e4clicks Project Estimator vs. Hippo CMMS

If you are considering purchasing this (very expensive) software, there is a 100% chance you are doing so because you have been awarded a Government contract that dictates you use 4Clicks Project Estimator. There are plenty of easier to use estimating packages out in the world, but you can't use any of them if you have a contract that requires 4Clicks.

Incentivized

I find that Hippo [CMMS] is really well suited for any scenario. Most CMMS are geared toward manufacturing or industrial use, Hippo [CMMS] works as well for a school or church as it would for a factory. The ease of use for the requestor makes it an ideal platform for any institution.

Incentivized

• The estimates it produces are simple and easy to follow. The formatting is good.
• The tech support provided is very attentive.

Incentivized

• Simple to use Work requester.
• Great customer service and support.
• Not filled with non-essential items like a lot of "Larger" company CMMS systems

Incentivized

• The software feels 20 years old. It has not kept up with modern times, and practically functions like an old DOS program.
• Clunky interface, arcane commands.
• Even their training info focuses on hotkeys like this is 1995. Even though I am of an age to remember computers in 1995, the younger generations of managers/estimators are not. It is time to bring the software into the new century!

Incentivized

• Completed work order reporting can be improved. It seems harder than it should be to get the data I need.
• I would like to streamline the work order closing procedure. I feel like it takes longer than it should to open various screens and add labor, mark tasks complete, change status, etc. It is a minor inconvenience, but just waiting a few seconds opening up a new window is time-consuming with many WO at a time.
• Labor tracking and reporting could be improved.

Incentivized

I've used Hippo for several years now. I'm sure other programs have been developed since I did my comparison testing. But Hippo has always done everything we needed it to do. It's very reliable. My guys don't doubt whether or not it's doing its job. The calendar view, ease of use and floor mapping set this program apart from others.

Incentivized

WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.

Incentivized

Ease of end-user to put in a task that they would like to have completed. Hippo is really easy to use and to complete tasks. If a person putting in a task includes their email or phone number we can get ahold of them to ask and questions and it lets them know progress of their task.

• As stated before, if you are buying this software, it is because you have a contract forcing you to. While it does work, it is clunky, awkward, and very expensive.
• The price of the software and databases has always been high, but with the fairly recent acquisition of 4Clicks by Gordion (who also bought RS Means for their databases), there is literally no competition. Prices will continue to be very high, with no check on how high they can go.
• Again, can't fault 4Clicks tech support, as I think it is the best in the industry. They know their product and they respond to issues immediately. Considering what we spend a year for this product, however, you would expect nothing less.

Incentivized

• Allows tracking something that we did not have before
• Decision making is now with hard data
• Replacement and repair cost have been reduced with tracking of maintenance.

Incentivized