Estimation restructures software for contractors

Estimation has organised its range of software for contractors into three product families, based partly on the size of the company and partly on its requirements. At the top of the range is Enterprise, a suite of modules that can be used to build up a complete business system. It is aimed at medium to large building-services contractors. Enterprise includes dedicated tools for individual business functions and departments such as estimating, procurement and contract management. Information can be shared between these functions so that it flows through the business without the need to re-enter data. Enterprise can also be integrated with accounts packages such as Sage. There are also report generators that can be customised to best suit the user. The Extreme family of software packages for key areas of a small to medium-sized electrical or mechanical contractor provides a fast payback with minimum effort. Its scope includes estimating, job costing, accounts for contractors and services management. There is extensive integration to packages such as Microsoft. Extreme modules are fully compatible with pricing information for Estimation Group Data Services, providing live updates over the Internet. Aimed at sole traders and small contractors is the Express suite of ready-to-use productivity tools. These tools are provided free, with a set of trade-specific pricing data and the opportunity to upgrade to Express Plus, which keeps pricing up to date and delivers more productivity tools. It works with widely used programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel for tasks such as submitting quotations, acknowledging orders and raising sales invoices or purchase order. Express includes templates that can be customised and Wizards to guide users through key tasks. All the above software can be quickly upgraded without having to reconfigure underlying data such as pricing libraries and requiring a substantial investment in staff skills.

Related links:

• www.estimation.co.uk