|
I have more than one estimator. Can they all use FabMate?
Yes, FabMate can be used by one or several users. If your users are
connected via a network, they can run FabMate and share a common database.
I know how much things cost. I've been doing this for years. Why would I need something like FabMate?
You may be an expert, but having all of that information in your head does
your organization no good if you're not available. As part of a good business
continuity plan, you should have systems in place to make sure all of your team
is an expert creating estimates, and the best way to do that is to standardize on
a specific software tool, like FabMate.
Can I export data from FabMate for my accounting software?
Absolutely. We'll work with you to make sure your data is imported/exported as needed.
I've used software in the past from other vendors, but it didn't do exactly what I wanted it to do.
And when I asked the vendor to change it, they didn't
want to because they wanted to keep the same process for all of their other
clients. They said I'd have to wait and see if others wanted the same change. I
don't want to have to wait for 5000 other users to agree before I get what I want.
This is a typical problem with commercial software. They make one "flavor"
and won't customize it for your needs. True, it does add overhead for the vendor
to maintain different versions, but if you want something different and are
willing to pay for that customization, we'll make it work exactly the way you want it to work.
How would FabMate help my team to "work smarter, not harder" as your slogan says?
FabMate automates several tasks, in addition to having shared online access
across your many users. We saw a landscaping company where the estimator would
create Excel spreadsheets from scratch every time, including having to look up
specifics for each item used that had already been used in prior estimates.
Then, he emailed the Excel spreadsheet to another person for her to put in the
prices for each item in the estimate. This is a costly accident waiting to
happen. With each "link" in that chain, the element of "human error" becomes
more and more probable. Be it a careless misspelling or, as happened with
another ornamental metal shop, a costly line-item missed in the grand total for
the estimate. The former may seem harmless (but looks unprofessional), but the
latter can be deadly. One line missed in the final bid can cost you thousands of dollars
if not tens of thousands.
I use Microsoft Excel currently to generate my estimates. What's wrong with that?
Nothing is wrong with it, except that using Excel is a one-way street. You
might be able to easily produce spreadsheets showing your bid, but it becomes
very hard (if not impossible) to do any analysis on that information or trying to
tie it in to other parts of your processes. By having a centralized, specific
system like FabMate, you and your team can all be "working on the same page" and
have instant access to the same information. Plus, you can do analysis on the
data to track specific things, ranging from information by estimator, by item, by
material, or by virtually any part of the system.
I use FabMate but it'd be neat if I could have a report to see where a
particular item exists across all estimates. Can that be done?
Absolutely. And this is something that can benefit all users so chances are
that we'll add this customization for you at reduced or no cost. We want this
software to be the best it can be for all companies. Thanks for your suggestion!
|
