Vela Systems Releases New Version of Module to Automate Field Safety Inspections

Vela Systems, a developer of mobile field software for the AECO (Architecture-Engineering-Contractor-Owner) industry, announced today that it has released a major new version of the safety inspection module for the Vela Software Suite. Vela Systems’ mobile field software replaces the notebooks and tubes of drawings normally carried by construction personnel with software that was designed from the ground up for use on a Tablet PC. Using a special pen, field personnel can write directly on the screen in their own handwriting, and the Tablet automatically converts this writing to electronic text. The software suite includes modules that replace each of the field tasks that take place on a job site, including punch lists, field reports and safety inspections. With Vela Systems, customers have accelerated project delivery by up to two days per month and saved millions of dollars in averted litigation for more than 300 projects from Las Vegas to Dubai. In the AECO industry, safety is a top priority for executives and managers. According to the most recent figures from U.S. Labor Department, the construction industry had 1,226 fatal work injuries in 2006, the most of any industry sector that year and a 3 percent increase for construction over 2005. The emotional toll of a worksite accident on families, friends and colleagues is incalculable, and the litigation that often follows diverts executive energies away from the business. Ensuring that safety inspections are correctly conducted and that issues are quickly addressed is not just a regulatory exercise. Good safety inspections save lives. William A. Berry & Son, Inc., a well-respected New England construction management firm that is building and doing work on many of New England’s most prominent hospitals, educational institutions and landmarks, has a strong reputation for creating a safe work environment. In fact, Berry is the only construction manager in the nation to win Liberty Mutual’s Gold Award for safety. Berry has been using the Vela Safety Inspection Module on over 40 projects in New England and across the globe, including the ongoing Fenway Park renovations, Center for Life Science research facility, Brigham and Women’s Hospital new cardiovascular center, on campus renovations at Yale University, new recreational facilities in Algeria, and many others as part of its in-house Q Four Safety Program. This four part program consists of:        * A company-wide commitment to safety;
       * Personnel who stay informed and updated on standard safety procedures;
       * A core program of documentation, training, planning and collaboration;
       * Verification to ensure that the program is followed to the letter.
Vela Systems has played a key role in Berry’s safety documentation and verification program. Personnel who conduct safety inspections can complete the Q Four Safety program checklist electronically and then, if issues are found, reference the exact OSHA specification in the field with simple drop-down boxes. After the inspection is finished, the software not only facilitates speedy and transparent communications with those responsible for addressing outstanding safety issues, but it also provides accountability. With Vela Systems, Berry executives can manage safety compliance on an individual project or across the entire project portfolio, for one sub-contractor or for all of them. Throughout the process, the software automatically creates an auditable paper trail of consistent, repeatable processes to help protect against lawsuits. Through the use of Vela Systems’ Safety Inspection Module, Berry has driven a consistent process, improved verification, and is able to measure subcontractor performance. Plus, with Vela Systems’ platform, Berry can expand to manage other tasks as necessary. Berry already uses Vela Systems to track extra work orders and to manage punch lists. “Subcontractors know we’re paying attention,” said Peter Campot, CEO at Berry. “With Vela’s Safety Module, we can easily print a subcontractor-specific report for one or many jobs and show them how we’re tracking their safety record. Owners like to see that level of detail as well, and it concretely demonstrates our deep commitment to safety. With Vela Systems, we’ve got a field software platform that can grow with us.” Vela’s software also helps field superintendents and safety inspectors track safety where it happens – in the field. Michael Willett, Project Director for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital new cardiovascular center in downtown Boston notes the time and accuracy benefits of the software in a YouTube video testimonial: “We can simply make the notes and comments as we’re walking around with the Tablet PC:then when we get back to the office it can be sent out in real time: It eliminates the step of handing it off to someone to having it transcribed, which eliminates the potential for error.” Visit http://www.velasystems.com/Testimonials.html to see Berry’s Safety Director and the Company’s Project Director give testimonials on the power and simplicity of the Vela Systems safety module. “Berry spent a lot of time and effort developing what we believe is the most rigorous and effective safety program in the industry,” said Chuck Cobb, General Counsel for Berry. “Vela Systems’ Safety Inspection Module is at the heart of it, because it allows us to document and verify what’s really happening in the field accurately and quickly.” “Our field software is revolutionizing how the AECO industry works on a construction site,” said Tim Curran, CEO of Vela Systems. “In just three short years, we’ve seen the Vela Software Suite spread to high-profile projects across the globe, and as the company has grown, so has the capabilities of the software. The Vela Systems Safety Inspection Module addresses a serious challenge for the construction industry by helping AECO organizations save money, save time and, most important, save lives through a consistent and auditable process.” About Vela Systems, Inc.:
Vela Systems is The Leader in Field Software for the AEC Industry™. Vela Systems software streamlines and accelerates all field processes in construction and capital projects. By replacing their field notebooks with Vela software and Tablet PCs, Vela’s customers save 4-8 hours per week per user, accelerate project delivery by two days per month, capture the true cost of quality and reduce litigation risk through standardized documentation. Industry leading architects, engineers, contractors and owners agree that Vela Systems helps them Work Faster, Collaborate Easier, and Finish Sooner™. To see how Vela’s customers are improving construction delivery from Las Vegas to Dubai, please visit www.velasystems.com.