New ACCA president: Taylor wants to build bridge to the future.(Air Conditioning Contractors of...

FORT WORTH, TEXAS -- Larry Taylor's service technicians carry handheld computers to which the dispatcher transmits the data for a service call. The computers feature touch-screens, which the customer signs, and credit card swipe. The customer's payment data is transmitted back to the office. Taylor figures less than 100 contractors nationwide are using the technology, but he hopes the number will increase.

"It's much faster," said Taylor, incoming president of Air Conditioning Contractors of America, about contracting. "The communications and technology are different.