AccuLynx vs. GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel

When you want to track your quotes that have gone out to customers so that you can follow up on them, this system makes it way easier to do that. It also makes it way easier to track invoice dates. One area that it is less appropriate is for detailed big public bids where a traditional estimate template is not appropriate.

Incentivized

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is well suited include:

• Small to medium sized contractor who typically works on small to medium sized projects with limited complexity
• Contractors who value low prices over full functionality (this software application is very affordably priced)
• A new contractor or new contracting accounting / finance professional who would appreciate the specific limitations imposed by the software

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is not well suited include:

• Larger contractors who think about and price projects in line with typical commercial design and construction
• Residential projects (the software is much better suited for commercial lease buildouts, for instance)
• A contractor whose finance department already uses full-suite accounting software

Incentivized

• Estimating.
• Customer Management.
• Scheduling Material Delivery/Orders & Labor.
• Tracking job profitability.
• Invoicing.
• Reporting.
• Access everything from anywhere via app, etc. in real time.
• Entire company can communicate with each other.

Incentivized

• Convenient estimating
• Streamlines the price quotation process
• Standard cost application
• Overhead calculation and pplication

Incentivized

• Pricing in the database for each item is done manually due to the merger of two large suppliers nationally who decided to write their own database and estimating program and disconnect themselves from AccuLynx that had the ability to automatically update pricing. I feel that was a huge mistake on the part of the supplier. AccuLynx is trying to rectify that relationship.
• It's unfortunate that the only calendaring option is Google Calendar. We are very tied to Outlook which we feel is more user-friendly and we know it well.

Incentivized

• Only CSI construction cost database data
• Only works with Microsoft Office (Excel)
• The online help system has limited functionality

Incentivized

Until someone shows me something more efficient or has features that are more streamlined and time is saved by all then I am all ears and ready to listen to that presentation. I wouldn't care at this point if I had to abandon QB if the system had it's own integrated accounting system otherwise it has to be able to do all and more of the features of QB and the CRM side also has to have/do more than AccuLynx features.

Incentivized

Very versatile and allows for other people to complete things and someone else to still look at and approve if needed. Great communication ability internally and with customers and with that being the case is a tremendous asset with documentation also. Really a well rounded tool that allows you to do everything needed for a job in one place and have the records to show what was done by whom and when.

Incentivized

They can always improve and we are very successful when calling support. I would suggest they keep their support technicians available later for the west coast contractors who need help at the end of the day. We've come to know many of the techs because we call to offer suggestions but there's a process for us to follow for that.

Incentivized

AccuLynx has met our needs more than our previous CRM program. ALX is user-friendly which is super nice when training new employees, compared to our previous program which then seemed very outdated.

Incentivized

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is cheaper, easier to use, more streamlined and is easily installed and up and running. The flip side to the ease of use is the limited functionality, somewhat outdated cost bucketing profile and general lack of sophistication. The add-in also does not talk with full suite accounting software which requires additional reconciliations if used within a large organization.

Incentivized

• I am have had a hard time justifying AccuLynx since I am a small business. I hate all the add ons. I do not appreciate that all the good tools cost extra money on top of my monthly payment.

Incentivized

• Allows us to quickly bid on small projects
• Allows us to pay less for accounting / finance professionals
• Allows us to standardize our cost structure

Incentivized