Ray Smith is managing director of AppliCad USA Inc and has 35 years experience with CAD/CAM and business systems. He has run his software development business targeting the roofing sector for 17 years and exports software from the company’s headquarters in Australia to 27 countries. For more information, visit www.applicad.com.au.
In recent times we have seen huge improvements in the software that assists contractors with determining roofing material quantities. New products are easier to use and more affordable. Computer performance has improved and hardware costs have been reduced. As a result, a complete roofing take-off system, which can significantly increase productivity, is available at a cost that is insignificant when compared to the salary of a surveyor or estimator. A company that wants to compete successfully in today’s market simply cannot afford to be without a state-of-the-art job quoting program.