Bluebeam vs CMiC

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

Product Basics

Bluebeam is a software platform designed to streamline construction workflows, particularly in the areas of project management, takeoff and estimating. It caters to a wide range of professionals in the construction industry, from architects and engineers to quantity surveyors and contractors. One of its core strengths lies in its ability to centralize and manage project documents efficiently. This includes features like real-time collaboration tools, markups and annotations, and integrated document control. Additionally, Bluebeam offers robust takeoff and estimating functionalities, enabling users to extract quantities, generate bids, and track project costs effectively. When compared to similar products, Bluebeam stands out for its user-friendly interface, collaborative features, and comprehensive set of construction-specific tools. User reviews often praise its intuitive design, efficient workflows, and ability to improve communication and coordination across teams. However, it's important to consider the pricing structure, which can be based on per-user licenses or tiered subscription plans, depending on the specific features and functionalities required.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Real-time collaboration
  • Accurate takeoff tools
  • Streamlined workflows
  • Improved communication
Cons
  • Subscription cost
  • Limited Mac support
  • Advanced features complexity
  • Minor interface quirks
  • Learning curve for beginners
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CMiC is an end-to-end solution for both large and small projects.

With seamless integrations, it automates tasks, offers on-premise and cloud deployment, and addresses aspects like budgeting, forecasting, change orders, bidding, procurement, document management and business intelligence.

It facilitates resource planning with dynamic timelines, ensuring updated and accurate information to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

To learn more about CMiC, visit their company profile.
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Product Insights

  • Enhanced Collaboration: Real-time markups, shared workspaces, and centralized document storage streamline communication and feedback loops across project teams, saving time and reducing errors.
  • Improved Efficiency: Automated workflows, batch processing tools, and powerful search functionalities significantly reduce manual tasks and accelerate project delivery timelines.
  • Accurate Cost Estimation: Integrated takeoff and estimating capabilities with industry-standard tools and libraries ensure precise material calculations and bids, leading to better project budgeting and cost control.
  • Reduced Rework & Errors: Robust markup and annotation tools with version control and issue tracking minimize miscommunication and ensure everyone works on the latest information, minimizing costly rework.
  • Increased Transparency & Accountability: Centralized document management and audit trails provide clear visibility into project progress, changes, and responsibilities, fostering accountability and stakeholder confidence.
  • Optimized Field Management: Mobile apps and offline capabilities allow for seamless data access and markups on the go, improving field data collection, communication, and punch list management.
  • Scalability & Customization: Flexible licensing models and customizable toolsets cater to the needs of projects of all sizes and complexities, ensuring a scalable solution that grows with your business.
  • Data-Driven Insights: Reporting and analytics tools provide valuable insights into project performance, resource allocation, and collaboration trends, enabling data-driven decision making for future projects.
  • Enhanced Security & Compliance: Secure cloud storage, user access controls, and audit trails ensure data privacy and compliance with industry regulations.
  • Strong User Community & Support: Access to extensive online resources, training programs, and responsive technical support empowers users to get the most out of the software and address any challenges efficiently.
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  • Gain Project Visibility & Control: Unify project information in a single platform for seamless collaboration. Generate tailored reports and dashboards to track key performance indicators (KPIs). 
  • Enhance Financial Management: Improve overall cash flow and financial stability. According to a case study published on the vendor’s website, BIG Construction LLC reduced processing time for client invoices and financial cost bookings by 50-75%. 
  • Boost Productivity & Efficiency: Automate routine processes like managing RFIs, routing documents and tracking assets to free up staff time for more strategic tasks. According to a case study published on the vendor’s website, Wasatch Taylormade Builders LLC reduced RFI handling time by 50%. 
  • Elevate Risk Management: Improve safety performance through incident reporting and tracking. Identify and mitigate potential risks to minimize delays and costs. 
  • Achieve Scalability & Flexibility: Store data on the cloud to receive real-time updates without system slow-down while improving document security (with the PaaS option). Add more users or resources to the platform as needed. 
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  • Real-time Collaboration: Simultaneous markups and annotations with team members across various locations.
  • Centralized Document Management: Secure cloud storage and version control for all project documents.
  • Advanced Markup Tools: Diverse annotation tools like text boxes, stamps, shapes, and freehand drawings.
  • Integrated Takeoff & Estimating: Measure lengths, areas, and volumes directly from PDFs for accurate material calculations and bids.
  • Batch Processing: Automate repetitive tasks like scaling, stamping, and adding headers/footers to multiple documents.
  • Quantity Link with Excel: Synchronize takeoff data with spreadsheets for detailed cost analysis and reporting.
  • Studio Sessions: Real-time collaboration environment for markups and discussions on specific project documents.
  • Mobile Apps: View, annotate, and manage documents on the go with dedicated iOS and Android apps.
  • Dynamic Stamps: Create custom stamps with variable data fields that automatically update based on project information.
  • 2D Photo Markups: Embed and annotate photos directly within PDFs for clear visual communication.
  • Document Comparison & Overlay: Visually compare different versions of PDFs and identify changes efficiently.
  • Scripting & Automation: Create custom scripts to automate complex workflows and repetitive tasks.
  • Advanced Security: Secure cloud storage, user access controls, and audit trails ensure data privacy and compliance.
  • Openness & Integrations: Integrate with various construction management platforms and BIM software for seamless data exchange.
  • Extensive Training & Support: Access to online resources, training programs, and responsive technical support.
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  • Bidding: Compare multiple bids side by side using bid leveling functionality. Automatically send invitations to bid to potential vendors. Enable bidders to download and view project documents with planroom management capabilities. 
  • Customer Relationship Management: Create sales opportunities and view crucial information such as linked contacts and tasks. Automatically perform duplication checks when creating new contacts to maintain data accuracy. 
  • Document Management: Securely store and manage all project-related documents, including drawings, specifications, submittals and RFIs, in a centralized database. 
    • Drawings: Automatically extract metadata such as titles, sheet numbers and trades. Compare drawing sheets and perform overlays for accurate revisions and insights. 
    • Specifications: Upload, review and manage specifications with ease using the web-based tool. Manage submittals seamlessly based on the provided specifications. 
    • Submittals: Ensure thorough submittal assessments with stakeholder-driven workflows. 
    • RFIs: Expedite information gathering by providing teams with instant access to relevant documents. 
  • Accounting: Manage finances for multiple companies and currencies. 
    • Accounts Payable: Automate invoice processing and payment approvals. Generate detailed reports on vendor activity and spending. 
    • Accounts Receivable: Manage customer invoicing, payment collection and credit limits. Reconcile client payments and apply them to the corresponding invoices for accurate AR records. 
    • General Ledger: Generate financial statements, perform cash flow analyses and produce custom reports with just a few clicks. Maintain a complete audit trail of financial activities to ensure regulatory compliance. 
    • Cost Management: Track labor, material and equipment costs using job costing tools. Issue subcontracts directly from the system. 
    • Financial Management: Identify over/underbilled jobs with WIP reports. Create and manage project budgets, comparing actual costs against budgeted amounts. 
  • Human Resources and Payroll: Simplify workforce management, empower team members and gain valuable insights. 
    • Workforce Management: Manage the entire recruitment process, from attracting candidates to onboarding new hires. Administer and manage employee compensation and benefits plans. 
    • Employee Self-Service: Enable employees to access and download pay stubs and W2s electronically. Allow staff to access information about their benefits plans, such as health, dental and vision insurance. 
    • Payroll: Process payroll accurately and timely, including deductions and taxes. Support various pay frequencies, such as weekly, bi-weekly and monthly. Pay employees with direct deposit. 
    • Crew Time: Encourage employees to track work hours and submit timesheets directly from mobile devices. Monitor and manage employee overtime to ensure compliance with labor laws. 
  • Inventory Management: Set low-stock alerts to prevent stockouts and delays in project execution. 
    • Inventory Tracking: Capture and create lot and serial numbers to track inventory levels in real time. 
    • Replenishment: Assemble kits of commonly used materials for faster and easier issuance. Determine order quantities, reorder points and forecast models to calculate replenishment. 
    • Inventory Valuation: Evaluate inventory using standard, average, specific (actual) and first-in-first-out (FIFO) costing methods. 
  • Mobile Capabilities: Access critical information and project-related materials from anywhere, at any time. 
  • Project Management: Set realistic timelines and dependencies to ensure on-time project completion. Produce change orders from RFIs. Manage subcontractor relationships efficiently. Conduct inspections and track corrective actions. 
  • Reporting & Dashboards: Create personalized dashboards to track key project metrics. Compare project performance against industry benchmarks. 

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Product Ranking

#17

among all
Construction Management Software

#22

among all
Construction Management Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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Bonus Management Budgeting And Forecasting Dashboard And Reporting Mobile Capabilities Mobile Capabilities Platform And Security Capabilities Platform Capabilities Reporting And Dashboards Rewards And Recognition Salary Management 89 100 98 88 80 100 98 93 84 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 2083 reviews
Good User Sentiment 477 reviews
93%
of users recommend this product

Bluebeam has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 93% when considering 2083 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

78%
of users recommend this product

CMiC has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 78% when considering 477 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (16)
4.1 (7)
4.5 (298)
3.2 (16)
4.68 (880)
4.14 (168)
4.7 (778)
4.2 (164)
4.4 (111)
3.3 (122)

Awards

Bluebeam stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated CMiC and concluded it deserves the award for the Best Overall Construction Management Software available today and earns best-in-class honors for Budgeting and Forecasting, Platform Capabilities and Rewards and Recognition.

Analysts' Pick Award
Budgeting and Forecasting Award
Platform Capabilities Award
Rewards and Recognition Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Functionality: The solution provides all the necessary tools and features required to perform quick and accurate takeoffs, according to 76% of users.
Ease of Use: According to 94% of users, the application’s user interface is slick and user-friendly. They found it easy to navigate and find desired features.
Support: About 94% of users who mentioned this pro praised the quick response and ability to solve issues quickly.
Sharing & Collaboration: Regarding this feature, approximately 80% of users said that the solution separates documents in order and exports them to a designated folder seamlessly.
PDF Viewing: According to 99% of users, the software offers an optimum PDF viewing experience that streamlines takeoff measurements.
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Customization: Nearly 79% of users who talk about customization mention that the software is flexible and can be customized to meet unique business requirements.
Overall Functionality: Approximately 80% of users who refer to the overall functionality of the software recommend it to get the job done.
Data Management: Efficient data management and analysis is a big advantage of the product, as noted by about 64% of users who mention the feature.
Reports: CMiC helps users track, analyze and course-correct various aspects of project management with in-depth and insightful reports - a feature lauded by more than 63% of users who talk about the reporting feature.
Project Management: 100% of the users who talk about the project management module concur that it has made their operations more efficient.
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Speed & Performance: In spite of having top features, the solution is laggy and hangs from time to time, according to 62% of users.
Deployment: According to 76% of users, the software lacks dynamic integration capabilities with in-house systems.
Training: About 58% of users who mentioned this con said the application has a steep learning curve.
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User Interface: Approximately 82% of users who mention the user interface note that the system is complicated and hard to navigate.
User-Friendliness: More than 84% of users who talk about user-friendliness as an important factor mention that the software is not easy to use.
Setup and Training: Nearly 100% of users who refer to setup and implementation note that training and onboarding support is lacking, making it difficult to adopt the software.
Glitches: Slow processing and frequent lags are detrimental to its usage, as pointed out by 100% of users who talk about issues and glitches.
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Bluebeam's user reviews in the past year paint a picture of a powerful and versatile construction software with some room for improvement. Users praise its intuitive interface, extensive PDF editing and markup features, and seamless integration with popular project management platforms. These strengths are particularly valuable for streamlining communication and collaboration across disciplines, as exemplified by a reviewer who noted how Bluebeam "eliminated the need for paper markups and endless email chains" on their project. However, some users find Bluebeam's takeoff functionalities less robust compared to dedicated takeoff software like OnCenter or PlanSwift. While Bluebeam offers basic auto-scaling and dimensioning tools, complex projects often require manual verification and lack features like real-time material cost integration. This can be a dealbreaker for users who prioritize advanced takeoff capabilities. Another point of contention is the subscription pricing model, which some users find expensive compared to perpetual licenses offered by competitors. However, others appreciate the continuous updates and access to cloud-based features that come with the subscription. Ultimately, the cost-effectiveness depends on individual needs and project scale. In conclusion, Bluebeam excels in collaboration, communication, and general PDF management for construction projects. It's a strong choice for teams seeking a user-friendly platform to streamline workflows and centralize information. However, users requiring advanced takeoff functionalities or those on a tight budget might find other options more suitable.

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CMiC is a comprehensive construction management software that has garnered a range of user feedback over the past year. Users appreciate its robust functionality, particularly in areas like job costing, budgeting, and document management. The software's ability to handle complex projects with multiple phases and stakeholders is a significant advantage. CMiC's integration capabilities with other software platforms are also highlighted as a strength, allowing for seamless data flow and collaboration. However, some users find the interface to be complex and overwhelming, requiring extensive training and support. The learning curve can be steep, especially for those new to construction management software. Additionally, CMiC's pricing structure can be a barrier for smaller companies, as it is often considered an enterprise-level solution. Compared to competitors like Procore and PlanGrid, CMiC offers a more comprehensive suite of features, covering the entire project lifecycle from preconstruction to closeout. Its strength lies in its ability to handle the financial aspects of construction projects, with advanced job costing and accounting tools. However, Procore and PlanGrid are often praised for their user-friendly interfaces and mobile accessibility, making them more suitable for field teams. Ultimately, CMiC is best suited for large construction companies with complex projects and dedicated IT resources to manage the software's implementation and ongoing support. Its comprehensive functionality and financial management capabilities make it a valuable tool for organizations that require a high level of control and visibility over their construction projects.

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