| The technology explosion has changed the | | | | feature is the fact its extensive item cost |
| construction industry fundamentally and | | | | database can be customized by adding, deleting or |
| irrevocably. No single task impacts contractors | | | | changing both line entries and line item costs. |
| today more than estimating yet the number one | | | | Sage estimating tools have long ranked among |
| reason construction companies lose money results | | | | the industry's most respected and reliable. Sage |
| directly from untimely and inaccurate estimates. | | | | Timberline Office construction software provides |
| While we at Construction Digital still talk with | | | | tools such as multiple take-off options, specific |
| veteran company principals who reflect wistfully | | | | pricing databases and integration with accounting |
| about the days of paper, a slower pace of | | | | systems that build profitability into each job. The |
| conducting business, and getting by on guile and | | | | databases are easily modified to fit |
| the seat of their pants, none are naïve enough | | | | company-specific requirements. Timberline Office |
| to ignore the need to embrace technology at | | | | also provides the capability of integrating with RS |
| every level if they are to remain successful. | | | | Means for working with government agencies. |
| Speed, efficiency, cost management and | | | | On Center Software was founded in 1988 by a |
| guaranteed ROI is the name of the game - | | | | group of construction professionals. Since then the |
| especially in a recessionary economy where more | | | | company has been driven in its development of |
| companies are competing for fewer jobs - and | | | | fast and accurate takeoff and bidding software. |
| that starts with the abundant availability of bid | | | | The company's premier program, On-Screen |
| estimating software that offers industry-specific | | | | Takeoff Professional®, is reputedly capable of |
| solutions with advanced integration capabilities and | | | | cutting takeoff time in half because of the speed |
| ease of use. Many of the top general contracting | | | | with which it allows the user to count objects, |
| firms now have secure online bid rooms that allow | | | | measure straight and curved lengths, and calculate |
| subcontractors to download and review specs | | | | area and volume. That efficiency in turn |
| before submitting their bid on jobs. | | | | theoretically translates into the opportunity to bid |
| Here are some of the top products available to | | | | on more jobs and enhance the bottom line. |
| contractors today. Though not inexpensive, once | | | | PlanSwift boldly touts itself as "the No. 1 |
| implemented they generally pay for themselves in | | | | construction takeoff and estimating software" on |
| short order. | | | | its website. Applicable to both the commercial and |
| ProEst® was developed by Construction | | | | residential sectors, this relatively inexpensive |
| Management Software, which has been | | | | point-and-click program has a small learning curve |
| developing software for construction companies | | | | and is easy to use. |
| since 1976. ProEst® is in use by more than | | | | Clear Estimates works from a database crafted |
| 6,500 firms and produces quick, accurate and | | | | by RemodelMAX and can be customized to fit the |
| competitive bids. Built on Microsoft SQL | | | | needs of any trade. The program quickly |
| technology, ProEst®can be integrated with most | | | | determines project cost and produces a variety |
| leading accounting programs, implemented across | | | | of reports and proposals. The program maintains |
| trades and features industry-specific templates | | | | customer and project databases, processes |
| and localized, updated databases. | | | | change order, integrates with QuickBooks Pro and |
| ProEst® also comes with pre-built databases for | | | | updates price information via an automated price |
| general, electrical and mechanical contractors and | | | | updating service. |
| can be customized to fit the requirements of | | | | Among sector-specific programs, BID2WIN is |
| niche businesses. ProEst®also runs RS Means, | | | | designed to manage the estimating and bidding |
| required for companies working with government | | | | processes for heavy/highway contractors. Driven |
| agencies. RS Means databases are complete with | | | | by a Microsoft SQL Server database, it can |
| city indexes that are used to accurately calculate | | | | sustain more than 1,000 simultaneous users |
| costs for specific cities or regions. | | | | without diminished performance. |
| Bid4Build is a recognized industry leader and | | | | Favored among electrical contractors, McCormick |
| winner of numerous awards. User friendly and | | | | Systems, Inc. was founded by an electrical |
| designed for general and subcontractors of all | | | | contractor and has been developing award-winning |
| sizes and specialties, Bid4Build relies on an | | | | estimating software for all facets of the industry |
| extensive database that generates bids, creates | | | | -- residential, commercial, industrial, institutional, and |
| cost estimates and reports quickly and accurately | | | | single story to multi-story - for nearly 30 years. |
| across a broad range of projects. | | | | With five different estimating systems, |
| The program's Estimate Advisor Wizard walks | | | | McCormick can provide the right solution for |
| users through a five-step process for building an | | | | companies of any size, ranging from the one-man |
| estimate. Perhaps Bid4Build's most attractive | | | | shop to the global powerhouse. |