There were a few other great booth visits on Day One that I need to address. Particularly my brief visit with ACE DuraFlo, an in-place pipe restoration system that uses epoxy lining during its ePipe process to seal pinhole leaks and failing copper, as well as cure encrusted galvanized pipe and discolored water.

At the booth I asked Justin Diemert with ACE’s franchise operations what was new this year. He said the company has recognized the need for a downsized, more manageable system ― for both smaller projects and a lower-cost business investment. For contractors looking to get into the pipe restoration business, ACE’s new Minie® includes a smaller-sized compressor and a mini-everything else! Mini manifold with regulator, hand-held epoxy dispenser, and mini-sander and dust collector. I begged him for a few case studies ― some success stories! ― and I promise to post them to PM’s Web Exclusive section. Stay tuned.

Along with a fellow associate, I was next introduced to Accubid’s latest contractor software: the spec-driven Accubid Enterprise Estimating 3. This platform supports multiple estimators ― working simultaneously on the same job ― for real-time sharing. It also includes digitizer takeoffs, so you can improve your bid accuracy.

Accubid’s Allen Steffler also showed me the company’s ConstructJob project management software, which is Web-based. This means your paperwork and project documents don’t have to be tracked down anymore! You can access your well-managed project and all its details through the Internet ― even at the jobsite ― at a moment’s notice. Not only can you stay on track, on time, on budget, etc., but you basically also save on fuel: No more running back and forth to the office … just pull it up and your team is instantly on the same page.

Want more Web fun from the show, well say hello to Kudzu.com. If you ever fathomed the inner workings of Internet search engines and customer referrals STOP RIGHT NOW! You’ll probably hurt your brain. Seriously, though, getting your company’s name and website higher up in customer searches should be a concern for your business [plus, did you know 70% of consumers have used the Web to read consumer-written reviews?]. But there’s no reason to go crazy over algorithms. Kudzu.com is here to help.

This site leverages word-of-mouth with the power of the Internet. When potential customers use Kudzu to search for home services or any other type of interest, they could be seeing your company’s name and information (and stellar customer reviews) on their computer screen. It’s not time to be tech-phobic, friends. Embrace these new ways to reach consumers; it’s the future of social networking. And new companies like Kudzu make it easy to jump in and join the conversation.

Let’s see, what other great news from ISH Day One … Oh, yes. Gerber was very happy to say they’ve just had 70 of their lavatory faucets receive the WaterSense label. This means all 70 had to undergo ASME testing and WaterSense certification, where the maximum flow rates are 1.5 gpm. Congratulations!

Gerber’s team was also showcasing its HET collection with live flushing demonstrations (300 neoprene balls, lickity split), as well as video of fruit salad and all kinds of food items going down the drain. My favorite product on display, though, was the company’s dual-flush UltraFlush model. Gerber has configured the lever operation for down for 1.1 gpf and up for regular-old 1.6. So users are being water conscious without any extra effort!

Last few observations before I’m off to rest-up for Day Two:

• The Georgia Aquarium is awesome. Especially “Lucy,” a massive zebra shark, and the adorable trio of beluga whales. This year’s ISH show offers a few chances to see Atlanta's (inside) ocean-view exhibit. Don’t pass it up. (Thanks,  Grundfos, for the Wednesday tour and hospitality.)
  
  
• The folks at truck-body vendor Knapheide Mfg. have an interesting solution to copper pipe theft by including specially designed pipe-storage doors on the rear of the vehicle. These open to provide full lengths of pipe a secure place within the truck. No more containers on the roof. (You can still keep your PVC up there; no one’s stealing plastic … yet.)
  
  
• Lunch at tradeshows can be a pocketbook drainer. If anyone has tips on how to eat out during a convention without feeling like a mugging took place, please pass them along (I knew there was a reason we instated a “comments” section at the end of this blog …)