e4clicks Project Estimator vs. Jonas Enterprise Construction Management Software

If you are considering purchasing this (very expensive) software, there is a 100% chance you are doing so because you have been awarded a Government contract that dictates you use 4Clicks Project Estimator. There are plenty of easier to use estimating packages out in the world, but you can't use any of them if you have a contract that requires 4Clicks.

Incentivized

If you are looking for several features under one roof, this is your place. No need to try to integrate third-party applications for the most part. If you are a construction company with job costing and/or a service department, I can't think of a reason that it would not be appropriate. If you are primarily retail then I think another software would be more appropriate.

Incentivized

• The estimates it produces are simple and easy to follow. The formatting is good.
• The tech support provided is very attentive.

Incentivized

• Payroll - upload Union reports are quick and easy saving time with manual calculations
• Service Billing - create service calls and invoice direct from module, saving duplicate data entry
• Job Cost - Tracks costs and revenues for analysing departments, project managers and techs

Incentivized

• The software feels 20 years old. It has not kept up with modern times, and practically functions like an old DOS program.
• Clunky interface, arcane commands.
• Even their training info focuses on hotkeys like this is 1995. Even though I am of an age to remember computers in 1995, the younger generations of managers/estimators are not. It is time to bring the software into the new century!

Incentivized

• Contact management. Clumsy and not user-friendly.

Incentivized

I think it depends on how much you want to put into it. It is a very powerful program, but sometimes learning everything is overwhelming. There are hidden tricks that you learn when you attend webinars and conferences.

Incentivized

Most of the time they are pretty quick to respond

Incentivized

WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.

Incentivized

I feel Jonas was more equipped to handle multi-state, multi-union payroll as well as multi-jurisdiction sales tax. I wasn't interested in third-party support.

Incentivized

• As stated before, if you are buying this software, it is because you have a contract forcing you to. While it does work, it is clunky, awkward, and very expensive.
• The price of the software and databases has always been high, but with the fairly recent acquisition of 4Clicks by Gordion (who also bought RS Means for their databases), there is literally no competition. Prices will continue to be very high, with no check on how high they can go.
• Again, can't fault 4Clicks tech support, as I think it is the best in the industry. They know their product and they respond to issues immediately. Considering what we spend a year for this product, however, you would expect nothing less.

Incentivized

• With our service department module now being fully integrated (wasn't before), information is more reliable and current. Jonas has helped our bottom line by saving us over 1,000 hours annually in administrative duties.

Incentivized