Estimating a job is difficult and gets even harder when there are multiple factors and vendors involved. Making the process easier can improve both the time to contract and the accuracy of the estimate. Simplifying the estimating process, therefore, can benefit the contractor and the client.
As one example, InEight has taken this approach with all its programs and now InEight Estimate has improved its user interface with a ribbon-based approach aimed at pricing bids in even less time. With the new navigation method, Estimate’s interface allows you to conveniently work across multiple monitors, opening every job in its own window to compare estimates side-by-side and drag and drop data between jobs.
Some of the changes include new templates, cost item assembly enhancements, and the ability to enter unit or total prices for sub/vendor quotes.
Version 19’s user interface allows users to add, delete, rearrange, and relabel commands to create and define new layouts to share with other users while precisely matching organizational bid development and review processes. Fully customizable layouts allow estimating groups to promote consistent bidding practices across dispersed teams.
As the flagship software application, formerly known as Hard Dollar, InEight Estimate is now part of a larger portfolio of construction project-management software that streamlines planning and execution of all phases of the capital project lifecycle.
As another example, InEight Document, the company’s document management and control solution—formerly known as TeamBinder—includes a vendor data module and document drive functionality designed to help management better administer the project documentation control processes.
The vendor data module allows contractors to manage the vast quantities of deliverables associated with vendor contracts. This module provides a single source for handling contracts and the related line item deliverables and documents associated with tracking vendor deliverables, assuring teams never lose control. Teams can easily create placeholders for expected vendor deliverables by contract and item, then review and track the submitted documents, all the while keeping information in one location to easily track overall project progress.
Meanwhile, Document Drive provides construction professionals a streamlined tool for uploading, downloading, tracking, and viewing project documents and photos. Document Drive is embedded directly into Microsoft File Manager and integrates with Microsoft OneDrive. Downloads of current project documents can be scheduled, enabling easy offline access and storage. You can also automatically synchronize documents between Document Drive and Microsoft OneDrive for seamless file transfer.
Formerly known as TeamBinder, InEight Document is now part of a larger portfolio of construction project-management software that streamlines planning and execution of all phases of the capital project lifecycle.
Original Article: https://constructech.com/improving-estimating-and-document-management/
