Pantera Tools Integrated Plan Room Software

Overall a great product with new features coming out frequently

Pros

Ease of use getting info to subcontractors during the pre-con phase. Able to transmit large files rapidly

Cons

Would like to have more PM features to use during a project. Would like to see more money features.

Likes Best

Great product, help support team. We didn't have the best program before. This exceeded my expectations.

Likes Least

There isn't anything I don't like about the software.

Recommendations

you can use their database, the functionality is great.

Likes Best

I like the support we've received Kim and Susie have been great. I like the look of our plan room.

Likes Least

Our web based service is really slow. Our upload and download speeds are 24MBPS upload and 94MBPS download and it still takes several seconds to load each window. I don't like having to move between multiple windows to enter new contacts when progressing through a call list.

Recommendations

Make sure that you have a really good internet connection and server.

Likes Best

Very responsive, product is easy to use. We are just getting started with the program.

Likes Least

Have not found anything yet as we are just getting started with it

Recommendations

I might be able to answer this down the road after the system has been in place for a while

Likes Best

This was a really nice project management software. It would be fantastic for anyone in the construction industry.

Likes Least

By my own ignorance, I tried this before realizing it is made for the construction industry. Nothing wrong with it at all.

Recommendations

You may want to research the software before you try it. Just a thought.

Likes Best

The best feature of this software is that, overall, it is quick and user-friendly. The rollover to this new software was very smooth. We can get into it and build a project, select subcontractors and suppliers, and send an invitation to bid in a matter of minutes. Subs and suppliers who want to be added to our bid list can fill out all of their own information. Because it is web-based, I can log onto it with any computer or device anywhere and send information out at anytime. We can also track if the sub or supplier bid the project and what their bid was. It is simple to upload plans, specs, and addenda.

Likes Least

We have had no complaints so far. This software is user-friendly and reliable. What more can you want?

Recommendations

We looked into numerous options. So much of the software out there is built by software engineers who do not understand the estimating process. This software was obviously built by people who understand estimating and the construction industry.

Likes Best

They are very helpful in making our site as easy as possible on everyone. They are also very prompt at handling any issue that arises.

Likes Least

Honestly, the only thing I do not like is that it can only have one job up at one time in one browser. I work for a general contractor, and we are bidding multiple jobs at one time. So when going and updating information, it is a pain sometimes having to go out of one job and into another and back. I would like to be able to have at least two jobs open at one time.

Recommendations

It's really just a great source to use! I would really recommend looking into this; it is very helpful.

Likes Best

Customer support is excellent; our rep is very friendly and responsive. The newsfeed page is great for a quick glance to check project and database updates. Uploading plans and specs is quick and simple. The search features are intuitive and easy to use.

Likes Least

I don't like the way the database is managed. We have essentially no control over who enters themselves into our database or what CSI Trades (Groups) they enter into their profile. I've had several subcontractors plug themselves into every CSI Trade in our database, and that's just not the way we want things done. There should be an approval process once a sub enters their information where we can check what they've done before they're automatically plugged in and receiving invites. For instance, many of our clients do not allow us to send their projects out to Public Plan rooms (Dodge, BidClerk, Builder's Exchanges, etc.), and we could easily be removed from a client's bid list for doing so. I have already had a few Builder's Exchanges enter themselves into every CSI trade in our database, and had it not been caught, they would have received invitations for some of these projects, and then downloaded and posted plans in their plan room. This could cause serious problems for us and needs to be rectified.

Also, I just sent the second reminder out to our team not to use the email address box in the Invitation to Bid page, because instead of just sending that person an invite or adding them to the selected vendors from the address book, it creates an entirely new profile in our database, which contains no information whatsoever, other than an email address. I've cleared out somewhere around 30+ such profiles.

Recommendations

Take advantage of the customer service offered. They are quick to respond and very helpful.

Likes Best

Pantera has proven to be a great way to issue RFQs out to subs and easy access for them to obtain bid documents. This provides efficient and effective operation processes for quick turnaround bids. Pantera is also a great marketing/branding tool for Corval. When project notifications come through to the subcontractors, it shows it is coming directly from Corval and not a third-party company. They provide unlimited document storage. The ease of use, from setting up a project to sending out notifications and accessing project documents quickly by subcontractors, has saved our company both time and money.

Likes Least

There's just not enough time to explore how other Pantera features could benefit our company!

Recommendations

Pantera provided the most secure, cost-effective bid management system for our company when we conducted comparison shopping.

Likes Best

Our plan room is very user-friendly. The staff at Pantera have always been more than helpful and are quick to get the job done.

Likes Least

The address book can be a little frustrating at times, but it is not terrible over all.

Recommendations

Take your end user into consideration. Keep in mind how the end user will use this product but how you can also meet your business needs.

Likes Best

The customer support is amazing, and we couldn't even begin to imagine how amazing it was until we experienced it. The product is user-friendly and works great for both our estimating and construction management departments. Pantera is fully customizable to fit any need you have.

Likes Least

Concerning the vendor, I cannot pick an item that I like the least. For the product, we are experiencing a lot of bid invites that end up in our subcontractors' Junk email folder.

Recommendations

Radix Construction, Inc. has experienced other programs that offer similar products and services, but there has not been one that we were satisfied with until we joined the Pantera family. I can't iterate enough how epic the customer service has been thus far. There is a lot to be said about having the support Pantera offers. Others say they will; Pantera does it!

Likes Best

Easy to use and customer service is excellent! They are always willing to adjust to make it work for the company. It helps us keep track of who we sent invites to and who we have received bids from. It helps us know what information needs to be updated and who updates the information themselves.

Likes Least

There are very few glitches; however, they are on top of fixing them immediately.

Recommendations

The customer service is great. It is very user-friendly. They are always willing to adapt the program to work for your company.

Likes Best

Where do I begin? This program allows vendors/subcontractors to register on my plan room without my assistance. It also allows me to view who has received my invitations and follow up with any that may have been rejected. I can also quickly send reports of invited subs to my project manager for their use. Compared to other products that I have used, Pantera is a quality product that I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick, efficient way to reach out to subcontractors and vendors alike. Pantera's staff is always upbeat and positive, assisting whenever my subs or I need help.

Likes Least

What do I like least? That I didn't know about Pantera 2 years ago!

Recommendations

This system is an extremely quick tool to use to send out new projects or any revisions and notifications you might have quickly to your contractors. Project Coordinators will find this program easy to use and help the company to receive bids in a timely manner.