The cost estimating software is used by more than half the top 50 contractors and 42% of the top 100 contractors in America, according to the developer. Part of the program's popularity stems from its short learning curve, due to its Microsoft Office-like look and feel. In addition, the system includes knowledge bases to ensure accuracy in creating estimates or areas such as concrete, masonry, drywall, civil, pipe, mechanical and electrical.

Like all construction cost estimating programs, ICE was designed to reduce take-off time, develop more bids in less time, improve bid accuracy and enhance productivity. ICE's predefined 35 x 35 matrix eliminates the need to manually scroll through long lists of items, according to the vendor. The Assemblies feature improves the accuracy of estimates by allowing users to tag takeoff items on the fly, while the Estimating Wizards feature lets users create detailed conceptual estimates.

ICE also provides improved construction project management and construction bid accuracy via the following features:

• Work breakdown structures
• Metric and imperial measurement converters
• Integration with popular general business and contractor applications such as Primavera P3, Primavera Expedition and Meridian Prolog
• The ability to do take-off directly from the screen
• Open data and open reports
• Unit pricing
• Standardized questions and answers to eliminate missing information
• Spec-driven take-off software designed specifically for process piping
• Digitizer software