Buildsoft Global vs. HCSS

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Buildsoft Global
Score 7.0 out of 10
N/A
Buildsoft headquartered in Sydney offers Global, a construction estimating and job analysis software tool. Buildsoft is a MiTek Australia company.N/A
HCSS
Score 9.5 out of 10
Mid-Size Companies (51-1,000 employees)
HCSS is a construction software suite. It includes functionality for bidding, time card and project management, safety, planning, scheduling, equipment management, and data warehousing and reporting. Each module can be purchased separately. The suite can be hosted in the cloud.N/A
Pricing
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeRequired
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Considered Both Products
Buildsoft Global
Chose Buildsoft Global
First, I want to share my feelings about this software. I am totally amused by this software because I can do my job in a perfect way. Cost accounting can be done easily by this software. The software can done its works very smoothly better than any software. It is a great …
HCSS
Chose HCSS
The company utilizes several platforms to achieve their overall project control goals.
Chose HCSS
I was not part of the team that looked at other potential products at the time of purchase of HCSS.
Chose HCSS
We did not try any other software. In discussions with employees that have worked with other companies, they said to go with the Cadillac of softwares from the get-go, and that's what we decided to do. We wouldn't have it any other way now that we have used HCSS.
Chose HCSS
We've used Sage in the past and even though I would say it's on par, it did not provide the integration that we needed for our new systems and databases.
Chose HCSS
I don't have any other to compare to, as my previous company we built a software system from the ground up that did all of these functions already.
Chose HCSS
We used to use Estimating Link. It was very helpful in our transition to a larger company. It was like HeavyBid light, but also a fraction of the cost.
Chose HCSS
Occasionally I have come across an individual you is a spreadsheet user for estimating. and has not used heavybid. Usually after a little bit of orientation the individual can readily see the increased efficiency and the potential for less errors. I have also talked to …
Chose HCSS
HCSS has mobile apps and is very attentive to its customer's needs. Support is awesome.
Chose HCSS
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 …
Chose HCSS
None. Outside of Excel spreadsheets Heavy Bid is the only estimating program I have used.
Chose HCSS
I've looked at a couple different software systems, both at this company and others, and nothing has compared to Heavy Bid and Heavy Job. The versatility and functions of both are truly amazing and have helped us in many ways. Other systems just don't compare.
Chose HCSS
Other estimating products I have used consist of ICE/MC2 and MS Excel. ICE was not a good fit for our company, as they have awful technical support and offer very poor training. MS Excel is great for simple estimates where there is not a lot of data being compiled. However …
Chose HCSS
HCSS is the best we have ever found.
Chose HCSS
In general, HCSS has allowed us to grow to a point with technology as a company where we're now confident in pursuing more advanced technologies to help in other back office areas. We have also been able to grow our IT support team to open new doors for us that didn't exist …
Chose HCSS
I worked for Kiewit for 26 years and they wrote their own program which is similar to HCSS, but their operations program was better than HCSS.
Chose HCSS
Bid2win, and Hard dollar.

Heavybid is far above both in terms of product features, but even if they were equal, HCSS support makes a huge difference.
Features
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Human Resource Management
Comparison of Human Resource Management features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
27% above category average
HCSS
-
Ratings
Employee demographic data10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Employment history10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Job profiles and administration10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Workflow for transfers, promotions, pay raises, etc.10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Organizational charting10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Organization and location management10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Payroll Management
Comparison of Payroll Management features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
27% above category average
HCSS
-
Ratings
Pay calculation10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Support for external payroll vendors10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Off-cycle/On-Demand payment10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Benefit plan administration10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Direct deposit files10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Salary revision and increment management10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Reimbursement management10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Asset Management
Comparison of Asset Management features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
33% above category average
HCSS
-
Ratings
Tracking of all physical assets10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Reporting & Analytics
Comparison of Reporting & Analytics features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
27% above category average
HCSS
-
Ratings
Dashboards10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Standard reports10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Custom reports10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Data exportability10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Construction Project & Field Management
Comparison of Construction Project & Field Management features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
28% above category average
HCSS
6.8
Ratings
10% below category average
Plan distribution & viewing10.00 Ratings6.90 Ratings
Plan markups & sharing10.00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
Issue tracking & punchlists10.00 Ratings9.90 Ratings
Photo documentation10.00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Jobsite reports10.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Document sharing10.00 Ratings7.10 Ratings
RFI tools10.00 Ratings3.00 Ratings
Collaboration & approvals10.00 Ratings4.00 Ratings
As-built drawings10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Mobile app10.00 Ratings6.10 Ratings
Submittal design and management10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Checklists10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Meeting Minutes10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Specifications10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Change orders10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
Buildsoft Global
10.0
Ratings
22% above category average
HCSS
-
Ratings
Takeoff tools10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Job costing10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost databases10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Cost calculator10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Bid creation10.00 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Small Businesses
FollowUp CRM
FollowUp CRM
Score 10.0 out of 10
FollowUp CRM
FollowUp CRM
Score 10.0 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
Enterprises
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
InEight
InEight
Score 8.3 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(0 ratings)
6.1
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.2
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Buildsoft GlobalHCSS
Likelihood to Recommend
Customer service is the main target for organisations where Buildsoft global is the perfect software. I am totally amused by this software. Cost accounting of the organisation can be easily done which is helping most. Sometimes it is lacking some criteria. With this software, we can not enter the total journal entries which are making some problems. However, it is great software.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Pros
  • Cost accounting
  • Customer service
  • Displays the job at a glance
Read full review
  • #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.
Read full review
Cons
  • Dates using is having some lackings
  • Can not enter multiple invoices
  • Can not enter journal entries
Read full review
  • 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.
Read full review
Usability
No answers on this topic
As mentioned, user interface appears messy and complicated at initial onset. Training is necessary but becomes easy to maneuver through after solid daily use.
Read full review
Support Rating
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
No answers on this topic
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.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
First, I want to share my feelings about this software. I am totally amused by this software because I can do my job in a perfect way. Cost accounting can be done easily by this software. The software can done its works very smoothly better than any software. It is a great software to me.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Best customers service
  • Perfect cost accounting
  • Imperfect match
Read full review
  • The biggest ROI for us was the ease of adoption by field personnel.
Read full review
ScreenShots

HCSS Screenshots

Screenshot of HeavyBid - build the structure of an estimateScreenshot of HeavyBid - manage sub and material quotesScreenshot of HeavyBid - create professional bid proposalsScreenshot of HeavyJob - manage a job site from a mobile deviceScreenshot of HeavyJob - capture job site photos from any deviceScreenshot of HeavyJob - review, edit, and approve time cards from a mobile device