FastPIPE Erfahrungen

Makes estimation a breeze

Vorteile:

FastPIPE helps us (as a plumbing contractor) to accurately estimate fixture counts, costs, and labor.

Nachteile:

Could use a makeover to appear more modern or sleek in design... nothing to change about functionality though!

FastPipe is a quick and intuitive estimating tool

Vorteile:

The ease of doing takeoffs, generating reports and the overall functionality of the software

Nachteile:

The Quick Pick Menu could be better customizable

FastPIPE review

Vorteile:

Putting data in is very easy with this software.

Nachteile:

Getting data out could be better. It needs more options.

Daily Fast Pipe Use Review

Kommentare: I use this program on a daily basis. I know I'm not using this program to it's full potential because I have not quite figured out how to make or use assemblies, job items, or how to create my own spec. I'd like to see a text book style book or manual to help figure some of these items out. I know they have educational seminars all over the country but they are always far away from me and the one time they came to Chicago last year, I was on vacation. I'd also like to learn how to customize this program a little more. But I really like this program and can't recommend it enough.

Vorteile:

Easy to learn, easy to use. Great customer service when ever I have issues with software bugs. I really like the way the actual estimating interface is set up especially on the two screens.

Nachteile:

Very minor complaints about the way some of the fittings are organized in specific material spec sections. There are also a lot of fittings that don't have pricing in some of the lesser used spec sections. And some times I get exceptions on certain pipes with errors about insulation specs or hangers and I can't quite figure out how to correct that.

Features That Match Our Needs

Kommentare: It has made our estimating process reproduceable by all who use it. All bids come onto a common spreadsheet that allows for easy review. Fast-Pipe was easy to get set up the way we like it and an easy takeoff function made for an easy transfer of systems when we purchased the Fast-Pipe system.

Vorteile:

We are a mid size PHVAC contractor ($3-5M/Yr) and our prior system was more advanced than we required. Fast-Pipe has the features we need without a lot of features we would never use. It has an easy interface from Plan Loading to Spec Adjustments to takeoff ease. The other feature we like is a direct transfer of the outputted data onto a very user friendly bidding spreadsheet. Our former software required us to manually design a spreadsheet and transfer basic data by hand in order to bid the project.

Nachteile:

It can be time consuming to track down specific items in the data base catalog if you aren't sure how they are originally placed.

Feedback

Kommentare: Customer support is excellent.
I was putting is extra time on the week-end bidding and take-off of a motel last year . I had an issue with the program not working properly (not sure what happened), but put a call in early Sunday morning and had a response with-in two hours. FastEst Rep had me back up and running with-in minutes.

Vorteile:

User friendly and the maneuverability thru-out the program.

Nachteile:

Not able to copy a second plan. Example. (I load up the plans needed, but sometimes, I would like to be able to have a second copy of a single sheet, but not been able to do that).

FastPIPE Review

Kommentare: MY OVERALL EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN VERY GOOD. THE SOFTWARE IS EASY TO LEARN AND THE SUPPORT IS FANTASTIC WHEN REQUIRED (INSTALLING ON NEW LAPTOP).

Vorteile:

THE ABILITY TO IMPORT PLANS, PROCEED WITH TAKEOFF, AND OVERLAY REVISED PLANS TO SEE THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. THE ABILITY TO INCREASE THE PLAN SIZE IN TAKEOFF IS A GREAT ASSET AS YOU CAN PRINT THE VISIBLE PORTION ONLY IF REQUIRED.

Nachteile:

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A SEARCH BAR TO FIND PAST JOBS AND I WOULD LIKE THE JOB LIST TO BE AT THE TOP IN LIEU OF REFRESHING.

FastPipe is a lifesaver

Kommentare: Our company is involved in may multi-million dollar projects. Many that are not designed when we first receive the plans. FastPipe allows me to draw piping while creating an estimate and afterwards, I can print the plans with my layout to share with the owner/engineer team to indicate the extensiveness we went through to create an accurate budget. Additionally, we now don't have the need for so many people to complete the task of estimating which frees up resources for other departments

Vorteile:

This software allows me to take on at a minimum twice the projects compared to taking PVF off by hand. I have used other estimating software in the past that really over complicated the process

Nachteile:

Some of the takeoff button script is a little on the small side. Larger text would be helpful but its a give and take as I don't want to lose takeoff screen size for larger text

Best Estimating software on the market!

Kommentare: I have been estimating for almost 20 years and have used two other programs before Fastpipe and can say honestly that fastpipe is by far the best and easiest estimating program I have use. They listen to any changes we think would improve there product, I use it daily for over 7 years now.

Vorteile:

Reliable, easy to uses, Fastpipe always keeps up on updating the data base and are always improving their product to keep up or stay ahead of the market. Great customer service, we have built up a relationship with the guys both professionally and personally.

Nachteile:

The only thing I can think of if we could have (2) of the program open on one computer once we have (2) or more licences.

FAST PIPE

Kommentare: I have been using Fast pipe for over 20 years and it allows me to estimate a job accurately and have it organized for installation. its just a very efficient way to estimate a job.

Vorteile:

-The ease of use is awesome. you can down load a set of drawings set the scale and start taking a job off very quickly. -The assembly's you can create along with the standard ones already set up make take offs very fast. -The fact that you can print the colored take off drawings and have all the systems with a different color is great to hand to the field. - Great for doing design build job estimating as you can draw the pipe as you go and have job laid out. much more accurate way to price. - Printing material list by system and or material type or by area. gives you a lot of variations to get materials ordered for the job. - they are constantly updating the software and data base to keep it current.

Nachteile:

- Really do not have any con's. As stated above they are constantly updating the software with improvements and data base.

Kommentare: When I first looked into FastEST products in 1997, there were plenty of other options out there. Over time, we have watched those competing companies get bought out, merge with others and some go out of business altogether. Accuracy is a big concern when it comes to estimating in general. With the high pressure to kick out large volumes of estimates, mistakes are easy to make and in some cases, cost people their businesses. FastEST provides a high level of transparency in their products, making it very easy for managers to review estimates before they are sent out. All of the data is exported to excel where it can be analyzed, cut and diced into manageable chunks and quickly compared to historical data. Many other programs claim to do this, but are not as seamless. We are fortunate to belong to several trade organizations and had the opportunity to ask our competitors what programs they were using. We were amazed to find out they had spent thousands of dollars on other programs and never made it to full implementation. After talking with these people the reason why became more and more apparent. If it is not intuitive and easy to understand, it will simply not get used. Many estimators are brought up through the ranks in the field, into the office and expected to understand computers. FastEST shines in the power of simplicity. While most other programs require a week training or more, we can have someone up and going in a matter of a few hours. The interface is very user-friendly. When its crunch time a call back or a response to an email is too long to wait! Although I would have to say emergencies have been quite rare with the program, when issues have arisen, a quick phone call and the support staff will get you back on your feet. Like anyone that knows what they are doing, they make it look easy and they are almost always done in a matter of minutes. Other programs we have used require an email to be sent before you are even placed in the queue. In 1997 when I first started using the program, we were doing strip malls and gas stations. We now use the program to estimate all manner of public and medical facilities well into the ten million dollar range. This is a product that can help you grow your business and grow with your business. We have been fortunate to have FastEST as a partner in our business and contribute much of our success to the power of the program.

Best I've used

Kommentare: Fastest is a wonderful program. If you are looking to bid and win more jobs this is the product to buy.

Vorteile:

Fastpipe is very easy to get up and running. The service after the sale is superior. When you have questions someone is always available and usually right away. It has a huge database and I am able to tackle any size job. The assemblies are very useful. All takeoff is done on screen using only a mouse and keyboard. The ability to color code the takeoff is wonderful. I've used all types of estimating software in the last 30 years and when the time came for me to start my company the choice was Fast-pipe.

Nachteile:

I can honestly say that Fastpipe has very few cons and I can't think of any at the moment.

Very Happy

Kommentare: Great, support is fantastic and it is very accurate with a huge parts list. it is maybe once a quarter we run into an item not in the catalog.

Vorteile:

The ease of use is fantastic. Ability to import new drawings and revised drawings is great. Customization is easy.

Nachteile:

Wish we could plug into vendor software and order. This is available to some extent and generally the vendors IT issue FastEst is willing to try.

great software

Kommentare: it's in the Pros

Vorteile:

there customer service is the best , i think our company is one of the beta users .They have got the best system in the industries . they have a great team . always looking to make it easy to use . I have had to call them numerous times , it was't the software it was me

Nachteile:

i have no comments , it's very ease to work with

Fast Pipe

Kommentare: need to work on integration with supply house and need to work excavation features

Vorteile:

Accuracy is excellent. The online meetings are very helpful. Customization is very simple

Nachteile:

I don't fast pipes excel form there very difficult to use. It would be better if layer the take off. The creating of assemblies is to many steps

FastPIPE Review

Vorteile:

1. It has up to date Pricing 2. It has most Piping Processes 3. Cloneing

Nachteile:

I wish I could get better Take off breakdowns I wish some Items on the Take off Page were all on the same Page Could use more Products for other Piping Bids. Water Heater Flue piping for instance.

Excellent for HVAC & Plumbing Insulation

Kommentare: More efficiency and Accuracy in Taking-off projects, Better coordination with our Field Workers, More accurate Material Orders, We have quit printing full size sets of drawings.

Vorteile:

Absolutely and GREAT tool. This system has streamlined our whole workflow. From the moment we begin estimating the project, to ordering materials, to coordination during the project.

Nachteile:

No Undo Button! There are only a couple of small items that would make it better for our use, but the BIGGEST, Almost singular item is there is not an UNDO button.

Software review

Kommentare: This software allows us to bid on a lot of projects. Job set up is easy and the take off is a breeze. You can customize each job for your needs.

Vorteile:

Ease of use. Customer support is always on point. Notifications about pricing changes are sent out as needed. Training seminars are available several times a year throughout the US.

Nachteile:

We haven't updated to the newest version (18), I know there have been several improvements made. I really can't comment on this as of yet.

Excellent estimating software

Kommentare: I started using this software in 2006 and did use a competitor for a few years and I was glad to come back to fast pipe. Had to get help with everything with the competitor. Enjoy using this program.

Vorteile:

Easy to set up and easy to understand Excellent help when it is needed The on screen takeoff is easy to use

Nachteile:

I haven't had a con using this program Everything has worked well

Fast pipe = Fast estimates

Vorteile:

The best part about the software is how efficient you can be using it. We have our live pricing for piping materials which makes it accurate and the support from the fastest team is great. The software is very easy to learn and very user friendly.

Nachteile:

Only con is getting used to the software, learning how it works, and getting the specs setup for your specific materials and local codes. Once your setup I don't think there are any cons.

Simple and Reliable

Kommentare: The customer service at FastEst is the best I have experienced with a software company. You can always get technical hands on help from their team. They can remotely log on to your computer to step you through your issues. It actually ends up being a quick tutorial sometimes.

Vorteile:

The software is very intuitive to use. It is constantly being updated. I can design a job at the same time that I'm taking it off. Changes are easily made to update budgets.

Nachteile:

I would like to see more pre-built assemblies

Fastpipe review

Kommentare: I have used software to compile a cost per foot for most types of piping, works great for budgeting projects

Vorteile:

Probably the on screen takeoff, its a real time saver. I brought in my 55" flat screen TV to be able to view entire plan on screen

Nachteile:

Nothing I can think of, I like all features

Estimating systems

Vorteile:

This program is very easy to learn, both Fast Pipe and Fast Duct are easy to combine the estimates together. the updates are very quick. Customer service is great. We have not had many problems but when we do they are quick to get on and make the corrections needed

Nachteile:

Nothing. I have used other estimating systems and Fast Est is the best.

FastPipe

Kommentare: Fantastic

Vorteile:

The easy of learning the program and the flow keeps you on track.

Nachteile:

Sometimes I mark one template and another would pop up.

Good Product can be improved

Kommentare: We are able to provide a superior service in a timely manner because of the capability of the product.

Vorteile:

The ability to take off materials from a plan and provide a cost estimate. EG: 1. Identify pipe length of pipe between two fittings, then able to spit out material and labor in an excel file. 2. It can see multiple drawings. 3. Allows for material cost change.

Nachteile:

Some of the inflexibility of the program. EG: When there are multiple fittings on the plan, a toggle switch would be helpful to choose which fitting to connect to. 2. It cannot see multiple drawings simultaneously (plan & diagram view). 3. It cannot enter material quote at take off.