Masonry Magazine June 2001 Page. 21
As the construction industry gets more and more competitive, many contractors have discovered that estimating software is a cost-effective method of increasing productivity without driving up overhead.
But too often, contractors who are interested in using estimating software are overwhelmed by the options in front of them. They're not sure about what to look for in an estimating system, and as a result, they throw up their hands and choose not to purchase any system or worse yet, end up with software that is completely wrong for their business.
Not to worry. You can easily steer clear of this situation with a little preparation. By knowing what to look for before you talk to a sales representative, you can make sure you get the right estimating software for your company.
BE FLEXIBLE AND ALLOW FOR GROWTH
What do you need from estimating software right now? What will you need next year? Don't assume that a system that meets your needs today, will be able to do so next year. Be sure that any estimating system you buy can address both present and future demands.
For example, even if you currently employ only one estimator, you should look for software that is network-ready. This will allow for easy expansion of your estimating system when you are ready to hire more estimators.
"The best way to approach it is to look at your estimating process and say, 'Here's what I do now. But here's what I could be doing," says Rick Butor, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Quest Solutions, a Sarasota, Florida-based estimating software company. "Then find yourself a system that can get you there."
IMPROVE SPEED, ACCURACY, AND QUALITY OF INFORMATION
There's not much point in investing in estimating software if it can't improve your productivity. And generating estimates more quickly, and with fewer mistakes, is a sure way to do it.