Construction Software Buyer's Guide

How to run your evaluation

Once you understand the basics of what type of software you need in terms of size, features, and basic design, it's time to start comparing different packages. Submit a BuyerZone request for construction software quotes and you'll be matched with several qualified providers based on your requirements.

Start with basic phone conversations and web site visits to get a general idea of what each vendor has to offer. However, you should be prepared to spend the majority of your time evaluating the software itself.

Because the scope of these systems is so large, the most effective approach is getting a guided demonstration by the vendor. Most often, the vendor will connect you to some sort of trial account and use web conferencing or telephone conferencing to walk you through the ins and outs of the software.

Avoid "canned" demos if you can – pre-recorded videos of the software in action provide little value. While they can provide some basic information, the real benefit of a live demo is having the vendor demonstrate the features you want to see and answer your questions. Be prepared with questions about specific scenarios or processes that are important to you.

Some vendors will provide a limited version of the software you can try for yourself, while some ASPs will even let you access the full application. Investigating the capabilities on your own is useful, but because these systems cover such a huge range of functionality, a vendor-led tour is the best way to get a strong understanding of the software as a whole.

Ease of use
When evaluating software packages, don't concentrate solely on features. Getting your staff to adopt a new system can be difficult, so it's essential to choose software that's easy to use. Of course, every salesperson will tell you their construction software is easy to use. You need to decide for yourself what "easy to use" means, but here are some examples:

• Is entering information intuitive?
• Can you skip sections if they're not applicable, or include non-standard information?
• How much is automated for you?
• Can you easily see specific information about projects and budgets?
• Are the various screens easy to understand?
• Does the "flow" from section to section match your workflow?
• How many steps does it take to perform basic actions?
• Does the system have an interface appropriate for field personnel, as well as office staff?
• Is there an auto-save function to help prevent lost work?

No matter how easy the basic functions are, users will always have questions, so investigate the built-in help features as well. How much contextual help is included? Are there pop-up "tool tips" to explain various buttons? Is the help system useful? Make sure your employees will be able to get the help they need.