilder Systems (“CHS”) has acquired the assets of BuildTopia of Rockville, Maryland, a web-based construction management software solution for residential home builders.  This acquisition is another example of Constellation’s dedication to the home building industry and its long term approach to providing mission critical technology solutions and services for home builders of all sizes.

“We continue to invest in new products and services and maintain our long-term commitment to the home building industry”, says Dexter Salna, President of Constellation HomeBuilder Systems.  As the largest software company dedicated to the homebuilding industry, Constellation continues to provide excellent support and services to help our customers successfully run their business now and in the future.  We welcome the customers and employees of BuildTopia to the Constellation family.

Constellation’s suite of homebuilding solutions include Software as a Service (SaaS) and hosting alternatives, in addition to solutions that builders can install on their own hardware.  In many cases, builders are choosing SaaS and hosting alternatives to get started quickly and avoid the upfront costs associated with purchasing hardware.  In addition to our fully integrated sales, production, accounting, and warranty solutions, Constellation also provides quick-start home builder websites with built-in best practices for online marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and security.

About BuildTopia
BuildTopia delivers comprehensive web-based construction project management software solutions for residential home builders delivered as a SaaS solution.  BuildTopia streamlines and integrates all core construction business processes in one powerful yet easy to use solution to increase production efficiency, reduce errors, maximize each sale, and provide excellent customer service. Builders, developers, and trade partners of every size rely upon BuildTopia to dramatically improve the effectiveness, efficiency and profitability of their businesses.

About Constellation HomeBuilder Systems

As the largest home building software company in the industry, Constellation HomeBuilder Systems has helped more than 2,400 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, vendor portal solutions, and web site solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry. Constellation’s product suite includes BuildSoft, Builder 360, Constellation CRM (CFT), Constellation Web Solutions, FAST, NEWSTAR, and Sales1440.

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

We have a great virtual customer conference planned for May 10-14th.  This is our largest virtual customer conference ever with over 30 sessions, guest speakers, industry experts, Constellation staff and many opportunities for builders to learn from their peers.

We’ll cover many recent enhancements in our home building software solutions and offer product training sessions as well.  For a detailed agenda and registration information, please click on the link below.

Register Now

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems would like to welcome all builders and remodelers to the 2010 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

We have an exciting show planned with many experts available to answer your questions about our products, recent acquisitions, and real-world best practices. To register for these sessions, please click on the session name in the schedule below.

Over the past year, we have seen huge changes in our industry and technology in general. While many builders were focused on their business and making many tough decisions, we were focused on providing world-class customer service, enhancing our products, and developing or acquiring new technologies to meet the needs of the changing home builder, home buyer, and home owner.

To meet these demands, we have released major enhancements to our core production, accounting and sales solutions, completed two significant acquisitions, developed two new products, and offer many of our products in hosted configurations. Our track record with new acquisitions demonstrates Constellation’s commitment to customers with world-class service and ongoing product support and enhancements. This means that home builders can rely on Constellation for stable products, dedication to the industry, and proven expertise. With more than 100 employees focused on homebuilding software, and over 2,400 customers we are the largest software company in the industry with the resources to deliver mission-critical solutions for home builders of all sizes.

With several booths at the show this year, please be sure to stop by to share some stories, or just ask our experts a few questions. We would like to learn more about your business and offer our assistance in any way we can.

See you in Vegas.

Constellation Booth Schedule

*if you are unable to attend any of the scheduled events, please contact
sales@constellationhb.com.

Markham, ON, December 14, 2009 – Constellation HomeBuilder Systems, the largest provider of software for home builders, helps Shea Homes of Walnut, CA boost customer satisfaction to higher levels in 2009 by helping them monitor and improve the new home buyer experience from contract to warranty.

Constellation BuildSERV’s Home Ownership Guide, the 2009 Innovative Housing Technology Award Winner, is used by Shea Homes to enhance home builder-to-home owner communications using  content management services, online messaging and warranty management software solutions throughout all phases of the new home construction process to keep new home buyers informed and engaged both during and after construction.

In the recent 2009 J.D. Power New Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study reveals that customer satisfaction and new home quality has improved dramatically from 2008.  Shea Homes, Walnut CA performance in this survey was enhanced and strengthened through the company-wide implementation of BuildSERV Ownership Guide.   Shea Homes ranks 1^st or 2^nd in customer satisfaction in all 5 markets where they competed (Phoenix, San Francisco Area, Denver, Inland Empire, and Orange Co/San Diego), and ranks highest in Shea Trilogy Active Adult communities where they compete in 6 U.S. markets.    Year over year, Shea Homes places in the Top 10 for number of homes built each year with approximately 2,400 homes being sold this year.

Shea Homes expanded their commitment to utilize BuildSERV throughout their 11 regions with built-in milestone notification e-mails and web-based appointment scheduling.  Shea Homes expanded from 3 to 11 regions for three principal reasons.  Firstly, BuildSERV helps Shea Homes internally by allowing everyone to upload, share and collaborate regarding the same documents and information for consistency and unification of their branded image in all locations.  Externally, they’re able to proactively communicate with home buyers using milestone-based messaging and appointment scheduling to keep homebuyers informed and positively engaged.  Secondly, Shea Homes tracks and monitors home owner activities and warranty performance with activity timeline reports giving them a clear picture as to how the home owner is learning and using the system while helping Shea Homes meet their legal obligations.  Finally, the implementation process is quick, easy and cost effective so they save time, money and resources.

Once BuildSERV is delivered to the home buyer by CD ROM, web or e-mail, Shea Homes receives campaign management results with reporting on recipients who’ve received, responded to and are using their information and services.  “In essence, instead of delivering the Home Owner’s Manual as a paper 3-ring binder that gets shelved, BuildSERV delivers twelve copies of their Manual electronically during their first two years in their home using BuildSERV’s milestone messaging and web-based Home Ownership Guide”, Chip Pennington, Corporate Director of Customer Service, Shea Homes.

“The next generation of home buyers are expecting more information online, and BuildSERV delivers the effective communication tools they’re looking for with a comprehensive, web-based Home Owner Manual, providing quick and easy access to regular updates about their home and enhanced information services to create better home buying experiences,”

- Robb Pigg
Corporate VP Operations
Shea Homes

Constellation HomeBuilder Systems is the largest home building software supplier helping builders manage their information technology costs with cutting-edge, integrated software solutions to run their businesses more effectively.   Constellation continues to invest in new products and services, while providing regular updates  to keep builders current with today’s technology trends. 

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

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, vendor portal solutions, and web site solutions designed exclusively for the home building industry.

Media Inquiries
Cathy Kotsopoulos
(888) 723-2222

Just a reminder that we will be at PCBC (Booth 1316 South Hall) next week with several new products and enhancements for home builders. We have had a great year developing award winning software products and helping builders do more with less.

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.

Now that the housing boom is behind us and the entire industry is dealing with a new reality, managing warranty and service costs is very important. In this session, we’ll show you how many builders have reduced their warranty and service costs, and improved customer satisfaction and referrals with small investments in online homeowner manuals, maintenance guides, newsletters and service request portals.

Slides

Audio

Video

The most recent edition of Green Builder Magazine has an interesting article about Constellation BuildSERV and its ability to help builders better manage home owner warranty and service.  With electronic media, e-mail communication, and internet websites, builders can provide better information related to warranty guidelines and home maintenance.  BuildSERV helps builders communicate with new home buyers as generation X, Y and millennials would expect.

“Homeowners using a web-based portal to access information reduces the need for a paper manual and the related environmental costs,” says Brad Brickman. “The exciting story is our ability to use the web and e-mail to build an ongoing relationship with the homeowner – to update and deliver maintenance and product information on the specific products in their home.”

The full article can be found on page 42 of the December 2008 issue.

It can be downloaded from the following location.

http://www.greenbuildermag.com/files/current_issue/gbm_122008.pdf

As you prepare and finalize your budgets for 2009, we wanted you to be aware of the following solutions that we have enhanced or released in the previous year.

We are also announcing an exciting 30-minute webinar series that can help you with the following:

• Reduce production costs
• Improve management insight
• Build stronger customer relationships
• Work more efficiently with suppliers and trades
• Maximize upgrades on each sale

Sales and Home Buyer Solutions

Constellation BuildSERV’s hosted document library and online collaboration systems help builders manage home ownership documents and related warranty information. Our comprehensive services ease the task of organizing and compiling home ownership guides, and provide a method for delivering and tracking important buyer communications.


– Tues. Nov. 11 @ 2PM EST

Constellation HomePlate – Home Buyer Portal

Constellation HomePlate offers home builders a secure, web-based portal for their homebuyers and homeowners from contract to post-warranty. It’s designed to deliver instant information to your customers anytime, anywhere.


– Mon. Nov. 24 @ 2PM EST

Constellation Online Virtual Showroom

Constellation Online Virtual Showroom is a web-based lead generation tool that creates qualified prospects through unique visualization technology. Visitors to your website can mix and match exterior and interior colors and materials and see their choices instantly rendered on photographs of your model homes.


– Tues. Nov. 25 @ 2PM EST

Constellation CRM

Constellation CRM is a comprehensive suite of customer relationship management solutions for all sizes of home builders. Designed to help improve customer communication, options selection, and upgrade sales, now is the perfect time to take a look at Constellation CRM.


– Tues. Nov. 18 @ 2PM EST

FAST E-Leads and FAST Sales

FAST SALES and FAST E-Leads arms your sales team with the advantage they need to close the sale. FASTSales helps you streamline your sales process by automating follow-up and leveraging process-based workflow. With every sale a precious commodity you need a sales system that provides flexibility while maintaining accountability, that is FASTSales.


– Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 2PM EST

Constellation CRM Design Center

Constellation CRM Design Center provides your design staff with the tools to quickly, accurately and profitably prepare complex measured goods configurations, such as flooring or custom countertops. If you are looking to maximize the profits from your dedicated Design Center, now is the time to consider Constellation CRM Design Center.


– Wed. Nov. 12 @ 2PM EST

Construction Management and Communication Solutions

Constellation FOCUS is an integrated, web-based Business Intelligence (BI) solution designed to improve business performance through monitoring and proactive exception-based reporting. FOCUS can easily distribute pre-configured reports and notifications to suppliers, managers, employees and other business partners.


– Wed. Nov. 19 @ 2PM EST

FAST Insight

FAST Insight helps you to make the critical business decisions necessary in today’s economy on a daily basis, FASTInsight provides dashboard level views and detailed decision support in real-time so you can make those decisions with confidence. Know in an instant your financial and operational health with FASTInsight.


– Fri. Nov. 21 @ 12PM EST

Builder 360 – JobView 360

JobView 360 is a secure web-based project management solution designed exclusively for home builders to powerfully advance the flow of communication and develop reliable, partnerships between trade partners, subcontractors, and homebuilder employees.


– Mon. Nov. 17 @ 2PM EST

Constellation LandDev

Constellation LandDev supports detailed and summary level budgeting, estimating, bidding, contracting, and payment processing with user configured authorization processes. Find mistakes on paper before they happen in the field and become too expensive or too late to fix. LandDev allows users to eliminate the paper chase with workflow technology that sends e-mail messages to targeted individuals for budget approval, change order approval, payment approval and notification, as required, leading to an unprecedented control of cost and schedules.


– Mon. Nov. 10 @ 2PM EST

OnLocation-Schedule

OnLocation-Schedule is an award-winning, fully-integrated, wireless software application designed to meet the needs of field staff, home builders and suppliers. This easy-to-use application offers effortless monitoring and tight control of construction schedules and payment processes, while improving the efficiency of supplier communications.


– Thurs. Nov. 13 @ 2PM EST

PocketFAST

PocketFAST works seamlessly with your FAST schedules to extend the benefits of an integrated management system to your production line. Field managers and vendors will be more efficient, more effective, and more accurate with PocketFAST, providing essential, time sensitive information throughout your organization, as it happens. That’s what you should expect with an enterprise system, and PocketFAST delivers.


– Thurs. Nov. 13 @ 2PM EST

Constellation BuildPro

Constellation BuildPro is the leading, integrated, scheduling and vendor collaboration system utilized by home builders to effectively manage tight construction schedules and improve homebuilding efficiency. Over 10,000 builders and suppliers are using BuildPro and SupplyPro to help build thousands of homes more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and build stronger trade relationships. As an internet solution, the system is always available in the office, at home, or in the field.


– Fri. Nov. 21 @ 2PM EST

New Product Preview

OnLocation-ConstructionManager allows you to schedule jobs, control payments, control production quality, and communicate with trades. With real-time exception control and quality monitoring, you can identify quality issues before it’s too late or too expensive. Your superintendents and quality control staff can quickly run though a checklist and identify problems. Not only are the problems identified and stored in NEWSTAR Enterprise, but you can take photos with your mobile device for management oversight and supplier communications. These photos serve as a record of deficiencies for suppliers and trades and ensure that everyone has the ability to see problems when they occur.


– Thurs. Nov. 20 @ 2PM EST

OnLocation-DesignCenter

OnLocation-DesignCenter is an integrated software application that helps design center staff easily manage options, upgrades, and color selections and maximize home builder design center profitability. Using a barcode scanner, options, upgrades, and colors are easily captured and recorded in NEWSTAR Sales. From there, design center staff quickly generates the contract addendum and present it to the customer for approval. Design center staff no longer need to waste time keying product codes into the system while the customer waits.


– Fri. Nov. 14 @ 2PM EST

Additional Information

If you have any additional questions, please contact Cathy Kotsopoulos at (888) 723-2222 or via e-mail at ckotsopoulos@constellationhb.com.

On Tuesday, October 7, 2008, Constellation CRM is pleased to invite you and your staff to our one-day Regional User Conference at the Hilton Suites in Anaheim, CA.

The agenda is the following:

Click here to register or obtain additional information.

Constellation BuildSERV’s hosted document library and online collaboration systems help builders manage home ownership documents and related warranty information. Our comprehensive services ease the task of organizing and compiling home ownership and warranty guides, and provide a method for delivering and tracking important buyer communications.