A new year brings new opportunities for homebuilders, and in 2007 the window of opportunity may be open widest to those willing to invest in the potential of new technologies. The Innovative Housing Technology Awards (IHTAs), presented by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), NAHB Research Center and TecHome Builder, showcase some of the building industry’s top technology products, which can help builders grow their businesses in today’s crowded marketplace.
An expert judging panel made up of industry editors, builders and academics evaluated the products. The award winners were announced during the International Builders’ Show/nextBUILD, Feb. 7-10, in Orlando, FL.
2007 IHTA AWARD WINNERS
SUPPLIER – INNOVATIVE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS
| BEST OVERALL IT PRODUCT | ||
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OnSite CRM | |
| OnSite CRM is a software solution designed exclusively for homebuilders and design centers to manage the full lifecycle of the buyer. The builder’s tool allows its clients to privately brand a buyer’s portal that is tailored to each community. | ||
| o2interactive | 800-706-2904 | ||
| BACK OFFICE | view all entries | ||
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Digital Takeoff | |
| Designed to save time on every estimate, Digital Takeoff performs takeoffs visually on the screen with mouse clicks. What would you pay for technology that saves you at 100 percent on estimating time and costs under $1,000. | ||
| Digital Canal Corporation | 800-706-2904 | ||
| FIELD OPERATIONS | view all entries | ||
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On-Location Schedule | |
| OnLocation Schedule is a wireless real-time building schedule management application that is utilized by numerous industry leading homebuilders. It provides homebuilders with a competitive advantage that results in lower building costs and higher production revenues. | ||
| Constellation HomeBuilder Systems | 800-449-5033 | ||
| INTEGRATED EXCELLENCE | view all entries | ||
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SMART Builder Solutions ProcessWare | |
| SMART Builder’s ProcessWare is a business process management software toolset that provides homebuilders with the ability to design superior performance into their company’s core processes and achieve superior results through real-time execution, control and management of repeatable processes. | ||
| SMART Builder Solutions LLC | 770-772-5151 | ||
| OPTIONS & UPGRADES | view all entries | ||
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Buyer’s Portal | |
| OnSite CRM is a software solution designed exclusively for homebuilders and design centers to manage the full lifecycle of the buyer. The builder’s tool allows its clients to privately brand a buyer’s portal that is tailored to each community. | ||
| o2interactive | 800-706-2904 | ||
| SALES & MARKETING | view all entries | ||
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Lead Velocity | |
| Lead Velocity is designed to be an easy-to-use, flexible online sales follow-up software product to close more leads. The product automatically creates leads from any lead source without duplicates, and it also allows multiple users to access information from multiple communities. The program offers tools like rich HTML email campaigns with click-thru tracking, and automated workflow and contract management options. | ||
| Customer Velocity | 281-383-9380 | ||
| WEB | view all entries | ||
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e-HomeInVision | |
| e-HomeInVision is a Web enabled sales tool that allows potential home buyers to interactively choose options, browse communities, select materials for the exterior and interior, browse media associated with the home, and print a custom brochure showcasing the home. | ||
| CG Visions | 281-383-9380 | ||
SUPPLIER – INNOVATIVE HOME TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTS & SERVICES
| BEST OVERALL HOME TECH PRODUCT | ||
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lyriQ Multi-Source Distribution Module | |
| Match music and mood. With the On-Q Multi-Source Distribution Module, play the same music in every room or different music in any room of your home. Connect your media players in one spot and take your tunes throughout the house. | ||
| On-Q/Legrand | 717-702-2532 | ||
| ADVANCED ELECTRICAL | view all entries | ||
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HT7300PC Isobar Professional-Grade A/V Power Conditioning Center | |
| Tripp Lite’s HT7300PC Isobar® Rackmount/Console Power Conditioning Center provides advanced surge, spike and line noise protection for home theater audio/video components. 2U all-metal housing. Features include 5700 joules, 3 filter banks, IR-controllable AC outlets, tel/DSL, Ethernet and coaxial line protection. | ||
| Tripp Lite | 773-869-1111 | ||
| AUTOMATION & LIGHTING CONTROL | view all entries | ||
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HAI Snap-Link | |
| Snap-Link is a USB key that plugs into any computer and directly communicates through the secure Ethernet port on an HAI home control system giving homeowners the ability to check and adjust lights, security, temperatures, and more. | ||
| HAI (Home Automation, Inc.) | 504-736-9810 | ||
| CENTRAL VACUUM | view all entries | ||
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Beam Serenity QS Central Vacuum System | |
| Beam Serenity QS!” Central Vacuum System takes cleaning power, indoor air quality, quiet performance and style to the next level in 2007. | ||
| Beam Industries | 800-369-2326 | ||
| ENERGY EFFICIENCY | view all entries | ||
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Broan® SmartSense® | |
| Broan® SmartSense® uses Broan® Ultra Silent!” exhaust fans to create an integrated ventilation system using innovative power line communication technologies. Individual fans communicate with each other to meet ASHRAE 62 related ventilation code requirements, ensuring fresh air throughout the home. | ||
| Broan-NuTone LLC | 800-558-1711 | ||
| HOME THEATER | view all entries | ||
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LG Electronics 47-inch LCD Integrated HDTV | |
| LG Electronics’ newest LCD HDTV, the 47LB1DA, features full high-definition resolution at 1920 x 1080p on a 47-inch screen, meeting the continuous goal of better, crisper images while providing a sleek, high-end design. | ||
| LG Electronics | 800-243-0000 | ||
| MEDIA CENTER | view all entries | ||
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Niveus Media Center – Rainier Edition | |
| Featuring HD DVD, Intel’s Core Duo and Viiv technology, Niveus’ ConvergencePanel!” and Glacier!” Passive Cooling technology, the Windows-based Niveus Media Center Rainier Edition is a silent, high-performance, A/V-style media server for the digital home. | ||
| Niveus Media | 408-942-2929 | ||
| MULTI-ROOM AUDIO/VIDEO | view all entries | ||
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lyriQ Multi-Source Distribution Module | |
| Match music and mood. With the On-Q Multi-Source Distribution Module, play the same music in every room or different music in any room of your home. Connect your media players in one spot and take your tunes throughout the house. | ||
| On-Q/Legrand | 717-702-2532 | ||
| NETWORKING | view all entries | ||
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MediaSync Home Networking and Control Products | |
| MediaSync is a state-of-the art structured wiring system that offers consumers maximum connectivity, convenience and flexibility. MediaSync allows the integration of voice, data, audio and video services into a central, manageable distribution center. | ||
| Cooper Wiring Devices | 770-632-2232 | ||
| SECURITY & SAFETY | view all entries | ||
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AVerDigi SA6416 | |
| The AVerDigi SA6416 Standalone Surveillance solution allows for a professional surveillance system to be easily integrated into virtually any home. Easy to install and easy to use with basic and advanced monitoring features. | ||
| AVerMedia Technologies, Inc. | 408-263-3828 | ||
| TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE | view all entries | ||
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Connexion Technologies Fiber-Optic Network | |
| Connexion Technologies builds/operates fiber-optic networks for builders and developers coast to coast. All telecommunications services (television, telephone and Internet) are delivered over this community optical network, which is designed, installed and operated using Connexion’s capital not the builder or developers. | ||
| Connexion Technologies | 919-535-7329 | ||
INTEGRATOR/INSTALLER – INNOVATIVE SERVICE
| HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR EXCELLENCE: CALIFORNIA | view all entries | ||
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ONteriors Home Technology Design | |
| In today’s competitive market, California builders have to find ways to stand out from the pack just to draw homebuyers in. A key to Sea Country Homes® success has been teaming with ONteriors, a home technology integrator and marketing partner. | ||
| ONteriors | 858-455-1234 | ||
| HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR EXCELLENCE: FLORIDA | view all entries | ||
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Vincenty House | |
| FulHouse by FulTech Solutions, Inc. is an industry-leading pioneer and internationally recognized expert in home technology. The Northeast Florida company, founded 1995, features extensive training, a non-proprietary, award-winning Universal Cabling System, and the area’s only fully-equipped, fully-functional home automation model. | ||
| FulHouse by FulTech Solutions | 904-992-6624 | ||
| HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR EXCELLENCE: MOUNTAIN REGION | view all entries | ||
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Scottsdale Project | |
| Phoenix Home Theater gave Desert Bay Builders and its client an experience that was exceedingly and abundantly more than they asked for, hoped or imagined. We make it our business to make our builders look good! | ||
| Phoenix Home Theater | 480-837-3359 | ||
| HOME TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATOR EXCELLENCE: SOUTH EAST REGION | view all entries | ||
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Carter Grove Plantation | |
| Link Your House is combining the power of Industry partnerships with the cost-savings afforded by new technology to deliver incredible value to a large production home builder in the Southeast US. | ||
| Link Your House, Inc. | 770-209-0086 | ||
BUILDER – INNOVATIVE TECH HOME BUILDING
| BACK OFFICE | view all entries | ||
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Production Bonus Module | |
| Production Bonus Module decreased employee processing time, led to increased employee satisfaction, increased timeliness of bonuses getting paid in correct pay period, added conformance and standards across all divisions for bonus calculations and processing, and provides for easy reporting by employee, management, and HR. | ||
| Gemcraft Homes, Inc. | 410-893-8458 | ||
| EXCELLENT CONNECTED COMMUNITY | view all entries | ||
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Rice Hope | |
| Rice Hope (by Sivica Communities), located near Savannah, Ga. offers residents tomorrow’s technologies today with a community-wide fiber-optic infrastructure. This leading-edge telecommunication amenity delivers television, telephone, Internet and security services to each residence. | ||
| Rice Hope with Connexion Technologies | 919-674-0036 | ||
| EXCELLENT FIELD STORY | view all entries | ||
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HomeTracker | |
| HomeTracker is a quality and customer service solution that is intuitive and field friendly. The solution offers users a real-time system for data entry, which emails reports while updating company databases. In addition, it provides graphical dashboards of defects and trades by milestone, and an overview of companywide processes and fast analysis. | ||
| Veridian Homes | 608-226-3100 | ||
| EFFECTIVE MERCHANDISING & MARKETING | view all entries | ||
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Kellswater Bridge Development | |
| Kellswater Bridge has initiated an aggressive advertising campaign to ensure its development is differentiated in the Charlotte, N.C market. The campaign includes print, television and Internet advertisements, and a Welcome Center designed to showcase Kellswater’s Fiber to the Home technology. | ||
| Kellswater Bridge Development, LLC | 704-786-2400 | ||
| INTEGRATED EXCELLENCE (TIE!) | view all entries | ||
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JobsiteOnTime.com | |
| JobsiteOnTime.com is a construction data reporting Web site that helps builders streamline their building processes by providing access to an up-to-date building schedule of each of their homes in a secure online construction information portal. | ||
| Liberty Homes, Inc. | 816-415-3050 | ||
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Option Automation | |
| Royce Builders’ Option Automation project ensures accuracy in option revenue and profit forecasting by integrating all stakeholders into a shared system. | ||
| Royce Builders | 281-440-5091 |
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