Recensioni su RIB CostX

Excellent QS tool for direct take off, estimating and producing schedules/bills of quantities.

Commenti: We moved to digital taking off initially and a windows GUI from an old terminal window based system. The ability to view, section and walk round 3D models and have BIM extraction capabilities is most advantageous.

Aspetti positivi:

We moved to CostX completely as a QS practice a number of years ago and we find it a very powerful tool in producing all levels of estimates, bills/schedules of quantities and builders quants etc. It's the best software we've seen for a number of years and for the future with it's BIM capabilities also. With customised branded report formats available allow us to provide consistently high quality presentation documents. Staff were quick to pick up the basics of operation and quickly progress their skills in taking off and scheduling digitally. Regular updates from user feature requests and continually developing and improving the CostX software. Excellent customer support and follow up to ensure the best service is provided and maintained to resolve any issues found or queried.

Aspetti negativi:

Lack of ability to complete cut and fill exercises The only real downside is the inability to handle drawings in batches and without having to load them individually to edit their properties. We understand that this is a registered client feature request under review for development and greatly look forward to its implementation.

Drank the koolaid, would drink again

Commenti: 100% positive, probably one of the best pieces of software that I work with bar none. Over the years there have been evolutions in the supporting software - the database back end changes for example - but there is a steady path of improvement and it's exciting with each release to see what has been renewal introduced.

Aspetti positivi:

It's flexible for the real world. You can work with a photo of a set of plans, a home drawn image exported, full PDF plan sets from arch/structure designers, DWFX/BIM imports from architects. On the measurement side, it's totally flexible in that regard. On the costing side, CostX has a strong Excel-inspired methodology which is quickly understood by anyone with a spreadsheet background. Excellent software, can't say enough good about it.

Aspetti negativi:

I think some of the product offerings between full blown CostX down to the pared down Excel version get a bit confusing from the outside looking in. There is probably room to promote contractors who help with implementation or promote those services if RIB directly can provide that. As with a blank Excel spreadsheet (or a database in general), the ability to customize and develop can be overwhelming to most.

Convenient for taking off and pricing

Aspetti positivi:

It helps to automate creation of Bills of Quantity or Pricing Section after taking off or measurement stage. Shorten the process by alot and increase a QS productivity.

Aspetti negativi:

Price slightly on the high side. If they could lower to a personal user affordability level then the retail user might increase.

Highly Efficient and User-Friendly Estimating Software

Commenti: My overall experience with RIB CostX has been very positive. It has proven to be an invaluable tool for our estimating processes, providing a user-friendly and efficient platform that integrates seamlessly with our design tools. The software's capabilities have enhanced our workflow and allowed us to deliver more accurate and timely estimates. Despite a few minor issues with support, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks, making CostX a top choice for estimating software.

Aspetti positivi:

What I liked most about RIB CostX is its speed and accuracy in estimating and quantity surveying. The software's integration with Revit and BIM data has greatly streamlined our processes at Ausco Modular, enhancing both efficiency and precision in our estimates and bills of materials. Features such as Dimension Groups with Audit Links offer flexible measurement and ensure accuracy, while Model Maps and Workbooks improve data extraction and breakdowns. The intuitive design, similar to Excel, makes it easy for teams to use and collaborate effectively.

Aspetti negativi:

One area for improvement is the need for more robust customer support and troubleshooting resources. Compared to my experience with Exactal, where I had a personal connection with the development and support teams, the current RIB tech support feels less personal. I feel like more of a number in the queue now, and quicker, more personalised support would enhance the overall experience.

Senior Management Review - Ahmed Elhalouty

Aspetti positivi:

Tracking measurement is good in CostX. However, it should be more easier than doing it in workbook

Aspetti negativi:

We Can't make sure that everything is measured as there are no layers function

Estimating & Takeoff

Commenti: RIB CostX 3D model integration is not just a feature but a pivotal tool that enhances the entire estimating process. It brings accuracy, efficiency, and clarity to the table, making it an invaluable asset for construction professionals dealing with complex projects. Whether you're managing large-scale developments or intricate designs, this feature alone can transform how you approach and execute cost estimation.

Aspetti positivi:

RIB CostX’s ability to work with 3D models allows for exceptionally accurate takeoffs. The software’s integration with 3D BIM models ensures that measurements are precise, reducing the likelihood of errors that can occur with manual or 2D methods. This precision is crucial for producing reliable estimates and avoiding costly mistakes during the project lifecycle.

Aspetti negativi:

For smaller or less complex projects, RIB CostX’s extensive features might be more than what’s necessary.

Ordinary user review.

Commenti: I like CostX since it helps to do my work easy and fast.

Aspetti positivi:

The workbook and measurement tracking are the most convenient features of CostX.

Aspetti negativi:

The performance is usually delayed when you have to switch to another dimension group to see up to where we measured already. Is the item we wish to count measured under another dimension group?

CostX Review

Commenti: Again, the overall administration of the CostX software is very straightforward. As far as our end users are concerned, I believe they are satisfied with the product as well.

Aspetti positivi:

I am writing this as the admin of our CostX environment and, not an end user. Over all, administration of the product is straightforward as it applied to installing and updating both the CostX Server Admin and CostX client applications.

Aspetti negativi:

On the CostX Server side, I will say that the space required for the database when updating the software seems ridiculous. It seems that we need 3 times the space when updating the software and that is a waste of storage.

Great product. Some detail needs to be improved.

Commenti: Great experience. Expect it would add more useful function into it.

Aspetti positivi:

It consolidates the measuring and pricing in one place and also have the BIM capability. Some 2D measuring function is great to use.

Aspetti negativi:

There are still some bugs in the system. e.g. Some project rate library shows in the Admin Panel, but not in the workbook view rate library panel. The BIM function it is a bit slow and clumsy if want to walk through the building (not as easy as other software). Workbook export to exif file (with linked drawings) seems to be an issue.

Excellent Software for user and client

Commenti: Excellent - it is a professional product that produce an expert document and a software to share with clients through viewer to make explaining easier

Aspetti positivi:

The fast and efficient way you can produce a quality cost plan, by collating information from the drawings

Aspetti negativi:

Workbook to create sub folders for e.g all previous revised Workbooks in a subfolder call superseded

Advanced QS Tool

Commenti: Have a really great experience and looking forward to new updates.

Aspetti positivi:

User friendly and give lots option to review and easy to measure any image/pdf/cad etc...

Aspetti negativi:

Writing dimensions and unable to add duplicate

Assistant quantity surveyor

Commenti: It is a powerful tool for accurate and efficient quantity surveying and cost estimating.

Aspetti positivi:

The ability to work on cloud-based projects and share information with team members.

Aspetti negativi:

There is lack of an "undo" feature when measuring dimensions.

Wouldn't Look Back

Commenti: I had been putting off getting any sort of software packages for a long time as I really liked doing manual take offs and using spreadsheets. Cost X was very easy to change to after doing these type of take offs. I wouldn't look back now. I have had a new graduate start with me and it is very easy to teach them (as most of it has already been set up by me), this also keeps uniformity over take offs.
One of the biggest advantages for us being a residential / light commercial building company is that we seem to have a lot of revisions over a job up until contract stage - the revision tool has been great for this and makes doing a series of changes from one plan to the next a breeze and a report can give a detailed breakdown of the changes at these revision points.

Aspetti positivi:

- Really easy to get started, just set out dimensions as you would manually, set out your spreadsheets and link the two up. The more you use it, the more you learn, and it just keeps getting better. - No need to save all the time as all your work is up to date. - Easily relates to excel spreadsheets. - Data from spreadsheets can be exported or imported with ease. - Importing of .dwg files directly from the drawing team makes measurements exact. Any mistakes in the drawing files can be picked up and relayed back to the drawing team before another revision. - When working on multiple build projects, it is a lot easy to open and close jobs from the same place compared to other applications where they would all be seperate files needing to be opened. - Being able to compare drawing files, ie; site plan over a subfloor plan to work out pile heights easily. - The ability to do measurements, add a legend with quantities, save as a PDF and provide to subcontractors. ie; joist layout for builder, measure of a full drainage plan for the drainlayer.

Aspetti negativi:

The only thing that I have found hard work is the report software provided with Cost X. This is mainly because I just haven't had the time to put into it. I can see that it will be very good, but can see that this is going to take some time to get what I want from it. Other than that I still was able to make up functional reports easy enough, just not to the level I would like yet.

CostX has made measuring and estimating from CAD manageable. Would recommend.

Aspetti positivi:

The biggest selling point for the software for us is the link between dimensions in the workbook and drawing files. This allows clients to quickly understand the source of the data in the workbook, and builds a level of transparency and trust. The ability to store a rate database also has advantages in terms of the ability to reference past rates and benchmark cost. The rate library allows the quick adjustment of a rate across a major project, with only one edit required to adjust the entire estimate to accommodate this change. After care in terms of technical support for the product has been superb, which is vital when adopting such software as your mainstay for measuring or estimating. The Product Support Team have gone above and beyond on numerous occasions to ensure that any technical issue we have encountered has been resolved in a timely fashion, to ensure minimal inconvenience to our projects.

Aspetti negativi:

I would consider the 3D Measuring Tools fairly primitive currently. The model maps tool would be perfectly adequate if the quality of models received in the industry currently was always sufficient for automatic quantity extraction, but unfortunately that often is not the case at the moment. Measuring manually on 3D models currently can feel clunky, and measuring wall faces on the insides of buildings can feel like a chore, as navigating the model can be difficult with the tools available. The ability to lock the model in the centre of the screen in v6.6 was a very necessary step.

Cost X is functional, flexible and value for money. The technical support team are fantastic.

Commenti: Cost X gives me speed, I get more work tendered and so put the company in a position to grow quicker and be more profitable.
Its flexible I have changed things to suit the type of work I'm pricing
Its reliable I can trust the quantities and figures and makes negotiations simpler and more informed.
Its value for money as I do believe it is worth and extra person in the office.
Its accurate and consistent I know I have everything taken off and my rates are stable.

Aspetti positivi:

The software allows flexibility to suit the type of work we do. We are a specialist ventilation contractor and Cost X has taken us from manual drawing take off to a quick, simple and reliable system that you can review in seconds. We are organised and know a project inside out so we can negotiate contracts know that our figures and quantities can be relied on. We are also consistent in of pricing as quantities are accurate and rates are stable. The technical support team are amazing they provide a very prompt and professional service, they go to great lengths to get you back up and running as so as possible. Cost X is also value for money, I believe that it is worth one extra person in the office to me, the volume of work that can be done is excellent.

Aspetti negativi:

I do believe that training would really be essential for the correct use of the system, I did not get training but have still found it brilliant but I do believe if I was using it correctly I would probably get more from it. Also on the standalone version the back up button or procedure would need to be streamlined, as loosing data in Cost X is a huge lose to a company.

Daily use with minimal issues and fantastic customer support

Commenti: This made daily tasks very easy to compete and generally made my work life all around much easier.

Aspetti positivi:

The software is easy to use once you've taken the time to do the training, with a wide range of useful features. Being able to extract large amounts of take-off speeds up everything, while the 5D BIM integration is among the best available. I use it daily and compared to other competing software the competition doesn't compare.

Aspetti negativi:

A fairly advanced knowledge of methods of take-off is required, along with use of the provided training information and guides. For 2D take-off, DWG files are preferred, followed by vector'd PDFs and then rasta'd PDFs and images. While these will work, it really is built around DWG use.

Does the job but there is better estimating software

Commenti: It's an okay software as a measuring tool to do quantity takeoff but not a good comprehensive estimating software.

Aspetti positivi:

It is pretty easy to use ONCE you get it set up or if someone else sets it up for you. One of the nice features is you can click a line to measure its length as opposed to clicking from point to point.

Aspetti negativi:

It is not very intuitive to set up a project. When you upload the drawings, hopefully they are already named properly or you'll have trouble finding the drawing you're looking for. The drawings are linked to a file on your hard drive, so if you move that file the link is broken and needs to be re-established which is a big disadvantage in many ways. The workbook is a blank spreadsheet and requires a professional to set up in order to be used effectively.

Time-Efficiency Tool

Commenti: It is a high efficiency tool. If used properly, it will make the job easier to take-off and the estimating comes easy afterwards. I like it very much.

Aspetti positivi:

It is a very complete software that includes almost every aspect of the estimating/construction business development. It will make a bid proposal and estimation look easier.

Aspetti negativi:

One of the issues I experienced is while sharing files. It can be tricky and very easy to make mistakes while transferring the CostX file to other party. It takes several steps in order to save and export your final product, and make sure it is compatible with your other party's version.

iTWO CostX Review

Commenti: Happy in general with what the Software offers.

Aspetti positivi:

One of the best Taking off Software Packages available on the market.

Aspetti negativi:

Not many standard reports available. Need to spend a lot of time editing and writing a report if you do not already have a standard template.

Easy, beneficial, transparent, enjoyable

Commenti: Easy to use, accurate, good visibility for other users to review work. Work books can be easily imported and exported in other formats.

Aspetti positivi:

Easy to use, the multilevel work book, the subcontractor analysis function, customized code libraries that suit our financial management system, project specific rate libraries that allow rate adjustments very late in the pricing phase.,

Aspetti negativi:

Measuring off a BIM model takes a bit of learning. Having a BIM model that is sufficiently developed at pricing stage to extract quantities is an in frequent occurrance. As a consequence I don't have the opportunity to use this feature.

I have been using costx now for last 1 year as a quantity surveyor it has made my life easy.

Commenti: Multitasking easy review especially the show source function in work book and one can create csv file in excel for dimension groups and import in costx, since it is connected to the server I can work from anywhere even from my home.

Aspetti positivi:

Multiple user can work on same project connected to costx server. Workbook is very easy to assemble from floor to wall area ,floor base,ceilings .the rate library function is very help tool,revision modes has eliminated my reworks,with the help of zones one can setup multiple workbooks.

Aspetti negativi:

please dont press Ctrl+F in workbook and change the spelling in entire workbook it will make your dimension appear zero because it will change the dimension name linked to your dimension group in quantity cell.

I'm using the software daily, I'm happy with the level of service it provide to me and the company.

Aspetti positivi:

Ability to have open drawings in more screens. Ability to quickly update the building templates with ease. Ability to create reports. Ability to have a support team on hands.

Aspetti negativi:

Here we use costx to standardize the estimates we do for our construction projects. We are utilizing a default template on all our estimates and sometimes we require to update specific cells in multiple workbooks. It would be nice if we were able to do it, once, for a series of buildings, rather then repeating the same task several times.

A real time saver

Aspetti positivi:

Ability to reference rates and dims. Ease of measuring vast amounts of drawings quickly. Zone splitting. BIM functionality.

Aspetti negativi:

Exporting to excel (contractors still want to use it) looks terrible. Report printing time consuming.

Cost X is a good for estimating 2D and 3D data.

Aspetti positivi:

CostX has good features in terms of estimating as it supports 2D sheets and 3D models. It supports PDF, dwg, skp and other file formats. Calibrating feature and snapping feature while using 2D sheets is very helpful. Spreadsheet with costX maintains the data and organizes the project.

Aspetti negativi:

Model based takeoff in cost X for simple projects is achievable. But I have struggled when it came to projects with complicated geometry. 2D to 3D collaboration for the same file is not as suitable as it is in Assemble Systems.

I have been using CostX for six months but I was mainly doing the 2D takeoff.

Commenti: I will say it increases the efficiency of my work. Also, thanks for all the customer support!

Aspetti positivi:

At the moment it will be the ability to copy and move dimensions from the current drawing to a different drawing, which saves a lot of time! Also, the phraseologies library which allows us to click and drag the description of ARM4 into the workbook is also really useful.

Aspetti negativi:

I don't see myself as a very experienced user yet and I am also not yet familiar with all of the functions. I believe this software has a lot of potentials and will send feedback to CostX for feature suggestions as discussed.