Implementing InEight Estimate follows a structured, phased approach to ensure the system is configured correctly, staff are trained effectively, and the transition from legacy systems is smooth. The timeline typically depends on the size of the organization, complexity of estimating needs, and level of customization required. For small to mid-sized companies, it may take a few weeks, whereas large enterprises with complex workflows may require several months.
Key Steps:
Needs Assessment & Scoping:
Engage with stakeholders to understand the current estimating process, objectives, and system requirements.
Define goals, expected outcomes, and required integrations.
System Configuration & Data Preparation:
Configure project templates, cost databases, and estimation parameters.
Clean and import historical cost data and project information.
Integration Setup:
Connect with ERP, scheduling, and project management tools if applicable.
Test data flows between systems.
User Training & Knowledge Transfer:
Provide role-specific training sessions for estimators, project managers, and administrators.
Offer hands-on workshops and e-learning modules.
Testing & Pilot Run:
Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) to verify accuracy and functionality.
Run pilot projects to identify and fix gaps before full rollout.
Go-Live & Post-Implementation Support:
Transition to production environment.
Provide ongoing technical support and optimization assistance.
Typical Duration:
Small teams: 4–6 weeks
Mid-sized businesses: 8–12 weeks
Large enterprises: 3–6 months or more, depending on complexity
Customisation
InEight Estimate is designed with flexibility in mind, enabling businesses to tailor the platform to their specific estimating workflows, industry standards, and organizational requirements. Customization ensures the software aligns with both current processes and future scalability.
Customization Options:
Template & Database Configuration:
Build and modify cost libraries, labor rates, and material lists unique to your business.
Workflow Adjustments:
Adapt approval processes, estimation stages, and calculation methods to match company standards.
User Interface Personalization:
Adjust dashboards, data fields, and reporting views for different user roles.
Integration Customization:
Connect with custom ERP, procurement, and scheduling systems.
Implement API-based integrations for real-time data exchange.
Report & Output Customization:
Tailor estimate summaries, bid proposals, and cost breakdowns to match client formats or internal compliance requirements.
Scalable Architecture:
Add features or expand functionality as business needs grow without disrupting existing workflows.
Additional Costs
While InEight Estimate’s core licensing fee covers access to the software, businesses should plan for additional costs related to setup, customization, training, and ongoing support. These costs can vary depending on the scope of implementation and the service package selected.
Possible Additional Costs:
Setup & Implementation Fees:
Charges for initial configuration, data migration, and integration setup.
Cost varies based on project complexity and size.
Customization Charges:
Fees for tailoring workflows, templates, and integrations beyond standard features.
Training Costs:
Onsite or virtual training sessions may incur extra charges, especially for custom training programs.
Maintenance & Upgrades:
Annual or monthly fees for software updates, security patches, and feature enhancements.
Technical Support Plans:
Tiered support packages, ranging from standard business-hour support to 24/7 assistance.
May include priority response times or dedicated account managers.
Cloud Hosting or Infrastructure Costs:
If hosted on the vendor’s cloud environment, subscription or hosting fees may apply.
Training
InEight Estimate provides a comprehensive onboarding and support framework to help new users quickly become proficient and confident in using the platform. The training approach is designed to accommodate different learning styles and user roles, ensuring that estimators, project managers, and administrators get the knowledge they need. Support services are structured to provide continuous assistance from initial implementation through ongoing use.
Training & Support Options:
Instructor-Led Training:
Live, interactive training sessions conducted onsite or virtually by certified InEight trainers.
Role-based modules covering system navigation, cost database management, and advanced estimating techniques.
Self-Paced Learning:
Access to an online knowledge base with video tutorials, step-by-step guides, and best practice documents.
Workshops & Webinars:
Periodic topic-focused webinars to deepen skills and explore advanced features.
Dedicated Onboarding Specialist:
A point of contact for managing the setup, answering questions, and guiding early adoption.
Ongoing Technical Support:
Helpdesk assistance available via phone, email, or ticketing system.
Tiered support packages offering standard business hours or 24/7 coverage.
Community Forum & Peer Network:
User community for sharing tips, templates, and case studies.
Security Measures
InEight Estimate employs enterprise-grade security protocols to ensure that sensitive business and project data is safeguarded from unauthorized access, loss, or corruption. The platform aligns with industry best practices in cybersecurity, offering a layered approach that combines physical, network, and application-level protections.
Key Security Measures:
Data Encryption:
End-to-end encryption for data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest (AES-256).
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC):
Granular permissions to restrict user access based on roles and responsibilities.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
Additional authentication step for secure login and user identity verification.
Regular Security Audits:
Third-party penetration testing and vulnerability scanning.
Data Backup & Recovery:
Automated backups stored in secure, geographically redundant locations.
Compliance Alignment:
Adherence to relevant industry standards such as ISO 27001 and SOC 2.
Session Management & Activity Logging:
Continuous monitoring of user sessions and activity logs for suspicious behavior.
Updates
InEight Estimate follows a proactive release cycle to ensure users have access to the latest features, performance improvements, and security enhancements. Updates are designed to minimize disruption, with communication and training resources provided ahead of major changes.
Update Management Process:
Regular Release Cycle:
Minor updates and bug fixes typically rolled out monthly or quarterly.
Major feature releases scheduled bi-annually or as part of strategic upgrades.
Automated Cloud Updates:
For cloud-hosted deployments, updates are applied automatically during scheduled maintenance windows.
On-Premises Deployment Support:
For on-premise customers, update packages and installation guides are provided for IT teams to deploy manually.
Change Notifications:
Detailed release notes outlining new features, improvements, and bug fixes.
User Training for New Features:
Webinars, quick-start guides, and videos released alongside major updates.
Rollback & Contingency Plans:
Procedures in place to revert to previous versions in rare cases of incompatibility or critical errors.
Data Ownership and Portability
InEight Estimate maintains clear policies on data ownership and portability to ensure that clients retain control over their information and can export it when needed. These policies are designed to give organizations confidence that their proprietary project, cost, and bid data remain under their ownership at all times, even if the software contract ends.
Key Policy Points:
Full Client Ownership:
All data entered into InEight Estimate, including cost libraries, historical bids, project files, and reports, remains the property of the client.
Data Portability:
Provides multiple export options (CSV, Excel, PDF, and custom formats) to retrieve project estimates and databases in a usable form.
End-of-Contract Data Retrieval:
Clients are given a defined window before contract termination to export all data without penalties.
API Access:
Secure APIs enable data extraction and integration with third-party systems for ongoing portability during active use.
Backup Copies:
Clients may request full database backups for offline storage.
Compliance Considerations:
Data handling and transfer processes follow relevant privacy and security regulations to protect client information during export.
Scaling Up / Down
InEight Estimate offers flexible scalability terms that allow organizations to expand or reduce their usage as project volumes, staffing levels, or operational requirements evolve. This ensures that businesses can adapt their subscription and resources without overpaying for unused capacity or facing operational bottlenecks.
Scalability Terms:
Modular Licensing:
Add or remove user licenses and feature modules as needed.
Cloud Resource Scaling:
Increase storage capacity, processing power, and concurrent user limits in response to larger project loads.
Flexible Contract Amendments:
Mid-term adjustments to subscription plans to align with current needs.
Seasonal or Project-Based Scaling:
Temporary license increases to accommodate peak workloads, with the ability to scale back after completion.
Pricing Adjustments:
Subscription fees recalculated based on the new scale, with transparent pro-rata billing for mid-cycle changes.
Support Level Adjustments:
Upgrade or downgrade technical support tiers alongside system scaling.
Integration Expansion:
Add new system integrations as the organization grows into new regions, industries, or service areas.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
InEight Estimate’s contract renewal and cancellation policies are designed to offer transparency, flexibility, and fairness for clients. These terms ensure organizations have the opportunity to review their usage and needs before committing to another term, while also providing structured processes for ending the agreement if necessary.
Key Terms:
Automatic Renewal Option:
Contracts may renew automatically at the end of the term unless the client provides written notice of non-renewal within a specified period (typically 30–90 days before expiry).
Advance Renewal Review:
Clients are encouraged to review contract terms, usage levels, and pricing before the renewal date to ensure continued alignment.
Notice Period for Cancellation:
Written notice is required, often between 30 and 90 days before the intended cancellation date.
Mid-Term Cancellation:
May be allowed in special circumstances, sometimes subject to early termination fees.
Data Retrieval Before Termination:
Clients are provided a defined window to export and secure their data before account closure.
Final Invoicing & Settlements:
Outstanding fees or prorated charges for partial terms are settled upon cancellation.
Contract Modification:
Renewal terms may be adjusted to reflect changes in service levels, usage, or pricing models.
Compliance
InEight Estimate aligns with recognized industry compliance frameworks to ensure security, privacy, and operational reliability. These compliance standards reflect the company’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive project and cost data while meeting both legal and contractual obligations.
Key Compliance Standards:
ISO 27001:
Adherence to internationally recognized standards for information security management systems.
SOC 2 Type II:
Independent auditing of controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
GDPR Compliance:
Support for EU General Data Protection Regulation requirements, ensuring lawful handling of personal data for European clients.
Data Privacy Regulations:
Alignment with applicable regional and national privacy laws (such as CCPA for California residents).
Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC):
Incorporation of security best practices into all development stages to ensure code quality and vulnerability mitigation.
Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Compliance:
Regular testing of recovery plans to meet uptime and resilience requirements.
Cloud Hosting Standards:
Hosted environments meet major cloud security certifications such as ISO 27017 and ISO 27018.
