TIME TO GET ON THE ROOF

Roof asset management software and how it makes life simpler

Roof management is an unheard term in India, but in many countries not only is it mandatory, but there are also companies that develop special roof asset management software. The positive aspect of roofs is that they do not give problems immediately after installation, but usually 10-15 years later, and at that time the history of the roofing system installed, materials used, repairs done, etc, are more often than not lost or hard to trace.

Collecting roof details, specifications, warranties, and plans over the years does sound like an extra tedious job to do, but an incomplete database could result in expensive repairs that could have been ignored and also extra work at the time of repairs. This is where special roof asset management software comes in. With such software you cannot only maintain an inventory of the details of the roof but can also track roof maintenance and conditions, and evaluate the cost effectiveness of any modifications necessary.

What's so great about roof management software?

• Stores information about warranties, maintenance schedules, and even digital pictures in a database
• Shares information with all concerned parties from one location
• Software sends out notifications to appropriate authorities about when maintenance is due
• Generate budget comparisons
• Indexs roofing conditions
• Inspection reports and maintenance records can be attached
• Provide comparative analysis of different kinds of roofing options available

There are many companies that sell roof asset management software. Even though they are not yet available in India, it would be a good idea to keep the following in mind when options are available in future.

Ease of use Make sure that the software is user– friendly. If it requires special training of employees, do a returns-cost analysis before going ahead and buying the software.

Software features Before buying the software see if it allows users to attach pictures and CAD drawings. Check out the report generating features of the software and also whether it provides pre-formatted databases and checklists for inspection and the like.

Flexibility Buy software only from a company that provides regular updates. Also check if different versions of the software are available and find one that is most suitable to your needs.

Hardware compatibility Hardware compatibility is important as this will determine how you feed in information into the databases. Some asset management software allow for pen-based data entry, while others will download information directly from computers.