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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

    Vista

    Score8.2 out of 10
    N/AViewpoint’s Vista is a construction accounting software. Vista’s core accounting features include accounts receivable and payable, general ledger, payroll and time management, and cash management. It also provides tools for document management, including document templates and reporting.N/A
    Pricing
    HCSSVista
    Editions & Modules
    No answers on this topic
    No answers on this topic
    Offerings
    Pricing Offerings
    HCSSVista
    Free Trial
    NoNo
    Free/Freemium Version
    NoNo
    Premium Consulting/Integration Services
    YesNo
    Entry-level Setup FeeRequiredNo setup fee
    Additional Details—Prospective buyers may contact Viewpoint directly for a price quote.
    More Pricing Information
    Community Pulse
    HCSSVista
    Considered Both Products
    HCSS
    Chose HCSS
    I was not part of the team that looked at other potential products at the time of purchase of HCSS.
    Incentivized
    Chose HCSS
    Occasionally I have come across an individual you is a spreadsheet user for estimating. and has not used heavybid. Usually after a little bit of orientation the individual can readily see the increased efficiency and the potential for less errors. I have also talked to …
    Incentivized
    Chose HCSS
    HCSS is the best we have ever found.
    Incentivized
    Chose HCSS
    Bid2win, and Hard dollar.

    Heavybid is far above both in terms of product features, but even if they were equal, HCSS support makes a huge difference.
    Incentivized
    Trimble Viewpoint
    Chose Vista
    Vista is made for a specific size company with limited customization needed. It is a great tool until you get to the much bigger size companies.
    Incentivized
    Chose Vista
    There the same to varying degrees, hiding every useful tool behind an additional paywall.
    Incentivized
    Chose Vista
    In all of our reviews through the years, the Vista system has by far been the best fit for any construction related business. The construction centric approach and system design of the Vista system puts it far above other systems we have reviewed. In addition, the constant …
    Incentivized
    Chose Vista
    I have not used any other software like it.
    Incentivized
    Key User Insights
    Would buy again
    No answers on this topic
    88%
    Would buy again
    58 Answers
    Delivers good value for the price
    No answers on this topic
    87%
    Delivers good value for the price
    40 Answers
    Happy with the feature set
    No answers on this topic
    92%
    Happy with the feature set
    61 Answers
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    No answers on this topic
    73%
    Lived up to sales and marketing promises
    24 Answers
    Implementation went as expected
    No answers on this topic
    74%
    Implementation went as expected
    28 Answers
    Features
    HCSSVista
    Construction Project & Field Management
    Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    5.1
    34 Ratings
    40% below category average
    Viewpoint Vista
    -
    Ratings
    Plan distribution & viewing5.010 Ratings00 Ratings
    Plan markups & sharing5.07 Ratings00 Ratings
    Issue tracking & punchlists5.014 Ratings00 Ratings
    Photo documentation5.026 Ratings00 Ratings
    Jobsite reports6.031 Ratings00 Ratings
    Document sharing5.018 Ratings00 Ratings
    RFI tools3.01 Ratings00 Ratings
    Collaboration & approvals5.020 Ratings00 Ratings
    Mobile app7.029 Ratings00 Ratings
    Payroll Management
    Comparison of Payroll Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    8.0
    25 Ratings
    6% above category average
    Pay calculation00 Ratings8.124 Ratings
    Benefit plan administration00 Ratings7.318 Ratings
    Direct deposit files00 Ratings8.124 Ratings
    Customization
    Comparison of Customization features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.6
    6 Ratings
    1% above category average
    API for custom integration00 Ratings7.76 Ratings
    Plug-ins00 Ratings7.55 Ratings
    Security
    Comparison of Security features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    8.3
    13 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Single sign-on capability00 Ratings8.011 Ratings
    Role-based user permissions00 Ratings8.513 Ratings
    Reporting & Analytics
    Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    8.3
    29 Ratings
    9% above category average
    Dashboards00 Ratings8.124 Ratings
    Standard reports00 Ratings8.029 Ratings
    Custom reports00 Ratings8.026 Ratings
    General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
    Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    8.0
    18 Ratings
    4% above category average
    Accounts payable00 Ratings8.418 Ratings
    Accounts receivable00 Ratings8.215 Ratings
    Global Financial Support00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
    Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
    Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings8.213 Ratings
    Configurable Accounting00 Ratings8.514 Ratings
    Standardized Processes00 Ratings7.317 Ratings
    Inventory Management
    Comparison of Inventory Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.3
    6 Ratings
    9% below category average
    Inventory tracking00 Ratings7.36 Ratings
    Automatic reordering00 Ratings7.32 Ratings
    Location management00 Ratings7.34 Ratings
    Order Management
    Comparison of Order Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.8
    8 Ratings
    2% below category average
    Pricing00 Ratings7.76 Ratings
    Order entry00 Ratings7.78 Ratings
    Cost of goods sold00 Ratings7.78 Ratings
    Order Orchestration00 Ratings7.95 Ratings
    Subledger and Financial Process
    Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.6
    16 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Billing Management00 Ratings7.813 Ratings
    Cash and Asset Management00 Ratings7.513 Ratings
    Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings6.67 Ratings
    Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings7.08 Ratings
    Period Close00 Ratings7.711 Ratings
    Project Financial Management
    Comparison of Project Financial Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    8.0
    1 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Budgeting and Forecasting00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
    Project Costing00 Ratings9.11 Ratings
    Cost Capture00 Ratings9.11 Ratings
    Customer Contract Compliance00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
    Project Revenue Recognition00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
    Project Execution Management
    Comparison of Project Execution Management features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.1
    9 Ratings
    0% above category average
    Task Insight for Project Managers00 Ratings7.97 Ratings
    Project Mobile Functionality00 Ratings7.88 Ratings
    Procurement
    Comparison of Procurement features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.5
    8 Ratings
    5% above category average
    Contract Authoring00 Ratings7.66 Ratings
    Contract Repository00 Ratings7.96 Ratings
    Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings7.27 Ratings
    Supplier Management00 Ratings7.45 Ratings
    Supply Chain
    Comparison of Supply Chain features of HCSS and Viewpoint Vista
    Feature
    HCSS
    -
    Ratings
    Viewpoint Vista
    7.4
    4 Ratings
    1% above category average
    Inventory Planning00 Ratings7.44 Ratings
    Best Alternatives
    HCSSVista
    Small Businesses
    CMiC Construction Platform
    Score7.5 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Medium-sized Companies
    Autodesk Build
    Score8.6 out of 10
    Zoho One
    Score9.2 out of 10
    Enterprises
    Revit
    Score8.9 out of 10
    Microsoft Dynamics AX (discontinued)
    Score4.8 out of 10
    All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
    User Ratings
    HCSSVista
    Likelihood to Recommend
    10.0
    (39 ratings)
    8.6
    (76 ratings)
    Likelihood to Renew
    -
    (0 ratings)
    6.8
    (17 ratings)
    Usability
    7.0
    (3 ratings)
    8.1
    (21 ratings)
    Availability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (5 ratings)
    Performance
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Support Rating
    10.0
    (35 ratings)
    7.1
    (28 ratings)
    In-Person Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (3 ratings)
    Online Training
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.7
    (2 ratings)
    Implementation Rating
    8.2
    (32 ratings)
    8.0
    (8 ratings)
    Configurability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    9.0
    (5 ratings)
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (3 ratings)
    Ease of integration
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.7
    (41 ratings)
    Product Scalability
    -
    (0 ratings)
    7.0
    (5 ratings)
    Professional Services
    -
    (0 ratings)
    8.6
    (2 ratings)
    Vendor post-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    Vendor pre-sale
    -
    (0 ratings)
    10.0
    (3 ratings)
    User Testimonials
    HCSSVista
    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
    Read full review
    Trimble Viewpoint
    The company has made a commitment to the use of the Vista products and continue to move forward trying to implement more with the Vista HR Management. From timekeeping to onboarding in the near future we strive to look for better ways to utilize the products for our accounting and payroll purposes.
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    • New employee on-boarding and personnel management
    • Full spectrum accounting management (AP/AR/Payroll)
    • Project management from contract award through project close-out
    • Data security management, reporting and anlysis
    • Equipment full lifespan management for costs, revenue and location tracking
    • User Database allows for built-in customization capabilities to fit the most unique business requirements
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    • Their payroll module is terribly slow and very clunky.
    • Job costing parameters are very strict and limited.
    • Each module interface has too many forms and screens.
    • There is too much flexibility regarding where to put information into the system. There isn't one place to do anything, which creates confusion for staff.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Likelihood to Renew
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    It is extremely customizable and tracks so many complicated costs very well, more-so than other construction software programs out there that we've used in the past. It is also not an easy program to use for those even slightly not comfortable with a computer. The help sections/knowledge base could be better organized and updated more. It is a very powerful software program for our business and we rely on it hugely to see how our projects are running in real-time.
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    I think that Vista's is an easy program to use very user friendly with lots of help features to allow the user to fix an issue without having to put a support call into Vista. The reporting and exporting capability's are strong.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Reliability and Availability
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    Only issue is when there is an upgrade - it takes several times to get back logged in. Otherwise no issues with getting on to the program. We are set up on lap top or on the remote desk top. Works 90% of the time
    Read full review
    Performance
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    No issue downloading the reports - I do find sometimes it is easier to export and save than it is to print to a pdf. Options on the different reports not consistent. You can print a couple projects on the JC Contract Status Report - but you have to do each project for the JC Cost by contract item - when neither one is a drill down - not a big deal
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    When privately owned, it was very good, then dropped when owned by Bane Capital Investments. Now that it has been bought by Trimble and has a home, support is back up again. Response time is better than most software companies, and the information provided is good. They have Chat support for quick answers, and a good Knowledge Base and video libraries.
    Read full review
    In-Person Training
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    I was not part of the in person training. I am assuming the training went well - but I did all my training through viewpoint academy.
    Read full review
    Online Training
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    Excellent training! They keep you on track to insure your implementation is going as planned. There are ample ways to receive additional training and training can be provided by position type. If you put on the effort, the training is there.
    Read full review
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    The trainer Viewpoint sent did not understand the processes, he only knew where the modules were located. He had no understanding of the actual process itself.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    I personally have not used another ERP system other than Viewpoint Vista. I am sure there are others out there, but from listening to my managers experiences before Great Basin Industrial implemented Viewpoint, the other options were less superior to what Viewpoint offers. I think if you are looking for an ERP system in the construction industry, then Viewpoint is the way to go
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Contract Terms and Pricing Model
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    I wasn't part of the integration.
    Incentivized
    Read full review
    Scalability
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    For a small business - this program is well used in the accounting and operations. The two different work plans are set up for success. Alot of the programs we do not use - but like the reports that are generated - one disadvantage if you do not know crystal reports you cannot edit your form to meet your needs so there is a lot of printing different several forms to get all the information you need.
    Read full review
    Professional Services
    HCSS
    No answers on this topic
    Trimble Viewpoint
    I wasn't part of the integration.
    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
    Trimble Viewpoint
    • Not sure I can speak to this as the company moved to Viewpoint before I began here. I think it is helpful for the Project Management and Superintendent staff to easily review how specific job items went, which we do in the PM contract drilldown analysis
    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

    Vista Screenshots

    Screenshot of Job Cost AccountingScreenshot of Equipment ManagementScreenshot of Service ManagementScreenshot of Service Management Dispatch Board