Followup CRM vs. GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel

One of the best things about FollowUp Power is that we can mark things for follow-up several months down the line, which we frequently have a need for since many of our clients are seasonal. For example, we'll get started working with them while they're here in Florida for the winter, then they'll head back north in the spring and not want to hear from us again until they return in the fall. With FollowUp Power, we can then mark them for follow up in the future rather than to have to somehow remember to contact them in the future.

Incentivized

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is well suited include:

• Small to medium sized contractor who typically works on small to medium sized projects with limited complexity
• Contractors who value low prices over full functionality (this software application is very affordably priced)
• A new contractor or new contracting accounting / finance professional who would appreciate the specific limitations imposed by the software

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is not well suited include:

• Larger contractors who think about and price projects in line with typical commercial design and construction
• Residential projects (the software is much better suited for commercial lease buildouts, for instance)
• A contractor whose finance department already uses full-suite accounting software

Incentivized

• We love the dashboard feature. This is where we spend the majority of our time. The dashboard helps us avoid missing bid dates and deadlines.
• The system is very intuitive and a new user will be up to speed within one hour after they start using the system. There is only one place to enter all data. This allows for ease of use and minimizes data entry mistakes.
• Every task is date stamped to insure proper work flow and holds the team accountable to each other.

• Convenient estimating
• Streamlines the price quotation process
• Standard cost application
• Overhead calculation and pplication

Incentivized

• It really needs to have the capability of listing numerous phone #s with a note beside each one ("his cell#", "her work#", "do not call before 9a.m.", etc.).
• It really needs to have the capability of listing numerous e-mail addresses ("hers", "his", "her email address at work", etc.).
• It would be nice to have a separate general information box where we could put comments in that would show every time we bring up the account (such as "her nickname is Bobbi", "their dogs name is Fido, "their son is currently stationed in France", "husband is going through chemotherapy", etc.), which would help us to remember personal details that are important to our clients.

Incentivized

• Only CSI construction cost database data
• Only works with Microsoft Office (Excel)
• The online help system has limited functionality

Incentivized

My company had already implemented FollowUp Power CRM for Construction before I arrived. I have used other CRM programs in the past, and FollowUp Power is much more user friendly, and I have already seen a direct increase in my lead to customer conversion ratio as well as increased sales

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is cheaper, easier to use, more streamlined and is easily installed and up and running. The flip side to the ease of use is the limited functionality, somewhat outdated cost bucketing profile and general lack of sophistication. The add-in also does not talk with full suite accounting software which requires additional reconciliations if used within a large organization.

Incentivized

• I have seen a lot better tracking on my jobs when it comes to scheduling and staying on top of my jobs.
• The dashboard is part of my daily routine it tells me exactly what I need to follow up on weather it is calling the customer or checking on the customer.
• Payments or what the current status of the job is.

Incentivized

• Allows us to quickly bid on small projects
• Allows us to pay less for accounting / finance professionals
• Allows us to standardize our cost structure

Incentivized