Bidding and Estimating Software

In this day and age, knowing the current technology options can benefit how you do business.

Just about every contractor in the U.S. uses some type of software for estimating and bidding purposes. The choices range from spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel, to sophisticated systems that help you to take off quantities from plans and seamlessly move the data to estimating programs, building information modeling (BIM) design software, and then on to job cost and business accounting software.

Today, the age of cell phone communication featuring Internet connections, email, and more has dawned. These as well as laptops and small tablet products such as Apple’s iPad,allow you to install applications (apps) that perform a wide range of services. Bidding, estimating, and jobsite management software companies are developing apps that enable you to enter or retrieve data from the field into their software using your cell phone.

Many software companies use Structured English Query Language (SQL) as the platform database software for their systems because it offers wide versatility and greater opportunities for future development.

More and more companies are bundling software applications together into one application. In the past, you bought a software package to do take-offs and provide quantities. Then you entered this data into an estimating program to add prices to each quantity. When you secured a project, you started a job cost folder using another software application. Finally, business accounting software enabled you to calculate payroll, keep track of receivables and payables, and provide statements and balance sheets. Today you can purchase one software application that handles all these functions, moving data seamlessly between one application to the next without the risk of human error.

James Sexton, Maxwell Systems’ estimating and civil product manager, says Maxwell is a 36-year-old company. Its first product was accounting software, but in 2007 the company decided to develop a platform that handles accounting, estimating, and project management. Maxwell also sells estimating software to handle specific construction industry needs, such as electrical, mechanical, and HVAC. Its ProContractorMX and Earthwork software helps concrete contractors import plans and do take-off work for all the concrete elements on a plan. You can display 3D views as well. This is very helpful because it shows if take-off areas overlap or if there are areas that have not been taken off.

Maxwell Systems uses SQL as its database platform now. Sexton says they can import any BIM files and import as either ASCII or Excel files. For more information, go to www.maxwellsystems.com.

Trends in the Industry

Many or most in the concrete construction industry aren’t good at predicting the future and know even less about software and where it’s headed. On the other hand, contractors need to buy equipment and technologies that will prepare them for what’s ahead. Following are some points to consider as you make future technology and software decisions.

Connecting to the field. A goal for more and more software and technology developers is to connect the office to the field. Some companies are much further along with products in this regard. But if you look ahead five or 10 years, nearly all software developed will serve this need. Data will be sent from the field, some of it automatically transmitted by GPS and robotic total station equipment, for input into a wide range of software. The office will be able to know what’s happening in the field in real time. For instance, construction companies will constantly know the percent completion of a project and have information about production efficiency. Office personnel also will be able to send changes to the field to seamlessly provide new directions for construction.
App programs. These simple programs come in a number of offerings and serve every need imaginable. They can perform specific functions on their own, as well as enable you to receive or input data from and to sophisticated software programs, such as the ones previously described. The business software product manufacturers are producing apps compatible with its software giving you the freedom to work without a computer. Your cell phone enabled with an Internet connection, weighing only a few ounces, now becomes a window into your office. This trend will continue to grow and develop, and you should plan for it with every technology purchase.
Building common platforms. As you can see from the examples, companies are bringing more software packages together to make it easy to move data from one application to another without human intervention, which often leads to errors. Information you start to accumulate while you take-off quantities on plans is moved seamlessly through other office software packages, eventually providing information to produce accounting reports.
BIM. Some construction companies understand and use BIM. However, most concrete contractors probably don’t understand how fast BIM is taking hold in the construction industry. BIM opens the way for discussions between all parties of a project, including subcontractors. Everyone helps in the planning and organization of a project, each adding their trade knowledge and thoughts about constructability issues and schedule. One of the payoffs is clash detection—a process that isolates conflict areas so that decisions can be worked out before construction begins.
- BIM links 3D views to databases that include all the information about materials and requirements for every part of a design. Also, workers in the field understand 3D drawings much better than 2D ones, so their work is more productive.
- The manufacturers of bidding and estimating software systems understand the need to be compatible with BIM and are working to make it easy to link to the parts that have relevance for them. When you invest in major software products for your office, it’s wise to have this with vendors. In the meantime, start learning how to use BIM.
SQL. This tried-and-true database platform has been in the marketplace for a long time and is currently the best platform for bidding and estimating programs. It performs well and easily links to other software products. You should investigate which platform your software choices use.

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Sigfusson Northern LTD

Sigfusson Northern LTD uses Maxwell Systems StreetSmarts as its job cost accounting and project management software solution. With StreetSmarts, SNL manages all of the accounting practices and job costs for their seven entities across the U.S. and Canada; maintain information in one place, in one format; manage payroll in-house; track and bill equipment expenses; and streamline workflow between the office and job sites.

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Our Story of Complete Construction Software

Maxwell Systems provides construction software solutions that help contractors to streamline workflow, increase productivity, and improve profitability. Furthermore, we understand that today's contractors must optimize processes across all business areas to gain or maintain an increasingly important competitive edge and ensure a successful business. Critical, to that end, is timely and efficient communication and information access among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management teams.

By using a Maxwell Systems complete construction software solution, you'll be able to better operate your business with increased efficiency and streamlined operations, and confidently increase profitability on every project. You will have the tools you need to accomplish more in less time; taking the guesswork out of reaching true profit potential; and improving financial stability for long-term benefit.

Why Maxwell Systems?

Maxwell Systems is truly unique with its ability to offer contractors a complete, seamless software solution that allows:

A new level of continuity and productivity among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management
Better insight, analysis, and financial oversight for owners to make informed and timely decisions
Improved operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and increased profits

Contractors value having an end-to-end solution from one company:

All applications work together seamlessly
Efficient access to comprehensive support and services
A stable technology partner committed to customer success

How Your Business Benefits

A complete construction software solution from Maxwell Systems provides end-to-end control of your business so you can see a day's profit potential at a glance, identify and prevent potential financial losses, spot discrepancies and errors, and manage projects with accurate information in real-time.

With tailored features designed to fit each member on your team, construction company management software ultimately allows your business to:

Attain end-to-end control and increased visibility
Achieve easy and accurate reporting with real-time data
Optimize project execution for maximum profitability
Streamline operations with seamless workflow

The Bid-to-Cash Cycle Explained

Managing each of the key process areas of a construction business – Estimating, Construction Accounting, and Project Management – requires vastly different talents and areas of expertise. The reality is that each of these functional groups is related and dependent on one another.

For your organization to run in an optimal fashion, the groups much work together in an optimal fashion. Together, these functional areas compromise what we describe as the Bid-to-Cash Cycle. And our goal at Maxwell Systems is to provide software for construction so you can bridge the needs of the functional groups, better manage this cycle, and so maximize profitability.

When construction estimating software, construction accounting software, and construction project management software are working together in a seamless system as a complete construction business management software solution, then a contractor is truly poised for optimal profit and productivity.

How does a complete solution fit your part of the cycle? Here are a few examples:

Owner: It's all about reducing waste, uncovering lost opportunity, exposing shortcomings, and maximizing resources – all which impact profit and the bottom line. With end-to-end visibility of every project, executives can hone business strategy, improve control of cash flow, and keep financials in the black with accurate ROI.
Estimator: Beyond estimating projects, the estimator can access more accurate information in regards to how the project actually performs. This will allow the estimator to improve accuracy on future estimates with actual labor and production rates, updated material prices, and other resource related items.
Accounting: Not only a company's construction accounting system, a complete solution helps to streamline the procurement processes for optimal efficiencies and produces more accurate purchasing processes. Additionally, billing processes, inventory issuances, and many other processes are streamlined. Less data entry, better accuracy, and reliable audit trail allow convenience and peace of mind.
Project Manager: The seamless workflow from Estimating to Project Tracking allows for a streamlined method of creating the job and then tracking performance against the estimate. Within the complete solution, the construction project management programs also provide the detail required for the Project Manager to understand what the Estimator was thinking when the bid was put together. Plus, by accessing real-time information whether in the office or in the field, the project manager can track progress, be more agile, and better handle all aspects of jobs from beginning to end.

Bottom Line

To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, construction business owners must improve productivity and have end-to-end visibility to see how jobs perform (and turn profit) from start to finish. Maxwell Systems knows construction company software and can be your partner by offering truly unique products (as well as support and services) that address the entire construction project lifecycle – from digital takeoff through final cash payment. Our seamless system provides your company with all the capabilities you need for estimating, job cost accounting, and project management, and ultimately for superior insight and analysis of your business.

Imagine the flexibility and insight by having one solution for estimating projects, for construction accounting programs, and for construction project software! All that and more in one system will help your business be more competitive and profitable.

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Industries Served

General Construction

Learn how Maxwell Systems software can help general construction companies improve overall project performance, including bidding process, labor and material allocation, team communication and collaboration (whether in office or at the job site), and managing changes for maximum profitability. It’s general contractor software to run a better business!

Heavy Construction

Maxwell Systems helps thousands of heavy/highway contractors more profitably execute and manage projects. Work can range from construction or repair work for streets, roads, and highways or bridges, dams, and tunnels, or underground utilities, excavation, paving, and much more. Read about the heavy construction software we can provide to help you boost profit.

Concrete & Masonry Construction

It’s critical that you have a keen eye on plans, materials, labor, equipment, budgets, and schedules to ensure your concrete and masonry projects are profitable. That’s why you should learn how our contractor software is tailored to your unique needs.

Electrical Contracting

Whether you do new construction, replacement, or maintenance for the residential, commercial, and/or industrial markets, electrical contracting demands that you can properly review specifications and estimate costs, schedule crews, manage inventory, and schedule equipment to ensure that you fulfill each contract according to schedule. Learn how Maxwell Systems electrical contractor software is tailored to fit the way you work.

HVAC Contracting

From installation of furnaces, air conditioning units, and refrigeration systems to maintenance and repair work to fabricating sheet metal, HVAC construction work is varied and demanding. That’s why it’s wise to invest in HVAC contractor software designed with features that fit so you can acquire and manage projects for best profit. Find out why.

Mechanical Contracting

For many mechanical contractors, work may begin with the underground piping and not end until systems are in operation for occupancy. And many probably also provide expertise about various specialty trades and handle responsibilities spanning engineering, installation, and operation. To estimate, manage, and fulfill each contract accurately and profitably, mechanical contractors rely on Maxwell Systems software for construction. Read how you can too.

Plumbing Contracting

Whether you install fixtures for residential or commercial properties, or even install gas appliances and pipework, and/or perform maintenance and repair work, it’s likely that your profitability depends on volume of work and managing projects efficiently and accurately. Learn how you can use Maxwell Systems construction company software to quickly and accurately bid projects, schedule workforce, track documents, manage complex payroll, control job costs, and more.

Other Specialty Trades

The world of specialty trades and subcontracting is diverse and complex. That’s why Maxwell Systems provides subcontractor software tailored to the needs of contractors in framing, carpentry, siding, roofing, building finishing (drywall, ceilings, painting, flooring), glass and glazing, landscaping, and renovation. Read how you can simplify and streamline your processes.

Property Management

Whether you own real estate and actively manage your own properties or you hire a property manager to operate your buildings, you can leverage Maxwell Systems property management software to track complex lease information, work orders, and preventive maintenance; manage data and gain insight into performance of properties, and control budgeting and forecasting. Find out how you can use property management software for a better bottom line.

Canada and Australia

Maxwell Systems construction management software is specialized for Canada CAN and Australia AUS. The software helps Canadian and Australian contractors improve estimating, accounting, payroll, project management, and more. Our software helps contractors across Australia and Canada save time, cut costs, and improve profitability.

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Bidding and Estimating Software

In this day and age, knowing the current technology options can benefit how you do business.

Trends in the Industry