Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff and Quest Estimator

AUTOMATED TAKEOFF AND ESTIMATING SOFTWARE FROM MAXWELL SYSTEMS

S Y S T E M S

I n t e g r a t e d C o n s t r u c t i o n S o f t w a r e S o l u t i o n s

Maxwell Systems offers complete estimating solutions for all types of construction contractors. And we back up all our products with thorough training and support to ensure our customers get the most out of our products. Read on to learn more about the advantages Maxwell Systems™ can bring to your business. Or contact us directly today for the full story.

Providing relevant, timely, and accurate information, Maxwell Systems Quest Estimating Software delivers valuable insight that can improve the way you do business.

Maxwell Systems Quest TakeoffQuest Takeoff™ is a program that will keep you at the forefront of construction software technology. With it you can complete a digital takeoff of any structure shown on a set of blueprints, all without actually using paper blueprints.

Key Benefits • Exclusive digital takeoff capabilities enable you to save time and money • Fully compatible with other Maxwell Systems construction management programs

Maxwell Systems Quest EstimatorQuest Estimator™ is the core of our Quest product line. Beginning with the digitized takeoff and concluding with generating the final bid, Quest Estimator is just the tool you need to create a winning bid, no matter what your specialty.

Key Benefits • Takeoff and estimating solution in a single convenient application • Can provide you with unprecedented efficiency in the estimating process• Unique features help ensure the accuracy of your estimates

Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff and Quest Estimator

Estimating Technology OverviewConstruction estimating technology has come a long way from the days of pencil and paper. The introduction of automated estimating brought unprecedented benefits to the construction industry. And Maxwell Systems continues to break new ground with the fastest, most accurate and easiest to use takeoff and estimating software solutions available.

Maxwell Systems’ solutions have innovative features no other company offers. Our software can help you get each estimate done quickly, correctly, and confidently. You’ll be able to bid more jobs and make more money than you thought possible.

Maxwell Systems serves all 16 divisions of construction with comprehensive estimating and accounting solutions. So no matter your expertise, it’s ours, too. Our award-winning software, matched with state of the art hardware and unparalleled support, make Maxwell Systems the right choice for any estimator.

“My Maxwell Systems estimating software is not a canned solution. It’s more flexible, and the end user is able to do what they want to do. It adapts to your way of thinking. I can see profits directly linked to our use of the system. Maxwell Systems’ software enables us to bid jobs with profits and overhead in mind. And it gives us a good sense of profit and loss as we work through a job. We were never able to do that before.”Fred WeberFounder, Weber Construction

Issue Affecting Your Business The Maxwell Systems Solution Our automated takeoff and estimating software

can help you complete jobs up to 10 times faster than before. Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator is an all-in- one takeoff and estimating system that’s compatible with other Maxwell Systems products.

Maxwell Systems’ takeoff technology is accurate to within 1/1000 of an inch, so you can be sure your numbers are correct.

Our 3-D Visual Assemblies enable you to examine every element of a structure from every possible perspective on a computer screen, helping you ensure everything that should be on the takeoff is actually there.

Lack of efficiency due to outdated estimating methods.

Working with separate, incompatible programs.

Inaccurate takeoffs producing a flawed final bid.

Takeoff has missing or hidden components.

Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff

Are paper blueprints going out of style? Maybe not just yet. But more and more companies are discovering the advantages of digital plans every day.

Maxwell Systems can provide the digital takeoff technology you need to keep up with the competition.

A good estimate naturally begins with an accurate takeoff. Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff can help ensure that’s exactly what you get each and every time. There’s simply no more precise program for calculating your areas, lengths and quantities.

What sets this takeoff program apart from every other is its state of the art digital takeoff capabilities. With Quest Takeoff you can perform a takeoff of anything found on a set of blueprints without ever touching a set of blueprints!

While paper blueprints may still have a place in construction, they are no longer a requirement. Digital takeoff can save you thousands of dollars on blueprints; further, it can spare you the hassle of working with those awkward, bulky paper plans for good.

Quest Takeoff is available as a standalone product or bundled with Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator.

With this digital takeoff program you can perform a takeoff off anything found on a set of blueprints. You can take digital plan files from an online plan room, CD-ROM or other source, in many common types including PDF, TIF, GIF and CAD formats, and upload them directly into the program. Digital takeoff can save you thousands of dollars on blueprints and spare you the hassle of working with bulky paper plans.

Once your digital plans are imported into the program, just select the appropriate cost item library, choose a cost item, and start tracing on your computer screen with a mouse.

Key Benefits • Exclusive digital takeoff capabilities allow contractors to save time and money • Compatible with other Maxwell Systems construction management programs

Use the Link feature to attach any file – a photo, etc. – that is relevant to the takeoff structure.

This versatile program lets you flip, rotate and copy structures, which saves you from having to retrace identical structures. It also lets you customize your cost item libraries, or import them straight from other programs. And when your plans are suddenly changed, it lets you instantly compare your new plans to the older ones.

Digitizing (calculating lengths, areas and quantities of count items) with Quest Estimator consists of laying your plans on a digitizer, setting the scale, then tracing the plans with a stylus pen. After you complete your measurements, send them to your estimate to prepare your bid. (If you work with digital plan files, you can even upload them directly into Quest Estimator using an optional digital takeoff module, then digitize them with a mouse. Read the Maxwell Systems Quest Takeoff section of this brochure for more information.)

The Notepad keeps track of all your quantities and cost item specifications, providing a convenient audit trail for your job. It’s like a virtual legal pad with a running list of everything on the takeoff. A mouse-click lets you sort these items as needed, convert items from one unit of measurement to another, or get totals for your quantities.

The Database is a centralized storage location for historical pricing on cost items that are relevant to your specific type of business. You can create as many customized databases as you want, with unlimited cost items in each. If you’re already using Excel or another Windows-based third-party program, you can continue to use it. Just import your data directly from that program into Quest Estimator.

Estimator is the core application for all Quest estimating solutions. But don’t let the name fool you – it’s actually an all-in-one automated takeoff and estimating system.

Quest Estimator, the industry’s premier estimating software, has unique features that can help you experience unprecedented accuracy and efficiency – completing jobs up to 10 times faster than with obsolete manual methods like pencil and paper. These will give you the opportunity to bid more work and make more money.

Maxwell Systems Quest Estimator

The Estimate is where your bid really comes together. This feature enables you to create cost breakdowns by the criteria of your choice, generate lists of cost items and view subsets and subtotals of your estimate. You can also create estimate templates with items you regularly use, saving you from having to start from scratch each time you do an estimate.

The Summary screen is where you can subtotal costs from your estimate, organized by work breakdown structure codes. You have complete control over which codes you subtotal. The Summary screen also gives you the capability to set baseline costs and compare any changes in the estimate to those baselines.

Digitizer boards are sophisticated electronic tools

that enable you to measure quantities to 1/1000th of an inch. Also known as tablets,

digitizers are faster, more accurate and easier to use than

other types of takeoff tools. They are available either as a

hard board (pictured) or in a portable rollup version.

Maxwell Systems pioneered the interactive 3-D Visual Assemblies, which is like a graphical checklist that shows your structure coming together on a computer screen. This is a lifelike takeoff image that enables you to zoom, rotate, go inside and even separate the components of any structure. Though sophisticated in design, interactive 3-D Visual Assemblies couldn’t be easier to use. After you’ve digitized a structure, open the corresponding Visual Assembly. Adjust the parameters or quantities of your components as needed. Then save the Visual Assembly and send it to your estimate to generate your quantities and costs.

There’s no better way to create fast, accurate takeoffs. With just one measurement, you can complete your takeoff and instantly price out dozens of cost items. And when you’re done with one project, you can save your Visual Assemblies for use on future projects with similar structures.

Interactive 3-D Visual Assemblies will ensure you deliver an accurate bid, and give your clients a clear, impressive picture of their investment. They literally help you picture the winning bid.

This feature is completely customizable to the type of construction you do. If concrete is your specialty, for example, you’ll get a full set of concrete Visual Assemblies with Quest Estimator. We’ve created dozens of Visual Assemblies for all standard structures and put them together in packages that cater to the unique estimating requirements of your type of business.

Finishing Drywall Masonry Block

Picture the Winning Bid: The 3-D Visual Assembly

A Small Sampling of Our Visual Assemblies

Sitework Curb

Tiltup Panel Roofing Steep Slope

Concrete Slab: The expanded view enables you to separate all the components of a structure and view them individually from any angle.

Framing Wall Timber

For a fully integrated system, look to Maxwell Systems’ accounting products. These integrate directly with our estimating products, providing you with the convenience of a complete construction management solution from one company.

A fully integrated system is beneficial to everyone from the estimator up to the chief executive officer. While estimators and accountants benefit from our programs’ accuracy and ease of use, management

also enjoys an unprecedented overview of their entire business process from takeoff to cash. A Maxwell Systems construction management solution enables managers to get a true measurement of the efficiency and accuracy of their team.

Proposal WriterSimplify the process of creating and tracking proposals with Proposal Writer. This optional module helps Maxwell Systems estimating software users quickly accumulate bid details and produce proposals in the format desired by your customers. A Proposal Wizard guides you through a three-step process to include just the right amount of detail in every proposal. Proposal Writer features also include:

• Proposal Tracking: Proposal Writer helps you organize proposals by status and by color coding for a quick look at outstanding proposals.

• Memo Fields: Create memos of unlimited length for in-depth specifications. These specifications may be visible or hidden when compiling proposals.

• Historical Records: Proposal Writer provides easy access to historical proposals for reference.

Fully Integrated Construction Business Management Software Solutions

Look to an Industry Veteran

Solid Solutions and Support from an Industry LeaderWith over three decades of expertise in the industry, Maxwell Systems is a leading provider of construction business management solutions. We’re not here just to provide you software, however; we offer complete support and training to complement our products.

A Variety of Training and Support OptionsMaxwell Systems has one of the most comprehensive support programs available, including dedicated customer service representatives, access to technical support, software updates, training, and more. Our technical support team is available to assist you for emergency support 24 hours a day. We provide

updated versions of our software on a regular basis, so you always have the best estimating technology available. We also offer flexible training options; participate in a training session at one of our corporate locations, or learn closer to home at a regional training session, in a private one-on-one session, or through Training on Demand.

In addition, we offer professional services including consulting. We can help you use your system to its fullest potential and apply the technology to your specific needs.

Founded in 1975, Maxwell Systems is an industry leader in construction business management and property management software solutions and services. We’re dedicated to helping our 10,000 customers streamline their estimating, job cost accounting, and project management processes and

improve profitability. Maxwell Systems possesses the knowledge and experience to help customers grow their business while maximizing the return on their technology investment. Our headquarters are in King of Prussia, PA, with offices in Baltimore, MD, Fort Collins, CO, Santa Cruz, CA, and Sarasota, FL.

For more information on Maxwell Systems,visit www.maxwellsystems.com or call 1-800-688-8226, press 1.

© 2007 Maxwell Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Maxwell Systems, Quest, and Estimator are trademarks of Maxwell Systems, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies or owners.

Maxwell Systems has made all due effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this document. Maxwell Systems assumes no liability for any damages incurred directly from any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information contained in this document. The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

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