Avis clients sur B2W Estimate

Chicago Heavy....Highway

Avantages :

Easy to put together private estimates that require a professional quote.

Inconvénients :

The program has many features, figuring out all of its functionality takes time (not really a con).

Specialty Subcontractor, occasional Prime Contractor

Avantages :

Flexible enough to efficiently cost estimate various scopes of work. Reusable cost structures with the ability to tweak to specific project circumstances.Pricing / distribution strategies very helpful in very competitive situations.

Inconvénients :

Internal implementation effort by initial business unit was extraordinary. Each implementation thereafter improved significantly.

Potential is there

Avantages :

The best thing about B2W is how the different modules communicate with each other. Estimating flows into Track and Schedule to reduce redundancy.

Inconvénients :

There is a long learning curve to adapt to using this product. Setup is seemingly easy until it creates problems later and you have to start over. Not enough training is provided with the product and the charges incurred for additional training and setup is painful.

Commentaires : 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.

CB, Inc. - B2W Estimate Overview

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

Avantages :

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.

Inconvénients :

MSA and Blanket contracts are challenging to build in Estimate.

Targeted specifically to heavy civil public contractors - it's not designed for anything else

Commentaires : It's been fairly good, but the upgrade to Enterprise soured it. Overall it's a legacy software that new competitors will likely overtake unless Trimble (who just purchased B2W) brings it into modern times with competitive pricing. For the record, we use Procore for project management which costs significantly more than B2W, but the value for what we get is far better.

Avantages :

Unit Price bidding and public work capabilities (pay item manipulation, WBE needs, bonding, etc). Also shines on ITB management and labor/equipment burden management. Customer support is good.

Inconvénients :

The Enterprise version is a waste of money (particularly the WBS feature is clearly an after-thought just to say they have it - it has very low functionality). B2W Estimate is targeted to heavy civil contractors which is clear and ok. Just know it's limited and very (very) expensive if that's not your company. It's a legacy software (server based - not HTML based, slower, low customizability, etc). It has no formulas unless you work through Excel. Again, it's a legacy software.

Solid tool with an ever growing list of valuable features

Commentaires : We are able to drive our goal of industry leader with the tools being afforded to us by B2W. We find new ways of use daily, we are able to get information to our field personnel quickly. Responding in minuets to issues not days and weeks. it is a platform we plan on building upon aggressively for a long time.

Avantages :

I truly appreciate the integration among the entire product line. It truly streamlines our approach to doing business

Inconvénients :

While I enjoy the integration, I do feel it could be better, the limited functionality of certain parts of the programs limit its full potential.

I am new to the product, but it seems like a good software program.

Commentaires : It's easy to use as an estimator.

Avantages :

Ease of use and functionality. I like the various windows for different functions, and the icons are getting better to differentiate various functions. I do like how I am able to have many number of tasks in a tree, in lieu of only having the ability to have 3 or 4 tasks per item.

Inconvénients :

Lacks some features I am used to. I am not a huge fan of the different reports, but we are working with B2W about customizing various reports to suit our company needs. I am also not a fan of how slow the inputs can be. We are working off an off-site server, and sometimes in can bog down.

Because I'm happy...

Avantages :

First, I like how responsive this vendor is towards user concerns and input towards a better product. Each employee is very willing to help and answer questions, or record any input to be evaluated for future updates. Second, I like how much this product continues to evolve. When I started using the software three years ago, I only used the estimate portion. Now we have evolved to using it for job cost tracking, dispatch, forms, etc., it is much more convenient being able to use one software to handle a lot of our needs.

Inconvénients :

The only thing I do not like is not having an "undo" button, one like those seen on the Microsoft office softwares. I greatly appreciate the recycle bin feature to help restore items that I've deleted, but I also make many small mistakes or changes that I would easily like to undo.

Continues to perform as expected. Easy to navigate around after becoming familiar with interface.

Commentaires : Standardized bidding and job set up process across the company. Also provides place for easy review of bids at all levels of management in various locations across the group of companies.

Avantages :

Level of control over all aspects of the bids. Also the ability to break down information in various formats for easy review and analysis. Conditional formatting allows to catch anything that may be an issue at a quick glance. Numerous reports built in to cover a lot of aspects of the bids.

Inconvénients :

Inability to create custom reports in house. Also with concurrent licenses not having the ability to pull a license back from a user has been a challenge. The user may have remained logged in even though they are not using the software preventing others ability to access.

B2W Estimate

Commentaires : 10/10

Avantages :

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

Inconvénients :

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

Bid2Win Construction Estimating Software

Commentaires : Highly recommended.

Avantages :

With the Enterprise version, the software has the ability to utilize multiple databases for use with multiple companies, yet be maintained from a central location. Within the Sherwood organization, we have eight companies; each with their own location, identity, resources, wage schedules, equipment rates, etc. The system's flexibility, ease of use, and multiple database capabilities were exatcly what we needed. Data migration for system implementation was greatly simplified by way of spreadsheet style templates that were used to pre-populate the program's data tables within each database. WIth the pre-poulated data, the system was ready to use, almost virtually out of the box. Seemless integration with MS Office products and exports available for multiple other software products, including accounting systems, reduces time and effort. We were bidding with the system the day after training.

Inconvénients :

There aren't any cons that I can think of. After using the system for four months, I have only called tech support once. It was for something that I could have taken care of with another few minutes of thinking. If you pay attention during the training and are somewhat computer literate, the systems intuitiveness takes care of the rest.,

Great Product

Commentaires : B2W is a great product and I would recommend to anyone in the construction business.

Avantages :

Ease of use for creating estimates and sending out bids.

Inconvénients :

Integration with viewpoint always seems to be an issue.

Very useful Tool

Commentaires : It is an efficient Database

Avantages :

It integrates will with Vista and we also use Track.

Inconvénients :

The modules and licenses get very expensive.

B2W Excellent Estimating Software

Avantages :

This software has the ability to hold a great volume of customers and estimates without the system getting bogged down.

Inconvénients :

It would be nice if it had a scheduling feature within the same program to allow for ease of job progression from quote to finished product.

Always making life simpler!

Avantages :

The ease and functionality of the program. The way in which it is built makes bids a breeze. The vendor is great because of their service. When you do come upon a road block, they always have an answer for you, and the answer is always to your favour (it's never that they can't not figure out how to help you).

Inconvénients :

Nothing comes to mind! I honestly can't think of a time when I've thought anything other than positive thoughts about this program and vendor.

Powerful and Functional

Avantages :

It is one of the best estimating software specifically for heavy-civil, large scale projects. Ability to identify and manage a resource file, transferring the WBS from excel to the software and utilizing the best reporting system to come up with the cost breakdown based on labor, equipment and material are some pros of this software.

Inconvénients :

Considering the cost of the software, it fits the large-scale projects. It doesn't seem, it can be a right choice for small-size projects or buildings.

B2W Estimate - overall product review

Avantages :

It is very versatile with what you can do with the program. Also, it is very user-friendly, which makes it easier to train new estimators. B2W is also constantly listening to their customers and upgrading the product continually, which is addressing the customer ideas

Inconvénients :

I'm still waiting on a couple of recommendations, but I realize it takes time to produce and implement them.

Best In Class. First Rate Customer Service.

Commentaires : I have been using Estimate off and on for nearly a decade. I have demo'd countless competitors programs and I know two things to be true there is no solution that is perfect to every companies specific situation however, B2W's Estimate is the best in the class. The Ease of Use of software is relative to the commercial category for which its application is being used. Civil and Heavy Highway Estimates are difficult and complex undertakings in a lot of cases so while Estimate is not intuitive, none are, the use of Estimate in our company has increased the amount of work we bid, by nearly 40% compared to our previous Excel based system. More accurately, Estimate Check Wizard is an amazing feature. I cant say that it has made us more profitable but it has eliminated human error that would of resulted in losses. Additionally I haven't had a single dealing with any employee that hasn't gone out of there way to answer any question I have I had. Lastly, B2W's tech support is unrivaled you won't know that until you need them but you will after.

Estimate and Track

Avantages :

Their customer service is excellent! Very helpful and get back to you right away. We have used the product for a couple of years now and really like it. It's very user friendly and helpful with the information you are able to get from it.

Inconvénients :

I wish you were able to customize reports more especially in Track.

review

Commentaires : it is a lot faster and is really a great software

Avantages :

it is a lot easier getting a quote together

Inconvénients :

some of the function, not being able to manipulate the software in certain circumstances, and not being able to delete things

Overall a great product

Avantages :

Lets you spend more time breaking down a job and less time building a estimate. Vendor always has an answer right away when there is a problem

Inconvénients :

Wish I could create my own reports. this would make it easier for me to find what I am looking for faster.

B2W Estimate

Avantages :

Streamlined system for estimating. The technical ability to control certain key portions of an estimate, with as much detail as I want.

Inconvénients :

The initial screen for creating a new job estimate. I would prefer one screen with all the questions.

Signed up with this product a couple years ago. Love it. Keep it up

Avantages :

The support staff is great. It's very simple and easy to use software. It's the way estimating should be.

Inconvénients :

I didn't like that it was developed without spellcheck, but that is resolved. We need a takeoff software in bid 2 win.

Estimation & Biding got Better

Avantages :

Reliable Software, provides all requirement for a successful & wining Bid preparation and cost estimation, it helps to get your business bigger

Inconvénients :

Nothing much, small adjustment might provide more efficiency and allow to have a better biding results, by taking into consideration all risk factors