02/2010 — Pharaoh’s Hybrid system approach…
The Benefits of a Hybrid System
We are all familiar with how Hybrid cars have been popular lately and how they take advantage of 2 different technologies; 1) traditional gasoline power for maximum speed and power and, 2) electric power to reduce gasoline consumption and help the environment. These cars blend the 2 technologies automatically so that the car owner gets the best of both worlds.
In a similar manner, Pharaoh’s Integrated Builder Series (IBSWIN) software provides a Hybrid of two popular software technologies; 1) traditional client / server platform for maximum performance, security, and control and, 2) Web based “Hosted” applications that provide Internet access to users anywhere. There is a lot of “buzz” today about “Cloud Computing” which is really the same as Web based “Hosted” systems. Although there are some positive advantages that this platform provides, there are some significant disadvantages with this platform as well.
Pharaoh’s IBSWIN system along with WebView provides the best of both worlds that current computer technology provides. The advantages /disadvantages of each technology platform are reviewed below.
Client / Server (IBSWIN):
Advantages
1) Provides faster and more consistent performance by eliminating Internet bottlenecks.
2) Typically more mature and feature rich applications that have been around longer.
3) Database ownership – since your database is located on your own server, transition to a different system is easier.
4) Lower cost of development and customization due to more mature development tools.
5) Typically lower cost of ownership of the long term.
Disadvantages
1) Remote access requires more hardware and system software investment.
2) Requires some IT responsibility for system maintenance, backups, etc.
Web based “Hosted” System (Webview):
Advantages
1) Access to application anywhere the Internet is available.
2) Eliminates the need for IT staffing by providing system maintenance and backups.
3) Easier more direct access to the application with less security “hoops” to go through.
Disadvantages
1) More potential downtime and performance issues due to the Internet connectivity problems.
2) All company critical database information is stored on a remote server, which can potentially make it more difficult and costly to transition to another system.
3) Potentially more database security issues due to the fact that application is accessible by anyone who can access the Internet.
Although as with Hybrid cars, the advantages of this approach may not last forever if battery technology can greatly be improved. For the foreseeable future, Pharaoh’s Hybrid IBSWIN / WebView solution does provide the best and most cost effective use of the software technologies now available.
Contact us at sales@ibswin.com for further information….
12/2009 — Pharaoh Holiday Schedule
Pharaoh’s offices will be officially closed from December 24th at noon through January 1st. However, we will be responding to all Emails sent to either mailto:info@ibswin.com or support@ibswin.com. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. We look forward to working with you in 2010.
Please review the Pharaoh Phacts for the 1st quarter of 2010 by selecting the link below:
Pharaoh Phacts Newsletter 1st Quarter 2010
11/2009 — MasterView for Custom Builders
Check out the new MasterView for Custom Builders page in the Website under the main Software section. MasterView has continued to evolve to meet the specific requirements for custom homebuilders. It provides a very cost effective solution for small to medium sized custom builders. It provides an excellent client / server foundation with a Web based interface for homebuyers, subcontractors, and project managers.
Version 12.05 Features
Initial Release – Key Features:
1. Subcontractor / Trade assignment – We now allow one sub to be assigned up to 10 trades. It eliminates the need to copy multiple occurrences of the same subcontractor if they are involved in multiple trades. This will greatly simplify the setup and maintenance of subcontractors in IBSWIN. All the purchasing oriented modules are affected.
2. Revised LOGO attachment – With this update, the process of capturing a Company Logo and/or Signature graphics has changed. The IBSWIN application has been at the mercy of external programs, residing on your PC, for the capture and display of these items. IBSWIN needed a more encapsulated way of dealing with this. As a result, you will need to recapture your logo and any signatures you may have been using. You will be given the opportunity to do this during the update or you can wait and do it later in IBSWIN Setup/Company Config. (yes, it will work this time – we promise).
3. Buyer Name Expansion all modules – We are now allowing you to break the Buyer names into a first and last name. The full name will automatically be created for you. Also, you can add a second buyer (first and last name) in this screen. You have the ability to search by the second buyer’s last name as well as the first buyer’s last name. The Sales Manager Plus, Options Plus, Designer Plus and Customer Service modules all now include the following buyer name fields:
Buyer 1 – First (new field)
Buyer1 – Last (existing last name)
Buyer1 – Full (existing full name)
Buyer2 – First (new field)
Buyer2 – Last (new field)
Buyer2 – Full (new field)
New token fields for the new fields have been added for WORD merge processing.
2nd Quarter 2008****
1. Managment Dashboard - It gives the management team a quick snapshot of key sales, options, and customer service information. In addition, in provides a “drill down” feature to see the actual sales, options and customer service detail for each selected project.
3rd Quarter 2008****
1. Scheduler Plus — new “Schedule Calendar” report.
2. Options Plus – Estimating Detail level for material and labor costs for both base house and options.
4th Quarter 2008****
1) Option Price Adjustment Utility — For all of our clients using the Options Plus system, we have added a utility that will allow you to increase or decrease your options pricing by a percentage “markup”. This would be used in lieu of the current option “margin” price calculation.
2) MasterBuilder Interface Improvements — We have greatly improved and expanded the MB export functionality to now include Budgets (Offsite and Onsite), Contracts (Offsite and Onsite), all Purchase Orders, Job Setup and Vendor setup.
3) Budget Export Date Clear Function —provides a simple way to clear the date from all budget records for a phase to re-export the entire budget to your accounting system (Timberline or MasterBuilder).
4) Alternate Option Ordering System —We now have an alternate option ordering system that allows you to track and print order revisions. Additionally, we have added the ability to change all option form titles.
5) Structural Option / Scheduling Variances — This provides a way of having the system automatically adjust the construction schedule for a specific home based on any structural options ordered. Schedule variances can be entered in the options setup screen for each trade. When the option is selected, the variance days will automatically adjust the schedule for that home.
6) Onsite Goal Bid / Budget Detail Report —This is a new expanded report that provides detail of all the active bids compared to the budget for every cost code on one detailed report.
7) Update Option Costs “Print” — We have created a new report that can be used as an options bid report to give to your subcontractors. It has an Excel output option.
1st Quarter 2009***
1) Broker Table — added new fields to add rating codes and Notes for each Broker. Managing and communicating with the Brokers in your Area is even more critical in this down market.
2) Signature Blocks — added the ability to create “custom” signature blocks on all the Purchase Order, Contract Addendum, and Start Order documents.
3) Lot Move Utility — provided new function in “Company Config” — “Security” tab that allows you to move lots from one phase to another. There are some restrictions, but it can be a real time saver.
4) Actsoft Interface — created scheduling interface to new software product called “Actsoft” that provides alternative field updating of the construction schedule via Blackberry device.
5) House Flow Report — Created two new report sort filters that allow you to sort the homebuyers by their “sale date” or “close date” as well as the existing sorts.
6) Windows Markup by product type — modified system to allow the markup % to update all of a specific product type if markup is changed.
7) Option Copy Functions — improved the option system copy functions to allow the selection of multiple specified phases in one copy pass.
Option Purchase Order Print Improvements — we have provided you with the ability to change the subcontractor more easily before printing the option POs. The sub must first be assigned to that phase. If you have multiple subs available for a specific trade, it will pick the first one as the default but allow you to select an alternative.
2nd Quarter 2009****
1) Options Plus — Programmed function to “turn off” sq ft on the printing of the Option Book report.
2) Options Plus —Programmed function to suppress printing $$$ amounts on the Lender Recap report.
3) Customer Service Plus — Added the plan type to the Subcontractor Work Order Summary report.
4) General Setup — Created new flag that allows you to turn off the “auto-fill” of the sequence sheet information setup.
5) Designer Plus (Flooring) — Report enhancement to the Flooring Supplier Pricing report to provide descending sort by price by product type.
3rd Quarter 2009****
1) Designer Plus (Flooring) — Programmed a function to allow discount or premium by phase that is calculated at order time.
2) Designer Plus (Flooring) — Programmed function to provide special markup % on materials only in the Supplier Pricing setup screen.
3) Sales Reports — improvements to the “Concessions History” report.
4) Sales Reports — Added average weekly traffic calculation to the “Weekly Traffic Detail” report.
5) Customer Service Plus —new “Warranty Quarterly Status” report.
6) Purchasing Power — created new “Onsite Building Cost Comparison by Phase” report for multi-family projects.
7) Options Plus —added new option “Copy” function that allows you to copy options from one plan to another designated plan (all costs and prices).
Sales Manager Plus — modified the Buyer Listing (Email version) to include the Close of Escrow date in the Excel download output.
12/2009 — 4th Quarter Phacts and Construction QC
As we finally get through the long hot summer, it’s time to get back to work. Even though there are many mixed signs on the economy, it feels like we have no way to go but up…. Attached is the pharaoh-phacts-newsletter-4th-quarter-2009. Please Email us any comments and questions to info@ibswin.com.
Construction QC is our new simple add-on database for our Customer Service Plus users. It provides a simple way of tracking construction quality control problems before homebuyer move in and isolating them before they become major issues. Conact us at info@ibswin.com for further information on this new feature… Thanks
06/2009 — Summer Suggestions…
As we move into the 3rd Quarter of 2009, we are starting to see slight signs of improvements in the housing market. We encourage all of our clients to sign up for the Web training classes and use this time to make sure your staff are up to speed on all the modules that you have and any new features that we have recently added to help you out.
Attached is the latest Pharaoh Phacts newsletter for you to review –pharaoh-phacts-newsletter-3rd-quarter-2009. Although we still see new home construction as our primary focus, we are also excited about the opportunity with our new FRC software (Foreclosure Rehab Center). It is worth taking a look at and might help you weather the storm for the next several years until new home construction gets back to more normal levels. Contact us at sales@ibswin.com to schedule a brief Web meeting to see more.
03/2009 — New Foreclosure Rehab Software
Pharaoh will be releasing a new system in April 2009 that will assist builders in working with Lenders and Brokers in renovating and selling foreclosed properties. It provides a custom Website, robust database for ongoing communication, and search engine optimization. Please review the frcsoftware flyer attached. Also, please read the Pharaoh Phacts for the 2nd quarter of 2009 to get an update on what is happening at Pharaoh pharaoh-phacts-newsletter-2nd-quarter-2009.
Contact sales@ibswin.com for further information.
02/2009 — Pharaoh is moving….
Pharaoh Information Services, Inc. will be moving effective February 20, 2009. Since this is a Friday, we will still be responding to service calls, although the response might be delayed somewhat. Our new address and phone numbers will be:
Address: 21572 Sitio Verano, Lake Forest CA 92630
New Main Phone: 866-813-0398 (New toll free number)
New Fax #: 949-748-5142
No changes in the Email address or Website address
Looking forward to continuing to work with your company during this challenging time.
12/2008 — Happy Holidays from Pharaoh…
Pharaoh will be operating on a “limited holiday schedule” for support calls from December 24th noon through January 5, 2009. We will make every effort to respond to all support calls within 1 hour of receiving them. Also, the Pharaoh Phacts 1st qtr 2009 is now available for you to review.
Have a wonderful Holiday Season and Happy New Year….
11/2008 — Webview Eblast Improvements now available…
Pharaoh’s Webview product continues to improve with the specific changes to the Eblast function. You now can attach other documents to these Eblasts, create simplified HTML documents, and modify the Eblast “from” line. The Eblast function is part of InterestView, Webview’s prospect capturing module. In addition, Eblasts can be sent to any IBSWIN prospects, homebuyers, and subcontractors that have a valid Email address.
Especially in this tough homebuilding market, Webview gives you the edge over the competition with better and faster communication with prospects, homeowners, and subcontractors.