HOUSTON TX, April 12, 2007:  A record 877 customers—representing 48 states and Canada—immersed themselves in intensive classes, feedback sessions and networking opportunities at the recent HCSS (www.hcss.com) User’s Group Meetings at the Hotel Intercontinental in Houston.  The 19th annual event, held in two separate three-day sessions, attracted construction-company owners, managers, estimators, field personnel, dispatchers, IT personnel and others.  Attendees came to the conference to learn how to use HCSS products more effectively through formal classes and informal conversations with other customers.  Users also shared with HCSS personnel suggestions for features and benefits in future versions of HCSS’s HeavyBid® Estimating Software; HeavyJob® Field Management Software; and The Dispatcher™ Resource Management Software.  Customer suggestions at user’s group meetings are a primary source of updates to HCSS products.  As in previous years, the 2007 event offered nearly 60 classes devoted to HCSS products.  It also added a new feature:  an Executive Series of management workshops that provided company owners and executives with ideas for operating their businesses and obtaining maximum results from their employees.  Consultants Mike Murray and Gene Duckro guided three-hour sessions on “Extraordinary Leadership,” “Change Management” and “Running Productive Meetings.” “Many users commented that the Executive Series alone made the trip to Houston worthwhile,” said Mike Rydin, HCSS president.  “We intended the series to give owners and top managers ‘big-picture’ advice for their businesses, beyond their use of HCSS products.  It proved to be a very successful addition to the user’s group meetings.” When they weren’t attending classes, users enjoyed social events during their stay in Houston.  They mingled with HCSS employees and their fellow users at a welcome reception, played golf in the annual user tournament, and tried their skills at a casino night that featured sports-themed games like a basketball toss and simulated golf. HCSS has announced dates for its 2008 User’s Group Meetings: February 7-9 and  21-23, also at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston. About HCSS Founded in 1986, HCSS is the developer of HeavyBid® Estimating Software; HeavyJob® Field Management Software; and The Dispatcher™ Resource Management Software.  HCSS sets the standard for estimating and field management and dispatching software for the infrastructure construction industry, with instant 24-hour technical support, on-site training by veteran contractors and annual user’s group meetings attended by hundreds of contractors.  Thousands of contractors, bidding in excess of $300 billion per year, rely on HCSS products for their ease of use, speed and precision in performing estimating, field management and dispatching activities.  HCSS is located at 6200 Savoy, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77036.  For more information about HCSS and its complete line of estimating, field management and dispatching products, visit www.hcss.com or call 800-683-3196.