e4clicks Project Estimator vs. Tabillo

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

• It's well suited for simple data base applications: simple and fast to put together.
• It's not as well suited if an application requires more complex logics/queries.

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

Incentivized

• Extremely easy to learn
• Fast to create
• Easy to modify
• Build powerful applications with very little effort
• Absolutely no coding involved

• 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

• Cannot modify the user interface (it's generated automatically)
• Does not support more advanced concepts

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

Incentivized

• Tabillo requires almost no knowledge to use compared to MS Access but cannot build complex applications.
• Tabillo & Salesforce are both simple to learn and use but Tabillo will allow other than sales-centric types of applications to be created (more flexible).

• 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

• Major improvement within our organization in terms of sharing vital up-to-date information