ConstructConnect Insight vs. SmartBid

I believe ConstructConnect's customer service is non-existence. In my experience, the cloud based software system never seems to be functioning at 100% and is usually a problem, like today. I feel they do a poor job updating projects and providing accurate construction schedule information; Most of it is dates given a inaccurate.

SmartBid is also very useful for conducting sub-contracting analysis and management simulations in the didactic field. The procedures for sharing documents are helpful, but the graphic can be improved. Many forms can be pre-filled. This helps a lot in saving time and money! SmartBid is great for exporting and/or sending single or mass emails. However, as mentioned, it would be useful to simplify some pre-construction processes and improve the overall communication

Incentivized

• I find it amazing how fast results come up when searching on a keyword
• details, details, details.. again, marvelous.
• filters work really well giving highly efficient results pointed at just what you want.
• exporting to pdf with customizable flexibility, very useful giving all the details on a project or firm via attachments to emails.

Incentivized

• It's very easy to set up a job and manage who receives solicitations. You can also keep detailed notes on who've you contacted and see if they're actually downloading and reviewing the documents.
• You can add a confidentiality agreement clause which they must accept before accessing the documents. It then stores this information if it ever needs to be accessed. This is much cleaner and easier then sending out a NDA form and having the subcontractor return it before actually sending drawings/docs.
• You can send Invitations to Bid and set it up to continue sending these ITB's until the subcontractor responds. However, this can also be a negative point because once you set up a delayed ITB, it doesn't update as the subcontractors view and respond to the ITB's. So if a sub is "Not Responded" and you set up a delayed ITB to fire off every day for 5 days, and the sub responds after day 2, that sub will continue to receive ITB's for all 5 days.
• Uploading drawings is quick and easy. It's especially convenient if you link to one of your cloud services such as Egnyte, Google Drive, etc.
• The search tools are quick and easy and often very accessible from any page.

Incentivized

• A comprehensive log of jobs in my area would be nice. We're located in Gainesville FL. There has been 10 jobs this month we're on because of our sub contracts. Not one of them made it on ConstructConnect. How many other jobs am I not seeing?

• We have seen intermittent problems with notes disappearing.
• Ability to have more than one project bidding open at the same time/on multiple windows.
• Mobile apps.

Incentivized

They frequently check-in to make sure you are being properly helped and are quick with a response if you need something.

Incentivized

SmartBid has an excellent support team that is always at your service. Any problem I've had (when I've even had them) has been resolved almost immediately, along with tips on how to avoid them in the future. If you're looking for a program with excellent customer service, look no further than SmartBid.

Incentivized

We chose ConstructConnect as our main way for finding new and existing construction projects, as it overall had more up-to-date information available. It was also the most user friendly software of its type on the market. Furthermore, they have also been working with us closely to help us tighten our tracking of projects, products, and companies, which saves us a lot of time and money.

Incentivized

SmartBid is used by more of the contractors that we happen to do lots of work with. It has basically the same features. However, SmartBid will let subcontractors view all the jobs a general contractor is bidding, even ones we were never invited to. So it has the potential to bring more opportunities.

Incentivized

• Positive: Helps fuel the project pipeline
• Positive: Helps identify key stakeholders
• Negative: Inaccurate schedule information embarrasses me during project qualification process

• It is a big time saver compared to sending out individual emails.
• It saves time in having multiple individual databases for company contact info.
• It ensures that everyone is getting the same information.

Incentivized