Project Executive System (PXS)

Prepared by:

Grantlun Corporation, Construction information solutions

Prepared for:

Public purchase

Application:

Financial analysis:
Environmental impact analysis:	---
Waste management/P2:
Environmental cost listing/database:	---
Cost estimation:	---
Alternative product/process comparison:	---

Project Execution System (PXS) for project management.

Elements of control:

Cost control
Resource control
Estimating control	---
Schedule control
Scope control	---
Risk control	---

Development date and updates:

Version 2.0 of PXS is due to be released in July, 1995. This system will be updated at least once a year.

Public availability:

Available

Purpose and current use:

Hard Dollar systems are designed only for the construction industry, for heavy/highway bidding and building. PXS can be used for a variety of industries and projects (that typically involve procedures similar to those in construction projects).

Cost information:

The price of PXS has not yet been fixed. It is anticipated to be about$8,000 to 9,000 (single user).

System requirements:

PXS requires an IBM compatible 486-25 MHz or faster PC, with 4 MB RAM, 80MB available hard disk space and a VGA monitor. It can be run as a stand-alone system or on a network.

Software summary

Size and complexity of projects:

The system is not modular in structure and therefore may not be suitable for small projects. PXS has functions to handle project complexities within certain limitations.

Other compatible systems offered:

Hard Dollar EOS

Nonquantifiable information:

Notes can be added alongside any job.

PXS is linked with Hard Dollar EOS, which manages the estimating and bidding side, while PXS handles the building (project management and control). PXS gives users many tools besides the scheduling and accounting systems. PXS is available in multiple modules that include the following:

• Analyze module: establishes the work that needs to be done. Preliminary WBS trees can be set up with data that are entered or imported.
  
• Plan module: establishes resource requirements and duration of work. Description of critical activities, work structure, and resources.
  
• Schedule module: manages the job schedule and registers progress. Automatic creation of a preliminary schedule. Schedules can be created at any level and current and archive schedules can be maintained for claim and change order support.
  
• Procure module: manages the procurement of services and resources. Vendor and subcontractor management, including user-defined procurement constraints and logs of payments and work progress.
  
• Dispatch module: manages the assignment of work plan activities to specified resources. Daily dispatch orders that can be sorted by resource or work activity.
  
• Administer module: manages the administration of changes, contract documents and cash flow. Includes an integrated word processor. Features for administering project budgets, cash flows, projections, and changes. Tools to determine change-order costs and impacts of schedule changes.
  
• Document module: manages the documentation of job activity. Includes maintenance and job correspondence, transmittals, minutes, phone logs, and a daily diary.
  
• Monitor module: monitors and analyses job progress. Tools for tracking and monitoring progress, including costs, payments, and procurements.
  

PXS can also prepare detailed budgets, resource utilization reports, and cash flow schedules with projected cost/revenue curves. Each work item can be broken down into five levels of detail with unlimited activities at each level. Users can maintain a database of current labor, equipment, and other resource rates.

Life-cycle stages covered

Raw material acquisition	---
Manufacturing stage
Use/reuse/maintenance	---
Recycle/waste management	---

The system is designed to typically consider only the manufacturing stage of the life cycle.

Type of costs considered

Conventional
Potentially hidden	---
Contingent	---
External	---

The system is designed to consider only conventional costs in various levels of detail. Information on other cost types could be entered into the system through activity information (unlimited activities per level).

Method of cost estimation

The system itself is not designed for estimating costs, but cost estimating data can be input from Hard Dollar EOS (described in the cost estimating tools section).

Generation of financial indicators

Net present value (NPV)	---
Payback period	---
Internal rate of return (IRR)	---
Benefits cost ratio	---
Other	---

Ability to include environmental costs

User friendliness and flexibility

EOS and PXS can share data and integrate the bidding and building process. Hard Dollar systems have been designed to allow nonexperts to use them with ease. A unique feature of PXS is the voice activation option. PXS has functions that many other scheduling systems do not have, such as integrated spreadsheets and modules for dealing with vendors and subcontractors. Work activities can be imported from spreadsheets, estimating systems, digitizers, text files, and electronic files from public agencies. PXS can be run on almost any operating system, including MS Windows, DOS, UNIX, and Macs. It can also be run on portable DOS-based computers. The system has provided users with options for customizing reports and applications.

User-support

Hard Dollar customers can take advantage of training sessions and 24-hoursupport (as part of the annual renewal fee) offered by the company. Hard Dollar systems have been designed to allow nonexperts to use them with ease. The price includes free support and maintenance for one year, which includes toll-free support and all updates and enhancements. After the first year, users have the option to renew the maintenance contract. The price of this varies. Limited time demonstration software can be provided to potential users.

Limitations

The system has been introduced only recently, although the vendors have the experience of handling Hard Dollar EOS. Since the system has been designed specifically for the construction industry, it focuses on communications and contract management (vendors and subcontractors) in a level of detail that may not be required in many other projects.

Basis for evaluation:

Based on information package received from Grantlun Corp. in November 1994. Additional information obtained through telephone communications with Grantlun representatives in March 1995.

Contact information:

Grantlun Corporation

"Construction Information Solutions"

2055 E. Centennial Circle, Suite 107

Tempe, AZ 85284

Ryan Brady

800-637-7496

602-897-6939 (FAX)

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