Construction project management software for subcontractors
4.4/5 (108 Bewertungen)Vorteile
The simplicity of Esub is one of the best aspects, the repetitive nature of the system allows anyone to pick it up easily. The tracking and logging of submittals, RFIs, change orders is great. In using other project management systems, they tend to over complicate the interface where as Esub is straight forward and easy to use. Within the system the ability to attach files and use the emailing
"@esubdocs" allows all aspects of the project to be documented within the system so that everything you need is all one place. Recently we have started to build our database for cha nge orders and manpower which has allowed us to use the system for logging and tracking of outstanding, approved and voided CORs which allows us to keep track of everything, which is especially helpful on larger projects where we have up to 50 CORs.
Nachteile
One aspect we would like to change is the fact that we cannot erase if there is an error made in the submission, we understand the reason, however it would be a nice option if the admin of the system could erase.
Another component that we do not use is the drawings logging section, it is too cluttered, we keep track of the drawings through the submissions, which works great for us.
Saved thousands of dollars on support and field production time.
Vorteile
We came to eSub after a horrid experience with another vendor that claimed they would "simplify" my life and save us countless hours and money. After 12 months with thousands and thousands of dollars spent on support and wasting way too many hours to admit without profound embarrassment, I made the choice to abandon the failing attempt and give eSub a try.
I tested eSub for a few months before making a complete shift to their platform and the only regret is I did not do it sooner. The conversion was smooth, the training was on point and the relationship is that of a partner not a parasite looking to milk us dry with a poorly engineered and supported product. We have saved thousands of dollars, countless productive field hours and I don't spend my entire day managing our management software. Feel free to look us up with any questions.
Nachteile
If forced to submit a "con", the only thing that we have requested, from time to time, is a custom form or a modification to the way items are displayed. BUT... this is because we are trying to preserve OUR method. The eSub method is not flawed, we are making the request. The support team is still extremely responsive and I really don't see this as a con.
Pros:
-easy to use
- streamlines project management by reducing hefty admin time spent creating documents such as: purchase orders, rfi's, sub agreements, change orders, quick memos , etc
-allows for more timely contract responsiveness to our customers
-makes creating submittals a breeze
- produces excellent daily reports for manpower by cost code that are easy to download
- excellent cost tracking by cost code and issues
-excellent project overview
-excellent customer service, very responsive with follow through
-easy to train new users
Cons:
-contact management can be a little burdensome with all the clicking required. You learn quickly to setup the project correctly from the beginning with all pertinent contacts. The contact will already be added in the main contact log but not assigned to that specific project unless that project is 'clicked' for that contact. This resulted in a few new ESub users thinking those contacts weren't in the main contact log yet and they added them, creating duplicates. You do get the hang of this and your preparation will be self-appreciatied down the line.
-this one is a pro and a con depending on how you use this software: you really can't fully delete anything. For example: If you enter the wrong date on a daily report (auto dates for current date) you cannot go back to change later so better get it right the first time. This could be simplified by requiring an entry instead of auto fill maybe? You also cannot delete that report and start new. We add notes to the internal notes "work date was actually xx/xx" so that it will show up on a multiple daily report.
-the outgoing emails from the website for some reason often get filtered by spam filters and end up sitting in the recipients junk folders. This is quickly resolved by a follow up to the vendor or customer via phone or email to confirm which is common practice. Also, this is probably typical of any web based software outbound emails.
All and all I use it just about every day and I would highly recommend it. Once you are trained and used to the system; it's fantastic. Definitely allows our company to operate much more efficiently than before we had ESub!!
Vorteile
Daily jobsite reporting and time tracking, as well as the simplicity of their field notes make this software an excellent link between what's going on in the field and management in the office. The automatic tracking of RFIs and submittals also helps avoid things falling through the cracks. The eSUB team has also done an excellent job of continually working to streamline the product and to fit the users needs.
Nachteile
The biggest con with the software is in their file management for uploaded job information such as drawings. If you have a typical project layout for how you want to file things, you'll be fine, but if your project becomes unusually complex it may require some extra effort to make sure everything stays clear.
Tracking and organization of different documents required for each project.
Vorteile
The creation and tracking of submittals, RFIs, and change orders has been a game changer in how organized we are from the start of projects to the close out. It allows all our project management team to see what has been done to date on a project from anywhere without having to carry a large project notebook with them. The recent API integration with Plangrid has made RFI creation easier and more professional looking.
Nachteile
Branding consistency. The forms and letters it outputs are branded with our logo but it would be great to be able to input a signature into the emails that it sends out from the system.
The benefits are amazing! We can see reports and real time accomplishments from the jobsite to the office. Communication is at an all time high. I can track job costing and estimates and be able to see the job from conception to completion without skipping a beat. This software program has helped us become more organized and cost efficient. I would recommend this to everyone! Thank you!
Vorteile
I can see everything with my phone and anything I need is just a few keys away! Job costing, employee info and tracking is fantastic!
Nachteile
Teaching new employees how to use esub can sometimes be difficult. Also- it would be good to know everything that esub is capable of. I see that Esub now has an Esub academy and I feel like that would be very helpful.
Tracking everything that's being submitted to the GC / customer / vendors for all projects.
Vorteile
The ability to track all your submittals and purchase orders on one place.
The ability to track costs based on PO'S, and change orders versus the contract budget and amount.
It's great to be able to send e-mails through eSUB.
Nachteile
The Sales Tax Feature, most of our vendors don't provide the tax %. I'd recommend that there be another box for just the amount and the purchase order spits out the %.
Transmittals I wish you would be able to provide the signature line for that form as well, as its available for submittals.
When uploading files to the submittals, purchase orders, etc. if there's a lot attachments it would be more better if we are able to arrangement which attachments appear first. Instead you have to load one by one and remember which attachment you want to include in the order you want it to appear.
Vorteile
A couple great things about eSub is that it is tailored to subcontractors and the way we do business and it handles our needs really well. Many software packages try to be all things to all people. Conversely, eSub has chosen their target market - subcontractors - and has delivered a product that serves this market well. The program is-well thought-out, intuitive and easy to use. As a result, we have seen a marked increase in the tracking and logging of our projects by our project managers and superintendents. That's a big, big plus.
Nachteile
I cannot say anything negative about the vendor. eSub had delivered all that they promised, and I would rate their tech support group as top-notch; better than most by far. So far, I've made only two enhancement recommendations: a) a more seamless way to handle pay apps and b) the ability to copy submittals from one project to another. The pay application and submittal modules work well, but could be better with these two suggestions.
The customer service/ support is amazing. Overall everything you might want in a system is already there. The few things needed to customize it for your company can usually get done. Our foremen, who may not have much computer experience out in the field, have easily gotten accustomed to it as well.
Vorteile
The ease of use- even for computer illiterate people. There is not much more that you could ask for especially for subcontractors. Most of the software out there is for general contractors.
Nachteile
We do some things differently and have had to wait a little while to get a few things changed to our way of doing them.
Gaining better control with our projects has saved time and money and our customers like the fact we are on top of the project at all times. Being pro-active rather than re-active is largly due to using eSub and the daily reports turned in by the field employees. Very user friendly for all employees.
Vorteile
Good support from everyone we dealt with at eSub
Better control of Projects from start to finish. Easy for field employees to enter required information
Nachteile
No real problems. The eSub program has even more features than we havebeen using. We wish we could have had this system earlier.
Vorteile
I love the ease of use both from the office and field side. As a Construction Management professional with over 19+ years of experience, I can say that Esub is the best software I have used for Document Control and Retention. Also, the technical support has been awesome, you can actually speak to a live person that walks you step by step through the use of the software.
Nachteile
I truly have no complaints! In working in this industry as long as I have, this software has proven to be the best!
Better comunication between Office and Field.
Better tracking of CO's aprovals.
we can have all documentation available in one place.
Vorteile
Connect Office and Field
Document all situations in the Field so we can submit to GC
Change Orders are easy to create and submitt
Daily Reports help me to track subcontractors productivity
Nachteile
I don't like we have to create a document to e-mail field notes.
There are some features in the mobile version that are only available in the web.
Vorteile
The way it's tailored towards sub-contractors is a plus. A lot of other software solutions are geared towards GC's. The ability to share information is great, office and field are both synced. Makes you adapt one method of creating and maintaining documents is a plus.
Nachteile
Their tech support is helpful but the resolutions is always "we'll let our developer look at it and we'll get back to you" which in my experience can take several weeks. There is no ticketing system for the items I've submitted that are issues. It's up to me to remind them that i have outstanding issues and to get the status on them. In the amount of time we have been using the software, we've experienced more than the expected amount of issues.
We've experience two times where the system was "down" which is pretty much unacceptable if this software solution is the to be the lifeline of your document system.
We were told that the software is customize-able and while that is true in some aspects, it's not completely true. I've inquired about customization and I'm having a hard time getting it rolling.
Vorteile
One of the most convenient aspects of eSUB is having everything in one place. Before eSUB we were tracking jobs by saved folders on a shared drive. With eSUB everything is one place. Everyone from project management to accounting is much happier since our implementation. We are more profitable and able to serve our clients better with eSUB.
Nachteile
Nothing.
Got me in the market of using PM software.
Vorteile
Simple easy to learn. Focused on the sub contractor first. Has a toolbox of forms and letter templates that is nice for a small contractor.
Nachteile
It was supposed to be simple and slim for the Sub Contractor not the Prime General but it left out key features and trapped your data and information. PO module is very clunky. Training and implementation was not what I expected for the price you pay. Does not integrate well with accounting.
Vorteile
It has some very good tracking qualities such as pay apps and change orders
It is user friendly
The support people are very nice
Nachteile
would like to see a way for me to track when 3rd month notices & liens are due on payments
using the calendar reminders is too cumbersome and jams my email account
The customer service at eSUB is second to none! eSUB's customer service personnel are some of the most helpful people in the industry
Vorteile
eSUB has been developed for subcontractors. It has been design for the field. Whether you are using the web-based or tablet app, eSUB maximizes the workflow are subcontractors
Nachteile
There are no cons to eSUB. It doesn't matter what your computer skill level is you will be able to fully maximize the use of eSUB.
Vorteile
You can access it form everywhere and all the time. Very easy to generate reports and keep tracking all the data.
Nachteile
Is like you have all in your pocket. All the documents you can upload and have easy access. Easy to track milestones.
Vorteile
The best thing with eSUB is their Professional feedback, responsiveness, Cooperation in Updating Required Formats according to your project requirements and gives access to your projects tracking and information anywhere in real time.
Nachteile
Nothing to say, they are very cooperative they will work with you.
Vorteile
Very easy to navigate. Keeps good track of all records. I have not used the software to its full potential. But when i do i am sure it will be a smooth transition. I love the reminders on past due responses on RFI and Transmittal's. Very user friendly and the program is not complicated. I will recommend this program to any construction organization .
Nachteile
Some bugs here and there but customer support is readily available and always has the answers that i need to finish my tasks
As a hole I believe that this software will better our company. The amount of man hours that this software has been saving us the more and more that we use it is incredible. I feel that by stepping out and gaining a tool like esub we are not only becoming more efficient as a company but also becoming more competitive in our field.
Vorteile
The product is great and Esub's customer service is off the charts. When we needed help with an issue we had great support staff to give us a hand. The customer representative with Esub is hands down one of the best contacts to have at Esub.
Nachteile
My only con is at the beginning of Esub. Making sure that they understand your business so they are more understanding of the types of information that you need to for the implementation process and what information will not be necessary. Understanding of the cost codes and PO information etc.
eSUB is an interesting product for sub-contractors. It overall works very well but it has lots of controls that many sub-contractors who have not used construction management software may not like. I personally think that the controls are fantastic but some people find them a waste of time and tedous.
Vorteile
Great controls, tracks emails effectively, strong field app.
Nachteile
Lacks flexibility.
Vorteile
The webinar training has been informative without doing "information overload." The training was well-thought-out and segmented in a logical way.
My initial knee jerk reaction is very positive. It seems to be well-thought-out as a product with all of the tools we need as PMs without being cluttered with a lot of useless tools simply for the sake of appearing more advanced. I'm very impressed so far.
Nachteile
I do not really have an opinion on the vendor, pros or cons. Beyond the webinar training, I have not had any interaction with them. As for the eSub product itself, I really have not had the opportunity to work extensively in the software. The only things that I personally have run into is the inability to do submittals inside the software as opposed to importing them. This is not a big deal and ultimately may be the best way to deal with it. Another item that was encountered yesterday was in the change order feature. A lot of entities have there own forms to be used for breakdowns of change request. There will need to be a way to import that into the change order file.
Vorteile
Ever we are a general contractor, we still use this tool to manage some of our self performed work. very good value.
Nachteile
There were some glitches at the very beginning, the system was not responsive but have not had the same problem for months, should be solved.
Vorteile
eSUB continues to add and improve in general but also looks for solutions particular to our company.
Nachteile
Like any new program, there's an initial learning curve and adjustment to how that product functions. Support is great with making sure we have what we need.