Technology to Aid Your Landscape Business

LC/DBM HorsePower - December 2012
Landscape contractors face several challenges in organizing their businesses and making it profitable. From keeping track of their work force, to sending out bids and invoices, to designing landscapes for home owners, it's a lot to manage. The following technology companies help out landscape professionals. For your convenience the software packages have been arranged by price.

Neighborhood Innovations
Model No.: Performance Planning System version 1
Content: Includes PPS textbook, software and one year software support, plus link to free web tutorials.
Minimum System Requirements: PC running Windows 2000 or higher, 40 megabytes hard drive space for distribution; allow additional space for file storage. A minimum of 1 gb RAM recommended.
Special Features: Built-in materials with job costing that can be tied to 3D models; ability to instantly report exact impervious surface ratios; 3D virtualization as a by-product of your normal workflow; the ability to report instantly, clearly and effortlessly with charts.
Options: Precision system allows you to design while embracing nature. You can design without limiting to specific geometry intended for engineers and surveyors, not landscape architects.

Nemetschek Vectorworks
Model No.: Landmark 2013
Special Features: Its flexible tools, versatile capabilities, and intuitive interface provide you with a superior 2D and 3D design application.
Functions: A comprehensive array of multi-modal 2D precision drafting tools. A suite of powerful free-form 3D modeling commands and tools based on the Parasolid model kernel. Robust navigation and editing tools to easily and intuitively view and modify your designs in 2D or 3D. Intelligent building and site information modeling objects enable an easy transition into a SIM workflow.
Cost: $2,195

Real Green Systems
Model No.: Service Assistant
Special Features: Software concentrates on providing lawn care, pest control, tree care, landscaping and other service professionals with the most comprehensive list of tools and features available. To provide you with all the automated power you need to run a successful lawn care, pest control, or other service industry business and stay competitive in an ever-changing marketplace.
Function: Business management, easy to use and customizable, secure and scalable, top rated training and support.
Options: Complete system integration, marketing support database, on-site training, technical support, complete forms support.
Cost: $1,980

Landscape Management Network
Model No.: Grounds Maintenance Systems
Contents: Library includes systems to sell and manage your grounds maintenance work productively and profitably. From sales (sales board spreadsheet, sales procedures, and site assessment checklists) to estimation (tools and tips to measure and estimate sites from the comfort of your office), to execution (productivity-improving supervisor binders, route binders, timesheets, service order forms and more).
Special Features: Sales processes and site assessments help sell the job and price it right. Calculators help estimate time or to measure sites from the comfort of your desk/office. Learn how to measure sites with Google Earth. Get accurate and save time and effort.
Cost: $1,908/year

Visual Impact Imaging
Model No.: EARTHSCAPES landscape software for professionals
Contents: Includes PPS textbook, software and one year software support, plus link to free web tutorials.
Minimum System Requirements: For Windows XP SP2: 600 MHz or greater processor; 256kb RAM; 1024???768 resolution; 2.8GB available hard drive space; CD-Rom and DVD drive. For Windows Vista and Windows 7: 1.8 GHz or greater dual-core processor; 2.0 GB RAM (DDR2, DDR3, PCI-E); 1024???768 resolution; 2.8 GB available hard drive space; CD-Rom and DVD drive; 256MB integrated video card. For Windows 8: 1.8 GHz or greater dual-core processor; 2.0 GB RAM (DDR2, DDR3, PCI-E); 1024???768 resolution; 2.8 GB available hard drive space; CD-Rom and DVD drive; 256MB Integrated video card.
Special Features: Contractor-friendly design tool that is easy-to-use. Choose your page size and scale; accommodates any size project. Color package included with your purchase; no additional fees. Work with contractors and engineers; compatible with AutoCAD.
Warranty: 30-day full, no hassle refund; free design and technical assistance
Cost: $1,195

VisionScape Interactive
Model No.: Virtual Property Architect™
Special Features: Both consumers and professionals can easily create 3D designs and 2D plans, from a catalogue of real products, with lightning speed and an unmatched realism. These designs can be saved and shared online as complete Virtual Properties.
Options:Access to design templates; access to VisionScape design services; access to 3D product directory; branded professional profile; SketchUp importer; virtual property creation limit; VisionScape support.
Cost:$499/ year for professionals

GPS Insight
Model No.: Landscaping Fleet Tracking System
Special Features: It empowers landscaping companies with the ability to oversee their fleets productivity at all times.
Benefits: With the ability to observe driver behavior, managers are able to cut down fuel costs and establish more efficient driving habits. GPS Insight gives supervisors the capability to track start and stop times of employee shifts for the day, where they are, how many stops they made, and how many jobs were completed. Using Garmin integration (GPSI-3900 & GPSI-4000 Only)
 with our GPS Insight software, supervisors are able to promptly dispatch their drivers without any hassle.
Cost: $475/$400 for 50 units
Visit vendor profile here.

Horticopia
Model No.: Professional Version V users
Special Features: Requires about 1.5 gigabytes of hard drive space, exclusive of any picture library images. The amount of space required varies depending on what system components such as Microsoft Dot Net Framework, Microsoft SQL Server
Specifications: Plant reference where you can view, search and print 14,000 pictures for 4,150 plants, all with data.
System Requirements: Processor 2 GHz or more; Main memory (RAM) 1 GB or more; hard disk space 2 GB of hard disk space, plus 2 GB per library.
Cost: $395

Master Route
Model No.: SSG2584 Stump Grinder
Engine: Skid steer mounted e
Horsepower: 17-32 gpm
Dimensions: 60" overall length, 48" overall mounting width
Weight: 540 lbs.
Special Features: Stump Grinder turns large stumps into small chips. It features durable carbide teeth mounted to a 1/2" cutting wheel that spins up to 1,100 rpm. Fully controllable from inside the cab, this unit has a maximum cutting arc of 55 degrees and depth of 8" below ground.
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
Cost: $5,641
Visit vendor profile here.

Proposalware
Model No.: Proposalware
Special Features: Perfect for individual or small business: send unlimited proposals; full access to universal library; mobile, tablet and online access; easily manage customers; one user/fully functional.
Options: Offering high quality interactive proposals that showcase your products and services with images, documents and videos. It's the fastest and easiest way to send proposals, bids and estimates with any mobile tablet PC.
Cost: $34.95/year