Construction Software Review .com

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MICROSOFT EXCEL, WORD, PROJECT USER REVIEW

To streamline its construction estimating, ASRC Energy Services, part of the vast oil and gas process industry in Alaska, relies extensively on an integrated solution comprised of Microsoft Office coupled with more specialized WinEst and Primavera software.

The ability of the applications to interoperate, and therefore keep data consistent and up to date, should deliver productivity and accuracy benefits, said Robert May. (He noted that having only used the solution for six months made it difficult to come up with an estimated return on investment yet.)

"This solution had better integration capabilities with other programs we were already using," said May, one of more than 1,500 employees at the Anchorage-based firm. "Now everyone is on the same page, using the same up-to-date information. There are no silos of outdated data in PCs because all the information is centralized in the server."

Merging construction estimates from multiple users who are simultaneously working on a project is now much easier and accurate, he said. This consistency makes Microsoft Office a must-have for all estimators and project control professionals, May said.

Overall, May rated the Microsoft Office suite an 8 out of 10 as a construction estimating software tool.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
 
How long have you been using this tool?
 
Where did you obtain it?
 
How much did you pay?
 
How are you using this product?
 
Why did you pick this product?
 
Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made    this product better)?
 
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
 
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
 
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this    tool?
 
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
 
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
 
What would you change about the product if you could?
 
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
 
Who would you recommend use this tool?
 
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
 
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
 
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
 
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
 
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
 
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
ASRC Energy Services provides engineering and construction services for the Alaskan oil and gas process industry. Also known as AES, the company provides services from the earliest regulatory stage -- such as exploration and drilling support -- to later phases, including operations and maintenance and field-abandonment. I mainly work on oil and gas process modules and platforms.

How long have you been using this tool?
I've only been using it for six months.

Where did you obtain it?
We bought it from a sales rep.

How much did you pay?
I don't know.

How are you using this product?
It's primarily used as a construction estimating tool, using server-based data and PC-based copies for access.

Why did you pick this product?
The product has the capabilities I need in order to do my job.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made this product better)?
Yes, although I do not know what other construction estimating software was considered. This solution had better integration capabilities with other programs we were already using.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
Now everyone is on the same page, using the same up-to-date information. There are no silos of out-dated data in PCs because all the info is centralized in the server.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
It shows its strengths on contracts where multiple users are working on the same project and need to merge estimates.

Can you estimate how much time or money you have saved or other measurable benefits your firm has realized using this tool?
It's difficult to estimate yet, since I've only been using it for six months.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
I really appreciate the software's consistency and assembly-building capabilities.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Yes, although I do not know the purchase price.

What would you change about the product if you could?
So far I haven't discovered anything.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
Since it's only been six months, I have not yet learned all the features, so I don't know what, if any, will be of no use to me in my position and job.

Who would you recommend use this tool?
It's a great tool for all estimators and project control professionals.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
You should have moderate PC experience.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
I had two days of training. Now it's a question of digging in and using the software.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
No.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
I don't use it.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Absolutely.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
8.