Trimble Estimation Desktop

Kommentare: We're a long time Maxwell Systems Estimation user. Started our partnership with Maxwell in 1993. We decided in early 90's we needed to rethink computerized estimating so started shopping again. Looked at all the major players and decided Maxwell had the best product that would work well with our way of estimating and more imprtantly, felt like Maxwell had a real focus of listening to the customer about what they wanted/needed. Felt like Maxwell would be a real long term partner as computerized estimating matured. So we started down the road with 3 stations doing mechanical piping. Over the years we made many recommendations to Maxwell which they listening to and incorporated. We grew to 6 mechanical piping and 2 sheet metal stations. So over these last almost twenty years, we still view Maxwell as the best product out there. Even now, we still get called by new systems out on the market. But even after looking at them, Maxwell still meets our needs better than anyone else. In this day & age, it's hard to find someone who you're still a partner with after 20 years. Maxwell's commitment to their customers, listening, responding, partnering, having some of the best programmers & trainers around, having quality knowledgeable people to support you, great customer representation with all that ending in a great product has helped us be successful in what we do- win work and make profit.

Kommentare: We are a third generation plumbing company that has struggled through this economy like everyone. Making good financial decisions is key too not only surviving but also, staying on top. Maxwell Estimation has been a big part of that strategy. We were utilizing another takeoff system that wasn’t user friendly and required more training than we felt should be necessary to utilize a system. It seemed to take longer than writing it out by hand. We switched in 2009 to Estimation with the digital takeoff feature. Digital takeoff allowed us to reduce the amount of plans we produced and enabled me to send my digital takeoff to our engineer, client, and suppliers. This one feature has reduced the time necessary to explain our intent and design. Once we installed the system it didn’t take long to get up and running. Very user friendly, and with the benefit of the online video instruction I can enhance my understating of the system at my leisure. For us the system is fairly trouble free but, when I needed help, the support team was there. Occasionally, I receive a call from the support team asking how things are going or if I need additional training and could they set up a training date for me.

I update our estimation date base weekly through a separate service that keeps our pricing up to date. Never lagging behind in the market is important. I usually see the updated price before our suppliers get a chance to inform me. In the end, I get a report that is current and more detailed than I ever was without Estimation, right down to nuts and washers.

To many steps to do a simple task.

Kommentare: We purchased in August and were unable to go to the training until December, they would not even let us download the program until we did the training and they rebill us every August instead of when we were able to start using it. When I called to ask if they could change our billing date to when we were able to start using the program I was told I was basically a liar and that there was no way we were unable to use their program from the beginning time of purchase.

Vorteile:

This program can do a lot...If you have a degree in computer engineering. It is faster than trying to do a take off by hand. Pat, the trainer we had was wonderful ! Extremely helpful and will answer any question any time of day, much better than the customer help center.

Nachteile:

The program is quite pricey, add to that more money for training that is incomplete for the amount of information that is needed to run this program. The sales person we had was nice but extremely pushy. Customer service after purchase is terrible.

Kommentare: We are a mid-size commercial MEP company. We have seen better days in terms of workload and we have had to try to find ways to stay viable in this ever-changing economy. One way in which we have tried to do that is by saving time across multiple workflows. We had Maxwell Systems Estimation up and running in our electrical department with success and wanted to utilize this resource with mechanical as well. Already we are seeing positive results in terms of time savings and sustainable data being delivered by our new Estimation software. We are using Digital Takeoff and it is amazing how much faster I can produce versus traditional spreadsheet data entry. Implementing this system was a breeze thanks to our Account Manager, Mary Heinz, and the support team. Since then I have learned a lot on my own through the easy-to-use, intuitive interface as well as through short online training sessions that were made available. Customer support has been available when I need them and Mary has gone above and beyond in regards all things Maxwell Systems. It's easy to see already that this solution for our estimating department will save us much in time and money moving forward. I look forward to learning more, and really get this software working for us.

Kommentare: We have been using Estimation software for our plumbing & HVAC estimating for almost 20 years. Over the years, Estimation has continued to fine tune the program keeping up with ever changing computer and operating system improvements. Each upgrade to the program has installed seamlessly and we have never lost important information from previously bid projects. New versions are stress-free with a very short learning curve, building on previous versions of the program. We have been very happy with the ease of use, the ability to customize the bidding process for our business, material pricing updates and its multiple data base ability. With options to separate bids by addendum, alternate bid, take-off by floor, building sections and other project disciplines, Estimation gives us the ability to bid and manage more work with less energy and estimators. Every project we bid from small service jobs to multi-million dollar ventures are estimated with our system. After getting the job, multiple reports can be generated for project management, foreman, project buy-out and warehouse material pulls.
Without a doubt, I would recommend Estimation to any mechanical contractor, except, of course, to our competitors.

Long time user of the electrical estimating software

Vorteile:

Viewpoint regularly engages its users to monitor their satisfaction with the product. The support team is willing to assist with any issues that develop and show a true willingness to help. The product is highly specified for the trades and is very comprehensive.

Nachteile:

At times, we would like to be able to an interface with Microsoft products such as Excel. The telecommunications takeoff section needs to be expanded.

Kommentare: Daniel’s Electric began using the Estimation Program over 20 years (not sure of the exact date). I have been using the Maxwell Systems Logistics Program for the last 14 years. Currently using Verion 9.4. Logistics is user friendly and fairly easy to learn and operate. Logistics has been easy to customize, with the ability to build our own assemblies or modifying the "pre-built" assemblies making the take-off process easier to adapt to all kind of projects; which has saved me a lot of time in the estimating process. I utilize a digitizer in conjunction with Logistics which increases the accuracy of the takeoff, as well as reducing the time spent on the takeoff. Customer Support has been wonderful; most of my problems have been due to my own “operator errors” and not problems with the Program. I have attended a couple User Conferences and they are very worthwhile to go to. Gave me opportunities to speak directly with the Programmers to get hints & shortcuts as well as learn more about the Program. Also gives a chance to talk to other users and exchange information & ideas. I have recommended the Program to others in my field several times through the years.

Kommentare: I am a mechanical contractor and have been in business for near 30 years. I've done everything the old-school way until last January (2012). It used to take me several weeks to bid a job. Sometimes with great success. Sometimes, I'd miss key items because I'd forget to write them down. Maxwell's system has eliminated the guess work from the equation. Mary Heinz is my account rep and she has kept me up to date with the changes to the software and trying to get me to update as soon as it becomes available. I'd have to give her a rating of 10 out of 10. EXTREMELY HAPPY with the software. All I need to do now is teach my brother how to use it. He can hardly turn on the copier without some help. Anyone purchasing this software, TAKE THE COURSE AS SOON AS YOU GET THE PROGRAM. You will not regret buying this at twice the price. I can now do the typical one week estimate in one day without the mistakes. It has helped my business move forward and win multi-million dollar contracts that I could not get close to before. And YES, I am making money. BUY IT. You will be surprised how easy it is to use and make more money with a truly accurate bid. Thanks, Mary

Viewpoint Estimation Is Electrical Estimating On Steroids.

Vorteile:

This product offers so many features that are beneficial. Product is fun and easy to use. Takes the majority of the human factor out of the bid. Less computing mistakes. Speedy and accurate takeoffs. Easy pricing updates. Viewpoint Customer Support is made up of friendly knowledgeable team members which are eager to assist.

Nachteile:

Really? Hmmm, nothing. Seriously, this product is amazing!

Kommentare: Taunt Electric started electronic estimating with Trade Service, Estimation bought out Trade Service and we have been there ever since. Starting out with version 5. Estimation has turned the estimating software into what it is today with our version
9.1. the building of assemblies, and able to adapt to the several field we work in, Healthcare, water and wast water treatment, industrial energy generation, plus everday commercial projects. The ease of able to change the scale, the multiplyer for several conduit run or fixtures. We use a digitiser for our take off and links to our computer for count and take off. The use of summary to edit pricing and labor units. The summary can be run with discounts, NECA labor units, quote master for a quick print out for suppliers. Once in bid summary, labor rates, tax markup, quotes, sub-contractors are ath this page plus summary is available. I personnaly enjoy the program and saved us hours of entries for material. We update every week with Trade Service. The one thing users need to be concerned about is " if there is a problem". The help desk has always been there for us, at one time for even on a weekend

Too many steps

Kommentare: I really don't care for it.

Vorteile:

It does a lot of accounting needs. I guess if you really need all those steps this would be a great system. But not for a smaller company.

Nachteile:

Too many clicks and too many windows to open to get to one area. So many steps to just do one thing.

Procontractor MX Estimating and Earthwork.

Vorteile:

The product is fairly easy to use and is comparable in features to most software on the market.

Nachteile:

Customer support is none existent. In most case it is not worth your time to call because the response is not timely.

Kommentare: Art's Electric has been a client of Maxwell Systems Estimation since 1980, transitioning through many generations of the program. We have always been committed to upgrading to the latest product and version of the system. Our firm does both industrial and commercial installations and we have successfully been able to add the items we need in addition to utilizing the database provided with the system. We have always found the Estimation system easy to use, flexible, and easy to manipulate. Attending user conferences has allowed us to have one-on-one contact with the Estimation development team and input on future enhancements. Maxwell Systems Estimation has a strong team of employees committed to the program and in providing the latest in estimating techniques. Our next commitment is to transition to digital take-off; we have one station already in use with a second to be implemented soon.

Kommentare: Shamrock Plumbing is large plumbing/mechanical contractor located in North Salt Lake, Utah. We are a multi-faceted contractor with services ranging from Radiant Heat to Water Softeners to high rise commercial design build projects. Shamrock has been partnered (Yes Partnered, Maxwell Systems truly has a genuine interest in your success) with Estimation and Maxwell Systems for over 14 years. Two years ago, with the retirement of our lead estimator, we upgraded to a new system and we have had great success with the implementation of the new hardware/software. Mary Heinz (W/Maxwell Systems) has done a superb job of keeping us updated and giving Shamrock the opportunity to remain "In The Know", when it comes to new ideas and equipment. I would recommend Maxwell Systems to anyone serious about Project Estimation, Job Costing, and Project Detail.......

Kommentare: Here in Nebraska as an electrical company we find ourselves bidding houses, apartments, fire alarm systems, commercial, and industrial projects. With 6 Project Managers we can find ourselves bidding whatever comes across our estimation boards. The beauty of the Maxwell software is that if the PM knows what he is doing it allows him to be able to bid the house, apartment, fire alarm system, commercial and industrial projects on the same computer and estimating board every time. There is no need for another software when we with qualified PMs can bid anything from one software. Mary Heinz is very good at making sure we are notified about training seminars and any updates we need, and is always ready to help us with getting the software integrated to our personal needs and getting the system running smoothly for us.

Kommentare: I have been estimating for 40 years. That's correct, from before there were even electronic calculators (much less computers). We are currently using Logistics Version 4.3.2571 Estimating Version 4.2 to do our Plumbing Estimates. We have been using this system for about 13 years. Even though I have never used any of the other systems, I cannot imagine how anyone could improve on the ease of use! The power pad, along with the digitizer, allow me to do my takeoff completely from the plans with minimal return to the computer. The amount of time saved has allowed me to bid more and larger jobs by myself than would be possible any other way. It has allowed me to downsize, stay competitive and survive. This alone is keeping our 50 year old business "in business".

Kommentare: We are a commercial HVAC company. We are bidding all the time from referrals and off our Builders Exchange website. Until recently, we did all our bidding manually with pencil and paper, taking off blueprints with rulers, etc. We were referred to Maxwell Systems by friends and bought the system. I went to training and had no problem picking up the methodology to using the system. Any questions we encountered back at the office, have always been quickly answered, whether it was an IT question or general use of the estimation software. Digital Takeoff has allowed us to estimate faster by tracking multiple parts of the overall estimation at one time, i.e., hours, materials, equipment. We are pleased with how Maxwell has positivily impacted our bidding.

Kommentare: Before I had Maxwell I did every estimate by long-hand using a calcualtor and pencil. By using the program I save so much time and also eliminate the chance of a math error due to using a calculator. I love the assemblies and the ability to copy/paste takeoffs from one area to the next. We have benefited from using the software because now it takes less time to do an estimate, leaving me more time to to more estimates. I am looking forward to all the being part of the webinars and training to enhance my knowledge of the program. Using the program also makes it much easier and accurate to do job costing on all projects. I feel that Maxwell Systems is a great product and company and look forward to using it for many years to come.

Kommentare: Our company is an Electrical Contracting firm and we have always used Estimation/Logistics and really feel comfortable with it. Estimation is reliable and accurate and with our company using Estimation on four stations with three estimators, we have put it through some tests. We recently upgraded to the digital take-off for use on electronic drawings but have not had an opportunity to really use it to its full capability yet. We have always received good support when we need it and feel comfortable that all our needs are being met. Our company has used this software to gain millions of dollars worth of work and we feel comfortable when we do get one, our costs are spot on.

Kommentare: There are many functions even after 25 years of using this system that I don't use, but there are many that I do. This software is great and has provided us with winning bids in the 30 to 40% range. I would like, however, to learn more about some of the updates that we have received. I have been a satisfied customer for over 25 years in three different companies. There are always kinks here and there, but the customer support is great and respond especially if your on a deadline very quickly. I've never had a problem that support could not resolve in short time on the phone. I would recommend this system to anyone.

Kommentare: We have been using the Estimation Software for the Electrical Industry for the last 15 years and we find it to be very easy to use and implement with a straight forward structure and intuitive menus. The ability to build your own assemblies or to modify the hundreds of "pre-built" assemblies provided, makes the take-off process easier to adapt to all kind of projects. The Digital Takeoff module is powerful and easy to learn, making it a strong tool for quick and accurate takeoffs. Overall, this program has help our company increase its "bottom-line" and made our estimates accurate and adaptable.

Kommentare: I’m the Chief Estimator for a Mechanical Contractor, and we have been using Estimation for 26 years. We have tried many other mechanical estimating programs, but have always stayed with Estimation. They are the leading mechanical estimating software developer for our industry. The software is easy to learn and increases our productivity. We utilize digitizers in conjunction with Estimation. The production of my five estimators is greatly increased with this software program. I would highly recommend Maxwell Systems Estimation.

Kommentare: Before Maxwell we did estimating the old fashion way with a counter and a notepad
this system has helped speed that process up. We are using Version 9.3.0.2334.
Customer support has been wonderful, mostly our problems consist of in house user error within the software! Always simple things and they've always got us back up and running in no time. I like to break things out for my customers... well not really.. My customers like it and always ask later so this gives me the ability to do this easily before they ask!

Kommentare: Massey Electric is an electrical contracting company in East Tennessee operating for over 52 years. We have been using Maxwell Systems Estimation for several years. Our estimators love the product. It has helped cut our estimating hours considerably. The product is very user friendly and the customer service is great. Our account manager (Mary Heinz) has been a great help keeping us up to date with the latest software upgrades. We recommend this system over any other estimating software we have tried.

Kommentare: Before we started using Maxwell's new Digital Takeoff system about 5 years ago we did things the old way, with printed plans and used spreadsheets. Since we moved our system to this Digital Takeoff we have increased our takeoff times by half and now have a better handle on changes that happen at the last minute. We also have greater control on manipulating costs right from the estimate and see real time changes on costs. We have saved thousands from not having to print or order physical plans.