Speed, performance & accuracy

It takes just as I need it and whenever I want to push it further I find it already does what I want it to. the updates are often and always work.

If I were looking for a CON really hard I would have to say the only thing that fails this software is look. the user interface is dated and could use some bringing into the modern age

Great software if you need to do professional quantity takeoffs

This product offers you a lot of options to structure your takeoff: - Conditions: This is the main structure to organize your takeoff. Fully customizable, conditions can be used as a CSI-Code structure. - Layers: Similar to CAD-Software, you can create layers (even as Master layers which will be available for all projects) and assign a layer to each takeoff. Turning layers on/off helps you to work with multiple takeoffs on one drawing. - Zones: Creating zones (and organize them on a separate layer) helps to split your takeoff according to the zones - fully automated! - Takeoffs: Each takeoff can have up to three different quantities - whatever you need. Takeoff description: each takeoff (condition) has a name as well as a field for notes where you can put a full description of your item. - Multi-takeoff: This is an outstanding feature, saving a lot of time: mark several conditions (takeoff-items) and do your takeoff: the takeoff will be done for each of the simultaneously! - Second window: the program allows you to open a second window, to have another drawing (details etc.) open while you work on your first drawing. - Overlay: changes in drawings can made visible by using the new drawing as an overlay on top of the old drawing: you will automatically see, what changed. There are much more pros and features available than any other takeoff software. This is the great thing about a software that is a takeoff software and nothing else: the software does not pretend to be an estimating software and by focusing on takeoff, the software does a great job. Online descriptions are available for almost every issue you might run in.

The software is missing only one feature: to assign a different condition to a specific takeoff is not available (up to now).

I have used both Quick bid and Ost for about 4 years now and the company i work for has used it a bit longer. The person who trained me was a very early user of the product. Compared to a scale and a spread sheet this product is awesome. However as we started growing as a company and getting more users product became glitchy. at that time we where told to move to a sql database (They do not support SQL but do recommend it as a solution to issues.) Since this time the support that we pay quite well for yearly is about useless as they go thru the motions like they want to help then say we do not support sql so we can not help you. At one point i had issues approving a change order that i made called support they mentioned yes that is an issue here is a workaround because that feature only works about half the time.(Really!) Basically it seems that whenever we have an issue their "Excellent" support team has issues telling us anything other than it is somehow our fault, yet every time they recommend us to do something a specific way we oblige. In short this product could be amazing however they need to get with the times and start supporting what they recommend.

Takeoff program works very well, lots of different options to show differences in conditions. Quick bid works well sometimes. and you can customize the naming conventions, link items, and do multi condition takeoff. As i mentioned if it wasn't for the poor support and the horrible recommendation to switch to sql that they do not support i would probably be writing a completely different review.

Customer service they will answer phone and call you back. I think it's so they can tell you that they cant help or support you.

It is a good software for simple takeoffs. Counting widgets, or measuring lines, and areas. Other than that, not much use.

Easy to do simple measurements and counts. The various levels and labels are nice, also being able to change colors makes it easy to differentiate between items.

It adds an extra stem to the takeoff process. You have to upload pdf's into the program, and then organize them before you can work on them. In lieu of just opening a pdf, and measuring items instantly.

I began using On-Screen On-Center Take-off is Feb. 2016. Overall the program is great. Its fairly simple to import and manage drawings, create conditions, and quantify areas. I am sure there are many features which I fail to use to their potential, but learning to make the system work of me and the types of take-offs I perform was quick. There is very little learning curve, and if you have any questions their Customer Support Tools are incredible. I enter a question and typically receive a call from a person within hours. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. The program has its weaknesses. One huge weakness is it's tolerance. When using the measure tool the tolerance is to the nearest inch. There is no way to adjust this, which can mean rejection of material and a lot of jobsite labor in our particular field (Stone). Also, exporting to excel could be clearer, but overall it's pretty helpful.

Ability to create various types of conditions, in various types of materials, in various areas, and being able to calculate various types of information from one condition (sq. of one side & top & total lf, Average tile count & overall sf, etc.). Ability to import various file types, PDF, AutoCAD, etc. Ability to export to Excel. Ability to label conditions & include conditions legends, creating a helpful Take-off maps for bids.

Inability to tighten tolerances. Inability to label linear conditions. Inability to increase the size of the font on condition labels. Excel Export could be much cleaner. Inabiliy to create non-grid tile layouts.

I used it regularly for more than 2 years and the company considered me a 'power user. Unfortunately, when I changed companies, I could not justify the pricing for the result it produced compared to other programs available now.

I't fairly easy to learn and integrate. It's visual and it's fairly robust. If you also pay for QuickBids, it integrates well with that. The tech help service is outstanding.

It's limited on what it can do. It must convert a PDF file, with it's rich underset of information, to a TIF file, which is just an overlay. The reports are basic at best and there is no help with modifying those at all.

I love the simplicity of the features, the range of details and customization you can do with the software. Definitely like the export to Excel feature, where we can customize the look and functionality of the end product.

Cost is a major challenge for a lot of business software, especially as a startup company. I'm still looking for the functionality of On Screen but with a one-time purchase and something a bit more affordable to a brand new company with unstable revenue.

I use on-screen takeoff daily as an estimator. Overall, it is feature heavy and a great step forward from classic estimating.

The scaling feature allows you to easily get a proper scale with just one measurement on the prints.

Sometimes the databases can crash, losing hours of work. Another feature I wish it had was preconstructed conditions so you wouldn't have to build them.

We have used Onscreen in the past for doing Heavy Civil construction takeoffs, linear footages, areas, and counts. Its easy to organize various groups. Changing line styles and colors makes the organization process easier as well. Overall it is a great tool to use for estimating. Many functions are 1 push button to start and change, which saves time throughout the process.

The best part of this software is the user friendly features for what it is designed for. Doing various takeoffs.

The process for importing and exporting files can be a bit tedious in comparison to other takeoff programs.

Allows drawing takeoffs to be completed very quickly.

Captures take off data which is easily inserted into excel for you to use in a standard spreadsheet.

It is not truly backwards compatible. Newer takeoff data will not work in an older version of the software.

Can probably do triple the amount of estimating than before.

Ease of use and how easy it is to review work. Being able to assign different take offs to different area's makes breaking out bids for alternates very easy.

I would like to be able to "crop" or cut all take offs to assign them into an area. For example, if the portion of a building becomes an alternate after the takeoff was performed. I would like to slice each take off to break out each area. Right now you can select multiple takeoffs and reassign but if you select say a wall that was one take off but you want it to be cut in half you have to delete it and redo the takeoff.

Very positive experience. It's made my life a whole lot easier. I can easily take off concrete, steel, MEP, etc., and it's a very organized program. It's like coloring for adults.

This software has made estimating so much more efficient, accurate, and easy. I learned to estimate by hand, and those days were so much harder than now. I can handle so many more trades and estimates alone that I would have been able to just a decade ago.

There needs to be more symbols available for our use such as Mechanical, Fire Suppression Piping, and Electrical symbols. That would be helpful.

I would recommend this software to any estimator in the construction industry regardless of division of work. It cuts estimating time and costs by over half and the accuracy of take offs pay for the software in its self.

the program is user friendly and has a quick learning curve. Start up for the software is great and includes two days of training to meet your company needs. Uses vibrant colors and shapes to make take off easy and quick.

I don't really have many cons for this program as the company actively updates its software to facilitate the users needs. If I had to pick a con it would be that you are forced to buy support annually if you would like to get any sort of help with the software once your subscription is up.

The ability to quickly and accurately develop complete estimates for our clients.

The accuracy and ease of use to get started has been great and then once you get into it you realize that there is so much more to the program and that you are only scratching the surface of what the software can do.

The feeling that if I only had more time to commit to explore the software I would be able to do so much more with it.

Overall, we are using OST as our primary estimating takeoff solution. Our team has enjoyed its use.

This software is extremely intuitive, easy to use, and accurate. I have used various takeoff tools and this product has always been the best.

I wish the software came preloaded with takeoff items rather than having to create them or buy a database of items.

Easy to use, easy to copy conditions from one project to another, very user friendly. The software features a lot of different options mark up and bubble changes, type in comments, and, of course, color code take offs.

Creating overlays can be difficult, it would be great to have more color options and an easier way to scale and align two plans.

My overall experience with OST has been great. Everything from the time of sales, to the implantation of the software, to the daily use and continuing customer support. Very friendly staff and extremely knowledgeable.

I love the overall ease of use. It is very intuitive and user friendly. Specifically, i love the ability to build and archive conditions or assemblies for repetitive use. The more you use this software the better it becomes for you.

There is a learning curve. At first, the rich and abundant features can be cumbersome to learn; especially if you don't use all of the features. I do have to say that the training for the software is great and the customer support is second to none.

I honestly could not be as productive working as a metal framing & GWB subcontractor without this software! The ease of use and saving capabilities is very helpful in projects we bid & manage.

Not very many cons at all, possibly just leaning to use it takes a bit of time.

Good Multiple colors are incredible

layer and conditions features are very useful

can take a while to upload large set of drawings and it should automatically name the sheets by a pre determined title or number - but not a major woop

On Center's On-Screen take off is built to be easily set up in a team environment. Giving the tools to effectively execute a take off to qualify a bid, they also provide learning resources online.

On Center's On-Screen take off is capable of a lot, however the one set back we have seen in our office is that when exchanging keys (which are needed to be able to save changes and can only be used by one device at a time) we realized that On-Screen disables any use when remotely accessing your device. This makes it very difficult as an IT Professional when trying to remotely correct software/user issues.

easy take offs

We like most that it is pretty user-friendly and easy to train on. The Customer Support has been amazing every time we've called.

Conversions can at times be slow and renaming pages is very difficult compared to other products we have used.

I have used it off and on for 14 years and still recommend it

Speed, accuracy, adaptability, and real time integration with Quick Bid

Somewhat dated user interface. Oasis does not integrate with Quick Bid in real time

Ease of use and flexibility customizing conditions for different building materials

Not compatible working through Citrix Receiver

Easy to learn and use. Everything in one software. Worth the money. I would recommend this product to any organization who work on a lot of high end estimates.

No cons but they could try doing new features like adding color to areas to differentiate between them.