Craftsman Book Company Site License Hands Contractors the Key to the Construction Estimating Software Vault
High-speed internet access affords construction pro’s a significant price break via new Craftsman Site License -- with the ability to download 100,000 construction estimates.
CARLSBAD, CA (PRWEB) May 20, 2005 -- Craftsman Book Company's new Craftsman
Site License offers construction professionals the most affordable and
convenient way to purchase construction estimating software and data. For $54.99
customers can download Craftsman's National Estimator program and eight of
Craftsman's most popular cost estimating databases.
The Craftsman Site
License is proving to be the company's most successful product launch since the
first California Home Estimator hit the shelves in 1951. Craftsman first offered
the Site License on it’s Web site http://craftsman-book.com in April of 2005, and it quickly
became a best seller. As Gary Moselle, Publisher of Craftsman puts it, "Any
business that grows without promotion is good business. Costbook downloads are
that kind of business – growing by word of mouth. We’re just offering what
customers want – unlimited access to cost estimating resources."
Several
significant milestones in information technology have affected the way Craftsman
does business. According to Moselle, "As the technology changed, Craftsman
changed. Back in 1989, contractors had computers and were looking for cost
estimating tools. Craftsman offered the first construction cost estimating book
on disk – not for thousands of dollars or even hundreds – but included in the
price of the printed book. We called these disks “costbooks” and they worked for
thousands of construction cost estimators. A few years later, when CD drives
became common, Craftsman offered the first construction estimating library on
disk – CD Estimator. A few years later, most constructions pro's had a Web
connection. So Craftsman offered costbook downloads with quarterly updates on
the Web – another first. Now, with broadband so common, the Craftsman Site
License makes sense. It’s a good choice for anyone with high-speed Web
access."
In 1995, Craftsman released CD Estimator, and was soon selling
20,000 units annually. The Craftsman Site License offers a still-better business
model. Moselle explains, "The Craftsman Site License offers the same product as
CD Estimator but for $20 less and with the immediate delivery of a download."
According to Moselle, "It’s the same thing that’s happening to movies. In 1970,
you’d go to a theater to see a movie. In 1985, you’d rent a movie on VHS or Beta
tape. In 2000, you’d buy a movie on DVD. Today, you download movies on the Web.
It’s quicker, more convenient, and nothing is wasted, discarded or
returned."
At $54.99, the Craftsman Site License includes the following
2005 databases: the National Construction Estimator, the National Electrical
Estimator, the National Home Improvement Estimator, the National Painting Cost
Estimator, the National Plumbing & HVAC Estimator, the National Renovation
& Insurance Repair Estimator, the National Repair & Remodeling
Estimator, and the CD Estimator Heavy, National Edition. In contrast, purchasing
the 4,200 pages of cost data in book and CD form would cost $447; and buying
separate downloads of the data would cost about $200.
Craftsman’s
software will run on any Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, or XP computer, and they
offer free unlimited technical support from 8 AM to 5 PM (Pacific) M-F.
Licensees can go to Craftsman’s website to view a 60-minute National Estimator
tutorial, download free monthly cost updates, and repeat any download as often
as needed. The Site License authorizes a customer personal use on two computers,
and Craftsman plans to offer licensees a back-up CD for $10.
Craftsman
Book Company publishes over 100 construction-related titles and has been in the
estimating business since 1951. Their customers include contractors, estimators,
remodelers, custom builders, architects, engineers, adjusters and appraisers.
Craftsman’s Web site, http://craftsman-book.com, offers 30-day trial downloads of
their estimating costbooks and software.
Contact:
Bill
Grote
Craftsman Book Company
http://craftsman-book.com
Voice (800) 829-8123 ext.
311
Email: e-mail protected from spam bots
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/5/prweb242102.htm