CMX 2004 - Plumbing & HVAC

Accubid Systems
Software solutions
Your estimate is on time, you
haven’t made mistakes, and you
didn’t have to transcribe notes or
retype data. Your clients are pleased
because you addressed their questions
and requests while they were with you.
Relax and bask in the glow of a job well
done.
This could be your reality if you use
Accubid Systems’ newest estimating and
change order tools: Pocket Bid and
Pocket ChangeOrder.
These software programs run on any
handheld computer that uses
Microsoft’s Pocket PC 2002 operating
system, or its successor, the Windows
Mobile 2003 operating system. Both
programs use commands familiar to
Windows users, and both can synchronize
and share with their desktop
cousins:
• Pocket Bid works seamlessly with
the Accubid Estimating Version 6 product
line.
• Pocket ChangeOrder integrates
with Accubid’s change order management
software, ChangeOrder and
ChangeOrder Pro.
Pocket Bid gives you the ability to
perform a complete estimate, generate a
bill of materials, and produce a final
price, right on the job site.
Pocket ChangeOrder allows price
changes while you’re still at the job site,
so your clients are not kept waiting. You
can also download projects onto Pocket
ChangeOrder to allow for on-site project
management.
While other handheld estimating
software focuses exclusively on takeoff,
Pocket Bid and Pocket ChangeOrder
provide a complete solution from takeoff
to bid summary and/or final pricing,
including extension. Both can update
from Pocket PC to desktop and back,
unlike some solutions that can only
update in one direction. Both support
the complete Accubid desktop database
and can contain multiple databases and
projects simultaneously.
As the user interface for both programs
is similar to the desktop interface,
users experienced with Accubid’s
desktop software will not need much
time to adjust to the pocket-sized
versions.
The new Accubid Pocket Bid and
Pocket ChangeOrder programs are
designed for handheld PCs.
Pocket ChangeOrder was a hit at the
November 2003 ISH North America
show in Las Vegas. It won first prize at
the New Software Product Showcase!
Estimating 6
Accubid has been busy in the office, as
well. Released in January, Estimating
Version 6 enhances Accubid’s family of
desktop estimating solutions.“Version 6
reflects our continued commitment to
lead the way with estimating software
that provides cutting-edge features
while still remaining intuitive, fast, and
easy to use,” reports Giovanni Marcelli,
president and CEO of Accubid.
Version 6 affects three products
scaled to meet the needs of large and
small mechanical contracting firms –
Accubid Pro, BidWinner Plus, and
BidWinner. The software includes a
number of exciting new features and
enhancements to increase accuracy and
productivity:
• Power Substitution allows you to
quickly change material throughout the
bid by substituting items and related
components within existing takeoffs
(Accubid Pro only).
• Temporary assemblies can be created
on the fly and saved as part of your
job instead of your material database.
• Print preview saves you time and
paper.
• The Schedule screen can now be
sorted to control the order in which
jobs are listed, and filtered to control
the jobs that appear on the list.
• A new Job Info screen lets you keep
track of the bid details, contact information,
and related job files. You can
also store links to bid documents, blueprints,
and walk-through photos.
• Regardless of the Estimating 6
solution you choose, all work seamlessly
with Pocket Bid.
Accubid is the leading provider of
estimating, billing, and change order
software for mechanical, electrical, and
structured cabling contractors. Over
10,500 active users employ Accubid
software solutions at over 3,500 companies
across North America.
Accubid offers proven solutions for
all aspects of the construction process,
from estimating to purchasing to project
management and billing. Accubid
also offers a wide range of professional
development courses and product
training labs.
Circle Number 130 for More Information
28 Plumbing & HVAC Product News – March/April 2004 www.plumbingandhvac.ca