In today’s world, technology plays a vital role in every industry, especially heavy civil construction. With the increasing demand for faster, more accurate, and more cost-effective projects, estimating software has become an indispensable tool.
With so many options available, choosing the right software can be overwhelming. As an industry professional, you need a solution that not only works but is also user-friendly and efficient. This brings us to the user experience – the core of what makes this software valuable.
In this blog from SharpeSoft, we'll take a closer look at what construction professionals want in estimating software to improve their overall user experience.
Table of Contents:
What is The User Experience?
Why The User Experience Matters Regarding Construction Estimating Software
What Construction Professionals Want in Their Estimating Software
User-Friendly Interface
Customization
Accurate Estimating Capabilities
Seamless Data Integration
Compatibility with Mobile and Cloud-based Access
Good Customer and Technical Support
Conclusion
What is The User Experience?
The user experience, or UX, refers to the overall experience a person has when using a product or service. It encompasses every aspect of interaction between the user and the system. This means from how easy it is to navigate the interface to how efficiently the service performs.
The production, service, and system interactions are all critical components of the user experience. All these elements come together to create an overall perception of the product or service and its ease of use.
An excellent user experience is crucial for any product or service, as it can lead to increased sales, loyal customers, and positive feedback. By prioritizing user experience, companies can ensure their users keep coming back for more.
Why The User Experience Matters Regarding Construction Estimating Software
When it comes to construction estimating software, the user experience should be a top priority. Not only does a positive user experience make product interaction more enjoyable, but it can also lead to increased efficiency and accuracy during estimating.
A software that’s easy to use can make a significant difference in how it’s received by the individuals who use it. By creating a software program that’s intuitive, organized, and easy to navigate, contractors and other construction professionals can reduce frustration while also increasing productivity.
At SharpeSoft, we know how vital the user experience is. That’s why we’ve been providing estimating software solutions developed by professionals for professionals, and have continued to do so for the past 37 years.
We understand the unique challenges the heavy civil construction industry and its professionals face on a daily basis. As such, we’re proud to place a significant emphasis on delivering a user-friendly experience to our clients, regardless of company size.
What Construction Professionals Want in Their Estimating Software
Construction estimating software has become an indispensable tool for today's construction industry. Many construction professionals now look for software that offers a wide range of features and excellent user experience.
Continue reading to learn more.
User-Friendly Interface
Construction professionals want estimating software that’s easy to navigate and understand. A user-friendly interface is essential for increasing productivity and minimizing errors.
A good estimating program allows users to input data quickly and provide real-time results. Different software will have different interfaces, and it’s essential to choose one that suits your team’s needs.
If possible, test the software before purchasing to ensure that it meets your standards. At SharpeSoft, we provide free demos of our estimating solutions.
Customization
Construction projects vary greatly, so it’s crucial for estimating software to be customizable. Customization allows users to adjust program features to fit their project needs, minimizing risks and the likelihood of error. Industry professionals need software that allows them to create templates for commonly used projects, which also saves time.
Customizable estimating programs allow you to adjust the data input to match your team’s preferences. Additionally, estimators also need powerful reporting tools that simplify the process of creating reports for a wide range of stakeholders.
Accurate Estimating Capabilities
Accuracy is one of the critical components in the construction industry, and estimator software is no exception. Construction professionals want estimating solutions that can quickly and accurately provide metrics such as labor costs, material costs, and other variables.
Seamless Data Integration
One critical feature of estimator programs is their ability to integrate with other software tools, such as accounting software. Integration ensures the seamless flow of data between different software applications, such as file sharing, messaging, calculations, and project tracking.
This ensures that the estimator saves time reducing errors and minimizing the potential for error and ensuring data is accurate throughout the project lifecycle.
Compatibility with Mobile and Cloud-based Access
Industry professionals are always on the go, handling different tasks related to their projects. The software should allow for mobile and cloud-based access, enabling an estimator to access the tools they need anytime, anywhere.
A mobile app or cloud-based service ensures that data is available in real-time, enabling construction personnel to access their data at any time.
Good Customer and Technical Support
Technical and customer support should be a given when any construction company purchases estimating software. When working with estimating programs, it's inevitable to come across challenges along the way.
Therefore, software providers should offer good customer and technical support. Providers should ensure that customer support is always available to handle technical issues, problems, or glitches in any part of the software.
Conclusion
The construction industry is fast-paced, and a well-optimized construction estimator software can make a difference. However, investing in premium software isn't enough, one should also prioritize the user experience.
A good estimating solution should come equipped with critical features that align with company and individual needs, and improve the user's experience. It should also ensure data accuracy throughout the project lifecycle. With these features in hand, construction professionals can experience seamless integration, easy navigation, and greater success.