Gomputer estimating answerman

ai on the drawing. This makes doing a takeoff even faster than keying in the dimensions on the computer keyboard. But it can add up to $5,0fi) to the cost of the system and isn't as portable to the job site as simply carrying a laptop. A digitizer speeds up the estimating but isn't a necessity.

OMPUTER estimating can be a lU time-saving, money-making, contractor-attracting service. Is it right for you? Building material industry computer consultant Cary Anderson, managerof Hyatt, Imler, Ott and Blount P.C., Atlanta, Ga., has the answers.

Q: Wft"t is the biggest advantage of computerized

Q: Wi,ft personal computers now so affordable, why estimating? have so many lumberyards still not automated their estimating?

A: you can't just look at the cost of the personal computer. You also need to buy software, a printer and possibly a digitizer. By the time you pay for training and installation, a computerized estimating system with digitizer can cost as much as $15,000.

Q: Wft", exactly is a digitizer?

A: n aigi,izer allows you to use a pointing device on a set of plans to tell the computer what the length of a wall is by simply touching the device to the end of the walls

Story at a Glance

Advantages and disadvantages; pitfalls to beware what systems cost and which features are essential reasons not to buy.

A: mit",here are several advantages, foremost is reduction of enors. A computerized estimating system places a certain organized structure on the estimator. While this structure is usually defined by the estimator when he sets the system up, once set up, the software structure makes mistakes, such as leaving items out, far less likely.

The software will also reduce pricing and extension errors, because a computer is unlikely to add numbers incorrectly. Many companies using computerized estimating update the pricing files on the PC automatically from their main point-of-sale computer system on a regular basis.

Q: wfrr, are some other advantages?

A A 3

The next most important is speed. While some vendors tout 30 minute take-offs, typically you can count on being able to do a take-off in two-thirds to one-half the time it would take to do it manually. It's even faster with a digitizer.

Another area of speed and elror prevention is the interface between the estimating PC and the main point-of-sale computer system. Once a take-off is done, many systems allow for the downloading of the list to the point-of-sale computer as a bid. Since no rekeying is necessary, you can increase the speed of creating a bid and minimize keying errors. And most contractors would prefer receiving a nice, printed estimate over a hard-to-read handwritten list.

Q : f, tn""e any secret why one company might be more successful than another in using computerized estimating?

A: fhu -"in reason is the level of commitment. It takes a lot of time to successfully implement one of these systems. Some companies have been excited when they see a demonstration of the software only to be shocked at the amount of set up and training time that is required to make it a success. Some abandon the project before really giving it a chance.

However, there are some ways to make the set up of the system easier. Some software companies have existing databases that you can buy from them or one of their existing customers. Sometimes third party individuals can come out and help set up the system.

Another cofilmon mistake is to have too many employees using the estimating system. It is far better to have one or two key individuals working on the system every day than many using it once a week. It's difficult to use any software package well if you don't stay familiar with it on a daily basis.

Q: Wn.t criteria should a company use to select an estimating system?

A3 first get a commitment from your employees to commit the time to set up the system and learn it. Then, look for a system that already interfaces with your existing point-of-sale computer. If you can't find one, locate a vendor who can write an interface at a reason- able cost.

If you don't have a point-of-sale computer or aren't interested in interfacing the two systems, simply decide on the estimating software package that best meets your needs. Although several good estimating packages are available, with some displayed at shows or advertised in trade publications, don't rely on a demonstration at a show to make your decision. It takes, at a minimum, one full day to determine if a package is right for you. Also, go see the one that you want being used in a live environment (at another of the software vendor's existing customers) before you purchase the system.

Finally, before you purchase the system, make sure you get in writing the amount of classroom and on-site training that you will receive. This may have more to do with the success of the system than the software itself.