Are you trying to manage your estimating without software, or with antique software?
Or software that doesn't match the needs of your business?
Or possibly an old spreadsheet that is so complicated that no one understands it any more?

Join the 1200+ companies who have discovered a better way to bid with QuoteExpress estimating software for HVAC and Piping contractors. Our integrated line of labor and cost estimating software increases productivity by allowing you to bid on MORE jobs in LESS time with more accurate data. Our estimating products provide a rapid return on investment with typical productivity increases of up to three times over other methods.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SALES REP

Responsibilities:

Responsible for developing new business and generating additional sales with current customers through phone calls, networking, and travel. Demonstrate software via online demos, office visits, and tradeshows. Must be knowledgeable of all Quote Software and competing products, provide on-going technical or customer support after the sale (when necessary), and be responsible for the day-to-day sales interface with customers and prospects. The position requires the individual to be familiar with Quote Software’s company policies and procedures, and maintain detailed communication with other departments including accounting, tech support, shipping, etc.

Requirements:
* Live in or willing to relocate to Denver / Colorado Springs CO area
* Travel up to 25%

Call Todd Liebbe 1-800-813-7020.


CURRENT ARTICLES

SALESPEOPLE: WORK FOR QUOTE SOFTWARE!
New Employment Opportunity... CLICK FOR MORE

WHY QUOTEEXPRESS?
Ease of Use, Reporting... CLICK FOR MORE

QUOTEEXPRESS ON-SCREEN
Item Input without a digitizer could be the future... CLICK FOR MORE

TOP TEN FRUSTRATIONS
Too many screens!! Too much training!!
Not with QuoteExpress...
CLICK FOR MORE

CLIENT SUCCESS
Customers who switched tell you why... CLICK FOR MORE

DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
Calculating the Return on Investment when buying estimating software... CLICK FOR MORE

INDUSTRIAL DATABASE SOLUTIONS
Labor-by-Joint Industrial database now available as an add-in purchase... CLICK FOR MORE

THE CANADIAN CONNECTION
Canadian mechanical estimators can import list pricing through Allpri$er... CLICK FOR MORE

WHY QUOTE EXPRESS?

Over the last thirteen years, we have partnered with diverse companies from the oldest family-owned sheet metal shops to the newest startup contractors. We now include as our customers the largest fabricators and manufacturers as well. Let us be a part of your success.

Here are a few reasons why mechanical estimators (including plumbing estimators, refrigeration estimators, and HVAC estimators) choose QuoteExpress:

EASE OF USE: Our typical customer is up and running with just over two hours of phone & web training, and ready to bid in days, (compared to other estimating packages that may require weeks of costly training). Our trainers work closely with estimators to set up the software to their individual requirements and specifications. For those who prefer in person training, we offer a variety of onsite or classroom training options.

FAMILIAR REPORTING: We have dozens of standard reports available, and they are ALL customizable. Don't like any of those? We can consult with you and create a custom report that looks like the one you're used to. All of our reports are integrated with Excel, and can be exported to your own sheet. Preview all of the reports on screen.

VISUAL DATA: QuoteExpress offers visual representations of fittings and accessories. QuoteExpress On-Screen allows you to import image files and do your take-off right on the drawing, so that you can do a paperless take-off.

INPUT OPTIONS: Do your take-off with QuoteExpress On-Screen, digitizer, mouse, VTO (voice take-off)

LABOR DATABASE: QuoteExpress Sheet Metal Estimating includes an accurate and customizable labor database derived from extensive per piece construction labor studies performed over ten years. QuoteExpress Piping (& plumbing estimating software) also includes MCAA / PHCC labor or optional user customizable labor.

MATERIALS DATABASE: Maintaining accurate material cost is the cornerstone for accurate HVAC, plumbing and piping estimating. QuoteExpress Piping provides a link to update material costs with integration provided by Harrison Pricing Services and a comprehensive database of over 80,000 items is preloaded. We are constantly adding new items especially for Refrigeration estimators and other specialty areas. QuoteExpress SheetMetal has an easily customizable materials database with hundreds of specific and custom items.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT: Our dedicated product development team ensures that our software is serving customers well by keeping pace with new technologies and market requirements. For example, we are a Microsoft Certified partner. We also play key role in industry initiatives like the development of the National Performance Based Estimating (PBE) standard. We commonly update our estimating software several times a year; unlike other companies, however, our improvements are based on requests from contractors. These updates are free the first year and always included with active technical support.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT & TRAINING: We are proud to have what we are certain is the best technical support team in the business. Our team is made up of HVAC and Piping professionals that understand your needs. Compare with companies with technical support that have no industry knowledge. We have invested heavily in expanding our training and implementation capabilities recently and now feature a well-regarded training center at our corporate headquarters and a regular slate of regional training events across North America. We have a toll-free support line with more than 95% of calls answered immediately. You never have to wait for answers to your questions.


This is the QuoteExpress Advantage! BACK TO TOP



QUOTEEXPRESS ON-SCREEN


QUOTE SOFTWARE, INC. ANNOUNCES QUOTEEXPRESS ON-SCREEN

QuoteExpress Users Import Electronic Drawings for Paper-Free Take Offs




WATCH THE VIDEO of the demonstration
WATCH THE POWERPOINT OVERVIEW
CONTACT US FOR A DEMO

QUOTEEXPRESS USERS IMPORT ELECTRONIC DRAWINGS FOR PAPER-FREE TAKEOFFS

Eugene OR., October 3, 2007 — Quote Software Inc. today announced the release of QuoteExpress On-Screen, an extension to the QuoteExpress Sheet Metal estimating and QuoteExpress Piping estimating products (for mechanical estimating, plumbing estimating, refrigeration estimating, and specialty piping estimating). With QuoteExpress’ renowned ease of use and quick set-up, QuoteExpress On-Screen promises to be the easiest and fastest on screen input available.

On-Screen removes the need for a digitizer pen and paper prints, while still giving estimators the ability to input directly from the engineering drawings. On-Screen allows users to import a drawing file into QuoteExpress and display it on the computer monitor. Takeoff is performed with the mouse instead of a digitizer pen, and on-screen icons allow users to scale ductwork, pipe and add fittings and equipment. QuoteExpress continues to provide customers with all the capabilities of our standard digitized Take-Off, plus allowing the option of on screen input to input fittings such as duct, pipe, elbows, reducers, and taps. With our quick set–up and ease of use, you can be producing flexible and accurate bids in hours.

"Quote Software is excited to bring On-Screen to our ductwork and piping estimating solutions," said Kerry Brainard, Chief Executive Officer. "On-Screen gives our clients the power of a digitizer - without the paper plans."

On-Screen is available now.

News Updates

ON-LINE DEMO OF ON-SCREEN
Eugene OR., October 19th, 2007 - The recent web demonstrations of Quote Software's On-Screen module attracted dozens of attendees. Quote Software president and founder Kerry Brainard explained the benefits and features of this exciting addition to the takeoff methods that work with QuoteExpress.

EVALUATION COPIES
Eugene OR., October 31, 2007 — Quote Software Inc. began releasing another wave of Evaluation copies to customers who signed up early for QuoteExpress On-Screen. The next wave is scheduled for mid-November. We appreciate your patience as we roll out this new software with deliberate speed, so that we can properly manage the installation, update, and feedback process.

.pdf SUPPORT
Eugene OR, December 21, 2007 -- Quote Software, Inc. announced today that the QuoteExpress On-Screen product will soon support the Adobe Acrobat format (.pdf), as well as standard image formats. The Acrobat format is commonly used for saving and emailing drawings. This added feature should be available in early 2008.

WATCH THE VIDEO of the demonstration
WATCH THE POWERPOINT OVERVIEW
CONTACT US FOR A DEMO

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TOP TEN ESTIMATING FRUSTRATIONS

1. Software is to darn hard to use!
Some software programs have too many screens and too many features that are never used. Quote Software’s design is simple. The screens are easy to use, and so intuitive that you are able to spend time estimating and not looking around the program for the hidden items you need.


2. Speed of Takeoff
If you ask estimators where they spend the majority of their time, they will say “takeoff.” Most systems make you go through multiple screens to go through when doing takeoff. Our takeoff screen shows all pipe, fittings, valves, specialty items, equipment and assemblies all on one screen. You can takeoff any item, in any order, at any time with QuoteExpress. QuoteExpress plumbing estimating and HVAC estimating is the easiest to use.


3. Pre-built assemblies
When other companies ship their software product, how many assemblies are already built and installed? It’s great that software companies show you how to build assemblies in training, but will you remember how to do it when you get back to the office, or will you have time to build all the assemblies you need? QuoteExpress has over 150 assemblies already built into the system. In addition, QuoteExpress Takeoff includes a picture of the assembly as well as a material list when you select the assembly, so you know exactly what’s going into your bid.


4. Training
Training is a necessary requirement of all estimating packages. With the competition you spend as many as 5 days away in a training class, then you head home. But before you can implement the system, and start using what you learned, you have to catch up on your 5 days of missed work. Meanwhile, the software sits. With each passing day, the knowledge of the system leaves you. Quote Software has a better solution. We train you over the internet or at your site. We fill out the data as you go. Instead of 5 days to get trained, you can get a good start on implementation in just 3 days and be using the system immediately.


5. Inability to rollout the solution to everyone - a true company wide solution
Can everyone in your company use the same software? Will they remember how to use it after several weeks away from the software? One of the most compelling reasons to switch to QuoteExpress is that mechanical estimators, hvac estimators, sales engineers, and project mangers can utilize our software. More importantly, they will remember how to use it after being away from their computers. Quote Software created a simple and intuitive interface that helps drive users through the repeated estimating process.


6. Batch File Technology - Outdated Applications
Other estimating systems contain batch file technology. This is an outdated application that was the standard in the past when computers didn't have the horsepower they have today. How do you know if you are looking at a batch file system? Take of a piece of pipe and if it doesn't tell you right away what kind of pipe it is then you have a batch file system. The problem with a system with no real time feed back is that it’s extremely hard to get project managers and part-time estimators to use it. They just can’t see what the system is calculating so they tend not to trust it, and go back to their manual ways.


7. Inability to send the entire estimate into Excel
You takeoff pipe, fittings, and equipment from the blueprint and you expect it all to roll directly into your estimating recap. Most other estimating systems can’t move every item into the Excel Recap. When bid day comes, you have to jump between Excel Recap and your software package. With QuoteExpress, ALL items are exported to Excel. You can use one software program to do your bidding. And if you are currently using Excel as your Recap, we can populate our data into your existing spreadsheet.


8. Outdated Digitizer Interface
The days of using menus and multiple input devices as the sole input methods are over. The digitizer interface with QuoteExpress’ package eliminates the need of having to constantly put the pen down to grab a mouse because the pen is the mouse. Having to constantly go to a menu that is 2 to 3 feet away from your work area is unnecessary. With the pen acting as the mouse, you can move to a fitting you want on the screen. Push the pen down and the system knows that it’s time to measure or count. QuoteExpress is also on the forefront of On-Screen and Touch-Screen takeoff methods.


9. Too long of wait times with Customer Support
When you have a question, the best time to get it answered is right now - 97% of Quotes Software’s technical support calls are answered within 3 minutes. With our simpler to use solution, you have fewer questions, and when you do have a question, they tend to be easier to answer. This means less time on the phone talking to tech support and more time doing estimates. In addition, it sure helps when the people in the support department are from the construction industry. (Ours are)


10. The system is entirely Specification Driven
When an estimating software company talked about “specifications or specs”, it used to be about pipe, fittings, valves, and hangers. These “spec-driven “systems did a great job with these items until you needed a flange or fitting that wasn’t in your specification. You then had to “trick” the system. A modern estimating solution should allow you step away from the specs and take off items right from the database when you need to. QuoteExpress lets you add ANY item from the database to your takeoff at anytime - true "on the fly" changes. It’s spec-driven but not spec-limited.
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CLIENT SUCCESS

Comments from Mechanical Estimators, HVAC Estimators, and business owners

Hamlin Sheet Metal Co
Garner, NC
Robin Stegall

"Our experience with FABshop to this date has been nothing less than wonderful. Our estimators brag on the ability to work quotes quickly, as well as the ability to price in the manner that we so choose for each item."
"The ease of adding our various connectors has also made this program very user friendly for Hamlin Sheet Metal Co and I am sure most fabricators. By FABshop providing the documents that our people and our customers are familiar with, we have streamlined the order entry process."


Young and Pratt, Inc.
Manor, TX
Dave Zern

"I've gone with higher priced packages and bought into 5 days of training. Weeks turned into months and I was still not implemented. I could have made it work but I have a business to run."
"My business is building things, not spending time learning how to use an estimating package. I purchased the Express Piping, called to install, asked a few questions, and now I am bidding and being competitive."


Foley Co.
Kansas City, MO
Steve Hancock

"The support after the sale was better than good, it was outstanding. The implementation went well. It went much faster than I thought it would.
"This software is faster than the other software we were using. It especially makes calculations faster."


S.P. McCarl & Co. Inc.
Altoona, PA
Steve Shank

"We made the switch - We started with Quote Software’s Sheet Metal and just added the Piping. My thought on estimating is to get into takeoff and get it done. I brought in one of my Foreman to do takeoff and with less than half an hour of training, he took the entire job off. I couldn't have done this with other systems.
"From field guys, project mangers, and full time estimators, this is the total company estimating solution."


Mech One
Colorado Springs, CO
Mike Daugharty

"We are a smaller company and needed a package to get started with before we upgraded to one of the bigger more expensive packages. We won’t have to upgrade because this package does more than the other packages at a fraction of the cost. Don’t think you’re big enough yet? Check out their price for the Pro package and upgrade to Server later."


Halo Sheet Metal
Lakewood, NJ
Bob Gumnick

"We needed information in Excel and never found another system that dumped the quantity of information that QuoteExpress exports. Everything we takeoff in QuoteExpress finds a home in our custom Excel spreadsheet."


Arpi’s Ltd.
Calgary, Canada
Henry Brander

"A person with any estimating experience should be able to use the program right away … I could see all our cost data instantly with QuoteExpress. We also re-used all of our existing digitizers with QuoteExpress."

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Drawing Conclusions

An Article By Todd Liebbe


Now may be the time to invest in mechanical estimating, plumbing estimating, or hvac estimating software. Work is harder to get. Your margins aren't where you'd like them and your backlog is down. You had to pass on several bids last week because you just didn't have time. You made a mistake on a bid that cost your company a lot of money.

Sound familiar? How would you like to take care of these issues? A new estimating-software package may be the answer. To get work done, you must be able to do estimates quickly and accurately. Whether it's a design-build, plan and spec, or negotiated project, you need to know your costs to perform the work and make the profits you are after.

An estimating package can help you analyze the cost of running different specifications in seconds, compared with the hours it would take to do the work by hand. For example, if a project's engineers call and want to see the cost of lined vs. non-lined ductwork, you can provide them the answer while they're still on the phone.


Know Your Workload

To determine if you need a plumbing estimating, mechanical estimating or hvac estimating system, look at how many hours you are currently spending estimating and quoting work.

If you wanted to see a decent return on a software investment, it used to be that you had to spend at least 20 hours a week on estimating work. Now with packages priced less than $10,000 and many available for half that, an estimating system may be worthwhile if you only use it 10 hours a week.

To figure out if a system is right for your company, create a payback sheet or what many people refer to as ROI (return on investment) statement. Here is an example so you can see how the formulas work. For this example, assume the contractor does $1 million in annual volume, all on plan-and-spec work. Officials currently spend 15 hours per week on estimating. The workers earn an average of $35 per hour.

To see if a system would work for your company, start by adding up your current estimating hours. Don't forget to plug in hours for doing change orders - something often overlooked. The number you come up with will be the total hours estimating per week. Then look at the wages. Put your figures into this formula:

Total hours estimating per week x average hourly wages x workweeks per year = estimating cost per year

15 hours x $35 per hour x 48 workweeks = $25,200

If your total is more than $10,000, consider an estimating system. The savings could be substantial. Start with the time you spend "stripping off" the drawing, because that's where many people see the biggest impact and spend most of their time. Estimating packages sometimes come with a device called a "digitizer." A digitizer is a board, typically larger than your drawings, which allows you to measure and count items by touching points with a penlike device. The pen sends a signal whenever it is tapped down on the board, marking the position. It makes the traditional scale rule unnecessary.


When to Buy

If you're a small contractor, you may be able to save money by purchasing a digitizer later. However, if you spend more than 15 hours a week on estimating, a digitizer is worth considering immediately.

When looking at a digitizer, check how its design has you access the items that are not on the unit's menus. Does it require two input devices: a computer mouse and a pen? Count the total number of keystrokes when having to take off a piece of ductwork. Extra steps could add up to lots of time when you repeat that keystroke a few hundred times a day.

You want the system to be as efficient as possible. A more simple, intuitive interface can make the difference between a system that sits on the shelf and one that becomes an integral part of your estimating process. Productivity can vary significantly, based on the software package you purchase. Compared to manual estimating, you can expect 40 percent to 80 percent more productivity with a "digitizer takeoff," and 30 percent to 60 percent more with a "mouse takeoff."

The two biggest areas where many people spend the most time on a system is on takeoffs and extensions. Your percentage of savings will vary depending on how you are currently doing them. For example, assume that you do everything manually. Say that 60 percent of your time will be doing the takeoff and other 40 percent will be doing extensions.

Takeoff can include stripping off the drawing, but it can also include setting up the pricing and specification tables.

Total hours estimating per week x 0.6 x 48 workweeks per year = current time spent doing takeoffs

15 hours x 60% x 48 = 432 hours

Take the number from the above formula and assuming you will be using a digitizer station, plug it into this formula:

Current takeoff time x wages x 50% productivity savings = cost hours saved for takeoff

432 hours x $35 per hour x 50% = $7,560


'Batch-File' and 'Real-Time'

All estimating systems perform extensions, but all do it differently. There are primarily two types of systems: "batch-file" technology and "real-time" technology. With batch-file systems, you do your takeoff and when you run reports, the system does the calculations. With real-time systems, as you take off items, the system does the extensions at the same time.

Many people find the real-time system more efficient. It gives operators the ability to see answers without having to run a report. This can significantly reduce implementation and training time, because you can see exactly what the system is doing. The savings can be more significant than those that come from using a digitizer, since using a real-time system is up to 80 percent faster than doing the same work manually.

Total hours estimating per week x 0.4 percent x 48 workweeks = current time spent doing extensions

15 hours x 0.4 percent x 48 = 288 hours

Time currently spent doing extensions x wages x 80 percent productivity savings = savings cost

288 x $35 per hour x 0.8 = $8,064

Add the new cost of doing extensions to the new estimating cost of takeoffs and you'll get the total cost savings.

New cost of extensions + new takeoff estimating cost = total cost savings

$8,064 + $7,560 = $15,624

Now take your total cost savings and subtract it from the current estimating hours.

Current estimating cost - total cost savings = new cost

$25,200 - $15,624 = $9,576


Picking a System

If a system costs $10,000, you would recoup your costs in less than a year.

Figuring out those formulas was the easy part. Now you have to pick the system that is right for your company. Start by creating a list of the features you want. Remember a feature is only worthwhile if it benefits your company. Ask yourself: What percentage of your clients would use that feature?

Do you focus on plumbing estimating? Refrigeration estimating? Wastewater? Ductwork estimating? What features does the system that you're looking have that can help you in your particular area.

The Internet has changed everything, even shopping for plumbing estimating software, mechanical estimating software, or hvac estimating software systems. A few years ago, one of the issues contractors faced was the amount of time between presentations for different software packages. Because of the difficulty coordinating times, contractors often saw products weeks or months apart. That made it difficult to remember if one system stood out from another.

With the majority of estimating software companies now offering presentations via the Internet or with free-trial periods, it's easier to compare products while they are still fresh in your mind. Try to see different products within a couple days of each other. If questions come up, call the supplier. Remember, online presentations not only save you time, they save suppliers time as well, so they should be willing to help you.

Judging from a list of references furnished by the software company can be difficult. Odds are the people only have good things to say, otherwise the company would not have provided the list. Instead, ask to talk to officials from companies that went through a recent evaluation or better yet, ask to talk to people who recently switched from other systems.

Keep in mind that as fast a technology is changing, opinions about a system purchased three years ago doesn't mean much today.

The true cost is the price of the software, plus the cost of implementing the system. If you're not careful, implementation costs can exceed the price of the software. Ask the manufacturer what training is provided. Do they train over the Internet, or is it in a classroom? How long is it? How many students will be in the class? Will you be able to come back and re-train if needed?

Make sure you get a complete answer. A company may say they provide online training; however, they may not readily tell you it only happens after classroom sessions. If your company can't afford to have staff gone to classes for days at a time, then Internet training is essential.

(Todd Liebbe is vice president of sales at Quote Software, Inc., a Eugene, Oregon based manufacturer of HVAC estimating, plumbing estimating, and mechanical estimating systems.)

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INDUSTRIAL DATABASE SOLUTIONS

Quote Software now has a labor-by-joint industrial database available for purchase as an add-in to our mechanical estimating software.  It allows the user to takeoff as they do now but to also count shop and field joints to account for the labor.

The new database adds the following materials to our core of 75,000 items, and includes pipe, fittings, flanges and valves for:

Chrome Moly (P1, P5, P9, P11, P12, P22, P91)
Carbon Steel (A106B, A53, A106C)
Stainless Steel (A312 and A778 for 304, 304L, 316, 316L)

We include the following for all of the above: Sch 40, 60, 80, 100, 120,140, 160, XH, and XXH as well as Sch 5 and 10 for SS and the minimum wall thicknesses (0.5”, 0.75”, 1.0”, 1.5”, 2”, 3”, 4”, and 6”) for Chrome Moly.   While many of the Carbon Steel and Stainless Steel items were in our original database, the new industrial database allows the users to assign the labor task to the joint and not to the pipe, fittings and valves (as MCA does).  That being said, you will still be able to assign labor to those items, which you might use to account for material handling.

Once you are done with the takeoff, you can export the BOM to Excel and email to a vendor and later import it back into our program.  We also will report diameter inches with the shop and field joints.

PLEASE CALL 1-800-813-7020 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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QUOTEEXPRESS ALLPRI$ER CONNECTION

Canadian contractors will appreciate the connection between QuoteExpress and the Allpri$er pricing systems. Allpriser Ltd has been publishing the standard Plumbing and Heating pricing reference guide in Canada since 1919. With a subscription to Allpri$er, you can import changes to list prices for tens of thousands of items right into QuoteExpress Piping, and QuoteExpress will apply your discounts by manufacturer or commodity. www.allpriser.com

 

PLEASE CALL 1-800-813-7020 FOR MORE INFORMATION

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QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR SALES PERSON:

Why is QuoteExpress best for Plumbing Estimating, Refrigeration Estimating, Mechanical Estimating, HVAC Estimating?

Can specialty contractors use QuoteExpress (stainless steel manufacturers, light commercial estimators, government contract estimators (schools, hospitals, etc.).

How can QuoteExpress link sheet metal fabricators with estimators? How can estimators automatically upload orders to fabricators right from a takeoff?

How can a plumbing estimator get pricing directly from Harrison Publishing or from Allpri$er (Allpriser) Pricing Guide?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More about QuoteExpress :

QuoteExpress (QXP) is Plumbing estimating software, piping estimating software, HVAC estimating software, Ductwork estimating software. Bidding on wastewater jobs, stainless steel, and specialty mechanical jobs can be done with QuoteExpress, and Quote Software. Estimators who need quotes on sheet metal should use QuoteExpress estimating software. We sell GTCO digitizers, and sell AutoDesk AutoCAD (including AutoCAD MEP (AutoCAD Building Systems - ABS) and AutoCAD Revit MEP), and Atlantic digitizer stands. Digitizer takeoff and On-Screen input help you bid jobs faster. Our software has fittings elbows, turn vanes, rooftop units, pressure files, reducers, dampers. You can choose ductwork with liner or ductwork with wrap. We are Eugene, Oregon based with a Colorado sales office and an Illinois sales office. Fabricating facilites need quoting software. Fitting manufacturers use our quoting software. Automated quotes through FabShop- transmit quotes. Piping pricing updates through Harrison publishing. Allpriser pricing service too. (Allpri$er pricing service) for Canadian mechanical estimators. Software sales contact VP Sales Todd Liebbe (US & Canada), Bret Jenkins (US), Dan Phillips - South (Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina), Patrick O'Reilly - Southwest (California, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico), President Kerry Brainard.