SharpeSoft Estimator 2008 is a SQL Server-based cost estimating tool. It comes with a central resource database, which stores all cost types; this way, the vendor said, all estimators use the same standard resource costs for labor, equipment and materials on jobs. The product also allows multiple rates and benefit/burden packages for the same resources, as well as different rates for different union areas, or open shop vs. prevailing wage, SharpeSoft said. The tool calls up the correct operator classification for necessary equipment and keeps records of crews, so they can reused for similar work.
Other SharpeSoft Estimator features include the following:
subcontractor comparisons;
materials comparisons;
a trench profiler for calculating excavations and fill quantities;
haul calculations;
what-if scenarios;
an audit trail for tracking bid changes, and
the ability to save bids for re-use.
Meanwhile, estimators can calculate job-related overhead items separately and spread the cost throughout the entire cost estimate, preview estimates before printing and print reports to PDF format for easier emailing.
SharpeSoft Estimator can produce about 75 reports. These range from bid bond requests and job bid results to bid-item cost breakdowns and equipment cost details.
Finally, users can import and export files to and from Microsoft Excel, Primavera software and several job cost accounting software tools.
