For the last 18 months, HCSS has been developing a pre-construction module designed to supplement HeavyBid by tracking all estimating activity prior to starting the estimate. It is now past the testing stage and ready for general release. We will start charging for it in 2020, but you can try it now until the end of the year at no charge. If you currently have pre-construction processes that are time consuming, clumsy, or expensive, take this opportunity to experiment with our new application to see if we can significantly improve them.
This application was developed with the help of customers which included a Pre-Construction Summit in Houston in July where customers came in to critique the early version of the application. The goal is a shared space where everyone in your company can put all information, including attachments and links, about any upcoming project and track it from first piece of information all the way through to project outcome.
Greg Souder, Estimating Manager at O.C. Jones & Sons, Inc. in California, attended the Summit after hearing about it at the 2019 User’s Group Meetings. “We were using two other programs to create our bid schedule and pending list,” Souder said. “The early version of Pre-Construction so far is replacing all of that for me as I get quicker at using it.”
Souder wanted to attend the Summit to get into the product early and provide input. His company has been with HCSS for many years and he has been integral in providing direction for other products in the past.
Pre-Construction Product Manager Amanda Ayles loves developing products with customers. “Building relationships with customers is very personal; it puts the purpose of my work right in front of my face,” said Ayles. “Beta customers are extra-special because they face failure, uncertainty, and challenges with us. When a relationship can survive the hard stuff, you’ve got a true partnership.”
After early testers worked out the kinks and improved the workflow, Pre-Construction is now ready to use as a product, but our vision for it is not complete. As the leader in estimating software, we wish to continue to invest in our pre-construction module to make sure it provides as much value to you as possible. You can help by trying or using the product and giving us feedback. Remember that early users of a product have way more influence than users after the product has become mature.
To try Pre-Construction, go to HCSS Credentials Subscription Groups setup and turn on access for the HeavyBid add-on Pre-Construction: Project Tracking. After setup is complete, visit precon.hcssapps.com to get started!