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SAGE SOFTWARE REVIEW

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For 10 years Dion Langness has used Sage Estimating software for estimating costs, generating proposals and scheduling work. Before spending $2,000 for the software, he looked at other products and found that most are similar, but the deciding factor was the availability of local help. "that ensured my chances of using it would be higher," Langness said.

There were many benefits, most notably in assessing whether we should self-perform the work, or select subs who provide bids. "All the details are at our fingertips to make decisions," Langness said. He added that this has not only proved valuable in the decision making process, but has cut estimating time in half, while still allowing for things like "a more detailed estimate analysis or a chance to bid on more work."

Helpful features include the "Excel ease of use with database engine, and many things that reduce duplication, transfer, and organization. Smart assemblies are also a great feature, as they allow variables to dictate materials, labor and equipment costing in one step."

Sage Estimating software was less of an investment than Langness originally expected. "Learning how to use the program is very easy," he said. "Getting the database to fit our specific company's needs takes time, but the time is well worth the value received."

Langness would like to see the addition of "a specific 'bid day' function," and he has no use for the metric conversion feature, but these points are minor. He would recommend Sage Estimating software to "any contractor who self-performs work and wants to save time, increase accuracy, and improve their estimating success and profitability." Very little computer experience is necessary to use Sage Estimating software, he said, but having experience with Excel helps.

Regarding support, Langness said, "The online knowledgebase, built-in Help, and phone support services provide the assistance we need." And now that Langness is also a Sage business partner, he noted, "A national customer service award identifies Sage as responding to 80% of its support calls in less than two minutes."

He will consider upgrading in the future, "as small improvements can have a very large impact on our estimating processes and requirements." Overall, Langness rates the current version of Sage Estimating software a 9 out of 10.

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?
All types.

10 Years.

A local Sage Business partner.

$2,000 per concurrent user.

Estimating costs, generating proposals and scheduling work.

Sage Software's financial stability, local assistance and significant user base.

Yes, most are similar. Local help ensured my chances of using it would be higher.

Excel ease of use with database engine and many things that reduce duplication, transfer and organization.

Assessing whether we should self perform the work or select subs who provide bids. All the details are at our fingertips to make decisions.

Approximately 50% in time that allows more detailed estimate analysis or a chance to bid more work.

Smart Assemblies that allow variables to dictate materials, labor and equipment costing in one step.

Yes, Sage Estimating software was actually less of an investment than I originally expected.

Add a specific "bid day" function.

Metric conversion.

Any contractor who self-performs work.

Very little, though having experience with Excel helps.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
Learning how to use this estimating software is very easy, but getting the database to fit our specific companies needs takes time. The time is well worth the value received.

A national customer service award identifies Sage as responding to 80% of it's support calls in less than two minutes.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
The online knowledgebase, built-in Help menu and phone support services provide the assistance we need.

Yes, small improvements can have a very large impact on our estimating processes and requirements.