Software for builders

Software for contractors, builders, remodelers and others. They are a must for a successful business.  I have combed over literally 100's of applications and thrown out most of them over time.  Here are the one's I recommend.

Here you'll find software that will greatly help your business, whether you are a building contractor and/or a business person.

Most applications today are becoming web-based, in other words, you can access them from anywhere there is an internet connection.  They cost less, the start-up costs have little risk, you can use them anywhere, and the best part is that they are easier to use.  I particularly like being able to communicate with my company personnel and access my documents from anywhere, so I can be away from the office when I want. 

Collaboration and Google

Collaboration is a growing feature today, and the programmers are listening. You can share information so easily with your colleagues and friends with most web applications. Many companies are keeping a tight budget and using free office applications such as Google Docs. I have shifted a lot to Google docs and their email, called Gmail. I get my email anywhere, and I don't have to worry whether an email application I use is available on that computer. Google is very generous in the amount of storage they allow you, so you can archive everything you want and find it (as well as a reference to any text within the email) in a Google second.

Check out 37Signals applications on the Office/Business page. This company has its finger on the pulse of the user. They make simple yet very effective applications that you can share with your whole company. Many large companies are using them, and may I add, very cost efficiently. Bill Taylor of Harvard Business publishing wrote an insightful article about the business philosophy of 37Signals.

Screen captures

Another must-have is Snag-It. It is so useful it should be outlawed. Every desk should have this one. TechSmith is one great company and I can't thank them enough for this and also their other applications. With Snag-It you can literally capture any screen or even moving screens, along with all the live links. Now you can send it to others, fully annotate it, make it part of a collage, etc. Take my word on this one. Try it.

Take a look at some useful business software and web site creation software