SmartBid vs. Viewpoint Vista

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
SmartBid
Score 8.9 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
Vista
Score 7.8 out of 10
N/A
Viewpoint’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
SmartBidViewpoint Vista
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
SmartBidVista
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
YesNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsAs 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
Features
SmartBidViewpoint Vista
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
8.8
5 Ratings
15% above category average
Viewpoint Vista
-
Ratings
Plan distribution & viewing8.55 Ratings00 Ratings
Document sharing9.05 Ratings00 Ratings
RFI tools8.04 Ratings00 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals8.53 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile app10.02 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
8.0
21 Ratings
9% above category average
Pay calculation00 Ratings8.920 Ratings
Benefit plan administration00 Ratings8.014 Ratings
Direct deposit files00 Ratings9.020 Ratings
Customization
Comparison of Customization features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
6.1
2 Ratings
17% below category average
API for custom integration00 Ratings5.92 Ratings
Plug-ins00 Ratings6.41 Ratings
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
7.9
8 Ratings
3% below category average
Single sign-on capability00 Ratings8.17 Ratings
Role-based user permissions00 Ratings7.68 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
7.4
25 Ratings
3% above category average
Dashboards00 Ratings8.220 Ratings
Standard reports00 Ratings7.525 Ratings
Custom reports00 Ratings7.322 Ratings
General Ledger and Configurable Accounting
Comparison of General Ledger and Configurable Accounting features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
7.8
13 Ratings
2% above category average
Accounts payable00 Ratings8.113 Ratings
Accounts receivable00 Ratings7.610 Ratings
Global Financial Support00 Ratings7.31 Ratings
Primary and Secondary Ledgers00 Ratings8.21 Ratings
Journals and Reconciliations00 Ratings8.08 Ratings
Configurable Accounting00 Ratings8.09 Ratings
Standardized Processes00 Ratings7.612 Ratings
Inventory Management
Comparison of Inventory Management features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
7.6
4 Ratings
4% below category average
Inventory tracking00 Ratings7.44 Ratings
Location management00 Ratings7.82 Ratings
Order Management
Comparison of Order Management features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
5.9
3 Ratings
27% below category average
Pricing00 Ratings5.92 Ratings
Order entry00 Ratings6.63 Ratings
Cost of goods sold00 Ratings6.73 Ratings
Order Orchestration00 Ratings4.51 Ratings
Subledger and Financial Process
Comparison of Subledger and Financial Process features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
7.6
11 Ratings
3% above category average
Billing Management00 Ratings7.98 Ratings
Cash and Asset Management00 Ratings7.68 Ratings
Travel & Expense Management00 Ratings7.63 Ratings
Budgetary Control & Encumbrance Accounting00 Ratings7.24 Ratings
Period Close00 Ratings7.36 Ratings
Project Financial Management
Comparison of Project Financial Management features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
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 Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
5.4
5 Ratings
22% below category average
Task Insight for Project Managers00 Ratings6.13 Ratings
Project Mobile Functionality00 Ratings4.54 Ratings
Procurement
Comparison of Procurement features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
6.0
4 Ratings
14% below category average
Contract Authoring00 Ratings6.82 Ratings
Contract Repository00 Ratings6.82 Ratings
Requisitions-to-Purchase Orders Integrated00 Ratings5.43 Ratings
Supplier Management00 Ratings5.02 Ratings
Supply Chain
Comparison of Supply Chain features of Product A and Product B
SmartBid
-
Ratings
Viewpoint Vista
6.4
1 Ratings
15% below category average
Inventory Planning00 Ratings6.41 Ratings
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SmartBidViewpoint Vista
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FollowUp CRM
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Score 9.5 out of 10
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Score 8.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Procore
Procore
Score 8.7 out of 10
Infor VISUAL
Infor VISUAL
Score 8.3 out of 10
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Bluebeam
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Score 8.7 out of 10
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Score 7.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
SmartBidViewpoint Vista
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(7 ratings)
7.7
(72 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(16 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
6.4
(21 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(4 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(4 ratings)
Support Rating
9.6
(4 ratings)
4.9
(38 ratings)
In-Person Training
-
(0 ratings)
9.1
(2 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(2 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
6.1
(8 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(4 ratings)
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(2 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
6.9
(36 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(4 ratings)
Professional Services
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(2 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(2 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.6
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
SmartBidViewpoint Vista
Likelihood to Recommend
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
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.
Read full review
Pros
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.
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
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.
Read full review
Trimble Viewpoint
  • Its history is that most entries are transaction-based, requiring batch processing. Some of these could be moved to background batch processing so the batching would be more transparent to the user.
  • More data needs to be available on mobile devices. They are making a move in this direction, which is good.
  • Some screens allow flexibility of viewing data in grid views, but the export of this data to Excel could be improved. This is mostly seen in Workcenters.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
Trimble Viewpoint
It's very customizable and accessible outside of Vista itself (SQL, Excel, home grown programs, etc.), but Viewpoint is very slow at fixing bugs and adding suggestions from their suggestion box. If this last area was better, I would have given this a 9 or 10.
Read full review
Usability
ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
ConstructConnect
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
ConstructConnect
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
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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Trimble Viewpoint
Support has deteriorated greatly than what it was years ago when we joined. We always used to get a call back same day and within an hour or so for critical issues. Sometimes now it's no response or very delayed. Knowledge of the support team is also lacking. Many issues we figure out workarounds ourselves instead of calling
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In-Person Training
ConstructConnect
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
ConstructConnect
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.
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Implementation Rating
ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
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.
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
Read full review
Contract Terms and Pricing Model
ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
Trimble Viewpoint
I wasn't part of the integration.
Read full review
Scalability
ConstructConnect
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.
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Professional Services
ConstructConnect
No answers on this topic
Trimble Viewpoint
I wasn't part of the integration.
Read full review
Return on Investment
ConstructConnect
  • The Data mangement helped us a lot with project managment.
  • ROI is worth it because of the project managment is great
  • We only had positive feedback from the subcontractors.
Read full review
Trimble Viewpoint
  • we are still working through connectivity issues which pretty much puts us dead in the water when we lose internet
  • The standard reports that are a part of Vista need to be finagled for us to us them. They don't have all of the parameters and/or prompts that we need to report on
Read full review
ScreenShots

SmartBid Screenshots

Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of Screenshot of

Vista Screenshots

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