ICS Software FAQs - ICS Controls Inc.

Will Concerto work in a Network Environment?
Concerto can share information (databases, templates, user profiles,...) across a network. Seats enjoy unlimited portability away from the office network 'umbilical cord'. All that is standard - no special or extra-cost modules are required for this.

Will Concerto work on a Notebook computer?
Yes, Concerto can operate on a notebook whether or not connected to a network. After a road trip, when returning to the office and connecting to the network, databases and template files are automatically synchronized.

Can Concerto handle the multiple product lines we carry?
Yes, Concerto is designed to work with any manufacturer's product line. Various products can easily coexist in the databases, and the search methods support multiple product lines. You can even mix currencies.

We use a spread sheet or MS Access system we've developed in-house, how will we benefit from Concerto?
In-house systems can sometimes be sufficient for your needs.

Feedback from clients that have switched to Concerto give some of the following as additional benefits from a commercial estimating system.

1) Concerto allows integration with other business processes.

2) The power of Concerto enables much faster estimate creation with a higher degree of consistency and accuracy.

3) When hiring new staff, starting a new business, expanding an estimator's duties and when desiring to increase employee effectiveness, Concerto provides a proven and reliable platform to help implement standards.

4) Your existing databases or spreadsheets can likely be converted to the Concerto Database format. Contact ICS for details.

Finally, before placing too much trust in your spreadsheet, you may want to have a look at this website that exposes some horror stories about spreadsheet errors. These are expensive errors made by accountants and other number-crunching professionals - perhaps your estimators are vulnerable too?

Implementing new tools often results in a learning curve. How long will it take for me to be comfortable with Concerto?
Real world feedback indicates that the process can take as little as 2-3 estimates to become comfortable with Concerto, but most people require 5-6 estimates to become believers. Additionally, there are a lot of very useful tools and flexibility within the program, so that users can perform very powerful adjustments, changes and 'what-if' scenarios to differentiate their proposals from the competition.

How many estimates can I store in Concerto?
There is no limit. Each estimate is a standalone file that contains all data necessary to calculate that project. That also means that you can email an estimate to a co-worker; and even if he does not have your product database, he can still view your complete estimate. For security, you can limit access to the estimate to users from your site only

How many items can the database hold?
Again, there is no artificial limit. We recommend that the database should contain enough products to support all of your anticipated projects. If the database becomes larger, there are several features to assist users in finding products quickly. That includes a "Frequently Used" parts flag and our powerful Search and Sizing utility for Valves. However unnecessarily large product databases are probably counter-productive. Of course, in Concerto a user can dynamically switch between databases, which leads some users to keep larger supplier databases as separate files, to be 'mined' if and when needed by quickly jumnping into that database, and returing to their normal, smaller 'core' database. We also offer a free tool that automatically distills your 'core' database from devices you use in ongoing or past estimates. This provides a small 'core' database, while at the same time keeping a 'large' list of products available for 1-click access. Best of both worlds?

Can we backup estimates on a network drive?
Yes, an estimate is normally placed on your own PC, but can be saved to a network or other drive. There is also an auto-backup feature (e.g. to a server?) that helps you safely store estimates, and recover them if your PC's hard drive has a failure. This also allows a manager to view all the site's estimates easily without requiring access to estimator PC's.

How is labor estimated?
Labor factors are attached to devices and codes in the product database. This provides flexibility, rational and emotion-free (i.e. fact-based) cost estimating, and high-speed estimate preparation. Labor tasks are determined from field-tested values established over many 20 years. A rich set of reality-based adjustments are available. In addition, 'Labor by System' can be assigned via Standard System tables, and a Hybrid approach (partly by device, partly by system) is often used as well.

How is material cost estimated?
Material costs are derived from list prices, and take the contractor's net cost multiplier(s) into account to arrive at accurate net costs. Cost escalations / changes can be included for long-duration jobs. Each supplier can have several discount multipliers for specified product families.

We perform contracts in more than one location. Can Concerto accommodate that?
Concerto has multiple administrator-created templates to handle various locations, different customer types, government work, out-of-town and out-of-state work, different countries, etc. .

Can Concerto provide a Schedule of Values?
Concerto has a standard S.O.V. breakout feature that provides the required detail in seconds. You can also front-load certain (material?) costs to help manage cashflow, and bill for mobilization costs.

Is the database shared among users?
Yes - and no. A site can have a master database (both Core and General DB's) that is maintained by one person. That master database is automatically distributed to all users. However it is also possible to operate the software on a notebook, away from the office and while NOT connected to the network. The database is automatically re-synchronized with the office master when the user returns to the office and/or plugs in to the network. This offers the best of both world: shared databases, with the ability to work away from the office environment. This also means that there is no limit on how many users the software can support simultaneously.

Can we put together assemblies?
Assemblies of "kits" are supported. A kit is an assembly of two or more (no limit) of items that are often estimated together as a group. However see the 'Libraries' feature, which is essentially a 'super-kit'.

How are subcontracts handled?
Estimators can put electrical work or mechanical work into their own cost estimate, or can 'toggle it out' to subcontract all or part of that work to an outside contractor. Subcontracts can also be calculated and/or entered at the 'System' level, providing additional cost breakout features.

Can Concerto produce schedules?
I/O point, damper and valve schedule creation is also supported in Concerto Enterprise.

What about Manufacturers Product databases?
Users can create and maintain their own product databases via the Database Manager. Responding to many requests, ICS builds and maintains product databases for manufacturers that our BAS Concerto customers want to buy products from. Concerto users and interested vendors or manufacturers may contact ICS to discuss database availability.

How does a user obtain program updates?
Registered automatically download new versions when the software senses their availability, and the latest program features are installed without a single click.

We want to purchase and run the program right away. How quickly can you get us going?
You can download the full program using an ICS provided link. You'll also need a license file (downloaded) and initial database (custom created for you, and sent via email or download link). Often, users can get going within a few hours. All files are downloadable for immediate delivery.

Can anyone download the update files?
Only registered subscribers on a maintenance plan are authorized to download and install the update files.

Is user training available?
We provide free web-based, self-paced tutorials, training materials, help files and user manuals. There is also customized on-site training available. Periodically, ICS conducts training workshops in various locations (Maximum participants: 14 people).

You can also contact ICS.