Burke Tells SmartBidNet Users: “Just think of us as the FTD of the Reprographics Industry”
(Issued Summer 2016) — Brian Burke, visionary founder of Plans4Less.com, who calls his business model “the FTD of the reprographics industry,” was the featured guest on the popular, highly-acclaimed #ConTechTrio PodCast (‘Talking Construction Tech’ – Follow link: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=plans4less) during the 2016 SmartBidNet Users Conference held this summer in Austin, Texas. The topic was ‘The Changing Repro Industry.’(Shown are Brian Burke at left and Rob McKinney of JBKnowledge.)
Burke has caught the industry’s attention since launching Plans4Less.com several years ago, an innovative fixed-rate pricing model being used by construction industry-related firms of all sizes and types across the U.S. His concept was adopted by an industry leader in online construction bid software, SmartBidNet, a product of JBKnowledge, which has integrated Plans4Less.com into their software for general contractors and subcontractors.
The integration and collaboration made possible through the combination of SmartBidNet’s software and the Plans4Less reprographics capabilities puts contractors and subs, literally, on the same page. Using Plans4Less.com, project managers can turn digital documents into large format prints, delivered almost anywhere within 24 hours – sometimes even on the same day thanks to Burke’s national partner network.
During the SmartBidNet Conference podcast, Burke described advantages of using Plans4Less.com and notably, the value of consistency in using the same company for all job sites. “A company with a jobsite in Texas and one in New York can be using the same printer, and relax knowing their plans will be delivered next day at a consistent price, wherever they’re needed,” said Burke. “The flat rate pricing allows companies to know what they’ll be spending on each job before placing the order. It takes location-based variables out of the equation.”
Hosting the interview with Burke were the ConTechTrio: SmartBidNet maker JBKnowledge’s CEO James Benham; Rob McKinney of ConAppGuru, a source for apps to manage and track tools for construction; and Building Information Modeling (BIM) Consultant Josh Bone. Burke is a pioneer in the reprographics industry having helped it evolve from pre-computer technology. He told Conference attendees, “As the technology improved, I saw a way to make the price point more accessible and reasonable for subcontractors.
When customers sought large scale drawings, they often had to play a cost guessing game using an arbitrary sliding scale, with the price based on the number of square feet per order. We simplified the equation: One dollar for one full size plan, regardless of square footage, and 50 cents per half size plan.”
Attendees at the SmartBidNet Users Conference had the opportunity to interact and learn directly from the SmartBidNet Product and Support Teams who led sessions on managing prequalification, invitations to bid, subcontractors, bid tabulations, compliance and more. Attendees networked with SmartBidNet users from around the world, and shared best practices using the system. Participants also tried new construction technology, such as Virtual Reality visualization tools for BIM modeling, and more.
During ConTechTrio podcasts, the hosts and special guests discuss all things construction tech including hardware, software, devices, apps, and strategies for applying them on construction projects. For updates and to join the conversation, follow #ConTechTrio.
Files can be easily uploaded to www.Plans4Less.com. For more info and/or interviews, contact brian@Plans4Less.com / (203) 592-5714.
By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570
ATTN, Editor: For an interview and/or more info, please contact Brian Burke: brian@Plans4Less.com / (203) 592-5714.