Shop Takes Off With Own Software

Fed up with not being able to buy takeoff software that would perform the basic functions and offer the flexibility this commercial casework shop needed, Island Precision Cabinets set out to create its own program. The shop has succeeded in developing a simple-to-use, graphical estimating program called Take Off.

The intuitive Windows-based program works in front of many companies’ manufacturing software, such as Pattern Systems. And, most importantly, the data generated for the estimate can be downloaded directly into manufacturing software for seamless integration between estimating and manufacturing.

Brian Timothy, president of Island Precision, says this software is unique because it doesn’t approach the takeoff from the drawing’s perspective; it takes a platform and lets users build on it.

The program relies on user-defined icons, file folders, and a pick and drag format to build a project library tree quickly and accurately. A toggle switch lets users view more than one project at a time.

Data groups then can be quickly sorted according to different criteria such as part prices, man hours, materials, configurations, and job phases. Take Off also lets users get an overview of the manufacturing process. Basically it’s a listing tool that lets users manage a project quickly.

“It gives you great detail control on the production of a cabinet,” says Axel Wagner, operations manager. “We can echo any changes on a cabinet down to Pattern Systems software, so once we’re in Pattern Systems we don’t have to change anything by hand.”

The good news: Timothy plans to market this software under a separate company called the People Logic Software Corp.