e4clicks Project Estimator vs. SafetyNet

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

I’ve been telling colleagues about this software as it’s worked well for us. We’ve been using it for about a year now, and the ability to get real-time data from the field back to the home office is a huge plus. Our workers found it easy to learn and not difficult to use in the field, too

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

• The interface is easy to use on a phone or iPad.
• Can be done in real time when on site.
• The construction tasks to report on are organized and comprehensive.

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

• Maybe an automated safety report can be implemented based on pictures and videos of construction.
• The interface could use shortcuts to tasks that are being tracked more often.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

This is the first kind of this software we’ve used. A colleague at another company mentioned it and I thought it would be a good addition to our ability to help our guys in the field. So far it seems to be living up to the promises we were given

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

• Too soon to tell, but expected to be good

Incentivized