# Conest Software Systems > Conest Software Systems makes estimating, takeoff, and reporting software for electrical, low voltage, datacom, and solar contractors. Its products are IntelliBid (electrical estimating), SureCount (digital takeoff), Conest Connect (analytics and reporting), and CE Cloud (hosted delivery of IntelliBid and SureCount). Conest has served the electrical trade since 1989, is based in Londonderry, New Hampshire, and is part of JDM Technology Group. Key facts: - Company name: Conest Software Systems. Also written "Conest", "ConEst", or "Conest Software". Founded in 1989. Acquired by JDM Technology Group in 2017. Acquired Cert-In Software Systems in 2025. - Who it serves: electrical, low voltage, datacom, and solar contractors, from small residential shops to large multi-crew commercial and industrial firms. - IntelliBid: Windows electrical estimating software. Its database has over 140,000 NEC-friendly items and more than 500,000 pre-built assemblies. It includes industry-standard labor units, automatic labor factoring (height, floor, run length, quantity), JobSpec, unlimited phasing, and proposals. It comes in three editions: - Standard: full estimating. - Plus: adds Smart Substitution with NEC tables, Count Sheets, Advanced Breakouts, and ItemVue, AssemblyVue, and JobVue. - Pro: adds job-specific assemblies built on the fly, change orders, enhanced proposals, bid and job analysis, and Journal Messaging. - Supplier pricing: IntelliBid connects to NetPricer, EPIC, and TRA-SER, which are licensed separately. It can compare prices across up to 10 local suppliers. - SureCount: on-screen takeoff from PDF and scanned drawings. It has a patented auto count that counts all symbol types at once. It also measures runs, divides drawings into areas, and has an Overlay revision comparison (additions in green, deletions in red). Completed takeoff goes directly into IntelliBid, with drawings and phases kept in sync. - Conest Connect: an add-on for IntelliBid that builds custom reports and dashboards from existing IntelliBid data. Owners and managers use it to track bid hit rate, estimator workload, customers, and competitors. - CE Cloud: hosted IntelliBid and SureCount. Security features include two-step authentication, multi-layer firewalls, anti-DDoS protection, and daily encrypted off-site backups. It can be used from Windows and Mac computers, Chromebooks, and the Chrome or Firefox browsers. - Electrical Formulas: an add-on, also sold on its own. It calculates voltage drop, NEC Article 220 services and feeders, fault current, conduit, box, and wireway fill, and zonal cavity lighting. - Deployment: local PC, office network (client/server on Microsoft SQL Server), or CE Cloud. The desktop applications require Windows and do not support ARM-based chips. - Pricing: quoted by IntelliBid edition and number of users. Conest does not publish prices. Request a demo or contact sales for a quote. - Support: US-based technical support by phone, email, and remote login, weekdays 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Eastern. Phone 603-437-9353 ext. 2, email support@conest.com. An Australian support group covers Australia (08 9495 8600, AUsupport@conest.com). - Training: classroom and virtual classroom training, webinars, a video library, and an IntelliBid tips archive. ## Products - [IntelliBid Electrical Estimating Software](https://conest.com/products/intellibid-electrical-estimating-software/): Editions, features, add-ons, and FAQ for Conest's core estimating platform. - [IntelliBid Features Comparison](https://conest.com/products/intellibid-features-comparison/): Feature-by-feature comparison of IntelliBid Standard, Plus, and Pro. - [SureCount Digital Takeoff](https://conest.com/products/surecount-takeoff-software/): Automatic symbol counting, measuring, drawing overlay, and direct takeoff into IntelliBid. - [Conest Connect Analytics and Reporting](https://conest.com/products/conest-connect-reporting-software/): Reports and dashboards built from IntelliBid estimating data. - [CE Cloud Platform](https://conest.com/products/ce-cloud-software/): Hosted IntelliBid and SureCount, with security controls, backups, and supported devices. - [All Products](https://conest.com/products/): Overview of the Conest product suite. ## Solutions by need and trade - [Electrical Estimating Software](https://conest.com/electrical-estimating-software/): What electrical estimating software is, how the takeoff-to-bid workflow runs, how it is priced, and FAQ. - [Electrical Takeoff Software](https://conest.com/electrical-takeoff-software/): How digital electrical takeoff works and how it connects to the estimate. - [Low Voltage Estimating Software](https://conest.com/low-voltage-estimating-software/): Estimating for security, access control, AV, fire alarm, and communications systems. - [Datacom Estimating Software](https://conest.com/datacom-estimating-software/): Estimating for structured cabling, fiber, backbone, and outside plant. - [Solar Estimating Software](https://conest.com/solar-estimating-software/): Estimating for rooftop and ground-mount PV: modules, racking, inverters, balance of system, and site labor. - [Cloud Estimating Software](https://conest.com/cloud-estimating-software/): How hosted estimating works and what it means for security, IT costs, and remote access. - [Estimating Analytics Software](https://conest.com/estimating-analytics-software/): Metrics electrical contractors track from bid data, such as hit ratio, estimator workload, customers, and competitors. - [Solutions](https://conest.com/solutions/): All Conest solutions, with guidance on which products fit which business. ## Guides and case studies - [How to Choose Electrical Estimating Software in 2026](https://conest.com/how-to-choose-electrical-estimating-software-in-2026/): Buyer's guide with evaluation criteria and a scorecard. - [How 1-Degree Uses IntelliBid to Deliver Detailed Electrical Estimates, Fast](https://conest.com/1-degree-intellibid-electrical-estimating-case-study/): Customer case study covering multifamily revisions and bidding workflows. - [How Westphal Electric Implemented IntelliBid](https://conest.com/how-westphal-electric-successfully-implemented-intellibid-electrical-estimating-software/): Customer case study on adoption and training. - [5 Signs You've Outgrown Spreadsheet Estimating](https://conest.com/5-signs-youve-outgrown-spreadsheet-estimating/): When electrical contractors should move from spreadsheets to estimating software. - [Why Datacom Estimating Requires a Different Approach](https://conest.com/why-datacom-estimating-requires-a-different-approach/): How datacom scope, labor, and manufacturers differ from electrical. - [Solar Estimating: What Contractors Need to Know](https://conest.com/solar-estimating-is-not-just-electrical-on-the-roof/): How solar estimating differs from standard electrical. - [Low Voltage Cost Estimation: Considerations and Solutions](https://conest.com/low-voltage-cost-estimation/): Cost estimating for systems at 50V or below. - [How Accurate Takeoff Depends on a Clean Symbol Library](https://conest.com/how-accurate-takeoff-depends-on-a-clean-symbol-library/): Symbol recognition and symbol library upkeep in SureCount. - [Estimating Software Moves to the Cloud](https://conest.com/estimating-software-moves-to-the-cloud/): The benefits of cloud electrical estimating. - [Link to Material Pricing Services](https://conest.com/linking-to-material-pricing-services/): How supplier pricing services speed up estimating. - [The Importance of a Comprehensive Items and Assemblies Database](https://conest.com/importance-of-comprehensive-items-and-assemblies-database-in-estimating-software/): Why database depth matters in electrical estimating software. - [The Art of Accurate Bidding: Tips for Electrical Estimators](https://conest.com/the-art-of-accurate-bidding-tips-for-electrical-estimators/): Practical advice for more accurate bids. - [Conest Advances AI-Driven Innovation](https://conest.com/conest-advances-ai-driven-innovation/): Conest's approach to AI in its estimating products. ## Company, support, and buying - [Request a Demo](https://conest.com/conest-demo-request/): Schedule a walkthrough with an estimating specialist and get a quote. - [Contact](https://conest.com/contact/): Sales, pricing, and general inquiries, with office location and hours. - [Support](https://conest.com/support/): Technical support, remote support, knowledge base access, and maintenance plan benefits. - [System Requirements](https://conest.com/system-requirements/): Hardware, operating system, and SQL Server requirements for local and network installs. - [About Conest](https://conest.com/about/): Company history, product line, and JDM Technology Group. - [Testimonials](https://conest.com/testimonials/): Customer quotes from electrical, low voltage, and datacom contractors. - [Training Request](https://conest.com/training-request/): Request classroom or virtual training for IntelliBid, SureCount, and CE Cloud. - [Legal](https://conest.com/legal/): End User License Agreement and Maintenance and Support Agreement. ## Optional - [Video Library](https://conest.com/video-library/): Getting-started videos for IntelliBid, SureCount, and more. - [Past Webinars Library](https://conest.com/past-webinars-library/): Recorded product webinars. - [IntelliBid Tips Archive](https://conest.com/intellibid-tips-archive/): Short how-to articles for IntelliBid users. - [How to Do a Low Voltage Takeoff in IntelliBid](https://conest.com/how-to-do-a-low-voltage-takeoff-in-intellibid/): Step-by-step low voltage takeoff tutorial. - [Cost Codes in IntelliBid](https://conest.com/cost-codes-in-intellibid/): Using cost codes in IntelliBid estimates. - [Whitepapers](https://conest.com/whitepapers/): Industry whitepapers on electrical, low voltage, datacom, and solar topics. - [Events](https://conest.com/events/): Upcoming training classes, webinars, and trade shows. - [News](https://conest.com/news/): Company and product announcements. - [Partners and Associations](https://conest.com/software-integration-partners/): Technology partners and industry associations. - [Careers](https://conest.com/careers/): Open positions at Conest.