HCSS vs. Trimble SysQue

Our operation uses several pieces of what we call specialty equipment (not used every day on every job). The foreman when finished will give a location of where this equipment is left, this many times can be very vague and lead to a lowboy driver trying to block around to find the piece or driving down a street he cannot get turned around in. With the GPS devices, the driver can pinpoint exactly where the unit is and if he has room to turn around at that location.

Incentivized

Trimble SysQue is a perfect fit for our organization, being a Design/Build contractor. We use it to design, coordinate, and create Pre-Fabricated assemblies. We perform a lot of IPD Projects and, coupled with BIM 360 Design, it makes us efficient.

Incentivized

• #1 is support! HCSS is by far the best software support of any product we have ever used. Unlike most software companies HCSS utilizes their support calls to help upgrade their software. When you here them tell you that they will write down a particular issue you come across during a support call if they can't help you then and there they will research and get an answer to you extremely fast. If the software will not do it, you can bet there is a good chance it will be on the list of enhancements you will see come out in the near future.
• Estimating software is very extensive. Their software is capable of handling the smallest estimate all the way to the largest joint venture estimate. It has advanced features that make it extremely useful for analyzing job materials, subcontractors etc.
• HeavyJob is an extremely useful tool for the field to keep the office up to date with job costs. Everything is at the Foreman's fingertips on Tablets to allow the information from the field to get uploaded to HeavyJob manager which then can export to accounting. We are also able to give our Foreman the ability to deal with the Daily and weekly safety needs (Tailgate Meetings, incident Investigation, observations etc.) right on the Tablets thru HeavyJob.

• Creates fabricatable parts inside of Revit
• Allows us to export hanger points for shooting with a robot on site
• Saves us time getting to coordination by allowing us to use engineers' model as a base.

Incentivized

• All their apps are on mobile devices. Although there is not a clear company policy on Android versus iPhone. Updates for features lag behind on Android. Some apps are exclusive to one platform making it hard to fully interconnect all programs.

• The parameters for content is inconsistent from one fitting to another. As cloud spooling and automated cutters become more and more prevalent this becomes a problem to feed the right information to a fabrication shop or cutter and causes delays in production.
• Trimble SysQue draws with generic fittings/pipe and then converts it to the selected system. The processing time for those fittings can be quite long sometimes.
• Thread-o-lets do not work correctly a good portion of the time. When detailing a mechanical room this is a huge problem.

Incentivized

As mentioned, user interface appears messy and complicated at initial onset. Training is necessary but becomes easy to maneuver through after solid daily use.

Incentivized

The people at HCSS who I interact with, whether it is a support technician, product manager, or the HCSS President, Mike Rydin, are as passionate at making construction management for heavy civil contractors a valuable experience as I am. They want to get us emphatic, project management addicted people in to tell them why their product is not working, and work with us to design the software to work for us. HCSS is good for the heavy civil contractor; it is going to help us to manage our projects with precision, accuracy, and accountability.

It is critical to select the right team to take to HCSS for implementation. They take very good care of you and your team and listen to all of your concerns. During implantation we often discuss wants and needs with VPs and Officers as they pass through to check on our progress.

We researched other software companies but none provided the depth of support and knowledge that HCSS brought to the table. HCSS is also always growing and listening to its customers. Customer support seems to remain the backbone of the company that is always striving to grow with the industry.

We actually use both. Trimble Sysque helps supplement content when you do not have it readily available. The water closet carrier families are very good and highly adjustable to be able to create very accurate restroom skids.

Incentivized

• The biggest ROI for us was the ease of adoption by field personnel.

Incentivized

• Being able to fabricate has a HUGELY positive impact on ROI.
• Point files is a massive time saver for laying out hangers and ditches for underground.

Incentivized