What is it?

SuperPlan is the creative solution to a paperless scheduling system. It enables your construction superintendents to update their construction schedules right from the construction site via a handheld computer. It also eliminates the need for manual updating into Primavera at the home office. This one-of-a-kind software developed by TPG was designed with centralized scheduling concepts. It is easy to use for those less computer literate and saves valuable time and money – not to mention saves trees by eliminating the need to waste countless paper!

What are the benefits of implementing SuperPlan?

By implementing SuperPlan handheld scheduling system, you achieve many benefits some of which are mentioned here:

· Data entry at the source

· Access to information at fingertips

· No cumbersome manual updating in the office

· Less paperwork to carry in the field

· Capable of carrying valuable information such as electronic checklists (BuildPerfect) without adding more burdensome paperwork

Resulting efficiencies translate into lower product delivery time, increased inventory turnover, better quality product and bottom-line profit growth.

How does it work?

· Superintendent walks into his or her field office with a handheld computer.

· Superintendent checks email, logs into Super Plan and downloads schedules into the handheld computer

· Superintendent now gets into action, walks all the jobsites with the handheld and updates schedules right from the construction site

· At the end of the day the Superintendent logs back into SuperPlan and sends the updates to the home office

· At the home office, the Process Manager receives the schedules through SuperLink (SuperPlan’s counterpart)

· The Process Manager reviews the schedules and approves/disapproves before synchronizing the data with Primavera Project Planner

· Process Manager processes fresh schedules for the next day and emails them to the superintendents and the cycle continues

How do we set you up?

TPG goes through a rigid and a thorough process of setting up SuperPlan at your site. It is outlined below:

· Discuss setup for specific company

TPG representatives will first talk with you regarding the setup for your specific company. For instance, we will need to know how many handheld computers you will need, whether you have field offices with computers, how many software licenses to order, etc. Arrangements will be made to order the handheld computers.

· Install Project Perfect/SuperLink

TPG will then install Project Perfect/SuperLink module on your main office computer and perform a routine test. Typically this is the Data Manager’s computer or the computer that sends and receives the schedules from the field.

· Install SuperPlan in the field desktop computers and handheld computers

Install SuperPlan software on each field computer and handheld computer and conduct routine test.

· Provide system training to all users

TPG will then educate your staff to operate the system on a day-to-day basis.

Who really needs this? Do I really need it? What are the bottom line benefits for me?

A company that can satisfy any of the following can use this system and reap huge benefits:

· Volume production or custom builder with an annual volume of 50-1000+ homes

· A midsize builder with 30 employees or more with 5 or more as production staff (superintendents)

· A company that wants to aggressively expand and build more units a year, but doesn’t know how to go about it

Please note that in order to purchase this product, you also need to set up TPG’s centralized scheduling system.

There are several builders who are not sure about moving to a system like this. Some of the questions raised by people we have met are mentioned below along with our answers. We hope this will help you make your decision to move forward with streamlining your processes.

“My Superintendents are not very computer literate. Moreover, they are clumsy with technical equipment and are going to drop these handheld computers in mud!”

The Super Plan software was developed with the Superintendents in mind. It is simple enough for even those with minimal computer experience. It only takes a 30-minute session to show someone how to use this software. Handheld computers can be bought with extended warranty and service package, which will insure them against any damage they may incur in the field due to any reason. There is nothing to worry about.

“This is all well and good. But, your system does not provide wireless data entry!”

In a construction environment, although it is valuable to have real time information, schedule data collected first needs to be processed before fresh information can be disseminated. For example, if a foundation contractor finished his job and the framing contractor needs to be at the jobsite, the computer needs to collect the information and process the schedules before it can schedule the framing contractor for the next day. Such computing power is not available in handheld computers today. Hence the handheld computers need to send the information to the main database for it to be processed and transmitted. Although transmission of information can be real time, processing of schedules cannot be real time with the current technology available in the market. Wireless technologies are also new and fairly expensive. Even wireless connectivity is unreliable. You do not want to have a frustrated superintendent trying to figure out connectivity issues rather than ensuring quality of construction.

“I already am using TPG’s centralized scheduling process. If I switch to this, it means that I don’t have any more work for my data manager! I don’t like that.”

Transitioning to this system means that your data manager’s time gets freed up by about 2 hours if you are a mid-size builder with 50 homes work in process. This valuable time can be used now to analyze data and improving the process rather than data entry. Therefore, it does not completely eliminate their duties, but frees up their time for a better function. Your data manager will be very happy to move to this process since it reduces their boring data entry task. The Data Manager can now look forward to assisting the Process Manager with other important tasks to improve your company’s efficiency.

How can we get it?

Please contact Totally Productive Group, Inc. through their website http://www.totallyproductivegroup.com/ or by email at info@totallyproductivegroup.com or by telephone at . TPG representatives will collect specific information and can provide you a quote or a demo. You will be on your way to using the latest in scheduling technology!