1.
What
are the benefits of Benchmark over spreadsheets? |
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Stop
errors in your estimates.
It is known a fact that a lot of spreadsheet-based
estimates contain errors. These errors can result in
inaccurate quotes which can cost your business money.
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Improved transparency of estimates.
An estimate in a spreadsheet is impossible to review.
With many linked cells and multiple worksheets, you lose
transparency. The job of reviewing your estimate quickly
becomes an impossible job. Benchmark estimates are very
transparent and easy to check for maximum accuracy.
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Increased productivity.
Many of our clients tell us that Benchmark is much
faster than their previous spreadsheet-based estimating
system. Features like Routines, Auto-Allocate, Supplier
Manager, Reporting and the automatic creation of
Construction Programs have all been designed to save you
time. You will not find these enhancing features in a
spreadsheet, no matter how sophisticated. |
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Improved cost control & knowledge management.
Benchmark’s Libraries allow you to store and easily
maintain your standard Resource and Item costs. This
improves your cost control, the consistency of your
estimating and retains the knowledge of your people in a
secure system. Your Benchmark Libraries also have
security measures to protect your data and give you
control over which staff members can access and edit
your costs. |
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Better
management reporting & integration.
Having your estimating data in Benchmark’s central data
file enables better management reporting and better
integration with your other business systems.
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2.
What is
resource-based (first principles) estimating? |
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Resource-based estimating means that your estimates are
based on your actual costs of Labour, Plant, Material
and Subcontract resources. These costs can be adjusted
for each job. |
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This
method of estimating, also known as first principles or
elemental estimating, ensures maximum accuracy of each
estimate which means you win more profitable work.
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3.
What is
unit rate estimating? |
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Unit
Rate estimating is where you have a rate for each Item
of work that you perform. These rates do not have
resources built up behind them. |
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Unit
Rate estimating is commonly used when preparing a
Strategic (or budget) estimate for a job that is yet to
be fully scoped out.
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4.
Can
Benchmark be used for resource-based and unit rate
estimating? |
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YES,
Benchmark can be used for both types of estimating.
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5.
Can
Benchmark be used for major projects, through to
day-to-day quotes? |
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YES |
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Medium
to large Projects can be estimated by adding items from
your Item Library or importing a client’s bill of
quantities. You can set up Sections that correspond to
the work breakdown structure for each project.
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Day-to-day
quotes can be done quickly and accurately by running a
Routine and answering questions about the job.
Benchmark then builds your estimate for you and you can
email the quote from the Benchmark system directly. |
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Long-term
Maintenance projects can be done using Power Routines. |
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6.
Can
Benchmark be used for Construction and Maintenance work? |
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Yes,
the flexibility of Benchmark, and range of unique
features, makes this possible.
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7.
What
size of estimates do I need to do to justify the
purchase of Benchmark? |
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Accurate and consistent estimating is important for all
scales of business. |
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Small
business.
An error in an estimate for a small business will affect
your bottom line so it is important you get your quotes
right every time. And for any small business that wants
to grow, having a proper estimating and quoting system
is critical. |
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Medium
and large companies.
Medium and large companies do lots more tenders than a
small business. If every estimate has errors, these
errors can add up to a lot of lost money and/or lost
opportunities. Having a consistent system also improves
conformity across the business and, as every estimate is
in the same format, the job of reviewing an estimate is
made much easier.
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8.
What
industries are suited to Benchmark? |
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Any
industry that requires fast, accurate and consistent
estimates can use Benchmark.
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9.
Is
Benchmark networkable? |
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YES.
Benchmark can be installed on a network. You simply
place your Benchmark data file on your server and
install the application on each licensees computer.
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