I'm looking for a program that some new kid in my shop can operate after a couple of months, that would give rough pricing/or quotes on simple items...like automagnets, sq ft plain banners etc. 50% of our business is engraving so it would carry a lot more info about trophies and plaques and ribbons where there are fewer variables than the artistic world of signs. I have tried "estimate" but it has too many sliding bars that only I know how to slide depending on the customer and the project. I looked at a program called "Cyrious" that looked great, but it ran $2000 to $3000 plus I think monthly charges.
Has/does anyone used a program they like? A program that a newish employee can operate when billing a job that was the same as last years? Something I could tweek prices, when needed, across the board?
Im thinking I may just write my own excell spred sheet style program...but I don't really know how yet. Does anyone have one they made that they want to sell? I would like to not re-invent the wheel...although I've got a great 4 sided one I'm test marketing.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
The bottom line is that once it's set up you don't have to use sliders 95% of the time.
I agree that on first blush it can be daunting looking at all the sliders, but they are there primarily to assist you in tweaking the price *if you want to.*
Also, with a purchase of EstiMate you get a 30-minute to 1-hour telephone training session where we walk you through many aspects of the software, including this issue.
We also offer 20 minute pre-sales training sessions to anyone, on request, to show you how EstiMate can best benefit your work.
In addition, with regards to your trophies, the retail items section of EstiMate where these items would go has no sliding bars whatsoever.
I hope you find a solution that works for you!
[ February 27, 2004, 10:23 AM: Message edited by: Mark Smith ]
Posted by Mark Smith (Member # 298) on :
Amy, our whole focus right now is on our 2.0 upgrade, and once that is out later this year we will be adding many plugins including an engraving plugin.
Thanks for mentioning us!
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Another one is Quikprice that Kent Smith handles. Maybe he will see this and tell us more about it. Anybody know how to contact him?
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
I developed a fairly sophisticated Excel spreadsheet that works great, except that it's too easy for a new employee to make mistakes.
I tested the Estimate software and thinks it would be great for what you want. The sliders really don't need to be used.
Any software should be based on certain defaults for inexperienced users and more control for experts. Given that, Estimate seems as easy to use as any I've seen (and easier than my own).
We had an accounting reason not to switch to Estimate, but if there after sales support is as good as their pre sales support, this could be just what you're looking for.
Posted by Linda Schmidt (Member # 2337) on :
You may want to take a look at our price book...The Sign Blue Book. It is the most comprehensive pricing guide ever developed for the sign industry. I will tell you up front though that I do not have any pricing in it for engraving or general awards items.
Regarding computer programs...Nothing works better than a good computer program to help you track estimates, orders, payments, customer history, and such. I use one myself.
The difficulty in making that decision comes in the fact that there are only a few programs designed specifically for the sign industry and their prices run the gamut. So, it often makes you wonder what you are getting into.
We use Cyrious in our shop and it is a powerful program but it can be rather cumbersome. And, with 10 users on it, we know it certainly is not idiot-proof. But, as with nearly all of these programs, it's effectiveness is only as good as the information that you put into it about your shop and your pricing structures.
You may want to take a good look at Mark's program Esti-mate. I reviewed it several years back and it wasn't what I was looking for at the time, but I know he has upgraded it since that time. Plus, it continually gets good reviews here on the bullboard. Additionally, the price is reasonable.
As far as Price Books vs. Pricing Programs...I don't think it should be a matter of one against the other. I recommend both a good Price Book along with a good Pricing/Shop Management Program.
I view them as two valuable tools for your toolbox. Most people have more than one kind of paint brush, screwdriver, or saw. Having more than one kind of pricing tool in your box is just plain smart.
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