Category: Events

Ray Miller, VP of Preconstruction for Balfour Beatty Construction, discusses in detail how his firm recognized the need for a common estimating platform and their process for selection and implementation of an estimating enterprise solution across their multiple regional locations.

With corporate buy-in and support, Miller and his team of preconstruction leadership from all offices were able to map out their existing struggles and inefficiencies in using many different take off tools and software platforms.  They were able to come to an understanding from the ground up of the varying needs of each office — their specific clients and markets, and how they could efficiently access cost data, capture cost history, build a company-wide database, and utilize a reporting tool that allowed for brand consistency across the country.

Balfour Beatty selected DESTINI Estimator in late 2016 and in under a year has gone through Phase I of Implementation, with database building, tracking work flow, and the reporting requirements of each of their offices. During the summer of 2017, Phase II was rolled out to 90% of their regional offices – with subject matter experts being trained to assist in the deployment in each local office.  The relationship that Beck Technology has established with Balfour Beatty allows for communication of their specific needs, as well as future enhancements they would like to see in the software for releases in the coming year.

Ray Miller also discusses the challenges that were faced – with one of the biggest being change in general – and their Lessons Learned, and Return on Investment. To hear the process that Balfour Beatty Construction went through and how they plan on moving forward in the future, we invite you to view the full webinar here.

Quantity takeoff improvements are in DESTINI Estimator 2017.3.0! Michael Boren, CTO of Beck Technology, walked through some of the advancements built into the upcoming software release.

Through industry feedback and working closely with Beck Technology’s Industry Advisory Group, Estimator 2017.3.0 is the solution for the construction industry’s estimating frustrations. In the software, it will be easier to modify assemblies and streamline estimates which reduces file sizes and provides estimating teams with ideal reporting. Additionally, the ability to see project components that have been mapped in quantity takeoff versus the items that have yet to be mapped is made easier to pinpoint visually. This allows the user to see what has been added to the project estimate but not associated with quantities.

The development of 2017.3.0 includes several user friendly and intuitive updates thanks to the input from the Industry Advisory Group. Some of those features include quantity takeoff from 2D and 3D can be deconstructed allowing easier workflows, estimates can be filtered from quantity takeoff items, better WBS property descriptions in assembly takeoff, as well as rate and resource tables allow for editing based on effort needed or quantity required.

We invite you to view the full webinar here.

PARIC Corporation’s Director of VDC, Andy Leek, discussed the company’s decision to replace their legacy estimating software with DESTINI Estimator and the process behind the change.

One of the top 70 privately-held companies in St. Louis, with no fear of technology, PARIC knew it was time to adopt estimating software that would keep up with their biggest projects and integrate well into their current system. More than finding an option with greater capabilities, PARIC went in search of a platform that would evolve with the industry and a partner to help roll out the software and maintain ongoing support.

Throughout the decision process, PARIC made certain the best interest of their preconstruction teams was a top priority. After extensive research, key representatives met with the developers of each option and scored them based on the company’s wants and needs for their new software. In a roundtable vote, DESTINI Estimator was chosen almost unanimously as the best fit for PARIC.

Key steps of implementation included an initial face-to-face meeting between key members of Beck Technology and PARIC, an item-by-item transfer of PARIC’s current database to “clean house” while integrating, and piloting projects through a six-person team. Beck has worked alongside PARIC throughout the entire process, offering support and guidance. Currently, PARIC is preparing to train all employees on functionality in order to adopt DESTINI Estimator companywide.

We invite you to watch the recorded webinar here.

Brent Pilgrim, DESTINI Applications Director at The Beck Group, shared the story of his company’s decision to switch to DESTINI Estimator after more than 10 years with Timberline as their primary estimating software.

The practical reasoning behind this decision included increased continuity with DESTINI Profiler, which The Beck Group is currently using, ease of use, and financial savings. Brent also identified the less apparent, yet very compelling motive: Estimator is forward-thinking in its use of modeling estimation, making it the ideal tool for an innovative firm like The Beck Group.

Brent and his team are currently working through a detailed implementation plan to get DESTINI Estimator off the ground at all locations within six months. The process includes training preconstruction teams at each regional office on functionality, followed by ongoing support and database development simultaneous with the integration of Estimator. Estimators will access the database in real-time on a secure network and even directly recommend changes to the master database.

For Brent, a successful implementation should come from both the top-down and the bottom-up and is a focus he has included throughout the assessment, planning, and ultimately, implementation process.

We invite you to watch the recorded webinar here.