BIMx is a mobile app for Building Information Modeling, provided by GRAPHISOFT. It aims to bridge the gap between the design studio and the construction site, by providing integrated 2D and 3D building project navigation with data access from any device.
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On-Screen Takeoff®
Score 7.3 out of 10
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On-Screen Takeoff is a construction takeoff and estimating solution. It is intended to streamline takeoff, RFI, and bidding processes.
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Quick Bid
Score 7.6 out of 10
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Quick Bid is a construction and estimation software offering from On Center Software, Inc.
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Pricing
Bimx
On-Screen Takeoff®
Quick Bid
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Bimx
On-Screen Takeoff®
Quick Bid
Free Trial
No
Yes
No
Free/Freemium Version
No
No
No
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
No
No
No
Entry-level Setup Fee
No setup fee
No setup fee
No setup fee
Additional Details
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On-Screen Takeoff® pricing varies based on licensing options and specific business needs. The annual subscription plans are designed to scale with project and team size.
Available Subscription Options:
•On-Screen Takeoff
•On-Screen Takeoff with Takeoff Boost™
•On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid®
•On-Screen Takeoff with Takeoff Boost and Quick Bid
Each subscription is customized to match the subscriber's workflow requirements. A 14-day free trial is available.
I have only used On-Screen Takeoff. I have not had the opportunity or desire to use a different product. We also use their sister software called Quick Bid, so we are locked in with the On Center Suite.
As an ARCHICAD user, this is almost a no-brainer. BIMx is included (although there are some paying options) and works well out-of-the-box. There is little to setup from the ARCHICAD side. You prepare a set of layouts/views and can publish the model on Ine go. The free version focuses on the 3D-model viewer. You publish an interactive model and can walk through it. With the PRO version, you also can publish the "Hyper-Model" - an integration of 2D and 3D views. If you are looking at tuning your own interactivity, e.g. in precisely defining what can happen and what information to show, you cannot customize BIMx that way. You have to look at alternatives, such as game engines or other 3D visualization software.
I think most of the reasoning was just provided on the previous pros and cons questions. On-Screen Takeoff (OST) is well suited for doing either quick takeoffs or getting into an elaborate, detailed takeoff. All though the viewing tools are quick and easy, I would still very much prefer using BlueBeam for looking through an overall set of drawings. With all of the hyperlink and bookmark functions of BlueBeam, OST doesn't compare and I rarely use OST unless I'm actually doing a takeoff.
This is more of an application for companies who are involved in mass bid submissions and do tenders for large scale construction works. In the scenarios of construction business the mass bidders can use this solution relly well. The calculations and reporting also helps with accurate estimations of tenders and bids
The biggest thing for me is that it is so easy to use, which allows it to be used widely throughout our organization without a lot of intense training.
Another great thing is that it does not matter how big or little the scope of the take off may be, it works just as well for a whole 12 story building take off as it does for a stretch of sidewalk.
The initial setup of the database can take a fair amount of time to set up, but once complete it can be used for years with only small additions to fit the users' needs.
I have been waiting for the schedule of values option to be complete to help aid in billing. it was supposed to be released, but I have not seen it rolled out yet.
Most people using it are thrilled about it. But our use of ARCHICAD in projects is (alas) a bit limited, especially compared with the attention for Revit with our clients. And as an ARCHICAD teacher, I have to remember to keep introducing it as it is accepted well with most users.
It provides invaluable communication, organization, and flexibility to generate a project overview both visually and by the numbers. In addition to the overview it makes getting into the project details easy and quick, so our takeoff is accurate and correct every time
On Screen Takeoff is a valuable tool for what it does. Across the board it can keep track of the critical data and corresponding values without extra legwork. While powerful, it is prone to user error, and the problem can compound quickly if not realized up front. Overall a great project tool, but not without limitations
I have had very few issues with the software which is probably the first sign that there is a good customer support team, since I am sure they are working and fixing problems for everyone when they get a report from somewhere. The few times I have had to reach out to support they have been knowledgeable and on top of helping me quickly get my issues resolved.
Implementation was as simple as setting up the program and creating databases. Everything else was already in use and this was a supplement to the final organization of the system
Direct publishing to a 3D model can be done with a few other tools, but if (and only if) you are using ARCHICAD, it is the easiest to use. For Revit users, there is more choice, including Revit Live or some online model-viewers and publishers. For full custom interactivity, you have to look at e.g. Unity3D or Unreal where you can include and extend endlessly, but you will lack the ease of BIMx. You'd also have to look for good similar navigation. Especially the link between 2D views and 3D model sections is hard to beat. But in that context, if you want to e.g. allow users to choose design alternatives, select another material or include animations and sound, this is not possible in BIMx.
Being able to train individuals in a single afternoon on the program and trusting them to get you something usable as soon as possible is quite invaluable. It is also something that I feel is unique to this program. It is just easier.
Due to the fact that our company is typically "late to the show" when it comes to new technology and programs, we have been using an outdated technique for estimating, tracking, and organizing projects. Excel does not compare at all against Quick Bid. There are numerous amounts of benefits that Quick Bid has over Excel.
The software has more than paid for itself because the company has been able to save lots of money when awarding to subs since it is easy to verify quantities to qualify their bids.
Less of a chance of under-ordering products since the visible audit trail improves accuracy. Also you spend less since you aren't ordering more than you should be.