FastDUCT

The implementation of FastDUCT is designed to be fast and user-friendly, typically taking a few hours to a couple of days, depending on the user's familiarity with estimating software. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Initial Purchase or Subscription Setup
   After selecting a pricing plan (one-time or monthly), users receive access to the software along with installation instructions and support.

2. Software Installation
   FastDUCT is installed locally on your computer. The process is straightforward and supported by FastEST’s technical team if needed.

3. Initial Configuration
   Users set up company details, labor rate sources (e.g., SMACNA or FastEST), material discount sets, and choose between imperial or metric units. This step ensures the software aligns with your business standards.

4. Catalog Familiarization
   The built-in Master Catalog includes over 250,000 items. Users can explore and customize this catalog, including locking prices, importing supplier-specific pricing, and adjusting labor formulas.

5. Spec Customization
   Users create or modify job specs for rectangular, round, and oval duct systems. Specs include materials, duct liners, joints, stiffeners, tie-rods, and accessories.

6. Training (Optional but Recommended)
   FastEST offers a 1-day hands-on training course (about 6 hours), covering setup, takeoffs, catalog management, and advanced features like plan overlays and annotations.

7. Digital Plan Setup
   Users import digital plans (PDFs), set scaling, and configure plan pages. The on-screen digitizer is then used for takeoffs.

8. Job Template Creation
   Users can save jobs as templates for future reuse, speeding up future estimates.

9. Testing and First Estimate
   After setup, users can begin estimating immediately. The software supports exporting to Excel for final quote generation.

10. Ongoing Support and Updates
    FastEST provides automated updates and customer support to ensure the software remains current and functional.

FastDUCT is highly customizable, making it suitable for a wide range of HVAC contractors. Here are several key customization capabilities:

• Custom Job Specs: Users can define specs for each job, including materials, duct liners, joints, stiffeners, tie-rods, and hangers. These specs are automatically applied during takeoff, reducing manual input.

• Material Pricing Adjustments: Users can input supplier-specific pricing or apply material discounts by group, ensuring estimates reflect real-world costs.

• Labor Rate Customization: Labor rates can be adjusted by group or job, based on SMACNA standards or historical performance. Labor factors can also be tailored to specific market conditions or job complexities.

• Custom Job Items: Users can create job-specific items with unique material and labor costs, allowing for highly detailed and accurate estimates.

• Plan Management Tools: The on-screen digitizer supports custom scaling, annotations, overlays, and isometric plan setup. Users can also define custom-scaled regions and measure distances directly on plans.

• Spec-Based Visual Customization: Specs can control visual elements like color, transparency, and text styles on the digitizer, improving clarity and usability.

• Template Reuse: Completed jobs can be saved as templates, allowing users to replicate successful configurations for similar future projects.

• Catalog Locking and Supplier Codes: Users can lock catalog items to maintain in-house pricing and assign supplier codes for easier integration with procurement systems.

• Excel Export Customization: Reports can be filtered and sorted by specs, zones, cost codes, and more, then exported to Excel for tailored quote presentation.

These features make FastDUCT not just a tool for estimating, but a flexible platform that adapts to the unique workflows and pricing models of each HVAC business.

FastDUCT is priced transparently with minimal hidden costs. There are no separate setup fees—installation assistance and initial configuration support are included in both the purchase and lease options. The one-time purchase costs $4,995 for the first application and $2,495 for each additional license. This includes the first year of maintenance, which covers material pricing updates, catalog updates, online training, and toll-free support.

After the first year, annual maintenance is optional and priced at:

• $1,250/year for the first application
• $250/year for each additional application

For users opting for the monthly lease, maintenance is included throughout the lease term. The lease costs $250/month for the first license and $105/month for each additional one. After 36 payments, the license is fully owned.

Additional costs may apply if users choose to integrate third-party labor rate databases like PHCC, MCAA, or SMACNA, which are available for an extra fee.

FastDUCT provides comprehensive training and support to ensure users can get started quickly and confidently. Key offerings include:

• Installation Assistance: Included with all purchases and leases, helping users set up the software correctly.

• Online Training: A 1-day hands-on training course (approximately 6 hours) is available, covering setup, takeoffs, catalog management, and advanced features like plan overlays and annotations

• Web-Based Tutorials: Users can access training materials and guides directly from the FastEST website.

• Toll-Free Telephone Support: Available during business hours for troubleshooting and guidance.

• Material Pricing Updates: Delivered regularly as part of the maintenance plan.

• Catalog Component Updates: Ensures users have access to the latest manufacturer data and pricing.

• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee: Offers a risk-free trial period for new users.

This combination of training and support ensures that even users with limited estimating experience can become proficient quickly.

FastDUCT is designed as a stand-alone desktop application or can be deployed in networked or cloud environments using Microsoft Remote Desktop or similar tools. Security measures typically depend on the deployment environment:

• Local Installations: Data security is managed by the user’s own system protections, including antivirus software, firewalls, and user access controls.
• Cloud/Server Deployments: Users are responsible for securing their Windows Server environments, which should include encrypted connections, secure user authentication, and regular backups.

FastEST recommends using Windows Server 2016 or higher and Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer, which support enterprise-grade security features. While FastDUCT itself does not appear to include built-in encryption or AI-based security, its compatibility with secure environments allows businesses to implement robust protections.

FastDUCT receives regular updates that include catalog expansions, pricing adjustments, and feature enhancements. These updates are managed internally by FastEST, Inc., which develops and maintains the software in-house. Updates typically include:

• New catalog items based on customer feedback and industry changes.

• Material pricing updates to reflect current market rates.

• Software enhancements such as improved navigation, faster recalculations, and better data compression (as seen in Version 18).

Updates are delivered automatically to users with active maintenance plans or ongoing subscriptions. Users do not need to install third-party tools or databases—everything is integrated and managed by FastEST.

FastDUCT is a locally installed application, and all job data is stored on the user’s system or server. This means:

• Users retain full ownership of their data, including job files, specs, pricing, and takeoffs.

• Data portability is supported through export features, especially to Microsoft Excel, allowing users to move, archive, or share estimates easily.

• Uninstalling the software does not delete user data—job files remain intact unless manually removed

This approach gives users control over their data and ensures that estimates and historical records are accessible even if the software is uninstalled or moved to another system.

FastDUCT offers flexible licensing options that make it easy to scale:

• Add Licenses: Additional applications can be purchased for $2,495 each (one-time) or $105/month (subscription).

• Lease-to-Own Model: Monthly payments accumulate toward full ownership after 36 months, allowing gradual scaling without upfront investment.

• Network Deployment: Supports large teams via Windows Server environments, making it suitable for organizations with 100+ users

• Job Templates and Shared Specs: Enable consistent estimating across teams and projects, simplifying collaboration and scaling.

If an organization needs to scale down, unused licenses can be discontinued (in subscription mode) or retained without maintenance fees (in purchase mode), though updates and support would be limited without an active plan.

FastDUCT offers two licensing models—one-time purchase and monthly lease-to-own—each with its own renewal and cancellation terms:

• One-Time Purchase Model:
  • Includes the first year of maintenance (updates, support, training).
  • After the first year, users can renew maintenance annually at $1,250 for the first license and $250 for each additional license.
  • Maintenance renewal is optional; users can continue using the software without updates or support if they choose not to renew.
  • There are no cancellation fees since the license is perpetual.

• Monthly Lease-to-Own Model:

  • Costs $250/month for the first license and $105/month for each additional license.
  • After 36 monthly payments, the license is fully owned.
  • Users can cancel at any time, but ownership is only granted after completing all payments.
  • Maintenance and support are included during the lease period.

• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee:
  • Applies to both purchase and lease models.

  • Users can cancel within 60 days for a full refund, no questions asked.

There are no hidden setup fees, and FastEST provides installation assistance and training as part of the initial package.

FastDUCT is primarily a desktop-based estimating tool, and while it does not explicitly list formal compliance certifications (such as ISO, SOC 2, or GDPR), it adheres to several best practices relevant to its industry:

• SMACNA Labor Standards:

  • FastDUCT uses labor rates based on SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association) standards, ensuring compliance with industry norms for estimating labor.

• Microsoft Compatibility:

  • The software is compatible with Microsoft Excel and Windows Server environments, which support enterprise-grade security and compliance features.

• User-Controlled Data Storage:

  • Data is stored locally or on user-managed servers, giving businesses full control over data security and compliance with internal or regional regulations.

• Privacy and Legal Policies:
  • FastEST’s website includes a Privacy Policy and End User License Agreement (EULA), outlining terms for data use, software licensing, and user rights