Chandler, Ariz., August 31, 2010—Estimating software, also used for project management, is a staple of the electrical contracting business. McCormick Systems, for example, has offered a suite of electrical estimating products for ECs since its founding (by an electrical contactor) in 1979.

What about other types of contractors? Datacom and systems integrators, security dealers, building automation contractors and others in the low-voltage business can use the automated building systems version of the software.

But not until now, with a new introduction set for fall 2010, has the company provided software specifically designed to serve contractors who work on the national, regional, and local transmission and distribution power grid.

“Line contractors are a different breed, really in a different business,” explained President Todd McCormick. “We know that. We’ve waited until we have our estimating software and our database to precisely where these contractors need it to be.”

While a construction project for a typical EC consists of buying and installing lighting, switchgear, wire and cable, and everything from UPS units to wirenuts, line contractors are dedicated to digging holes, planting poles and hanging high-voltage cable on them (or rehabilitating, renovation, and/or maintaining existing power lines).

“We’ve listened to these contractors,” McCormick noted. “Now, they estimate using spreadsheets or estimate it by hand. Systems created to serve ECs doing product installation inside buildings will not work for them, so we had to create something new.”