SmartBid vs Bidtracer

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Our analysts compared SmartBid vs Bidtracer based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Bidding Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Bidtracer Software Tool

Product Basics

SmartBid by ConstructConnect is a mobile and web-based platform that helps general contractors and subcontractors streamline bidding processes. Users can send bid invitations, share documents, prequalify contractors and manage project data. It integrates with Procore, Dropbox and Autodesk BIM 360.

It ensures secure data storage, gives contractors access to qualified subs and corresponding contact information, and transfers documentation and attachments. Contractors can compare submitted bids by consolidating bid data, replacing spreadsheets and standardizing bid tabulation.
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Developed by Specialty Software Group, Bidtracer is a web-based software that offers project and bid managing, equipment tracking, and estimating functionalities. Contractors can track leads and opportunities with sales and marketing inclusions. It provides integration with Microsoft Outlook to help streamline communication. Project managers can export proposals to PDFs or Microsoft Word.

Store unlimited documents in a centralized database. Access files from remote locations using iOS or Android devices. Encourage workers to use prebuilt task lists to simplify work processes. Collaborative tools help promote harmony as well as improve productivity among employees.
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$450 Monthly
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$50/User, Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
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Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Increase Bid Coverage: Integrate with ConstructConnect and SmartInsight to access subcontractor databases. Grant subs access to project details. Compare multiple bids simultaneously to save time. 
  • Gain Vital Insights: Generate financial and project performance reports to make informed decisions. Monitor job statuses in real time through the dashboard. 
  • Stay Out of Legal Troubles: Enable subs to upload documents such as licenses, insurances and W-9 forms directly into the system. Send automated notifications to subcontractors when compliance is nearing expiration. 
  • Increase Team Collaboration: Integrate with takeoff solutions such as Procore, Stack and BIM 360 to encourage multiple estimators to work on the same project. 
  • Share Documents in Real Time: Leverage Microsoft Azure’s document management capabilities to maintain a centralized database with granular access controls. 
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  • Build Meaningful Relationships: Track leads and opportunities via the dashboard. Monitor workers' activities using Microsoft Outlook or the mobile app. Generate professional proposals to impress clients. 
  • Reduce Estimating Errors: Create accurate quotes with BAC estimation, product and valve selection, margin adjustment, and submittal builder capabilities. Export estimates to Excel for better visualization. 
  • Gain Data Visibility: Filter dashboards by divisions and subdivisions. Produce and analyze reports to identify trends and develop strategic plans. Utilize the project tree function to track tasks. 
  • Streamline Workflows: Enable subcontractors to view previous versions of digital plans with just a few clicks. Assign jobs to workers using Gantt scheduling functionality. 
  • Manage Bids: View customers' close rates to make informed decisions. Send ITBs to vendors and subs in seconds. Compare multiple proposals using the proposal pricing grid tool. 
  • Stay Mobile: Access documents from remote locations using internet-enabled devices. Create RFIs directly from plans using annotation capabilities. 
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  • Bid Invitations: Build custom mailing lists and edit bid invitations using mail editing functionality. Create ITBs using pre-built templates. 
  • Document Sharing: Upload project documents of different formats. Grant editing permissions to authorized users. Publish public documents to websites through XML integration. 
  • Mobile Interface: Use the mobile app to monitor bids and responses. Access project data off-site. 
  • Subcontractor Management: Manage a subcontractors’ network by integrating with public registries. 
    • Subcontractor Database: Import existing databases to find qualified subcontractors. Sort contacts by project types, trade codes and service areas. 
    • Bid Comparison: Analyze bid submissions and compare multiple bids to select the ideal subcontractor for the project. 
    • Prequalifications: Create custom forms online to collect subcontractors’ data consisting of supporting documents and confidentiality agreements. 
    • Nonconformance Tracking: Avoid manual data entry using optical character recognition technology. Enable subcontractors to upload compliance documents. Receive overdue nonconformance notifications to help ensure prompt action. 
  • Reports and Project Metrics: Generate color-coded reports to detect spam emails, duplicate companies and minorities. Create custom reports to track bidding processes. Analyze reports of subcontractors who received bid invitations and submitted bids. 
  • Integrations: Transition from pre-construction stage to building stage by integrating with Procore, Autodesk BIM 360 and Stack. Integrate with Dropbox to upload, store and share project files. 
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  • Bid Management: Enable estimators and salespeople to invite and send quotes to existing and potential customers. 
    • Bid Tracking: Track bids using follow-up tools. Generate custom reports and canned graphs to help create a sales funnel. 
    • Subcontractor Template: Access customizable templates to create ITBs quickly. 
    • Invitee Reports: Print an invitee list to view pricing broken down by custom-made categories. 
    • Pricing Grids: View subcontractor and vendor proposals to create pricing comparisons and make strategic decisions. 
    • NDA Signing: Encourage subcontractors to auto-sign NDAs to access important documents. 
    • Addenda Tracking: Automatically alert subcontractors of new addenda documents. Track addenda statuses to speed up bidding processes. 
    • Proposal Management: Upload and send proposals and construction documents into desired folders from Outlook. 
  • BAC Estimation: Create proposals using drag-and-drop functionality. 
    • Submittal Builder: Create professional binders and custom cover sheets to ensure the proper installation of products. Send proposals via email. 
    • Estimation: Add parts from the live pricing database to build predefined assemblies. Reuse systems to create several versions to accelerate estimating processes. 
    • Product Selection: Hover over a product part to view its description, including pricing, document links and images. View live pricing of the product from hundreds of sources. Filter data by prices. 
    • Valve Selection: Use the CV calculator to ensure that the valve meets project requirements. Filter data according to valve characteristics such as connection and flow types, piping actions, and body sizes. 
    • Engineering Tool: Make meaningful comparisons between the estimate and project design. 
    • Purchase Ordering: Create orders based on previous orders to save time. Enable workers to order the most common parts without any hassles. 
  • CRM: Track leads and opportunities using a built-in customer relationship management system. 
    • Charting and Grids: Generate 2D or 3D charts and grids to analyze workers’ activities displayed on manager dashboards. Filter data based on employees’ locations, divisions or types. 
    • Activity Tracking: Empower managers to identify flaws and analyze the productivity levels of salespeople. 
  • Project Management: Create COs from RFIs and track their statuses. Generate Gantt schedules directly from the system. Monitor plan changes using construction bulletins. Create submittal packages with just one click. 
  • Service Agreement: Add equipment to quotes in minutes. Break tasks into subtasks and create checklists to avoid missing important steps. 
  • Service Repair: Enable technicians to upsell customers in the field. Review and approve proposals before sending them to clients. 
  • Mobile Application: Monitor activities from anywhere at any time using web-enabled devices. Enable supervisors to submit daily reports and view RFIs and submittals in real time. Encourage Spanish-speaking employees to switch language settings to Spanish to reduce communication barriers. 
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Bidding Software

#25

among all
Construction Bidding Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

76
55
42
39
76
80
85
88
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Planroom & Document Management
Subcontractor Functionalities
Integrations & Extensibility
Subcontractor Prequalification
Bid Request Management
Planroom & Document Management
Bid Request Management

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

SmartBid
Bidtracer
+ Add Product + Add Product
Analytics & Reporting Bid Invitation & Closing Management Bid Request Management General Contractor Functionalities Planroom & Document Management Subcontractor Functionalities Subcontractor Prequalification 42 76 85 57 95 88 87 39 80 88 59 100 12 61 0 25 50 75 100
42%
0%
58%
42%
0%
58%
77%
0%
23%
77%
0%
23%
83%
0%
17%
92%
0%
8%
57%
0%
43%
63%
0%
37%
86%
0%
14%
100%
0%
0%
89%
0%
11%
11%
0%
89%
88%
0%
12%
63%
0%
37%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

86%
0%
14%
7%
0%
93%

Analyst Ratings for Vendor Qualification Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%

User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 95 reviews
Great User Sentiment 20 reviews
87%
of users recommend this product

SmartBid has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 87% when considering 95 user reviews from 3 recognized software review sites.

80%
of users recommend this product

Bidtracer has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 80% when considering 20 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (24)
n/a
n/a
4.0 (10)
4.4 (64)
4.0 (10)
4.0 (7)
n/a

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated SmartBid and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Integrations & Extensibility.

Integrations & Extensibility Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Streamlined Bid Management: SmartBid centralizes the entire bid process, allowing General Contractors to efficiently manage invitations to bid, track subcontractor interest, and compare bids side-by-side.
Enhanced Collaboration: The platform facilitates seamless communication and collaboration between General Contractors and Subcontractors, ensuring everyone is on the same page throughout the bidding process.
Improved Accuracy and Efficiency: SmartBid helps General Contractors avoid costly errors by automating tasks such as bid leveling and ensuring accurate bid comparisons.
Increased Subcontractor Reach: SmartBid provides access to a vast network of qualified Subcontractors, expanding the pool of potential bidders and increasing competition.
Time Savings: By automating many of the manual tasks involved in the bidding process, SmartBid frees up valuable time for General Contractors, allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of their projects.
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Centralized Platform: Bidtracer provides a single location to manage the bidding process, eliminating the need to juggle multiple spreadsheets and emails.
Streamlined Communication: The platform facilitates seamless communication between general contractors and subcontractors, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Improved Subcontractor Discovery: Bidtracer's extensive network allows general contractors to easily find qualified subcontractors for their projects.
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Steep Learning Curve: SmartBid's extensive features and functionalities can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time investment to learn and navigate effectively.
Customization Challenges: Adapting SmartBid to specific workflows or unique bidding processes can be difficult due to limitations in customization options, potentially hindering efficiency for companies with specialized needs.
Integration Issues: Integrating SmartBid with existing software or project management tools can pose challenges, requiring additional effort and potentially leading to data inconsistencies or workflow disruptions.
Cost Considerations: The pricing structure of SmartBid may be a concern for some construction firms, particularly smaller businesses or those with budget constraints, as it can represent a significant investment.
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Limited Customization: Users have expressed frustration over the inflexibility of Bidtracer's templates, finding it difficult to tailor them to their specific project needs and branding preferences.
Cumbersome Interface: Navigating the platform has been described as clunky and unintuitive, particularly when managing a large volume of bids or complex projects.
Integration Challenges: A common complaint is the lack of seamless integration with other popular construction management software, leading to data silos and manual workarounds.
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SmartBid, a construction bid management software, has garnered positive feedback from users for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. Users appreciate the software's ability to streamline the bidding process, manage projects efficiently, and improve collaboration among team members. The software's ease of use has been highlighted as a significant advantage, making it accessible to both experienced and novice users. Additionally, SmartBid's extensive features, such as project management tools, estimating capabilities, and scheduling functionalities, have been praised for their effectiveness in enhancing productivity and organization. Compared to similar products, SmartBid stands out for its intuitive design and robust functionality. Users have noted that SmartBid's interface is more user-friendly than that of its competitors, making it easier to navigate and learn. Furthermore, the software's comprehensive feature set provides users with a wide range of tools to manage their bids and projects effectively. SmartBid's integration capabilities with other construction software, such as Procore and Autodesk, have also been commended for enhancing workflow efficiency. SmartBid's strengths lie in its ability to simplify complex processes, improve communication, and provide a centralized platform for managing construction projects. These factors are crucial for construction professionals as they contribute to increased efficiency, reduced errors, and improved project outcomes. SmartBid is well-suited for general contractors of all sizes who are seeking to streamline their bidding process and enhance project management. The software's scalability and flexibility make it adaptable to the needs of small, medium, and large construction firms. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features make it an ideal choice for both experienced and novice users. SmartBid's ability to improve collaboration, communication, and organization makes it a valuable tool for construction professionals looking to optimize their operations and achieve project success. However, it's important to note that software options and features can change over time, so it's recommended to check the latest information online before making a decision.

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Recent user reviews highlight its strengths and weaknesses, offering insights into whether it's the right fit for your business. Users praise Bidtracer's intuitive interface and robust project management features, particularly its ability to streamline bid tracking and centralize project information. This allows teams to stay organized and efficiently manage bids, ensuring no opportunities fall through the cracks. However, some users express frustration with occasional software glitches and limited customer support responsiveness. Bidtracer differentiates itself through its specialized focus on the construction industry, offering tailored features like equipment tracking and subcontractor management. This makes it a strong contender for companies seeking industry-specific solutions. However, its lack of seamless integration with popular accounting software is a notable drawback for some users. Overall, Bidtracer is best suited for small to mid-sized construction businesses seeking a dedicated platform to manage bids, projects, and subcontractors. Its industry-specific features and user-friendly interface make it a valuable tool for streamlining operations and improving bid organization. However, companies prioritizing seamless accounting integration or requiring extensive customer support might need to consider alternative options.

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