GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel vs. Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management

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

The scenarios based on my experience where Oracle Primavera Portfolio Management is well suited and the primary reason for using it is that most current decision-making processes do not effectively analyze and well use the data needed to link among the strategic objectives and the implementation plans so Primavera solutions can help on that by combining the best-practice work control processes and the suitable evaluation metrics with the possibility to store and analyze all the relevant data and information hence Primavera Portfolio Management helps to achieve the strategic goals and deliver the best value.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

• CAC authentication is required in my arena, and OPPM can work in conjunction with a secondary application to allow for this added layer of security.
• Allows for security/permissions by customizable roles via user types and user groups. This keeps users in check with only certain abilities to edit or read, etc...
• All kinds of abilities to build custom reports, as well as built in. Export formats include: CSV, Excel, PPT, Word. Customers like reports, and OPPM does a good job at its offerings.
• Visual aids such as charts and graphs offer some eye appeal. This is useful for presentations, for depicting data.
• Has the ability to offer document storage via attachment. Attaching supporting documents is a must with portfolio management.

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

• P6 is not as intuitive as other scheduling software. It usually requires someone who is trained in the program to use it exclusively.
• P6 can have multiple versions of the baseline schedule. This is not intuitive like saving a file, which usually leads to confusion.
• P6 is very costly for smaller companies to afford.

Incentivized

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

Oracle is better laid out and has more functionality as well as end-user flow. The login process, billing, and construction management features are easy to find, easy to use, and helpful. The limitations on Quickbooks restrict users from the ability to view and bill full contracts if broken down, to track and show % complete. Procore is confusing.

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

• P6 is critical to the execution of all of our projects. Without it we would have less control of our projects.
• One of our key business objectives is to deliver projects on time or ahead of schedule. P6 supports us in this goal and allows our superintendents to manage complicated construction projects.

Incentivized