Using AutoBid SheetMeatl for 10 years

We have used Trimble Autobid Sheetmetal and it's predecessor, Quickpen for over 20 years. During this time we have considered other estimating systems and have always stayed with Autobid due to the improvements constantly being made and their great customer service.

Pros

Easy to use Great layout of the tools The database is easy to manage Customer service is timely and reliable Reliable software - We have minimal downtime with the software

Cons

- Integration between the estimating software and the CAD software is cumbersome. - Generating and modifying the final Rapid Reports is difficult. This is not an issue as we export to our own spreadsheets

AutoBid SheetMetal Review

I have been a ABSM user since 1998 and seen the software grow with the industry. Our HVAC estimating capacity has had to increase as the company grew and as the Lead HVAC estimator I have had to opportunity to change software and found ABSM to continually lead the industry. I can't imagine using anything else.

Pros

Common database that is shared by all estimators. It's very fast. Anyone can access the software as long as they have a username/ password and a licence is available. Access can be limited on a individual user level. You can build anything you come across. The functionality of the assemblies is incredible.

Cons

Labor categories are limited to shop and field in reports though user defined categories are available. i.e. Commissioning/Start-up. These categories do not receive correction factors. New users find it overwhelming. Database and takeoff is now one program so only one can be opened at a time.

Worst software I have seen since 1996

my overall experience has been very bad and i would not recommend this program to any company unless you have a full time tech support on your payroll with a direct phone line to trimble support.

Pros

the pros of this software is the odd time you do get it to work it is easy to use and faster than doing estimates by hand

Cons

This software is outrageously expensive and you are forced to buy multiple licenses on top of the program. The software rarely ever works every time i click on it to start estimating a job i get a new error code as to why the software wont launch. then you are faced with the dilemma of either waiting on the phone with tech support for 3 hours or just doing the estimate by hand. off the start i would waste my time with tech support who would eventually fix the issue temporarily (usually for a day or two ) then you would get a new error code. i have finally just given up and went back to doing my estimates by hand and will be canceling my licenses .

better than wenduct

this program is so much better than it's competition, which I used for @ 15 years. It was very basic and not easily modified.

Pros

it is very versatile. I can customize the program to be job specific very easily.

Cons

sometimes the level of detail can be intimidating to users. I'm staring my third year using ABSM and am still learning all the ins and outs.

great software and even better customer support

We use autobid sheetmetal for our estimating needs and it has drastically improved our efficiency.

Pros

I liked how the foundations were the same for Autobid mechanical. i started there and then crossed over to autobid sheetmetal and its was a like for like change which was amazing.

Cons

I haven't found anything i strongly dislike yet.