CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE LEARNING CENTER
FEATURED VENDORS
ESTIMATING
Construction Estimating Buyers Guide
Estimating software can be a valuable tool in the battle against sagging profit margins. Read on to find out what to look for, what to avoid and how to determine which of the many programs out there are best-suited for your business' style, size and scope.
Construction Estimating Reviews
Read your peers' feedback on the estimating software they are using to boost their business' efficiency and bottom line.
Quest Estimating Software Authoritative Review
Quest Estimator 7.0 comes with a robust database that multiple users can share, and its takeoff features are impressive. But, as Byron Law of Arkel Constructors in Louisiana notes in this review of Maxwell Quest estimating software, the price tag may be a bit high for some users.
Using digitizers to automate construction estimating
by Duane Craig
Digitizers are devices that automate the takeoff process of construction estimating. In addition to saving estimators time, digitizers provide more accurate results than the pencil and ruler of yore. In this five-part series, we examine the benefits, and costs, of using digitizers for construction estimating.
The Pros and Cons of Microsoft Excel for Construction Estimating
by Duane Craig
Microsoft Excel is the first estimating software tool for many contractors -- but whether it is really the right tool for you depends on the complexity of your jobs and the degree to which your estimating tool must work with other software. This three-part article examines the pros and cons of Microsoft Excel as a construction estimating tool.
Expanding Microsoft Excel's construction cost estimating power
by Duane Craig
Microsoft Excel is ubiquitous, but that doesn't mean it's always easy to use for construction cost estimating. Here a former construction project manager shares 10 tips, ranging from keyboard shortcuts to macros to custom formulas, which will improve both your efficiency as an Excel user and the quality of the documents that you produce.
Construction estimating software helps deliver accurate figures, even as prices soar
by Alison Diana
When construction costs are rising and workloads are decreasing, construction estimating software can help contractors make quick estimates -- and quick decisions about whether a project is worthwhile. In this article we talk to three estimators about software is helping them.
JOB COST/ACCOUNTING
Construction Job Cost/Accounting Buyers Guide
Explore the benefits of construction job cost/accounting software and learn how to define your needs, explore potential solutions and make the appropriate software selection.
Construction Job Cost/Accounting Reviews
Find out the software programs other job-costing professionals are using, their most-used features, extent of training required and the quality of the vendor’s customer support.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT & SCHEDULING
How to share Microsoft Project schedules on the Web
by Duane Craig
The more stakeholders a project has, the more imperative it is to share construction schedules and get feedback on any changes that must be made. One method for easily and effectively sharing construction schedules is to put them online. In this three-part article, we show you what you need to do to post your Microsoft Project schedules on the Web.
Construction Project Management & Scheduling Buyers Guide
Explore the benefits of construction project management software and learn how to define your needs, explore potential solutions and make the appropriate software selection.
Construction Project Management & Scheduling Reviews
Find out what other professionals think about many of the project management programs on the market today.
Using PRISM 5.1 to perform the change management process
by Salvador Carlos Hernandez Ramirez
This article underscores a specific feature of ARES Corp.'s PRISM 5.1 -- its effectiveness as a change management process tool, particularly when handling multiple contractors working towards the same project goal and when using merged databases. It is based on the author's experiences from current projects.
Choosing Project Management Software Systems
by Peter Luke
Peter Luke of PMA Consultants explores the nine areas of project management knowledge and describes how to formulate a game plan for selecting a project management vendor.
Primavera Software Book Excerpts
by Paul E. Harris
Paul Harris is a certified cost engineer and consultant who has written several books highlighting tips and best practices for using construction project management software. Here we offer excerpts from Harris' books on Primavera P6, Primavera P3 and Primavera SureTrak.
Upgrading to Primavera P6 from P5: What you need to know
With the release of Primavera P6 (and P6 v6.1), many contractors are considering an upgrade. Earlier this year, attendees of AACE International's 52nd Annual Meeting heard from J. Scott Palmer about how Primavera P6 differs from P5 and, thus, about what to expect when they decide to make the switch. Here we report on Palmer's session.
Microsoft Project Software Book Excerpts
by Paul E. Harris
Paul Harris is a certified cost engineer and consultant who has written several books highlighting tips and best practices for using construction project management software. Here we offer excerpts from Harris' four books on Microsoft Project, which have recently been updated for the 2007 version.
WHAT IS CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE?
This series of articles will help construction professionals understand what construction software is and what it can do for them. These articles also point to additional resources that will help contractors learn more as they start to think about making an investment in construction software.
For many contractors, construction software is not a priority -- but it should be. This article helps explain the main benefits of construction software.
The ABCs of Construction Estimating Software
Construction estimating software helps firms create accurate bids quickly -- but it's about more than performing calculations and tracking costs. This article helps explain the main benefits of construction estimating software
The ABCs of Construction Job Costing Software
As contractors gain new projects and new employees, they often find that general accounting software packages do not offer the functionality they need. These firms turn to job costing software.
The ABCs of Construction Project Management Software
Construction project management software helps contractors initiate, plan, execute, control and close projects. Many leading tools also integrate with construction estimating and job cost accounting software.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Hear from experts on a variety of topics from general software selection and implementation to emerging technologies and industry trends. Our experts together have a broad range of experience in the construction industry and are committed to giving you useful and concise information to grow your construction business.
Case study: Web-based project management software brings companies together
by Alison Diana
California-based Parsons Corp. is working with partners in France, Germany and Great Britain to build three universities in Abu Dhabi. In this case study, Parson's on-site project manager describes how Web-based project management software helps all parties save time and money and improve efficiency in the process.
Case study: Estimating software selection, training an ongoing process
by Alison Diana
Moving from in-house estimating software to a third-party application did not mean that Fluor Corp. no longer needed to expend energy and resources investigating its options. Nor did it mean that the firm could take a relaxed approach to user training. Here the manager of Fluor's cost estimating department describes how the company trains its employees on AspenTech Kbase 2006.5 (now known as Aspen Capital Cost Estimator) and researches new software options.
BIM Software Tools: An excerpt from Building Information Modeling
by Willem Kymmell
BIM refers to the use of 3D modeling software to create visual representations of buildings. This practice helps architects and contractors improve plans and reduce errors. This excerpt from McGraw-Hill's Building Information Modeling discusses the functionality, organization and level of abstraction available in BIM software tools.
Five Steps to Choosing the Right Construction Software
by Dion Langness
Dion Langness of Software Consultants tells how he would go about choosing the best construction software for a company.
Selecting a VAR (Value Added Reseller) or Software Consultant
by Dion Langness
Dion Langess gives his advice on how to choose a VAR to help you evaluate, purchase and integrate a software system for your construction company.
Successful System Implementations
by Peter Luke
Peter Luke advises on 10 key milestones necessary in a successful system implementation for your construction business.
