Issue link: https://construction.trimble.com/en/resources/i/1520039
MAINTAIN TRACK ESTIMATE • Flexibility meets requirements of various divisions • Integration with Viewpoint accounting system • Built-in advantages for DOT bids CASE STUDY "B2W ended up changing our approach to estimating and bidding, philosophically, by opening our eyes to how much more quickly, efficiently and accurately we could work." DUININCK INC. SWITCH FROM SPREADSHEETS TO B2W ESTIMATE PAYS OFF ACROSS MULTIPLE WORK SCOPES Switching from spreadsheets to B2W Estimate was a secondary decision for Duininck Incorporated. Within weeks, however, the specialized software was well on its way to becoming a tool of primary importance across its multiple work scopes and divisions. The third-generation family business began building roads in 1926 and now includes mining and aggregate operations across the United States, as well as paving, concrete and more. "We weren't really looking for a new estimating solution, but our move to the Viewpoint accounting platform presented the challenge of how to directly integrate bid information," explains vice president Kyle Duininck. "Rather than create elaborate, complicated work-arounds with Excel, we decided to add Estimate because of the built-in integration capabilities. B2W ended up changing our approach to estimating and bidding, philosophically, by opening our eyes to how much more quickly, efficiently and accurately we could work." Estimators at Duininck were initially skeptical and created redundant bids with spreadsheets for several months after installing B2W Estimate. By then, the new software, and its structure and layout which Kyle Duininck calls "elegant", had won them over. Spreadsheets were dropped, and Duininck gradually rolled out B2W Estimate across distinct divisions based in Texas and Minnesota specializing in road and heavy highway construction, paving, concrete, golf course construction, aggregates and mining, utility work and alternative energy. "We actually had a competitive solution on a laptop, and we tried it in parallel with Estimate for several weeks," recalls Duininck. "The B2W solution won out due to the features as well as the flexibility."