Constructware (discontinued) vs. SmartBid

Constructware is well suited for many different types of projects in both real estate and infrastructure. However, it is now becoming outdated with the introduction of the BIM 360 platform. I think even Autodesk may plan to slowly stop rolling out subscriptions to Cnstructware since most of its functions are now getting added on to BIM 360.

Incentivized

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

• Provenance. Keeps track of changes and the people/companies who made those changes.
• Collaboration.
• Work [is stored] in the cloud.

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

• UI can be improved, as shown by improvements made in BIM 360.
• Only works well with Internet Explorer.
• Steep Learning Curve due to confusing UI.

Incentivized

• 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

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

Better than Unifier: 1. Better UI 2. Everything else is about the same Bim360 is now the go-to platform for all functions previously provided by Constructware.

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

• Saves time.
• Eases collaboration.
• Increases accountability.

Incentivized

• 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