welcome

The Australian Chain Link Fencing Association is a non-profit organisation formed in May 2003 to encourage and promote the interests of chain link (chain mesh) manufacturers, suppliers and installers in promoting quality products to recognised Australian standards wherever possible.

To find out more about the Association's aims and objectives click on About Us.

FENCING SEMINAR ON THE GOLD COAST - OCTOBER 2008

Planning is proceeding for our next fencing seminar which will be held on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th of October 2008 during the AWIA Annual Conference.

The conference venue will be the Gold Coast International Hotel in the heart of Surfers Paradise, within easy walking distance of shopping, restaurants and the beach.

Forums on computer fencing estimating systems and issues arising from powder coating of fencing products will be presented by a group of speakers. As well, overseas trends in perimeter security fencing, installation training and productivity aids available to the industry will be examined.

With regards to Australian Standards, it is planned to brief members on public feedback comments received by the CE-008 committee on the sporting fencing sections in the proposed revised Chain Link Fencing Australian Standard AS1725-2003.

The desirability of inclusion of a new section covering event fencing in the Temporary Fencing and Hoarding Standard AS4687-2007 will also be aired.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN COMPUTER ESTIMATING

A number of our members have their own in-house computer based estimating systems whilst many more still use the traditional pencil and calculator method to generate fencing quotes.

Since the presentation of Northern Group's computer spreadsheet based estimating tool at last year's fencing seminar at Palm Cove, many more of our members have been contemplating where the future lies in providing fencing estimates that are accurate, timely and cost effective.

Today more clients also appear to require more options on the projects they put out to tender.

Computer based systems make the task of providing alternative quotations a simple task and eliminate costly mistakes in transcribing information and data.

The questions arises however, whether to look for a specially written computer system off the shelf, develop an in-house Excel spreadsheet system or look for a hybrid system that suits your business.

Over recent months we have been gathering information on what is available in the market with a view to conducting a workshop on computer estimating as part of the Fencing seminar to be held at Surfers Paradise during October 2008.

We intend to present some of the packages available to members to to demonstrate and discuss the different options in streamlining the estimating function.