Crowd-sourced input from Beck Technology’s Industry Advisory Group creates an estimating platform with today’s demands in mind while focusing on the future
A new version of intelligent estimating software DESTINI Estimator 2017.1.0 has been released. The platform includes more than 20 innovative features – developed with input from leading top general contractors – that make construction estimating faster, easier, and more intelligent than ever. The version is being released simultaneously with an upgraded version of our cost information software, Data Manager 2017.1.0, which integrates with and supports Estimator as well as other Beck Technology software.
To determine exactly which new features would deliver the most value to construction estimators, Beck Technology used a crowd-sourcing approach to target its development efforts, seeking input from current Estimator users as well as a select group of industry experts. The new software features were a direct response to input from our Industry Advisory Group, which is comprised of select general contractors from the ENR Top 400 General Contractors in the United States. This group’s feedback, combined with client input, provided valuable guidance that helped us narrow down which improved features would best contribute to Estimator 2017.1.0’s intelligent estimating experience for users.
Key features of Estimator 2017.1.0 include:
- Faster, better 2D quantity takeoff with mirroring, rotation, and new 2D command menu and takeoff palette
- Simplified line item and assembly takeoff with custom takeoff questions, assignable WBS properties, multiple takeoffs per session, history tracking, and user-defined order of line items
- More intelligent estimates with formula-driven WBS properties, custom-calculated cost categories, automatic line-item rollup, custom fee types, estimate templates, advanced copy and paste, formula-driven takeoff properties, and properties referencing
“We are passionate about solving real world preconstruction challenges,” said Michael Boren, Beck Technology’s Chief Technology Officer. “Working with users from all over the country, as well as our Industry Advisory Board, ensures our ideas solve real problems. With their guidance, the development team focused on improving DESTINI Estimator’s core estimating functionality, creating not just an enhanced user experience but also a streamlined interface that makes construction estimating even easier and more intuitive.”
We are simultaneously releasing the upgraded Data Manager 2017.1.0, with improvements that were also driven by crowd-sourced feedback. The new version allows companies to create a single, shared set of data to feed cost information into Estimator and DESTINI Profiler, our conceptual estimating and BIM product. The enhancements to Data Manager deliver faster data creation and management functionality.
The software redesign and crowd-sourcing effort is demonstrated in our two-part Estimator 2017.1.0 webinar series.
