Kind of precludes smaller businesses from buying it. The price would be the biggest issue I see with this software.
But that's not too often and possibly related to my computer? On it's own it's just OK, but with QuickBid it's really great.
It disconnects from it's sister software QuickBid - which can cause problems. Auto-Page labeling, automatic page links, etc. There are some features it could have which would make it better. I'd highly advise setting up one or more Template bids and copying the relevant one every time you have a new bid to do. Typical Areas, Style Sets, Layers, Copying Bids, etc. When you start to delve into it's various features you really see some great ways to save time. If you have the funds, it's worth getting On-Screen Takeoff & QuickBid together. For most estimators, this is the software you want. It's fast and easy to use once it's setup. The best takeoff software I've used, albeit a little pricey.
#Construction takeoff software ost update
A little bird says it's in the works, I have the champaign chilled to celebrate when it's available in an update because it's probably the only thing that still irks me. It takes me a lot of time, hours for big projects, to go through it all and make it legible. It's a bit better, more choices for printing and a 'master list' of available functions, but STILL, the actual graphics are completely terrible! No headings, no subheadings, just all one font, all one size, all run together with random page breaks. Alternates and change orders are even faster. Every single condition, adjusted for the new pricing (not just some lump sum discount, that's just lazy) and re-sent in a lunch hour. Total time, including new reports, 1 hour. I just go into 'markups', a little wiggle, a jiggle, and I have my pricing in line to vigorously compete in the next round. Well, I have 4 other floors ready to submit for the next phase. Yesterday a client gave me some feedback-just a little too high. As an independent can manage clients in completely different databases if that level of separation is required. When using both OST and QuickBids together there is a synergy that not only allows you to 'standardize' your pricing, but also build unlimited 'conditions' using those standard conditions, or from scratch. Having a 'let's get this fixed now' tech team, along with a friendly 'no such thing as a stupid question' mandate, if all OCS keeps doing is being the best at SERVICE, they will always have my business. More to understand, more to buy, more to manage. I see lots and lots of major changes still ahead for this industry of estimating, and software will lead in that new complexity/simplicity. And one REALLY important thing Their SERVICE in superb.
I've recommended this company many times, advised two companies in the last two years, including the one I currently work with, to buy the software because it's simply the best value I know of. icon "Inability to interact with drawings and a terrible UI.".Adding drawing numbers and names function in OnScreen Takeoff does not work well." icon "In QuickBid they easily become buried in the bid and get missed.icon "The software has no ability to copy and paste into a document.