HeadsUp Technologies sells iCPM, its Web-based project management software, to both residential and commercial contractors with up to 1,000 employees, though the majority of its clients have several hundred users. Currently, HeadsUp software is used to manage about 9,000 projects a week.

HeadsUp iCPM has built its software using Microsoft's .NET Framework, Silverlight 2.0 and Microsoft Web Services. Since the software is based on existing Microsoft technologies, it can be implemented within a week and requires little end-user training, according to HeadsUp. 

On the menu

Heads-Up developed iCPM, or integrated Construction Project Management, and iCPM Talk, which connects accounting and project management software at specific points such as budget, purchase orders, subcontractors and earned value. The software is designed to help small and medium-sized commercial and residential contractors store key data on a single database, eliminate deadline surprises and improve communication.  As a result, one client, Stanbrooke Custom Homes, was able to cut one full-time clerical employee from its staff, while another, NDS Construction, claimed project managers now can oversee 20% more jobs, according to information on HeadsUp's site.

To help contractors stay on top of projects, each morning the software delivers prioritized alerts on late tasks, documents and punch-list items. The Subs in the Know feature gives each subcontractor relevant alerts at the start of each day's business, informing them of schedule changes, new priorities or other information they need, while Owners in the Know keeps the corner office up to date. In addition, HeadsUp iCPM includes a centralized database accessible by all authorized users. Finally, Schedule Live updates and coordinates new information throughout the day, alerting users on PCs and PDAs about changes.

The Fast Trak Bids feature, meanwhile, lets contractors email bids, incorporate drawings and specs into online room plans and get subcontractors' bids online. The project manager can then transfer data to Microsoft Excel for further work. For additional analysis, HeadsUp iCPM includes a cost-accounting tool that lets project managers analyze the impact of buyouts and change orders, schedule costs against actual and monitor ongoing general conditions.
 
Quantifiable savings

Because HeadsUp is a small company, many users like the one-on-one support and personalized customer service. In fact, HeadsUp often makes quick fixes or tweaks to iCPM at the request of just one client, customer feedback showed.

Contractors profiled on the vendor's website saved an average of about $100,000 per home, and completed construction 45 days faster, than when they had taken a manual approach to project management. By cutting one and a half months off the building time, contractors using HeadsUp iCPM saw average savings between $50,000 and $75,000 on clerical tasks; $10,000 to $15,000 in interest they would have need to pay out to complete construction and $10,000 to $15,000 in labor costs, according to the Stanbrooke Custom Homes testimonial.

HeadsUp Technologies company information

• Phone toll-free: 877-369-9233
• Phone toll: 913-469-9233
• Address: 10500 Barkley, Suite 225, Overland Park, KS 66212
• Products: integrated Construction Project Management (iCPM) and  iCPM Talk
• Company size: More than $3 million
• Number of employees: Fewer than 10, according to the HeadsUp LinkedIn profile
• Founded: 2003

iCPM product information

• Type of application: Web-based
• Windows requirements: Windows XP; Microsoft .NET Framework; Microsoft Web Services
• Browser requirements: Internet Explorer 6.0
• Memory requirements: None
• System requirements: None
• Integration: Job-cost accounting programs such as Sage Timberline Office, Sage Master Builder and Contractor Anywhere
• Mobile device support: Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
• Customer size: Annual revenue under $300 million, according to Software Advice’s HeadsUp profile
• Customer type: Small to midsize residential and commercial construction customers
• Minimum number of users: 2
• Maximum number of users: No limit
• Suggested retail price: Contact HeadsUp
• Free software trial: Yes, contact HeadsUp

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