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Topic:
affordable software
This thread has 7 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Friday January 17, 2003 at 20:53
cmack
Long Time Member
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I've looked at d-tools and that's what I want but it'll be a while till I can justify the expense.
So in the mean time I'm looking for something that works for our industry. Drawings, wiring diagrams,proposals,etc. Maybe a combination of software is the cheapest, but I hope there is something that's in the middle.
Curious what is working for others.
Thanks
CMack
Post 2 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 08:58
Dave Blaker
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have you checked into horizon software's custom proposal system?

This message was edited by Dave Blaker on 01/18/03 16:36.
OP | Post 3 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 10:15
cmack
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178
No, but I will,
Thanks
CMack
Post 4 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 10:29
Matt
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Visio is a cheap and easy CAD type program.
Post 5 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 10:51
Dave Blaker
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On 01/18/03 10:29, Matt said...
Visio is a cheap and easy CAD type program.

ditto
Post 6 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 14:16
Theaterworks
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On 01/17/03 20:53, cmack said...
I've looked at d-tools and that's what I want
but it'll be a while till I can justify the expense.

I've been down the same thought path as you in the past. The most expensive thing you have, and the most perishable, is your time. DTools is expensive, but I've become a convert.

How long does it take you to write a proposal? Then, how long to instuct your installers to prewire it, and or document the work? How often is a wire missed during rough-in due to communications problems? How long does it take for you to write PO's, check 'em, and then find that you have some of the items it stock?

You are getting my drift, and I'm only about halfway through the project process. DTools also has a very cool change order feature that has saved my bacon countless times. I've earned/saved the cost of the program many times over during the three years I've been using it. And, I've been able to complete larger jobs with less hassle with it than I would have been able to otherwise.

DTools is a tool, just like my laptop, my Dewalt drill or the things in my toolbox. I buy good tools and expect a lot from them, so I get the job done right and rapidly.

If you want to start with less $$ outlay to start, begin by using Visio. DTools is an overlay of Visio, and proficiency at drawing in this program will speed up your learning curve with DTools immensely.
Carpe diem!
OP | Post 7 made on Saturday January 18, 2003 at 17:58
cmack
Long Time Member
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Theaterworks,
All I've heard about d-tools is good just as you are saying, but the expense is still an issue.
I briefly looked at horizon as mentioned above and it seems to have all the pieces and affordable.
Anyone have hands on with both or know of any cons with horizon.
The only con with d-tools is the price. (complete suite).
I currently use quickbooks, which is good but know where near what I need. And I'll use whatever to do simple drawings that are far from what I want to represent my company.
I originally got it to help with building proposals effeciently and of course help with accounting.
But, as my needs grow, software is no exception, and I'm learning can play a key role in where I wanna be.
All input is appreciated.
Thanks,
CMack

Post 8 made on Sunday January 19, 2003 at 10:01
Thon
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Cmack, if you think you might eventually want the whole D-tools suite (which I do recommend), you might try starting with the Lite version. It is available for about $1k and will let you do all the drawings you need plus you can enter all your pricing and accessory data. You won't be able to print reports, but it will make doing the reports by hand a lot easier. I bought the lite version several years ago at a trade show and I use a combination of D-tools, excel, word, and Quickbooks to run my operation. I am planning to add the rest of the suite this year and there is no doubt I would have save a lot of time if I had done it from the beginning, but like you said I couldn't handle the short term capital outlay. BTW I think they may offer a financing plan now and also they have a module to interface with Quickbooks.
How hard can this be?


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