Quest is an estimating tool to aid estimators in the preparation of capital cost estimates. The system does not preempt the important contribution the estimator makes to an estimate, however, the system does relieve the estimator of much of the number crunching that is inherent in the generation of an estimate.

The system is designed essentially as a computerization of the steps normally undertaken manually in the preparation of an estimate. To achieve maximum benefit of the system, all estimate details should be input and / or updated by the individual estimator responsible for estimating that part of the scope, thus allowing the estimator to review and accept “standard” units from the uniform estimating guide.

Potential Benefits

• Automatic retrieval of standard information
• Computer calculation reducing possible estimating errors
• Late adjustments are easily incorporated
• Automation of the budget consolidation and loading into CMS
• Ability to copy previous estimates when multiple cases are being estimated
• Multi user, relational design
• Enhanced control over the estimating process and the data generated
• Identifies and estimates trends and variations during project implantation

Principle Functions

• Provide development of standard estimating information.
• Allow for interactive input of data by estimator
• Specify project schedule for estimate details (future)
• Generate standard reports using specific selections/sorting of estimate details.
• Interactive interface to the Construction Management System (CMS)

eQuest

Quest has undergone a complete ground up redevelopment using Microsoft’s .NET framework technologies and also has a new name – eQuest – to reflect its new enterprise features (see below).

eQuest has benefited from the pioneering carried-out during the development of eCMS and has inherited most of the database, business layer and user interface design, structures, techniques and technologies.

Features

• Windows .Net Framework application using a 3-layered application architecture comprising of a Presentation Layer, Business Layer and Data Access Layer.
• Modern user interface look and feel, exploiting tabbed grid interface technologies.
• SQL Server database that houses “enterprise” wide data for all eQuest projects, eliminating the need for separate project databases.
• Isolation of data at the project and organisation (entity) level and controlled via user role and user entity membership.

Availability

eQuest is currently undergoing beta testing and is available as a cloud based trial version.