Masonry Magazine March 2009 Page. 21
MASONRY COMPUTER ESTIMATING
Masonry Computer Estimating
That Does It All... in 3D!
by TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE
Pro Plus -
WinEstimator Inc.
But customers who choose WinEst over Excel do so mainly because of the underlying database, which allows them to save data from figures on material, production rates, prices, and units of measure, which they can use to populate new project estimates.
"Otherwise you're creating estimates from scratch every time," says Watt. "It's amazing, after all these years, that the migratory path to our program and the people using it are coming from an Excel background."
Another benefit is the standardization WinEst allows, especially for larger companies with multiple estimators outputting data and reports on the same project. Watt says that being able to produce uniform reports and estimates across the company is definitely an asset.
Development is also focused on integration to other tools customers use, such as Microsoft Project. WinEst is a Microsoft Windows-based program, allowing users to take information in the estimate and use it for cost and resource data for the individual tasks in Microsoft Project. This provides a seamless exchange of cost data information flow. The software also integrates with many other scheduling, accounting and CAD solutions, including those of Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Business Solutions and Primavera, as well as numerous takeoff programs and about 20 of the leading job cost accounting systems on the market.
As an industry-wide push is happening for more implementation of building information modeling (BIM), estimating software companies are offering more solutions specifically for that process. Watt says WinEst supports the idea of BIM by deriving costs from a 3D building model.
"[It's especially important] for some larger design-build firms that are more focused on BIM technology," says Watt. "The subcontractor market needs to be patient; tools are coming out soon to allow them to benefit from BIM, too."
The program allows users to slice and dice estimates by a number of variables, which is extremely useful when presenting all sides of a cost estimate to a potential client. In addition, with an established database, an estimator can find three to five estimates of projects similar in scope to show the owner/client.
www.masonrymagazine.com
New for 2009!
On-Screen 3D Take-Off
Just point and click on the digital blueprint and see your walls displayed. Our new On-Screen 30 Take-Off Engine makes it simple and fast.
Runs on Windows PCs and Bootcamp/Windows on Intel Macs.
30 day money back guarantee.
Support available 7 days a week.
Comes with more than 400 items in material database.
See the actual building being displayed in 3D as you do your take-off in either PLAN mode, PERSPECTIVE mode, OUTSIDE mode, INSIDE mode or at any ELEVATION.
Complete your take-off, then walk through or around and see the actual finished building(s).
Calculates CMU: HALF and FULL BULLNOSE, DOUBLE BULLNOSE, CHAMFER, or SASH for any or all OPENINGS, JAMBS, CORNERS, CONTROL JOINTS and any SPECIAL CUTS.
Integrate with Accounting Software and transfer data to Microsoft Excel.
Negotiating projects with a 3D image will win you more contracts and enhance your professional image
TRADESMEN'S SOFTWARE, Inc.
1-800-494-4899
See for yourself at:
www.tradesmens.com
READER SERVICE #163
March 2009
MASONRY 19