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Technology Update — Connecting
Members Through Technology
With so much new technology, it is often
challenging to keep up with the latest advances. AGC works
hard to inform members about technology that can improve their
businesses. AGC not only appreciates the role that technology
plays in a successful business but also embraces it and rewards
members for integrating it into their daily business practices.
AGC Provides Contractor-to-Contractor
Learning
The Electronic Information Systems Jobsite Mobile Computing
Showcase and the Best Information Technology Solutions Contest,
held at the AGC Annual Convention on a rotating annual basis,
are ways that AGC helps members maintain their competitive
edge by promoting contractor-to-contractor exchange of information,
ideas and real-world experience with information technology.
The EIS Jobsite Mobile Computing Showcase allows members
to learn about mobile computing from fellow contractors already
using the technology. The BITS Contest allows members to compete
for the "Best Integration of the newest technology-driven
business applications" honor and, in turn, gain new ideas.
AGC's Award-Winning Web Site Proves
Valuable
With more than 5 million hits a month, AGC's Web site-www.agc.org-is
an invaluable resource to more than just members. The site
contains everything from the latest association information
and tools that help you do your job better, to division and
committee updates, an online recruiting center, meeting and
event information, and access to 14 other online newsletters.
The Web site also works as an important grassroots tool.
The Legislative Action Center, www.agc.org/LAC, is an all-inclusive
resource for registering to vote; finding polling locations;
contacting local, state and federal elected officials; and
tracking key legislation and votes.
In the 2004 elections, 6,500 AGC members downloaded voter
registration forms, and thousands more found their polling
locations and hours. In addition, since the creation of the
LAC in 2003, AGC members have sent more than 11,000 personal
letters, e-mails and faxes to their elected officials on issues
of importance to the industry.
AGC's e-STORE-The Best Products at the
Best Prices
Visitors can browse and order more than 400 AGC construction
products, from safety books and videos, contract documents,
construction textbooks, Supervisory Training Program manuals
and more. Members can also take advantage of members-only
discounts and online-only sales. The e-STORE also provides
direct links to AGC events, enabling the user to register
for meetings and purchase products at the same time.
DocuBuilder™ 5.0 Provides Convenient
User Options
DocuBuilder™ is an electronic series of documents that
can be purchased and customized to meet specific project needs.
Web-enabled DocuBuilder™ 5.0 will allow users to download
documents from the Web on a pay-as-you-go basis. It will also
contain the AGC Contract Documents Handbook, a resource that
provides a clause-by-clause analysis of the contracts. DocuBuilder™
5.0, set to be released soon, will be the only contract document
software application that integrates form documents with on-point
commentary.
Development of AGCxml Unique to
the Industry
AGC continues work on AGCxml, an industry specification that
will increase efficiency and collaboration between construction
software applications. This robust solution will support the
differing office applications from various segments of the
construction industry. AGCxml will save users money on each
document used and countless hours on data entry.
AGCxml is one of the few programming languages that addresses
the interoperability issue in the construction industry and
enables software products and tools to exchange information
in a way that is recognizable between authors. Currently,
there is no interoperability available between software applications
for construction management documents.
From answering questions about setting up a Web site, to
providing the latest in electronic contract documents, AGC
is ready to assist members with all of their technology questions
and concerns. Please visit www.agc.org to find out more about
AGC's technology services and products.
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