This version is an update to our ongoing subscription to Plan Analyst. The update allows us to present our plans for municipal approval using the most recently adopted IBC in our production drawings and calculations.

Plan Analyst allows you to enter the profile dimensions for your sign components, shape, height etc and determine the support steel/wood upright(s) and footing spec's that will meet 2018 IBC for review/approval by building code enforcement staff at your local municipality. You can iterate to configure the needed support steel & footing dimensions to meet code and work with your design and local installation conditions to help you achieve budget & material/efficiency targets.

The appearance of the on-screen interface is the epitome of utilitarian, so you know this software was not designed for entertainment purposes.

I do plans examination and building code enforcement for a living and I recommend it.

“I currently do plans examination for several jurisdictions and design professionals here in Oklahoma on a regular basis. I am also the current sitting CBO on the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission. I started using Plan Analyst back in 2009 and purchased the 2012 & 2015. Naturally, the user should have a working knowledge of the codes to enjoy the full benefit, but I am pleased with the program in that it provides me with a handy checklist of items I might otherwise miss.”

There were a couple of "glitches" in previous versions (code references mostly).

Good

Ease of use How many cities take this type over stamped engineering

Need a online download, got a new computer but don't have a CD player anymore

This is a critical part of our estimation process. We use the tool to estimate the costs involved in the structural footings of pylon and monument signs. In cases where we need stamped engineering, we can send the reports along with calculations to the engineer.

This is an easy to use tool for calculating the required foundation and steel size for freestanding sign types.

The 2018 version has many improvements. Only augured foundations are supported, would like to see support for spread foundations added.

I am very pleased with the software. It's a bit unusual in the way the information is input, but in a short time I got the hang of it and it is very fast to get the data that I need.

I do plan review for a small town. I get a lot of plans that are drawn on a sheet of notebook paper. I have many years of experience in construction and know the "standards" of building, but it's nice to have a program to verify the way a structure is built.

The when it is done with the calculations a screen is displayed and sometimes the wording does not show up correctly, like it is cut off. But the description is very clear that there is an issue and it is easy to track down for the info.

Overall, a great product and is very useful in my operations.

In-field calculator is great! But the code review that is copy and paste ready is money.

Is it possible to have an error message pop up when entering some of the information stating when something is not compliant rather than waiting till the end and creating a Correction Report. I understand that some things have to wait till the end, but some could be addressed while being entered.

I have been using this product since 2005. It has been a life saver on many occasions

easy to customize and produce code studies that are consistent with each permit. It eliminates the need to explain and provide code sections to each permit holder. I make the code study part of the permit and refer to it when calling out corrections during an inspection.

Standard copy and paste would be nice while customizing the report

Plan Analyst is very easy to use. A little self training and you'll be well on your way. The reporting is helpful and I use it to revise my drawings so they meet code.

Not much dislike, but it would be useful to have to option to insert plans either pdf or dwg/dxf into the software and do area analysis.

This program is becoming more and more an important thing to complete some of my works, the simplicity and the eas of use give it more chances to be discovered and get used to work with it.

The calculator inside the program '' in-field''is a great option plus that it's easy to learn and use and simple to understand.

The error messages are kind of not so much helpful and some glitches can happen sometimes.

I have been using plan analyst since version 2009 and have appreciated it since the beginning.

I feel like I can get a great overview of code requirements for a project early in the design process with minimal effort.

I would like it if it were easier to revise the code review inputs. The interface for doing this is a bit awkward.

Information input and questions lead you thru a consistent approach. Less likely to forget something. provides documentation trail.

Getting used to the methodology approach.

Our experience has been great with this software. It is fast and easy to use and provides us engineer grade wind load calculations without paying a for stamped engineered drawings from a licensed engineer so we save money in the estimation phase.

This software is good for small to medium sized signs and provides wind load calculations in less than two minutes.

No cons other than the fact that this software doesn't calculate signs higher than 40'.