Autodesk recently announced it will acquire ProEst, a cloud-based estimating solution that enables construction companies to create estimates, perform digital takeoffs, generate reports and proposals, and manage bid-day processes.
Autodesk said it plans to integrate ProEst with Autodesk Construction Cloud, a management platform that connects teams, data, and workflows across the building lifecycle.
“The acquisition will strengthen Autodesk Construction Cloud’s preconstruction offerings and empower construction teams to manage all their critical preconstruction and construction workflows on one platform,” the company added.
ProEst “translates project scope quickly and easily, turning drawings, specifications and models into material, labor and equipment costs,” Autodesk continued when announcing the acquisition. “As a result, teams are not only able to supercharge the estimation process and build stronger bids, but also minimize project risks and heighten their chances of winning work. With ProEst’s cloud-based solution, customers can also access estimating information from anywhere, at any time, and improve third-party cost databases to streamline estimation workflows. The acquisition of ProEst will complement Autodesk Construction Cloud’s best-in-class cost management capabilities and allow teams to track costs against estimates and provide greater visibility to increase the probability of project success.”
When the impending acquisition—which should close by January 31—was announced, users of Autodesk Construction Cloud and ProEst offered praise for the systems.
“We pride ourselves on delivering quality projects safely, within budget and in a timely manner,” said Luis Berumen, vice president of innovation and technology for Bartlett Cocke General Contractors. “Autodesk Construction Cloud helps us manage our projects by enhancing collaboration across various phases and workflows and adding ProEst’s cloud-based estimating capabilities to the mix will further our ability to deliver quality projects efficiently.”
“ProEst enables us to produce estimates faster, consistently and more accurately throughout the design process and in collaboration with our partners, thereby improving overall efficiency,” said Manny Innamorato, chief information officer for the New York City School Construction Authority. “As a public entity, our mission is to build and modernize New York City’s schools in a responsible, cost-effective manner while still achieving the highest standards of excellence in safety, quality and integrity. With Autodesk Construction Cloud and ProEst now joining forces, we look forward to connecting our estimation data more seamlessly with our downstream construction workflows so we can stay on track and deliver on our mission in a more streamlined manner.”
Among Autodesk Construction Cloud’s capabilities is BuildingConnected, which is the platform’s builders network, featuring more than a million construction professionals. BuildingConnected encompasses TradeApp, which uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to qualify contractors and, Autodesk says, mitigate project risk.
“Estimation significantly impacts downstream construction workflows, but is often a disconnected and manual process, which creates room for errors that can lead to cost and schedule issues later in a project lifecycle,” said Jim Lynch, senior vice president and general manager of Autodesk Construction Solutions. “Our acquisition of ProEst will allow construction teams to connect accurate estimates with the rest of their project data to minimize the risk of cost and schedule overruns and drive successful project outcomes. ProEst shares our vision for digital transformation in construction and we look forward to bringing their estimating solution to Autodesk Construction Cloud.”
“Our goal has always been to reimagine the construction estimating process and offer the most advanced functionality possible,” said Jeff Gerardi, ProEst’s founder and chief executive officer. “We have enabled teams to move away from paper documents and spreadsheets and, thanks to our cloud-based platform, break down on-premise software silos with seamless integration. Autodesk’s vision of connecting construction from end to end is one we fully believe in, and we’re excited to join an outstanding preconstruction offering to deliver on that vision.”