Digital Takeoff and Onscreen Estimating

Working with paper blueprints and schematics can be a very time-consuming and costly part of doing business in today’s economy. Many contractors employ full-time staff to count components when planning jobs and providing estimates. With today’s technology, this task can be handled much more quickly and efficiently using symbol recognition software for onscreen digital takeoff. Digital takeoff can provide significant savings while at the same time eliminating the hassle of working with awkward and bulky paper plans.

Onscreen Digital Takeoff
SureCount Symbol Recognition Software gives estimators the ability to view electronic plans and perform takeoffs directly onscreen, significantly increasing takeoff speed and accuracy, virtually eliminating the normally time-consuming and error-prone task of counting and measuring materials from hard copy plans.

SureCount reads digital drawings and CAD (computer-aided design) files in most common formats, to locate and count symbols and measure distances between points. Simply click on an item, it is counted, highlighted, and listed in a takeoff. This versatile program provides symbol counts and measures distances between multiple points on your blueprints, organizing the material counts and measurements into separate data groups, and quickly generates easy-to-read job total reports.

SureCount can be used for almost any trade, including plumbing and construction, architectural and even fire and sprinkler system enterprises. SureCount’s features lend themselves for use with circuit designs and schematics, conveyor systems, and material handling. Being a true, stand-alone program, SureCount does not use or rely upon secondary CAD software. Its graphical user interface is easy to use and understand, minimizing staff training time.

Count Symbols Onscreen
SureCount counts and highlights selected symbols within the boundaries of a defined area of a drawing at an average speed of up to 200 fixtures per minute. Try doing that manually … it would take the average estimator at least 15 minutes to count that many fixtures off of paper drawings.

Measure Distances Onscreen
SureCount’s measuring feature is equally as fast, easy and accurate, as is its ability to count drawing symbols: Measure branch and feeders or any line or distance onscreen by simply clicking on the starting point, and on each waypoint to the end of the run. Assign different colors to each wiring configuration for easy identification of each installation.

SureCount’s Reporting Capability

• SureCount’s Count Sheet Report lays out material symbols by Symbol Group with bitmap images, counts by drawings, and totals for each symbol in the job

• The program’s Branch & Feeder Reports provide listings of Branch/Feeder length, descriptions, etc.

• The Unit Pricing Report lists all symbols with the material pricing information from the Drawing Symbol dialog

Seamless Integration with ConEst IntelliBid Provides Accurate Estimates
SureCount’s dynamic link to ConEst’s industry-leading IntelliBid Estimating Software results in faster, more accurate electrical, low voltage, and data cabling takeoffs. Once the takeoff is completed in SureCount, simply open the Count Sheets feature in IntelliBid to seamlessly import all of the material requirements where they can then be organized and set up for takeoff. The integration between SureCount and IntelliBid automatically populates the appropriate symbol tables in IntelliBid. (e.g. fixtures, outlets, switches, etc.).

The speed of SureCount, combined with IntelliBid, offers estimators the latest technology tools for generating precise, cost-effective, and labor-efficient job estimates. The interface between the programs seamlessly transfers material counts and measurements from SureCount to IntelliBid where the totals are then taken off instantly including all of the material and labor totals to complete the job.

The winning combination of SureCount and ConEst IntelliBid provides estimators with a competitive advantage and a potentially higher bid to win ratio. Executing project-related tasks better, faster, and cheaper means higher profits and happier clients.

In today’s competitive marketplace, companies must continually strive to streamline processes and control costs to remain competitive. Implementing tools that boost estimating efficiency is a smart business strategy, especially for contractors that want to increase production without adding more staff. ConEst is helping contractors move toward electronic workflow and eco-friendly technology that delivers measurable savings.

For more information about SureCount Symbol Recognition Software or ConEst IntelliBid Estimating Software, call 1-800-662-7687 or email sales@conest.com