User Reviews
BID2WIN Estimating & Bidding by BID2WIN Software
USER REVIEWS - All reviews
Purchased Date: January 01, 2000
Structures Division Manager, C.S. McCrossan Construction, Inc.
September 29, 2010
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Pros
Our company is a heavy/highway general contractor that self-performs removals, earthwork, bridges and retaining walls, underground utilities, asphalt paving and concrete paving. We investigated other options prior to commiting to the purchase of Bid2Win, choosing it because of its intuitive, tabbed user-interface and the ability to construct reusable task templates for any kind of work imaginable. The following bullets give an overview of the features available:
- User defined work categories / sub categories
- User defined labor classification / burden database
- User defined equipment classification / rates database
- Unlimited task template creation for repetitive work items
- Tabbed costing interface for calculating costs / markups / and bid pricing
- Markup distribution strategy tab for spreading costs to maximize project cash flow
- Automatic bond cost table
- Microsoft SQL server-based for unlimited concurrent user access (multiple estimators work at the same time)
Cons
- Weak export of costs and resources to Critical Path Method scheduling software (i.e. Export to Microsoft Project, not Primavera)
- Only basic implementation of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) subcontractor assignments (still requires additional spreadsheet work outside of the program to get a complete analysis of DBE participation)
Overall
Having used multiple estimating packages including Harddollar, HCS, Success, MCACES, and MCII, this program is by far the most user-friendly and feature-rich system in the commercial marketplace today, in my opinion. Additionally, the Bid2Win Software Engineers are eager to hear of user-identified feature requests and incorporate them into the software as new feature updates. We have used the system for 10 years, now, and have been very satisfied with the stability, speed, ease of use, minimal learning curve, and scalability of the program. I would give the software a 9.2 out of 10 and would raise the rating to 9.8 out of 10 if the Cons posted above were addressed.
Purchased Date: July 01, 1998
PResident, W.C. Spratt, Inc.
August 23, 2010
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Pros
BID2WIN is superior to all systems I've been exposed to.
Price is steep, but customer support is worth the price.
Cons
Both Build2Win and Bid2Win could use some reporting upgrades in terms of ability to modify BID FORM REPORTS and Foremen's weekly production graphs for a particular foreman from any computer for any time period.
Overall
GREAT PRODUCTS.!.
Purchased Date: January 01, 2008
Senior Estimator, Landmark Construction Co., Inc.
August 23, 2010
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Pros
Support is second to none. Available 24/7. Never have they failed to answer question or solve problem within minutes. Never on hold, never have to wait for a callback.
Product allows you to bid the way you want, how you are used to bidding. I've never had a situation that could not be handled easily and efficiently by B2W.
Effortlessly send RFQ's to subs and vendors via email or fax in a readable and understandable format, along with the ability to send attachments to any or all on your list.
Mark Up and Bid Closings methods are outstanding. The ability to spread and distribute mark ups in infinite combinations assure that you won't get burned by a crazy bid form.
Simple phase and alternate creation and management allows you to match any bid form.
Multiple layer work-breakdown structure allows all items to be bid so that your costs are always accurate, you never have to resort to "close enough for now"
Estimate Check - fantastic, assures complete estimate
Cons
I should have bought it much sooner.
Overall
I've used and reviewed other systems, nothing can compare to B2W.
Purchased Date: January 01, 2010
Vice President, Sherwood Construction Co., Inc.
August 19, 2010
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Pros
With the Enterprise version, the software has the ability to utilize multiple databases for use with multiple companies, yet be maintained from a central location. Within the Sherwood organization, we have eight companies; each with their own location, identity, resources, wage schedules, equipment rates, etc. The system's flexibility, ease of use, and multiple database capabilities were exatcly what we needed.
Data migration for system implementation was greatly simplified by way of spreadsheet style templates that were used to pre-populate the program's data tables within each database. WIth the pre-poulated data, the system was ready to use, almost virtually out of the box.
Seemless integration with MS Office products and exports available for multiple other software products, including accounting systems, reduces time and effort.
We were bidding with the system the day after training.
Cons
There aren't any cons that I can think of. After using the system for four months, I have only called tech support once. It was for something that I could have taken care of with another few minutes of thinking. If you pay attention during the training and are somewhat computer literate, the systems intuitiveness takes care of the rest.,
Overall
Highly recommended.
Purchased Date: September 01, 2009
Managing Director, RIDAM CONSULTANTS PVT LTD
September 28, 2009
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Pros
I am retired Government Engineer and I have started a consulting company positioned to offer consultancy services in the bid preparation. I want to become reseller of this product and enhance my training opportunities. I see great opportunity to sell the software to contracting companies.
Cons
I am considering the product has a got great value and it can be sold to all real estate companies who are developers cum real estate agents. The construction comapnies who bid for contracts.
Overall
THe product is very good and relevant, it provides the opportunity for software developers, resellers, trainers and users. It creates 4-win situation.
