e4clicks Project Estimator vs. Zenkit

If you are considering purchasing this (very expensive) software, there is a 100% chance you are doing so because you have been awarded a Government contract that dictates you use 4Clicks Project Estimator. There are plenty of easier to use estimating packages out in the world, but you can't use any of them if you have a contract that requires 4Clicks.

Incentivized

Zenkit is a good tool to manage your own projects and sharing progress with colleagues. If you are looking for a tool to accomplish this use case, Zenkit would be my first recommendation.

• The estimates it produces are simple and easy to follow. The formatting is good.
• The tech support provided is very attentive.

Incentivized

• Multiple Views - Kanban.Cards, Lists, Tables & even Mindmaps
• Addition of custom fields which included numbers
• In table view this can be filtered & numbered fields can have totals at the top.
• Zenkit has handy pre-buitl templates for different kinds of use such a CRM
• Has the ability to change field content across cards via bulk action. Neat!
• Can have formulas in Cutom fields
• Calander syncs to Google calendar
• Can bulk import Trello lists & cards easily

Incentivized

• The software feels 20 years old. It has not kept up with modern times, and practically functions like an old DOS program.
• Clunky interface, arcane commands.
• Even their training info focuses on hotkeys like this is 1995. Even though I am of an age to remember computers in 1995, the younger generations of managers/estimators are not. It is time to bring the software into the new century!

Incentivized

• There are some instances where the dashboard gets laggy and buggy. But goes back to normal in a few minutes
• Integrations still not that advanced--but there's still room for improvement
• Not recommended for teams with more than 6 people-- you will need to upgrade your account to Premium.

Incentivized

The support is always friendly and offers fast solutions if possible. Bugs were removed in the next hours after contacting the support. They have also a lot of tutorials and great documentation.

WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.

Incentivized

As described before, Zenkit adds a lot more flexibility to the things the other applications can do. But this also means that there is no predefined structure which might be helpful for some people. Zenkit is working on that and is releasing some apps building on the core, so that could improve over time.

• As stated before, if you are buying this software, it is because you have a contract forcing you to. While it does work, it is clunky, awkward, and very expensive.
• The price of the software and databases has always been high, but with the fairly recent acquisition of 4Clicks by Gordion (who also bought RS Means for their databases), there is literally no competition. Prices will continue to be very high, with no check on how high they can go.
• Again, can't fault 4Clicks tech support, as I think it is the best in the industry. They know their product and they respond to issues immediately. Considering what we spend a year for this product, however, you would expect nothing less.

Incentivized

• For the price, it is definitely worth a punt.
• Helped me manage tasks, processes and strategic goals thus saving time & being more efficient.
• SImple to learn & plenty of tutorials so onboarding was straightforward.

Incentivized