|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Welcome to The PubWorks Tracker, a quarterly newsletter providing information for PubWorks users and professionals interested in Public Works management.
In This Issue:
Departmentalization:
The launch of our latest version has greatly enhanced our ability to give customers departmental views and security by improving the departmentalization function.
The American Recovery and Re-Investment Act:
Federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 will affect the economy in 2010.
New Customer Highlights:
Ouray County used the competition’s product for four years before throwing in the towel and moving to PubWorks. WHY?
Welcome New Customer:
Sherry Massey, the Dickinson County, Kansas GIS coordinator, took the lead in evaluating public works software to replace their Star Roads program.
|
|
As always, the PubWorks team is researching and creating updates to our system to better meet the needs of our customers.
The launch of version 57 has greatly enhanced our ability to give our customers departmental views and security clearance by improving the departmentalization function.
Departmentalization is a concept that has roots to the great philosophers. As March and Simon (1958) noted when tracing a first approach to departmentalization back to Aristotle (Politics, Book IV, Chapter 15), the problem of distributing work, authority and responsibility throughout an organization is hardly new.
In modern times, Gulick and Urwick (1937) were the first to introduce a theory of different departmentalization strategies, which were referred to as departmentalization by purpose and departmentalization by process.
|
|
|
The Departmentalization feature allows you to "assign" Resources (e.g. Employees) and Assets (e.g. Locations) to Departments so that only Users within the Department can see the Resources and Assets available to it. At the same time, Management will be able to see all of the data and the reports they generate will work collectively across all Departments.
|
|
Administrative
|
Pick List - Before
|
Pick List - After
|
| |
|
|
|
|
If you have questions about Departmentalization or are interested in taking a deeper look at it, please give Bob Guion, our Sales Director, a call. He can set up a demonstration of PubWorks or any of our stand alone modules. You can reach Bob at 970.927.3500 or email him at bob@pubworks.com.
|
|
|
|
American Recovery and Investment Act and You
|
Federal stimulus dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 will affect the economy in 2010. "We anticipate that approximately $100 billion in stimulus contracts will reach the private sector next year, creating about 1 million jobs, with California, Texas, Florida, New York and Washington state serving as the biggest engines of job growth," said Michael Balsam, chief solutions officer for Onvia, a Seattle-based company that tracks federal stimulus spending on its Web site, recovery.org.
|
| |
|
DID YOU KNOW?
There are over 350 Report Queries available in the current version of PubWorks and the top 5 reports our customers use are:
1) Employee Cost Summary
2) Service Request Work Sheet
3) Employee Activity Audit
4) Pay Period Hours
5) Comprehensive Location Cost
Detail.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 1972 the Atlantic City Commissioner of Public Works tried to change the names of Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues but public outcry from the many fans of Monopoly vetoed the bill?
|
|
|
PubWorks vs. The Competition
|
Ouray County used the competition’s product for four years before throwing in the towel and moving to PubWorks.
“PubWorks is easy to learn, easy to use and the reports are wonderful. Our commissioners are much happier with our reporting ability.”
Sally Bailer, Ouray County, Colorado
|
| |
|
|
Welcome
New
Customers!
|
|
Welcome to our Newest Customer - Dickinson County
Making Things Happen with Teamwork
Dickinson County, Kansas was founded in 1857. The County has an area of 852 square miles and a population of 19,300 with the county seat in Abilene (home of Dwight David Eisenhower). The County Road and Bridge Department maintains 207 miles of asphalt road, 108 miles of gravel road and the 300 bridges.
Sherry Massey, the GIS coordinator, took the lead in evaluating public works software to replace their Star Roads program. Dickinson County had GIS information, but could not effectively connect to it with their old, Microsoft Access based program.
After a tornado went through the county, Sherry realized that the county needed to be able to capture historical information and easily create reports for FEMA re-imbursement.
Like many other counties, Dickinson did not have a lot of funding available for new programs like PubWorks. They were determined and realized the value of PubWorks and the positive effect that it would have on many of their departments. Working together, the Road and Bridge Superintendent, Martin Tannahill stepped up to help. After getting the necessary approvals, Martin sold some scrap metal to help fund the purchase.
|
|
|
THE WORLD AS WE KNOW IT
In its annual forecast, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) predicts that the value of highway, street and bridge construction put in place should reach $90.5 billion in 2010, up from about $83.9 billion (an 8 percent increase) in 2009.
ARTBA Vice President of Policy and Economist Alison Premo Black cautions, however, that the boost to the market could be temporary. Uncertainty about the reauthorization of the multi-year federal surface transportation bill and future growth of the overall U.S. economy, along with the end of stimulus funds, will determine if there is a "soft landing" in 2011 or a more significant downturn, Black says.
|
|
Customer Contest: How has PubWorks Helped You Lately?
Have you recently had an “Ah Hah” moment when you were quickly able to answer a question or produce a report using PubWorks? A FEMA Report? A Council Meeting Request? Who fixed the Pothole?
Tell us your story. A winner will be chosen and awarded a $100 gift card. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, just what the problem was and how you solved it using PubWorks.
Please send all responses to Dawn Jacksland
MAY THE BEST STORY WIN
|
|
|
|
|
Texas Association of County Engineers & Road Admin.
April 25-29, 2010
Fort Worth, Texas
|
More Info
Add to Calendar
|
|
|
APWA Western Slope Spring Conference
April 21, 2010
Grand Junction, Colorado
|
More Info
Add to Calendar
|
|
|
Florida American Public Works Association
May 3-7, 2010
Orlando, Florida
|
More Info
Add to Calendar
|
|
|
National APWA -Boston
August 15-18, 2010
|
More Info
Add to Calendar
|
|
|
New Jersey State League of Municipalities 94th Annual Conference
November 16-19, 2010
Atlantic City, New Jersey
|
More Info
Add to Calendar
|
|
What shows do you attend? We’d love to know and learn more about them with the intention of putting them on our events calendar – please contact Jennifer Burr (970) 379-3061.
|
|
|
|
|