e4clicks Project Estimator vs. Simpro

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

Very convenient to manage jobs, quotes, and clients' profiles. There is a home for improvement for project management. So far, I am not really happy with the Gantt chart feature, it is not very customizable and we end up with another system for that. It would be also great if there was a project management dashboard where we could have an overview of the most critical projects and their status.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

• Billing: straight from a closed, complete job. Carries overall equipment, hours, takes one click to bill.
• simPRO retains notes on all emails; notes can be entered by anyone to track communication with clients.

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

• Converting quotes into projects.
• Managing a project in an easy way and managing the labour for a job.
• having the flexibility to manage labour days and not in just hours.

Incentivized

It is a great option for solar project management. It needs some improvements for real-time one-page reports, inventory management, scheduling and custom views. I believe these will come because they listen to their customers. I would also like to see some better training and not be expected to pay out of pocket for it.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

Motorcentral, a software that is part of Trade Me and helps car dealer to manage their stock. Based on my experience, simPRO has way more features and better customer service. Motorcentral doesn't have help to keep most tasks under one system, the only real advantage is that they integrate with the car dealer website so that the stock is always up to date.

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

• Increased team collaboration.
• Increased inventory awareness.
• Decreased down time between jobs.

Incentivized