I have worked in the building and fenestration industry for over 40 years and have always found a huge disconnect between the Residential and Commercial sectors of the Fenestration Industry in terms of Estimating Software.
Granted, there is usually more technical considerations in Commercial Fenestration. Every Window project for example has a Class and Grade requirement as well as Thermal, Solar Control, and Acoustic considerations. Installation details and accessories become more involved than your typical residential window.
When we compare the clients for Residential and Commercial window manufacturers, we find that most Residential manufacturers offer an estimating software with an ordering function in that tool to all their dealers. It will usually draw the unit, price the unit, and offer direct ordering from the window and door estimating software. It validates the size or mull configuration as well so you cannot build and price units beyond limits.
Now when we look at the Commercial side of estimating, the specifications and take off is sent into the manufacturer for pricing. At that point it is usually touched by customer service, engineering, and to the estimator. Even with RFQ forms, there can be details missed that requires communication to the dealer which would delay the pricing. All the time and manpower used to produce the estimate can not only be time consuming, but costly as well.
What is the solution? Quite obviously it is estimating software that can not only draw the units but validate the assembly and produce the cost. Just because the Commercial side tends to be more specification driven does not mean an estimating tool cannot allow for that. It is available but not being used.
Can you imagine the time saved from drafting and unit calculation, not to mention the delays in communication? Why would you not want your dealer or fabricator to have the tools to price their units on the fly with validation and drawings? It is just expeditious and efficient to be able to turn out a project cost in little time as opposed to the delays we are all used to as part of the process.
It makes the dealer/fabricator more professional in getting the answers for most product situations out and validated to the Architect or Consultant. No more missed bid dates or “guesstimating” because deadlines are not met. Ending the constant email cycle just to get the estimate to fruition.
Now, I am not advocating saving time and in return getting rid of your engineering and drafting teams. Why not let them do what they do best? Create improvements and advancements to the current product offering as well as new offerings. Advancements on the Commercial side tends to be a lot slower than the Residential side.
The argument can be that Residential projects usually have less requirements than Commercial ones. This is definitely true and with highly technical consideration needed on the Commercial side, wouldn’t you rather want your talent looking at product improvement and how to lessen the design cycle?
I know there will still be situations where the inside team would need to get involved, but putting the tools in the hands of your dealer/fabricators will empower them to use your products more frequently, increasing “customer stickiness”. It will also free up your engineering and drafting staff to lead the industry in new advances in fenestration.
If you’d like to discuss further, connect with me here.
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