As many landscape designers will tell you, there?EUR??,,????'???s more to achieving improved efficiency and profits than buying design software and expecting immediate results. Results can only be expected when you have the right plan in place and commit to following through with a successful implementation. ?EUR??,,????'??We have seen over the years that computer software has been sold to organizations as the end-all answer to their design productivity issues, explains John Biver, Eagle Point CEO/President. ?EUR??,,????'??Too often, however, there is not enough time spent discussing and planning a successful implementation. Without forethought into setting up and customizing a system, and gaining adequate education about using the system to meet your specific needs, software implementation is destined to fail.?EUR??,,????'?? For more than 37 years, Miller Landscape in Rochester Hills, Mich., has provided an array of landscape services. Like most landscape businesses located in the northern United States, Miller Landscape recognized that doing design work was one way of keeping the landscaping side of the business operational throughout the cold winter months. A new era in the business began when Bill Miller, co-founder of Miller Landscape, moved into the world of computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) by returning to school in the early 1970?EUR??,,????'???s. From that point in time, Miller Landscape became a full-service landscape business, evolving into a complete design-build company. Through assisting Bill with design work, Kathy Miller also became a proficient CAD designer. Since 1988, they have been using Eagle Point?EUR??,,????'???s LANDCADD?EUR??,,????< The CADD Advantage While the Miller?EUR??,,????'???s utilized technology to help expand an existing operation, Rick Laughlin, owner of Laughlin Design in Salt Lake City, Utah, determined early on it would play a significant role in his new venture. While Laughlin started his landscape design business in 1993 as a part-time hobby, during the four years it took him to take the full-time leap of faith, he saw a clear glimpse of the future. ?EUR??,,????'??During my early visits to contractors and nurseries that I was working with,?EUR??,,????'?? said Laughlin, ?EUR??,,????'??it was clear that using technology would be an asset to my business. Actually, I saw that it would provide me, a start-up company, with an advantage over my competitors.?EUR??,,????'?? According to Laughlin, one of the major benefits of using CADD technology, is the professional relationship he is able to establish with the variety of subcontractors who work on his projects. ?EUR??,,????'??As soon as the contractor sees my CAD drawing, they appear relieved,?EUR??,,????'?? said Laughlin. ?EUR??,,????'??They are able to clearly see what is planned and virtually all of the guesswork is eliminated. It lessens the chance for error and for changes to occur after the project has been started.?EUR??,,????'?? Laughlin says it also works the other way. Many area architects, contractors, and engineers contract him to work on their projects. He says that he has a huge advantage with using CAD because almost all of these professionals are willing to share and exchange their drawings with him. They often seek his advice on their work before the drawings are finalized. This often results in additional business. Large Scale Designs Terry McNeill, owner of Innovative Landscape in Lubbock, Texas, and Dave Christopherson, owner of Field and Flower Design, Inc. in Littleton, Colo., agree that changes to projects are perhaps the best single reason to utilize electronic drawings, especially on large designs. McNeill, a Landscape Architect, started work on a flat 10-acre parcel named Estancia Los Sue?????os (Estate of Dreams) in 1996. The property, which had less than a one-foot elevation difference over the entire 10 acres, has undergone significant changes. Two unique landscape features are immediately noticeable upon viewing the property ?EUR??,,????'??? a two-acre pond and a 185-yard par 3 hole that meets United States Golf Association (USGA) specifications. McNeill remembers that it took them two years to get to the point that they could finally plant grass in the backyard. And, even though the excavation was done about six years ago, the project, while fully functional, is not finished. McNeill isn?EUR??,,????'???t sure it will ever be finished. ?EUR??,,????'??It keeps evolving,?EUR??,,????'?? said McNeill. ?EUR??,,????'??Due to the size of the project as well as the time and cost to complete each component, we are always updating and improving the site. Even now we are adding walkways and edging where it makes sense. Trees and planting continues regularly.?EUR??,,????'?? Similarly, Christopherson has an $80,000 design project that is only about 15 percent completed. ?EUR??,,????'??Without the ability to make adjustments and changes to these projects electronically,?EUR??,,????'?? he explains, ?EUR??,,????'??these large designs ?EUR??,,????'??? and even the small ones ?EUR??,,????'??? just eat away at your profits.?EUR??,,????'?? Kathy Miller agrees. ?EUR??,,????'??We couldn?EUR??,,????'???t function without LANDCADD now. We have had customers who purchased a home for which we did the landscape design years ago. They wanted to add a pool and we were able to retrieve the original drawing, which was archived on our computer, make the adaptations, and present the client with the updated drawing ?EUR??,,????'??? complete with their name. Once they see their customized design, the job virtually sells itself.?EUR??,,????'??