5
Estimating is Not an Isolated Activity
Estimating is not an isolated activity. The accuracy, speed and standardization
advantages that specialized software brings to the estimating and bidding
process itself is compounded when the application is unified with the adjacent
and related workflows, including:
Field Tracking and Analysis
"The bid becomes the job", as information from the estimate can be
converted and exported electronically to a field tracking application and
field logs. Redundant data entry declines, and ambiguities between what
was bid and what is expected in the field disappear.
Accounting, ERP and Project
Management
Transferring information from an
estimate electronically increases
accuracy and saves hours of
re-working and re-keying of data.
Full featured estimating software
allows seamless exporting to dozens
of accounting/ERP programs and to
project management systems like
MS Project and Oracle Primavera.
Vendors and Subcontractors
Many bids require components
from third-party suppliers. An
estimating application should
make it easy to incorporate quotes
in multiple formats and send
standardized RFQs automatically
to vendors and subcontractors.
Specialized software should also
analyze the submitted quotes
automatically, select the lowest
bidder, and even split RFQ groups
among multiple bidders to suggest
the lowest possible pricing options.
E-BIDDING
DOT BIDDING
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
FIELD TRACKING
ACCOUNTING/ERP
VENDORS
SUBCONTRACTORS
EXCEL
COST DATA PROVIDERS
CENTRALIZED
COST DATA
Mobile
& Collab.
Audit
Trail
Reports &
Analysis
Bid
Mgmt.
RFQ
Mgmt.
WBS
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"The ability to export easily to the
Viewpoint accounting program and
Oracle Primavera project management
software were big pluses."
