The Appian Way, May 2006

Technology news for public works professionals

New version of Appia now available

Version includes construction management in a web environment

Public works agencies and consultant firms looking for a web solution for estimating, bid management and construction can find it in Appia. The newest version of the software, which debuted in March, includes construction management functionality via the web.

“Having the entire process – estimation, bid letting and construction – in a single, user-friendly web application is a convenience for the agencies we serve,” said Joe Phelan, vice president of marketing and sales for Info Tech.

Appia is a result of the decades of experience Info Tech has in building road construction management applications. Information from a highway construction project flows seamlessly through Appia as projects move through the contract life cycle. With just a web browser, it’s easy to see the status of all projects in Appia. The “active projects” web screen shows where all projects are within the project lifecycle so anyone in an organization can view project information without user training or installs.

Appia was developed to meet the specific needs of public works agencies. When a project is initiated, Appia first provides accurate, reliable cost estimation, with precision, dependability, flexibility and speed. It handles all bidding functions electronically to eliminate the tedious data entry and proofing associated with managing bid letting activities. It even includes a component for contractors to use to prepare their bids electronically. Appia awards the contract and executes it, performing the full construction management functionality, including inspector daily reporting, change order management, and pay estimate information.

“Appia brings the best technology to cities, counties, consulting firms, and contractors across the country, by providing an intuitive, accessible web solution,” Phelan said. “Organizations can implement one solution to organize all of their highway construction projects.”

Appia offers many benefits to users, including significant cost and time savings due to reduced hands-on time and elimination of re-keying data, more accurate record keeping, paperless data collection, production of instantaneous status reports and pay requests and more access to information on and off the construction site.

Advice from Heavy Highway

Dear Heavy Highway:

Our agency uses spreadsheet programs like Excel™ to keep track of construction projects. But, they can only get us so far. Are there software programs written just for public works agencies?

Signed,

Caught in a spreadsheet cell

Dear Caught:

While they are readily available, spreadsheet applications are not custom-designed for the unique needs of your agency.

There is an application specifically made to help public works agencies manage their construction programs: Appia. Appia is a web solution, so it is easy to implement and the interface is familiar and intuitive. Plus, accessing Appia over the web means that there are no complex client installs and no elaborate system requirements.

Stop wasting effort on generic software and start using an affordable system that is made for you. Check out Appia today.

-Heavy Highway

Get ready for National Public Works Week – May 21-27!

Is your agency ready for National Public Works Week? NPWW is a program of the American Public Works Association (APWA). According to APWA, it was instituted “as a public education campaign in 1960 to call attention to the importance of public works in community life. The week seeks to enhance the prestige of the often-unsung heroes of our society-the professionals who serve the public good every day with quiet dedication.”

What else can you do to make this week special? Here are some ideas:

Plan a special luncheon or breakfast for your staff
Everyone loves an afternoon “sugar rush” with cake and punch
Contribute to the future of public works by inviting school children in for a tour or offer to speak in a local classroom
Write each staff member a letter or an e-mail letting them know how important they are to the community

You can also visit APWA’s web site for more ideas and program info: http://www.apwa.net/About/NPWW/ .

Happy NPWW!

See Appia at:

Sharonville, OH	APWA Ohio Chapter Conference	May 18-19
Buffalo, NY	New York State Association of County Engineers	May 30 - June 2
Mesquite, TX	APWA Texas	June 7-10
Asheville, NC	APWA North Carolina	June 14-16
Palm Beach, FL	Florida Engineering Society	July 26-29
St. Simon's Island, GA	APWA Georgia	July 26-30
Prescott, AZ	APWA Arizona	July 30-Aug 2
St. Petersburg, FL	LTAP National Conference	July 30-Aug 2