Likelihood to Recommend 1. This software best suits in the fabrication projects, because it generates the most accurate data for the fabrication of the model as compared to other softwares. 2. Due to its high end output the working on this software is a bit hard then other softwares because there is manual command for every step. 3. This softwares suits best when we need to do the routing adjustments completely manual because it does not show any errors just like other softwares.
Read full review Easy to use, one-stop for all construction-related tasks. The best thing is the split-screen, during the Bill of Quantity verification users can see for what part of the design Bill of Quantity is generated. Auto-updating of Design is another good feature.
Read full review Pros It uses the database for the modelling of HVAC, Plumbing and electrical services. Using the database makes the model most accurate to the real time implementation as compared to other contemporary softwares. It treats every fabrication element separate. Hence modifying or updating the element does not hamper the other model elements. AutoDesk fabrication is much more flexible to implement different manual routings which is not that much flexible in other softwares. Maintaining the whole number lengths of ducts is very easy in this software. Where others struggle to do this easily. Read full review Allows multiple users to work on the same estimate at once. This is huge!! Not only can we team up on a project that has a quick deadline but we can also simultaneously collaborate on database updates. Performs your takeoff on CAD drawings or vector PDFs. Your typical takeoff software does takeoff on an unintelligent PDF. I say unintelligent because the process you go through is simply to trace the boundaries of your shape. This is time-consuming and can lead to mistakes. With CostX your cursor will stick to the line lines and takeoff the exact measurement. This has cut our takeoff time by 75%. The best part is that this is done in the same software as your estimating software. There are a few software's that have takeoff and estimating in one but CostX is the only one the provides CAD smart takeoff. CostX is a lot like Excel. You have the flexibility to set up your workbooks the way your project team thinks. For example, ours is set up to evaluate labor in two ways; productivity (man-hours per widget) or crew hours (3 guys for two days for a given activity). Reports are very flexible and the report writers is much easier than Crystal reports. If you subscribe to the full version of CostX this provides the most powerful feature of them all......Auto-Revisioning. This function will compare two sets of drawings, identify the changes on a color coded drawing, ask for you to approve the changes and then update your estimate and takeoff. You can even use this to produce custom print outs for RFI's show your design team what changed. Your estimating workbooks are live-linked to your takeoff. As you make adjustments to your takeoff your estimate updates accordingly. The workbook has color coded text to hep your team understand whats behind your estimate; Black = manually input, Blue = rates linked to database, and Green = quantity linked to take-off. Full integrated subcontractor comparison. We use to do this in excel to compare multiple bidders across every division. This is also color coded for a streamlined review process; green = quote, blue = estimate, purple = plug, and orange = other. Built in error checking notifies you if you forgot to normalize an item on your subcontractor comparison. In the near future the software will be available online allowing you to use remotely. Read full review Cons This software needs the central file system so that multiple people can work on a single file at the same time. This software needs high end graphics which make it tuff to work in 3D space. If this problem can be solved then the efficiency of completing the job will improve drastically. In this softwares we have to prepare separate sheet on every file because we have to use separate file for separate work. This hampers in maintaining the same standards of the submission interface of the sheets. Read full review iTwo Costx has 3D features that may require enhancement in terms of Look and feel perspective. The eye Function section view feature may require enhancement. But I am not sure how much more we can bring it to scale Not seen Cloud base service. So that easy to use from any where. Read full review Alternatives Considered We are not aware of another software that has fully integrated take-off, subcontractor comparison, estimating and reporting besides CostX.
Read full review Return on Investment We become able to provide more accurate data to our clients. Working with this software has arouse the interest of the clients towards the fabrication through this platform We have got more spool jobs since we have started doing the fabrication by this software Read full review Easy to Collaborate Between the Team members. Saves a lot of work Integrate with multiple types of data drawing which saves efforts in converting the design. Bill of Quantity export can be done based on the Design section and can share with contractors for Quotes. Instead of just downloading the whole report and then editing for the required pack. Read full review ScreenShots