B2W Estimate

B2W Estimate

Opmerkingen: 10/10

Pluspunten:

B2W Estimate is easy to use, and keeps our estimating department organized.

Minpunten:

We wish we had more time to learn all the features!

Opmerkingen: About a year ago, our company was still estimating with spreadsheets. Our system was effective for acquiring work, but didn't really allow for much integration with scheduling, project management, or accounting software. We also had problems with collaboration between estimators on a single estimate. Limitations with spreadsheets forced us to occasionally create multiple estimating files in order to allow more than one estimator to work concurrently on a single project. A more troubling problem was the increasing disparity in spreadsheets from different estimators. Personal preferences led to individual changes on each spreadsheet revision, in both appearance and function. This was problematic during file integration, but also through transitions among staff. Our project managers and superintendents struggled to coordinate projects between different estimators, who sometimes presented the same information in different formats. Realizing that the problems and flaws in our system were only going to get worse, we began to investigate potential software solutions. We decided to go with BID2WIN because the software addressed all our needs at a reasonable price point, and provided all the features of other systems as well as a lot more. We've been using BID2WIN for about a year now, so we're still newbies, and still finding new ways to harness its powerful tools to our advantage. Make no mistake, it IS a powerful tool, and the only regret I have is that we didn't make the move years ago. Implementation of BID2WIN Is not just "installation." It's a collaborative process that entails considerable effort from the client, and from different levels of the BID2WIN implementation and training team. They don't just dump the software on your server. They require considerable effort and involvement from you, the client, but the time and effort you invest into it will be returned many times over. BID2WIN Software had us up and running pretty quickly, and we immediately realized the savings in time. The import features, item and task templates, and RFQ process make building an estimate almost effortless. The process only gets faster and easier as we gain familiarity with the programs, and as our databases grow. The time we save in building estimates can now be utilized to learn the intricacies of the project, and fine tune our efforts accordingly. We don't get every job we bid with BID2WIN. That isn't a goal, and never was. What utilizing BID2WIN does do is lead to better cost accuracy - which, of course, is the single most important aspect of estimating, and the construction business as a whole. Anyone can be a low bidder. What's great is to be the low bidder, while knowing exactly what your margins are - and that's just for starters. BID2WIN addressed all of the issues we had with our spreadsheet estimating. The system allows multiple users to modify a single estimating file concurrently without the need for multiple bidding files, so true collaboration can take place. BID2WIN also immediately standardized our estimating process. These days, we can easily transfer project responsibility from any estimator to any project manager or superintendent, knowing that the information stays consistent in both content and presentation. But beyond that, BID2WIN's myriad reports allow people of different responsibilities to extract their information in virtually any form they want. BID2WIN effectively addressed our crucial need to standardize our process, but the tool also maintained the positive aspects of individualization. My favorite aspect of BID2WIN is the effortless and sleek integration it affords us. Once we are a successful bidder on a project, we can export BID2WIN files and load them into our accounting, project management and scheduling software programs. Within minutes, we have a resource-loaded schedule to hand off to the project manager and superintendent; cost estimates loaded into our job costing; and purchase orders and subcontracts printed, loaded into our accounting program, and ready to distribute to our vendors and subcontractors. There is no redundancy, duplication of effort, or clerical errors, and the task is done in minutes. It still amazes me. As a business owner, the old adage that "time is money" should be a mantra, and the time savings we have derived from the implementation of BID2WIN has already paid for its acquisition costs. With our ability to generate a larger volume of estimates, and with greater cost accuracy, we are also more profitable overall. Innovation is another aspect of BID2WIN that makes the company stand out. Many of the product updates and developments to the system come directly from end-user requests and suggestions. The software doesn't just add cosmetic bells and whistles. The developers collaborate with users to add useful tools that provide additional value, and make our jobs easier. BID2WIN has been everything we had hoped for, and more. We highly recommend this solution to anyone except our direct competition. We'd love to maintain the competitive advantage it affords us.

Very long process to get an estimate

Pluspunten:

I like that the software is very user-friendly and pretty straightforward.

Minpunten:

A lot of data entry is required for the estimates. Even if you link an Excel spreadsheet to the estimate, the process of adding a comment for each cell you want to link is tedious, and it doesn't really work for a lot of things, like the equipment quantity. Also, I am not a big fan of the reporting. Most of the reports are confusing, and when presenting the estimate to upper management, it is always hard to explain that it is that way in the reporting, but if you do a multiplication for example, that is the correct number. I just think the reports should show the actual numbers, or maybe we are just using the wrong product for the kind of work we do, and that is why the reporting in the software does not meet out needs.

New User, Very Impressed

Pluspunten:

Ease of use, easy learning curve, ability to customize crews, tasks, and items. Reusable cost structures greatly improve estimating efficiency.

Minpunten:

An undo button would be an awesome feature to add. It is possible to accidentally make changes in database that affect a wide range of other projects. Care must be taken.

CB, Inc. - B2W Estimate Overview

Opmerkingen: We went from Excel/ Pen and paper to using a standardized database that will integrate with out new Viewpoint Vista Accounting package.

Pluspunten:

Best ease of use cost to price Construction Estimating Product out there. Best bang for the buck. If familiar with cost coding, production rates, cost to price estimating; the setup and go live can be achieved in a relatively short time span. Being able to have a standard with the entire team (Estimating, Project Management, Accounting, & Field personnel) is worth the purchase alone.

Minpunten:

MSA and Blanket contracts are challenging to build in Estimate.