Web-related industry news

New Benefit For PHCC Members

A personnel management resource is now available to Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors-National Association members. Under the new program, PHCC members will be mailed a "Personnel Notebook" bulletin every month written by a professional human resources consultant. Members now can access HR University-Online by clicking the PHCC Educational Foundation icon at www.naphcc.org.

Estimation, TradePower Complete Merger

TradePower acquired Estimation Inc. on Feb. 23, 2000, and continued to operate the companies as separate entities. Now, TradePower will incorporate the products and operations of Estimation into its own organization.

Estimation will assume the TradePower corporate name and its products will be part of TradePower's solutions for contractors. "Estimation" will become the brand name for the company's estimating software product, Bidmaster NETR Series. In addition, TradePower will offer the PowerPRO, purchasing solution.

Home Depot Expands Online Services

Starting immediately in the 48 contiguous states, 20,000 Home Depot products are available for order and delivery via UPS. Larger items, such as lumber and water heaters, still are not available for online ordering in most of the United States.

ImproveNet Offers Member Insurance Programs

ImproveNet Inc. announces agreements with InsuranceNoodle, an online e-broker of business insurance and HealthInsurance.com, a leading online health insurance broker. Both new services can be accessed via the ImproveNetPRO Web site, www.ImproveNetPRO.com. ImproveNet members can complete applications online for InsuranceNoodle's set of business insurance products, including workman's compensation, business owner's insurance, umbrella policies, and commercial auto insurance.

Educational Web Site

Continued education is provided at www.plumbingpro.org. Designed to educate your workforce and others in the plumbing trade, weekly exams are posted on the site, as well as printable pages from several books. Users of the site can provide input to be added to troubleshooting charts, business tips, "tricks-of-the-trade" listings, and product complaints and compliments.

B&F Introduces Newly Designed Web Site

B&F Technical Code Services Inc., introduces a new version of its Web site, www.bftechcs.com. The site includes a Code Questions section, where questions submitted by industry professionals are discussed by B&F technical staff members. The site also features an Industry Links section, an Online Store and a section for the media, which contains current company press releases, biographies and photos. The Plan Review Request Form is also available for download from the site.