In the early 1980's, our company purchased its first computer. It was an Apple II plus with 64k of memory and two floppy disk drives. It didn't have a hard drive, and a mouse was still something you caught in a trap.

Compared to the computers of today, it was a hand-crank adding machine. It did, however improve the way we did bookkeeping, figure house costs and type letters.

More and more builders are using computers to run their offices. They save builders and other related businesses alike time, effort and money while expanding their horizons and generally making their work easier and more rewarding.

The National Association of Home Builders has complied a list of 10 rules to help businesses with the process of computerizing a manual system or upgrading an existing one:

• Rule 1: Conduct a need analysis: Decide what you are trying to accomplish. Review your business goals identified in your strategic plan to decide what automation tools will help you achieve those goals.
• Rule 2: Set up a plan. Planning cannot be stressed too much. Do your homework up-front to avoid selecting a system that you won't like or that you belatedly discover will not do everything you require.
• Rule 3: Set a realistic budget that includes equipment, support, and training. The price should not be the most important consideration. The cost of an application software is minor compared to the productivity advantages well-chosen and well-implemented software provides. Saving a few hundred or even a thousand dollars is senseless if the product doesn't do the job.
• Rule 4: Find the best software to accomplish the task. Read at least two product reviews on software, hardware, and related components. You can find current product reviews and evaluations in computer magazines. Contact vendors and request current product literature, demo disks, and references of builders using the product. Contact those builders directly to see how well the product works.
• Rule 5: Purchase the best hardware. Look for hardware that will be upgradable, a hardware company that provides support, and product warranty.
• Rule 6: Conduct Site Planning. Make sure your office is ready for the new system. i.e. Dedicated phone lines, electrical requirements an adequate space.
• Rule 7: Provide employee training on the new system. Include training for software, hardware, operating systems, and office equipment.
• Rule 8: Plan time for everyone to move to the new system. Once you are up and running on the system, look for additional ways to use the new system to improve you efficiency, productivity and profitability.
• Rule 9: Count on support from someone you trust. Think of whom you can count on when you need help. You want to have support from a company that has depth of expertise to get involved in your specific operations and problems.
• Rule 10: Keep the big picture in focus. You've invested a lot to time, resources, and effort. Unfortunately, the quickening pace of technology can leave you behind in a flash. Plan to reevaluate the technology in which you have invested. As a guarantee that the equipment will meet tomorrow's needs as well, you should ensure that the equipment will meet tomorrow's needs as well, you should ensure that the equipment has the capacity to be upgraded.

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) offers a free booklet, "A Builders Guide to Selecting Hardware and Software."

To order a copy, call NAHB Builder Computer Services at 800-368-5242, extension 271.