WinEx GRADE Earthwork Takeoff Software

Customer support is tops! I like the program and I wanted to be successful at using it, but we went back to Agtek.

Pros

Many nice features and simplistic approach. Customer support was awesome-- yet that is kind of the problem-- I spent too much time with them because the program logic was difficult to follow.

Cons

Snap function is horrible. Input of data lines and contours is confusing. Importing drawings is cumbersome. Inability to input annotated lines. Cut-Fill graphics are primitive. Output file summary is displayed with odd logic and on too many sheets. Training videos outdated.

The application specialists were very helpful and patient when we contacted them for help. Having more specialists available would speed up your clients learning curve.

Pros

This program offers a lot for the purchase price. This now gives us confidence in our takeoff quantities,

Cons

We would like to see more training videos available that we can use when we encounter questions. Having the videos means we would not have to call in for support as often.

Roctek via WinEx Master is software equipped to satisfy ALL needs. This is a powerful tool replete with superior reporting, digitizing, and visualization tools.

Has many features, so it will not be something you can learn overnight, but the customer service is so outstanding that they will stay with you all night if you needed to learn it fast!

Keep up the great work, Roctek Team! Looking forward to seeing how you can possibly top off this software with your new release. The company never ceases to amaze me!

Pros

Business reports are needed to make executive decisions. The reports generated here are for champion decision makers! Too much good info! Add an exceptional takeoff team, and you'll be winning projects in no time!

Cons

Lots of good features. Not as intuitive, so requires expert support to fully maximize the product's utility.

Been using WinEx Master for about 10 years conducting earthwork and trenching takeoffs.

Pros

Customer Support is Great! Reports are good.

Cons

Software interface and graphics are dated. Need major update. Maintenance costs are midrange compared to others.

Advice to Others

Look elsewhere if drawings are to be used for presentations. If just for internal use graphics are sufficient.

WinEx Grade is user friendly. I like the on-screen takeoff and being able to download plans to the program without having a hard copy set of plans. The saves time which is very valuable for me and the program is very accurate. The team at Roctek has been great with their support, friendly to work with, and always eager to help. I have estimated for 31 years and have tried several different takeoff systems. For the money, WinEx grade is the best.

Pros

The onscreen takeoff. The ability to use vector files. You get a lot for your money with this program.

Cons

None

Advice to Others

I would buy WinEx Grade. You get a lot for the money with great support.

This product is great, I've used it to takeoff a hand full of projects already (one massive project) and haven't been using it too long. Without any formal training, I feel confident doing earthwork takeoff and that I will learn the other features of this program. When I ran into problems their tech support resolved my issue and talked me through everything, making sure I understood what was going on and not just fixing it for me and sending me on my way.

Pros

User friendly interface
Program functions make sense and are easy to learn, very straight forward
Line tracker is great for when importing certain line work isn't possible
Tech support is great, they even called to check up on me a few days after I called for support while doing takeoff on a large project to make sure everything was going smoothly
No pressure sales pitch, they let the product do the selling. They even gave me an extension to use the trial software to finish a takeoff

Cons

Have not found any yet.

Advice to Others

Use tech support, I haven't been able to throw something at them that they couldn't resolve or teach me.

The product does what it needs to do. It's simple, affordable, accurate, and the tech support is phenomenal. The development team at Roctek is very responsive to suggestions; they want to make sure the product does everything you need it to do and more.

Pros

The product does what it needs to do. It's simple, affordable, accurate, and the tech support is phenomenal. The development team at Roctek is very responsive to suggestions; they want to make sure the product does everything you need it to do and more.

Cons

Integration between Roctek's other programs RoadEx and SoftScale would be helpful.

Advice to Others

Try a demo and follow the tutorials that they have posted on their Youtube channel.

I like the fact that I can call and they are always willing to help me with any problem that I have and can appreciate their knowledge and patience whenever I have a question.

Pros

Its fast and for the most part easy to use. It takes some time for me to learn how to use being that I am not that computer savvy. I do love the product and think it is the best out there for what I do.

This project is a very user friendly software with all the bells and whistle's. The technical support hotline is perfect when you can get my rep at they can walk you trough it LIVE helps tremendously when you in the heat of the takeoff and time is money.

Pros

Technical support to help through new task's. Ease of use with awesome features and reports. Almost every feature we can image to generate reports for a project either at the design stage or to the build stage.

Cons

I don't have the opportunity to use enough and I get a little rusty.

Advice to Others

Best digital takeoff on the market with the most bang for the buck.

Likes Best

I primarily have always been involved with clearing and mass earthwork; started out developing cross-sections and doing all calcs' by hand; early 90's introduced and started using Paydirt and thought it was great until I was introduced to Roctek.

Been using Roctek for almost year; time of establishing quantities for clearing, earthwork, stormwater, utilites, paving(s) in cut in half. Using Roctek; due to the ease and speed on on screen; provides a tremendous savings on overhead to establish quantities; one is able to have more time to analyze the project prior to bid with the tools of the program.

Likes Least

Do not have any issues with anything about the program

Recommendations

Be sure to spend enough time prior to making decisions; I am 70 years of age and not profficent but this program is very easy to use.

Likes Best

The Tech support is very good from the call in to actually working a takeoff question with a technician

Likes Least

It is very thorough and I have to catch myself and draw the line between being too anal and getting just what I need for the bid.....

Recommendations

Take advantage of their help desk...in the long run you'll learn more, faster.....

Likes Best

The product does in minutes what used to take me days. The vendor offers great support.

Likes Least

The product can be a little cumbersome in some applications. The vendor's tech support is great but some times it takes hours to get a tach on the phone.

Recommendations

Make sure you are getting the software that meets tour needs.

Likes Best

Software was easy to learn and the technical assistance is awesome. I really like that I can call anytime and get help with the program. The tech support is outstanding. They are continually updating the software with new features that are even more helpful and time saving.

Likes Least

I have no complaints about Roctek or the software. I have been using it for a couple of years and it works great.

Recommendations

I would recommend this software. I have tried others and this one is the most accurate. It cost a little more but well worth the money. It has helped my job award ration considerably.

Likes Best

The software is easy to use, it gives us very accurate information. Tech support is excellent the techs are very patient and helpful.

Likes Least

Accuracy and ease of use. The tech support is first class.

Recommendations

Give this software a very good look. Test drive it for free.

Likes Best

There are a couple of things that we love about this product. The ease of operation and great tech support. It makes a great visual aid when taking to clients.

Likes Least

The thing I don't like the most is not being able to use on multiple computers without moving the key from computer to computer. I understand why the license is the way it is but being able to use on at least two would be so much more handy for our company.

Recommendations

Buy it. I has made for faster estimate turn around and more accurate estimates.

Likes Best

I like the reports and how easy it is to add the materials. Please add a materials database when adding layers.

Likes Least

Graphics and some features are difficult to use. Yearly maintenance is expensive.

Recommendations

Get the software for your type of business. If you are not into Earthwork, this is not for you!

Likes Best

I like the detail of the reports.

Likes Least

You have to update it yourself, and there seem to be too many hidden functions. We are never made aware of any improvements.

Recommendations

Recieve training. If you don't, you will be lost, unlike other software I have used.

Likes Best

The help desk is quite good. The online tutorials are not as well-thought-out, yet when viewing these and asking additional questions from the support center, an answer can be obtained to any questions you have.

Likes Least

Customization could easily be a future add-in. Dimensioning areas of the plan would be beneficial. Part of the feature is already available. Overall, there are no areas that I like least of all, but improvements can certainly be made. Ready access to the database, to review the information this program is basing its calculations on, would be most welcome.

Recommendations

As this is the first topographic site-building package I have worked with, I don't feel knowledgeable enough to provide comparisons against other packages. But I do know the database should be available to the customer for comparison with the real world model. We had 3-5 projects giving incorrect data due to a software glitch that would have been apparent from viewing the database.

Likes Best

The vendor responds immediately to any questions or concerns and is very helpful in solving takeoff questions. The product is easy to use and provides accurate reports.

Likes Least

I have no negative comments. This software meets our needs as a general contractor.

Recommendations

We have used this vendor/software since 2001 and have always been ahead of the curve in technology upgrades and user suggestions.

Likes Best

After a brief tutorial, the vendor gave me a working version to further evaluate. It's easy to use; I was up and running in one day.

Likes Least

The product works great; I have no complaints. The vendor is equally good.

Recommendations

Give it a try for free; you'll see how easy it is to use.