InterPlan Systems thanks the folks at IDCON for inviting us to speak at the 20th annual Pulp and Paper, Reliability & Maintenance Conference and Exhibit. Our presentation on Standardizing and Improving Best Practices in Estimating and Planning sparked some interesting discussion among the attendees. We look forward to continuing the dialog with planners and managers in the industry at future conferences.

InterPlan Systems has released the following updated eTaskMaker estimating modules:

• Battery Limit Blinds (Rev. 1) - (updated) Added tasks to inventory, inspect and fabricate blinds to fill any shortages.
• Blind Installation (Rev. 5) - (updated) Added task for removing insulation on a flange.
• Vessels - Glass Lined - (new) For minor repairs to glass linings in vessels.
• Vessel Cladding Overlay (Automatic) - (new) For cladding a vessel with automatic welding equipment.
• Exchanger Bundle Cleaning in Mobile Tank - (new) For bundles cleaned with National Heat Exchange Cleaning Corporation which employs a mobile enclosed cleaning tank that circulates cleaning chemicals to clean both the inside and the outside of the bundle tubes simultaneously.
• Heat Exchangers - Floating Head (Rev. 8) - (updated) Added a scenario for cleaning the bundle in an enclosed mobile bundle cleaning machine.

In addition to the above mentioned modules, almost every plant maintenance module has been updated to include different estimating factors for union versus non-union labor. We highly recommend using the latest modules.

eTaskMaker clients may now download the updates from our downloads repository.

AccuraTech, Inc. has produced an instructional video for the eTaskMaker Wizard which demonstrates all of it’s features. We understand that they are also working on a video for the eTaskMaker Module Editor.

For more information on the videos, please inquire with AccuraTech at

• 713-960-9385 Direct
• 713-627-0239 Fax

Houston, TX — InterPlan Systems Inc. will conduct a special presentation on work order estimating under the auspices of the Houston Business
Roundtable on Wednesday, October 11th from 7:30am to 9:00am. Guidelines and examples of work order scope development, estimating and planning will be given, as well as developing estimates through eTaskMaker, a comprehensive estimating knowledge-based system, and preparation of a variety of cost estimate/budget reports.

The seminar will be held at the Houston Business Roundtable’s (HBR’s) training facility across from Hobby Airport. Contact HBR at
713-645-0923 for more information or to register for the event.

InterPlan Systems has released the following new eTaskMaker estimating module:

• Deaerator - (new) The Deaerator is drum, containing spray nozzles and trays. Nozzles and trays may be removed for cleaning and repairing; the vessel usually has to be descaled, either chemically or through water or sand blasting.

eTaskMaker clients may now download the update from our downloads repository.

Houston, TX — Bernard Ertl, Vice President of InterPlan Systems Inc. will be conducting a presentation at the 20th annual Pulp and Paper, Reliability & Maintenance Conference and Exhibit in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, October 5th from 1:00 pm to 1:40 pm.

The presentation is entitled Standardizing and Improving Best Practices in Estimating and Planning and will discuss research on inconsistent estimating and planning quality, and business processes for capturing and improving best practices and norms.

Visit the conference’s web site for the full schedule and registration information.

InterPlan Systems has published a new Frequently Asked Questions page for the Conceptual Cost Estimator.

If you would like to suggest a question for this FAQ, please use our contact form.

InterPlan Systems has released the following updated eTaskMaker estimating modules:

• Block Valves (Rev. 9) - (updated) Updated duration formulas for different metallurgies.
• Heat Exchanger Bundle Tubesheet Cladding (Rev. 1) - (updated) Improved cladding cure times.

eTaskMaker clients may now download the updates from our downloads repository.

Houston, TX — InterPlan Systems Inc. announces a free training seminar set for Thursday, August 24th for their eTaskMaker project planning software. The seminar will be conducted by Dick Ertl, President of InterPlan Systems and the developer of InterPlan’s eTaskMaker planning modules.

The first session, from 9am until noon, will demonstrate how to use the eTaskMaker Wizard, including:

• How to create project plans
• How to export the plans into a project scheduling system
• How to manage complex plans
• How to use the eTaskMaker plans to prepare sophisticated cost estimates at the work order, AFE and contractor levels
• Q&A session

The second session, from 1pm to 3pm, covers the eTaskMaker Module Editor, including:

• Creation of a new eTaskMaker planning module
• Copying and editing of existing modules
• Adding pdm scheduling logic to modules
• Q&A session

The seminar will be held at the Houston Business Roundtable’s training facility across from Hobby Airport. Attendance is free, but pre-registration is required to guarantee a seat.

InterPlan Systems has released the following new eTaskMaker estimating module:

• Heat Exchnagers - Tube Sheet Coatings - (new) Covers the coating of either one or two tubesheets for a heat exchanger bundle (whether a U-tube or straight-thru tube bundle) with epoxy compounds.

eTaskMaker clients may now download the update from our downloads repository.