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    Overview
    ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price

    HCSS

    Score8.5 out of 10
    Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
    HCSS is a construction software suite. It includes functionality for bidding, time card and project management, safety, planning, scheduling, equipment management, and data warehousing and reporting. Each module can be purchased separately. The suite can be hosted in the cloud.N/A

    Oracle Aconex

    Score7 out of 10
    N/AAconex is a cloud collaboration platform for the global construction industry which allows the user to quickly find what is needed with a single source of truth for communications, documents, processes, and models. Aconex was acquired and is now supported by Oracle since 2017.N/A
    Pricing
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredNo setup fee
    Additional Details——
    More Pricing Information
    Features
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Construction Project & Field Management
    Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of HCSS and Oracle Aconex
    Feature
    HCSS
    5.1
    34 Ratings
    40% below category average
    Oracle Aconex
    7.4
    5 Ratings
    3% below category average
    Plan distribution & viewing5.010 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Plan markups & sharing5.07 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Issue tracking & punchlists5.014 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Photo documentation5.026 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Jobsite reports6.031 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Document sharing5.018 Ratings6.05 Ratings
    RFI tools3.01 Ratings8.01 Ratings
    Collaboration & approvals5.020 Ratings7.01 Ratings
    Mobile app7.029 Ratings00 Ratings
    As-built drawings00 Ratings9.01 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of HCSS and Oracle Aconex
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Oracle Aconex
    5.0
    4 Ratings
    42% below category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings5.04 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Small Businesses
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Likelihood to Recommend
    10.0
    (39 ratings)
    7.0
    (6 ratings)
    Usability
    7.0
    (3 ratings)
    6.0
    (1 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (35 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.2
    (32 ratings)
    -
    (0 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    HCSSOracle Aconex
    Likelihood to Recommend
    HCSS
    Our operation uses several pieces of what we call specialty equipment (not used every day on every job). The foreman when finished will give a location of where this equipment is left, this many times can be very vague and lead to a lowboy driver trying to block around to find the piece or driving down a street he cannot get turned around in. With the GPS devices, the driver can pinpoint exactly where the unit is and if he has room to turn around at that location.
    Incentivized
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    Oracle
    Large, Multi-Party Capital Projects
    Scenario: Major construction or infrastructure projects involving owners, designers, multiple contractors, subcontractors, and regulators. Why Aconex Fits: Provides a neutral, single source of truth across many independent organizations. Strong permissioning and data ownership model builds trust between parties. Scales well to very high document volumes and long project durations. Example Use: Design development and construction documentation for a multi-year infrastructure project with hundreds of external users.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Pros
    HCSS
    • #1 is support! HCSS is by far the best software support of any product we have ever used. Unlike most software companies HCSS utilizes their support calls to help upgrade their software. When you here them tell you that they will write down a particular issue you come across during a support call if they can't help you then and there they will research and get an answer to you extremely fast. If the software will not do it, you can bet there is a good chance it will be on the list of enhancements you will see come out in the near future.
    • Estimating software is very extensive. Their software is capable of handling the smallest estimate all the way to the largest joint venture estimate. It has advanced features that make it extremely useful for analyzing job materials, subcontractors etc.
    • HeavyJob is an extremely useful tool for the field to keep the office up to date with job costs. Everything is at the Foreman's fingertips on Tablets to allow the information from the field to get uploaded to HeavyJob manager which then can export to accounting. We are also able to give our Foreman the ability to deal with the Daily and weekly safety needs (Tailgate Meetings, incident Investigation, observations etc.) right on the Tablets thru HeavyJob.
    Read full review
    Oracle
    • The existence of insurance and permit tracking.
    • Budgetary control measures and expense monitor.
    • Job costing and logistical management.
    • Skills and competencies improvement.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Cons
    HCSS
    • All their apps are on mobile devices. Although there is not a clear company policy on Android versus iPhone. Updates for features lag behind on Android. Some apps are exclusive to one platform making it hard to fully interconnect all programs.
    Read full review
    Oracle
    • Sharing of projects comments and document can be more efficient.
    • Estimation capabilities can be improved.
    • The initial configuration can easily confuse the beginners.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Usability
    HCSS
    As mentioned, user interface appears messy and complicated at initial onset. Training is necessary but becomes easy to maneuver through after solid daily use.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Oracle
    Requires a better interface that allows you to find all tools in order to utilise all functions.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Support Rating
    HCSS
    I have never had a bad experience or heard of one in 4 years of doing business with HCSS. That is unheard of even with the hurricanes and flooding in Houston area it feels like HCSS was always there and willing to help in every way.
    Read full review
    Oracle
    No answers on this topic
    Implementation Rating
    HCSS
    I was not employed with PPI upon implementation. I would prefer to reference my previous statement, that each company needs to evaluate its culture and address your implementation accordingly. The purchasing company should assign an employee as point person and really take charge of not just the technical side of the implementation (HCSS pretty much handles that), but focus on company culture and training.
    Read full review
    Oracle
    No answers on this topic
    Alternatives Considered
    HCSS
    Other estimating products I have used consist of ICE/MC2 and MS Excel. ICE was not a good fit for our company, as they have awful technical support and offer very poor training. MS Excel is great for simple estimates where there is not a lot of data being compiled. However neither hold a candle to the power of HCSS Heavybid
    Read full review
    Oracle
    Aconex's document control workflow allows for multiple versions of the same revision, enabling markups to be seen and document history as appropriate. This is on par with SOLIDWORKS EPDM, and is by far better than InEight's TeamBinder, as the originator and uploader of the document are able to change the version without the need for an administrator.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Return on Investment
    HCSS
    • Because of the codebooks (bid item codebook for DOT's specifically), we're able to carve off significant time in "stick-building" estimates
    • It's very easy to train newer estimators with HeavyBid due to the abundance of resources available on HCSS Academy and elsewhere (i.e. Arthur Nix's material)
    • The KPI's and Insights that Pre-Con offers helps us to make better decisions on Bid Day.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Oracle
    • Reductions in print costs alone (subcontractor bid process) paid completely for the use of the product. Further benefits to all project participants included process streamlining and 100% access to all project documentation (Drawings, Specifications, Contracts, Notices of Change, Change Orders etc.) from any online source including mobile devices. Benefits probably accounted for 150% of product cost.
    • Intangible benefits included reduced exposure to claims as a result of good (and agreed process tracking).
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    ScreenShots

    HCSS Screenshots

    Screenshot of HeavyBid - build the structure of an estimateScreenshot of HeavyBid - manage sub and material quotesScreenshot of HeavyBid - create professional bid proposalsScreenshot of HeavyJob - manage a job site from a mobile deviceScreenshot of HeavyJob - capture job site photos from any deviceScreenshot of HeavyJob - review, edit, and approve time cards from a mobile device

    Oracle Aconex Screenshots

    Screenshot of Avoid the limitations of manual correspondence with a standardized digital process that provides project-wide access and visibilityScreenshot of Automate and standardize any inspection process with Aconex Field—one mobile app for safety walks, quality checks, defecting, and more.Screenshot of Gain visibility into budgets, forecasts, and projective outcomes to enable early corrective action.