Navisworks vs. SmartBid

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Navisworks
Score 9.3 out of 10
N/A
Autodesk's Navisworks is a 3D model and construction project review and coordination software allowing the user to combine design and construction data into a single model, and identify and resolve clash and interference problems before construction.
$135
per month
SmartBid
Score 8.3 out of 10
N/A
SmartBid is a construction bid management software for general contractors. SmartBid provides a web-based and mobile platform to streamline their bid project data, documents, and subcontractor communications. It also supports user permissions control for data security.N/A
Pricing
NavisworksSmartBid
Editions & Modules
Navisworks Simulate - Monthly
$135
per month per user
Navisworks Manage - Monthly
$335
per month per user
Navisworks Simulate - Yearly
$1,080
per year per user
Navisworks Manage - Yearly
$2,670
per year per user
Navisworks Simulate - 3 Year
$3,240
3 years per user
Navisworks Manage - 3 Year
$8,010
3 year per user
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
NavisworksSmartBid
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details—As a cloud-based solution, our clients can scale their access annually depending on the number of users. Subcontractors invited to bid or prequalify in the system receive access at no cost.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
NavisworksSmartBid
Features
NavisworksSmartBid
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
Navisworks
-
Ratings
SmartBid
7.6
4 Ratings
1% above category average
Plan distribution & viewing00 Ratings7.04 Ratings
Document sharing00 Ratings8.04 Ratings
RFI tools00 Ratings6.03 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals00 Ratings7.02 Ratings
Mobile app00 Ratings10.01 Ratings
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NavisworksSmartBid
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User Ratings
NavisworksSmartBid
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(17 ratings)
8.0
(6 ratings)
Usability
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.4
(9 ratings)
9.6
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
NavisworksSmartBid
Likelihood to Recommend
Autodesk
Navisworks is a key tool if doing any 3D model coordination with other trades. It will allow you to view your model content with others to know for certain that your design is accurate and can be assembled. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make this process easy.
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ConstructConnect
SmartBid is also very useful for conducting sub-contracting analysis and management simulations in the didactic field. The procedures for sharing documents are helpful, but the graphic can be improved. Many forms can be pre-filled. This helps a lot in saving time and money! SmartBid is great for exporting and/or sending single or mass emails. However, as mentioned, it would be useful to simplify some pre-construction processes and improve the overall communication
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Pros
Autodesk
  • Model Viewing, the navigation tools are really easy to use for walking through the model, especially if viewpoints are set up for key locations.
  • The take-offs work really well and can be very quick and easy if the model was built right.
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ConstructConnect
  • It's very easy to set up a job and manage who receives solicitations. You can also keep detailed notes on who've you contacted and see if they're actually downloading and reviewing the documents.
  • You can add a confidentiality agreement clause which they must accept before accessing the documents. It then stores this information if it ever needs to be accessed. This is much cleaner and easier then sending out a NDA form and having the subcontractor return it before actually sending drawings/docs.
  • You can send Invitations to Bid and set it up to continue sending these ITB's until the subcontractor responds. However, this can also be a negative point because once you set up a delayed ITB, it doesn't update as the subcontractors view and respond to the ITB's. So if a sub is "Not Responded" and you set up a delayed ITB to fire off every day for 5 days, and the sub responds after day 2, that sub will continue to receive ITB's for all 5 days.
  • Uploading drawings is quick and easy. It's especially convenient if you link to one of your cloud services such as Egnyte, Google Drive, etc.
  • The search tools are quick and easy and often very accessible from any page.
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Cons
Autodesk
  • A link to BIM 360 Model Coordination is a serious shortcoming. It used to be easy to link to models loaded to BIM 360 Glue for more in depth clash detection.
  • I would have liked the ability to export a simulation created in Navisworks to 3DS Max for a more immersive animation with decent material mapping and better animation tools.
  • I would like to be able to view/create BIM 306 Docs/Field issues directly in Navisworks. In the current workflow we have to use other file formats to work within BIM 360. It would be more productive to be able to navigate the model through Navisworks and to create viewpoints and issues from within Navisworks.
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ConstructConnect
  • We have seen intermittent problems with notes disappearing.
  • Ability to have more than one project bidding open at the same time/on multiple windows.
  • Mobile apps.
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Usability
Autodesk
Users are very happy with it and hear no complains from them
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ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Autodesk
Autodesk owns Navisworks, and it seems to have a pretty good support network. A lot of the troubleshooting or support information is provided through an online database, so you most likely would not be getting any personal attention with your issues. Since there are so many users for Navisworks, there is a lot of information on the web.
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ConstructConnect
SmartBid has an excellent support team that is always at your service. Any problem I've had (when I've even had them) has been resolved almost immediately, along with tips on how to avoid them in the future. If you're looking for a program with excellent customer service, look no further than SmartBid.
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Alternatives Considered
Autodesk
Navisworks is a master tool if we want to do any 3D model coordination with any trade of a building. It allows us to view our model content with all elements to visualize and understand for certain where our design stands in terms of accuracy and how all things can be assembled on site. Navisworks also comes with a lot of additional tools to make BIM process easy.
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ConstructConnect
SmartBid is used by more of the contractors that we happen to do lots of work with. It has basically the same features. However, SmartBid will let subcontractors view all the jobs a general contractor is bidding, even ones we were never invited to. So it has the potential to bring more opportunities.
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Return on Investment
Autodesk
  • It helps in coordination on BIM projects. We have had major project coordination saving millions on jobs.
  • Helps us win more projects as we can coordinate them
  • Used to use the animation tools for site logistics. Now we use game engines.
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ConstructConnect
  • It is a big time saver compared to sending out individual emails.
  • It saves time in having multiple individual databases for company contact info.
  • It ensures that everyone is getting the same information.
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ScreenShots

SmartBid Screenshots

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