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HCSS offers a suite of construction software products that cater to various departments and needs within a construction company. These …
Overview
What is HCSS?
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.
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Popular Features
- Photo documentation (25)10.0100%
- Jobsite reports (30)8.080%
- Mobile app (28)6.161%
- Collaboration & approvals (19)4.040%
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What is HCSS?
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.
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- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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What is Procore?
Procore is a project management software designed specifically for the construction industry. Procore is cloud-based and allows unlimited users per instance, so that construction team members and stakeholders can all access project information and documents.
What is Wrike?
Wrike is a project management and collaboration software. This solution connects tasks, discussions, and emails to the user’s project plan. Wrike is optimized for agile workflows and aims to help resolve data silos, poor visibility into work status, and missed deadlines and project failures.
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Product Details
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- Competitors
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is HCSS?
HCSS is a construction software suite for estimating, operations, project management, safety, and equipment management used by the top contractors in transportation, oil & gas, power, industrial, telecom, and water/wastewater. Contractors use the software suite to win profitable work, keep projects on track and on budget, manage key assets, and then they integrate that information directly into their accounting system.
Suite components include:
Suite components include:
- HeavyBid (estimating)
- HeavyJob (time cards, job costing, project management)
- HCSS Safety
- HCSS Plans
- Equipment360
- HCSS Telematics
- HCSS Dispatcher
- FuelerPlus
- HCSS eLogs
- HCSS Cloud
- HCSS Skills
- HCSS Forms
HCSS Features
Construction Project & Field Management Features
- Supported: Plan distribution & viewing
- Supported: Plan markups & sharing
- Supported: Document sharing
- Supported: Issue tracking & punchlists
- Supported: Photo documentation
- Supported: Jobsite reports
- Supported: Collaboration & approvals
- Supported: Mobile app
Additional Features
- Supported: Estimating and bidding
- Supported: Invitation to bid
- Supported: Quote management
- Supported: Timecards
- Supported: Daily diaries
- Supported: Production quantities
- Supported: T&M Reporting
- Supported: Equipment Maintenance
- Supported: Equipment Work Orders
- Supported: Alerts & Notifications
HCSS Screenshots
HCSS Video
Construction Software Development Company - Estimating, Bidding, & More | HCSS
HCSS Integrations
- Microsoft Project
- Viewpoint Vista
- Primavera P3
- P6 Project Management
- RSMeans
HCSS Competitors
- Viewpoint ProContractor
- InEight
- Microsoft Excel
- B2W Software
- Predictive Solutions
HCSS Technical Details
| Deployment Types | On-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows |
| Mobile Application | Apple iOS, Android |
| Supported Countries | United States, Canada |
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Reviewers rate Photo documentation highest, with a score of 10.
The most common users of HCSS are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
HCSS Customer Size Distribution
| Consumers | 0% |
|---|---|
| Small Businesses (1-50 employees) | 30% |
| Mid-Size Companies (51-500 employees) | 55% |
| Enterprises (more than 500 employees) | 15% |
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(112)
Community Insights
TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
HCSS offers a suite of construction software products that cater to various departments and needs within a construction company. These products, including HeavyBid, HeavyJob, Dispatcher, Equipment 360, and more, have been widely utilized across different organizations to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. For example, the estimating department relies on HeavyBid to manage proposals and estimates, ensuring accurate cost projections and competitive bidding. By compiling historic data for current bids, estimators are able to price projects effectively and improve the chances of winning bids. Similarly, HeavyJob is an indispensable tool for field workers to track progress on projects, including labor and equipment hours as well as daily production. This real-time tracking capability enables project managers and foremen to monitor costs and make informed decisions based on up-to-date information.
Furthermore, HCSS software products facilitate seamless integration with accounting systems and other software applications used in the construction industry. HeavyBid's interface with accounting software allows for the conversion of codes to actual pay items, simplifying billing processes and ensuring accuracy. The coordination between HeavyBid and HeavyJob enables smooth transformation from estimates to production tracking, capturing work performed and hours for invoicing and payroll purposes. The use of HCSS products extends beyond project management tasks; they are also employed by safety departments for inspections and recording safety observations during work. In addition, equipment managers rely on Equipment 360 to efficiently manage the fleet of vehicles and equipment by tracking maintenance and repairs electronically.
Overall, HCSS products play a vital role in every facet of the construction business. From estimating to project management, payroll to safety tracking, these software solutions offer comprehensive functionalities that enhance productivity and collaboration among different departments. Users praise the consistency brought by HeavyBid in estimates and budgets while highlighting its efficiency when properly set up. Likewise, foremen in the field find HeavyJob empowering as it allows them to contribute valuable information for bids and future jobs, improving efficiency and quality control. Dispatchers value the visibility provided by Dispatcher, enabling them to have real-time knowledge of equipment location and resource availability. With its broad range of applications and extensive usage throughout the organization, HCSS software is an essential asset in the construction industry.
Availability of 24/7 technical help: Users appreciate the fact that HCSS provides round-the-clock technical support for any issues they encounter. Many reviewers have mentioned that this availability has been invaluable to them, allowing them to get immediate assistance whenever they need it.
Highly knowledgeable and prompt technical support staff: The technical support team at HCSS is highly regarded by users. They are praised for their expertise and ability to solve problems quickly over the phone. Several reviewers have mentioned that they were impressed with how knowledgeable and efficient the support staff was in resolving their issues.
Thorough training provided by HCSS: Users value the comprehensive training offered by HCSS, as it helps them maximize the benefits of using their products. Many reviewers have mentioned that the training sessions provided by HCSS have been instrumental in helping them understand and effectively use the software.
Less Performant: Users have consistently reported that ISQft is slower and less performant compared to other products they have used. Several reviewers mentioned difficulty exporting to Excel, attaching documents to bids, and experiencing slow performance on the iPad with Heavy Job manager. Some users also found uploading on the iPad to be slower than expected. These performance issues were a common complaint among reviewers.
Lack of Versatility in Dispatcher: Many users expressed dissatisfaction with the Dispatcher feature in ISQft, stating that it lacked versatility and desired features. Reviewers found it difficult to move crews around on a daily basis and felt that the planner view was not beneficial. They also mentioned that Dispatcher lacked proactive features, reminders, and real tracking of projects. Multiple reviewers believed that if HCSS focused more on improving Dispatcher, it could attract more subcontractor companies and larger contractors.
Difficulties in Integration: Integration with other programs was not seamless according to user feedback. Some reviewers had trouble integrating ISQft with their existing systems or found it challenging to import data from outside sources. There were also difficulties in pulling data into the management system used at corporate offices. Users expressed a need for easier integration with accounting programs and suggested that HCSS should focus on improving the integration of its products with each other.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
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November 09, 2017
HCSS is a very useful product for us
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use HCSS for estimating and for project management.
- Cost reporting and analysis tools
- Payroll
- Integration with our Viewpoint software
- Nothing at this point
November 08, 2017
HCSS Suite
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use HCSS across our organization for bidding with HeavyBid, collecting field data with HeavyJob manager and mobile (time, equipment, production quantities, change tracking), E360 for equipment maintenance, E360 Fueler for off-road fueling and Dispatcher for our heavy equipment hauls.
- The customer service at HCSS is outstanding. You can always get a person on the phone and the expertise provided with all products is above expectations.
- The HCSS user conferences are great for all skill levels and applications. There's something for everybody and the presenters have the knowledge and willingness to address your needs and concerns.
- Their implementation process is well organized and executed. Going to their office for implementation is highly recommended.
- Their mobile offerings vary too widely between iOS and Android where Android is available. We are a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) company and have many users split between iOS and Android products. This causes issues as HCSS is iOS only for E360, and on HeavyJob they are typically a year behind in parity between iOS and Android with the former the most up to date. Would like to see a cross platform app that mirrors where they are heading with their web app offerings.
- Their mobile applications do not always send data two ways. For example, jobs, cost codes, employees and equipment lists update to the HCSS field app but you can not see other time statistics from other foremen unless you are a manager on the iOS manager app, manager web app or desktop app. Only what is in the local tablet's database is what the foreman can see. This also causes issues when a tablet fails without a backup and restore made to the local database. In this instance, though all data sent in is stored in the main system, the foreman loses any history they may have had on the tablet.
- HeavyJob serves as our timekeeping system for our field crews. As such it would be nice to be able to apply time entry rules and workflow routing to ensure data is keyed in a timely fashion and routed to the correct individuals. All approvals work on a filter basis requiring each manager to seek and find unapproved time. It is nearly impossible to enforce time entry deadlines without custom built alerts and followup reporting for zero time and missing time cards.
November 06, 2017
Best on the Market
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
HCSS is used throughout the whole company; [it] starts with estimating and goes to the field for job site management.
- The estimating program is great, well organized, and manageable
- Great tech support if needed
- Tracks field operations easy and can be used by anyone of any caliber
- Tracking cost and revenue where items overrun and under-run
- In the estimating, there needs to be a function to determine wet and dry costs for equipment when reviewing a project
- Easier interface with an accounting program
November 06, 2017
Long time satisfied user
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Heavybid in our estimating department and HeavyJob for our operations.
- HeavyBid - organized and reproducible process for all estimates, works seamlessly with HeavyJob and accounting system to create budgets on successful bids
- HeavyJob - great for production analysis and time card entry synchronization with accounting software
- HeavyBid sub solicitation and quote collection system does not perform as well as other products such as ISQft
November 06, 2017
HCSS -- A great business partner!
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
HCSS is used across our organization as a tool to efficiently share information, improve efficiency and manage our operational businesses through an integrated suite of products.
- HCSS is particularly good at listening to current business processes and translating them to an implementation plan using HCSS software that improves the business process with an attainable staged approach.
- HCSS is a long term partner that grows with your over time, patient to wait for your growth and eager to have it customers give them feedback to facilitate HCSS growth and improvement.
- HCSS listens to it's customers and continually finds new avenues to improve it's products.
- HCSS grows and improves its individual products well, but the pace or improvement in integrating it's products with one another languishes in improvement.
- Support for standardized questions is done well, but this support would be greatly improved if there was better escalation and integration of support with the client. For example, when the support call could be facilitated by better knowledge of the customers particular install, could support reach out to the client and then back out to the user? Or keep a better knowledge base internally for the clients use?
November 06, 2017
HCSS, YES, YES, YES
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
HCSS Heavy Job is being used by a couple of departments in our company. One of the problems it addresses is the seamless transformation over from Heavy Bid. One of our departments uses this now and is expanding into other departments. Another department just uses Heavy Job, because it's a unit based contract with fixed pricing. Both capture the work performed and the hours associated with getting the work done. This way we can quickly invoice the work and also get the payroll hours sent.
- The HCSS system is very user-friendly. The field guys picked it up really quick.
- In the managers system, the superintendents can quickly review the previous days work, which gets them back in the field sooner.
- HCSS created a report for us, at our request, to work with our unit based contract. This made it easy to invoice weekly.
- Heavy Job manager seems to run slow at times.
- On the iPad, it seems to take a while for it to upload each time.
- Occasionally, time cards have to be sent a few times before they pull from the cloud into the manager system.
November 06, 2017
HCSS Review
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
As an estimating tool.
- Tracks several entity entries into same estimate
- Shows any errors
- Able to cut and paste activities
- I'd like to see an "OOPS" application so you can back up if you input qty into wrong activity.
- We've been having trouble with HCSS locking up while in use.
- I'd like to see a take off application that loads directly into the HCSS system, bid item, activity, etc., instead of doing a take off in Excel then transferring that information to HCSS. Human error is a big factor.
November 03, 2017
HCSS Power User
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use HCSS products from Bidding to Job management, safety to shop. I like that they listen to customers on suggestions for product changes, they are not stuck in what they have as a product. Our company is connected from the labor in the field doing the work, to the foreman, to the manager, to accounting and back to estimating all tied together and speaking the same language.
- Listens to customers
- Product support after the sale is the best in the industry
- Always refining what the product is, it never stops, always updating and getting better.
- Coordination with national vendors for a material product list that is uniform through out HCSS Products
- GPS System could be improved for idle time monitoring and reports
November 03, 2017
HCSS HeavyBid Delivers
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We are using HCSS Heavy Bid across the company for all of our estimating efforts. It helps with us stay consistent across the company , and our business processes.
- HCSS' support is great for all its products.
- HCSS HeavyBid is a great tool for analyzing costs, man power, equipment and resource needs for a project prior to a bid.
- HCSS HeavyBid does well a listening to its client's needs and improves and modifies it products to meet its clients expectations.
- I would like to see HeavyBid's quote system be updated looking at features such as spreading mob for a subcontractor across folders. making the notes field more user friendly...
- Allow pass through cost to be bonded
November 03, 2017
HCSS Software = Successful Construction Management
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
At Anchor Construction, we use HCSS products for bidding, managing, and promoting safety for all of our projects. Our Estimators use Heavy Bid to price all possible projects. Heavy Bid makes it easier to get accurate cost projections and help us win competitive bids. Foremen use Heavy Job Mobile out in the field to track their labor and equipment hours, as well as their daily production. Our Safety Department used the HCSS Safety Application to help with inspections out in the field. Safety Observations are recorded while the work is taking place. Our shop uses Equipment 360 to manage our fleet of vehicles and equipment. Project Management uses Heavy Job Manager to verify our crews are meeting or beating their production goals. Heavy Job Manager helps us identify problems on jobs early so we have more time to address these problems. HCSS products are a vital part of the success of our company.
- HCSS Technical Support has the best customer service of any company that I have ever seen. Phone calls into the help center are answered immediately and problems can usually be solved right over the phone. Their technical support staff is very knowledgeable.
- HCSS provides thorough training to help you get the most out of their products. Their yearly User Group Meetings are an incredible opportunity to learn about new products and new features. Several people from our company attend the User Group Meetings every year.
- HCSS listens to their clients when they have suggestions or requests on how to modify reports, or set-up new reports or features in the software. During the "Town Hall" meetings at the user group meetings, customers will request different changes to be made and often these changes end up being implemented shortly afterwards.
- Would love to see HCSS develop a program for Project Management, where submittals, RFIs, change orders, subcontracts, etc. could be produced and tracked.
- We would like to see HCSS enable a person in the field to e-mail a previously completed inspection to another person (Owner's rep, etc.) after it was already sent into the system. Can't do this currently.
November 03, 2017
For RR, Mostly a positive experience.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Rieth-Riley has standardized on HeavyBid for our Estimating Software. Likewise, we have chosen HeavyJob as our Job Cost application having all of our Indiana locations using the software.
- Excellent Job Site Tool for collecting time card data, production, equipment usage, as well as production analysis.
- HeavyBid is our de facto standard company wide.
- Recently experienced several months of issues in the field with my iPad users. Turns out there was an issue with the HCSS Cloud (i.e. Azure). Took forever to resolve, but all appears to be running as expected now.
October 25, 2017
Satisfied Customer
We use HeavyBid for all of our estimating, and HeavyJob for handling payroll timecards and project diaries. Our company is relatively small, so we don't have "departments" per se.
- The 800-number help line is probably the greatest feature of HCSS. The staff are always knowledgeable and have always been able to fix whatever problem we have encountered.
- The various people of HCSS with whom I have interacted have always been professional, cordial, and knowledgeable. Having the "smarts" is good, but being personable is an added bonus.
- The users group meetings are well done. In addition to the educational benefits, the management of the event itself is always top-notch.
- While I occasionally encounter things that I would like to be able to do differently with HeavyBid, they nearly always are something peculiar to our situation and not necessarily feasible for HCSS to change.
- HeavyJob, for me, is difficult to navigate. (I use it to review project diaries and occasionally time cards.) If I were to actually use it more, or go through training, I'm sure it would be easier for me to navigate.
- Our field personnel use basic functions of HeavyJob (time card, diary, photographs) with no problems, but really use a small part of the capability.
September 26, 2017
HeavyBid is the way to go in Underground and Civil Construction
Our whole organization used HeavyBid consistently throughout the life of a project. This product allowed our company to carefully track and standardize our bidding process. It also allowed us to quickly and efficiently review bids for mistakes / holes once the project was formally awarded to us.
- Helps create accurate bids
- Easily reviewed for mistakes
- Easy to use and complete accurate take offs in
- Ease to export to Excel
- Ease to attach other docs to bid
- Integration with other programs