Superbuild- Free Estimating program.

[Silvertree]

I wrote what I know about this "free" program. You decide if you trust them.

http://www.remodelcrazy.com/2009/remodel-industry-news/superbuild-free-for-nari-members-but-wait-johnny-theres-more.html

[Eieio]

You know my take on it..

I can't tell if NARI is the Pimp or the prostitute any more..

[Elms]

How interesting - I am scheduled to host a round table in February regarding remodeling software options, web vs desktop, estimating & leads. I was given the strictest of instructions not to make it a sales presentation. My guess is the local chapter was not aware. We will ask some questions. Sounds like a possible conflict of interest.

[Silvertree]

NARI doesn't own this and its free to anyone, I just signed up to look at it.
It was something the president elect of NARI was quoted as saying that "He was very excited about Superbuild"? Why? Its free to anyone.

Scott, what about that last paragraph? Would you put customer info into something having that permission? What's your opinion?

[Elms]

Scott, what about that last paragraph? Would you put customer info into something having that permission? What's your opinion?

No. I would not put the information in knowing this. Having said this, I am not sure I would have investigated all the fine print and be aware of how it can be used. From a vendors point of view and hosting vendor data, I can not ethically consider using this information other than for its intended purpose. I can't believe that hosting the data gives you any ownership rights.

[ChrWright]

NARI doesn't own this and its free to anyone, I just signed up to look at it.
It was something the president elect of NARI was quoted as saying that "He was very excited about Superbuild"? Why? Its free to anyone.

Scott, what about that last paragraph? Would you put customer info into something having that permission? What's your opinion?

I haven't used it yet, but do you see it possible to just input "John Doe" info into the software, instead of your actual client's info?

[Eieio]

I haven't used it yet, but do you see it possible to just input "John Doe" info into the software, instead of your actual client's info?

Yes you can enter any name or address. But that kind of defeats the purpose of it no?

[ChrWright]

As a CMS, yes. As an estimator, no.

[Silvertree]

Sure, but when your looking for a file you'll have a lot of John Doe's.
John Doe #1- #2 ect.

I would like to endorse this free program to fellow NARI members, people that don't use software much may decide to learn on a free program.

This is meant to be used, its for real, so the John Doe fix would make work for you.
I think we need clarification of this, who are the backers and who gets the info.
Would you use it if you found out Service Magic had a piece of this, and Home Depot? What if they are some of the 3rd party users?

Chris, why is my remodelers group even putting themselves out on stuff like this?

[Silvertree]

As a CMS, yes. As an estimator, no.

Then what, do the estimate as John Doe and then cut and paste the real contact info.:deal2:

[ChrWright]

I've never used a software estimator, so my POV is limited.

As far as NARI's involvement, the jury is still out in my mind. Certainly the disclaimers would give me serious cause for concern--but I see that issue with any online based solution.

[Silvertree]

Except for the fact that in this case they tell you outright they want you to sign these right away. I used Hometech which is web based, they didn't ask me to sign anythings like this.

[ChrWright]

Except for the fact that in this case they tell you outright they want you to sign these right away. I used Hometech which is web based, they didn't ask me to sign anythings like this.

Where do they say that?

[Eieio]

I've never used a software estimator, so my POV is limited.

As far as NARI's involvement, the jury is still out in my mind. Certainly the disclaimers would give me serious cause for concern--but I see that issue with any online based solution.

I read the fine print for the online software that I finally decided to use and there was not a single paragraph that I could not go along with..

They even have an up time guarantee on the software..

If it goes down for more than 24 hours they will give you an alternative to use until the problem is resolved and you will not have to pay for the service..

They also back up the software on separate servers to get you any of your info that you need in case of an emergency..

They specifically address the use of your data and what they will do with it and I have no problem with the wording.

[Len]

I don't see the problem. It seems to me to be a very standard agreement. Looks like they are using statistical data, not personaly indentifiable, to form trends for costs, projects sizes, consumer spending etc. The same kind of data Google or any other statistical websites collects.

Likely this is how it's free. The data is often more valuable than the product. They can sell data to the big stores who may use it for future purchase decisions. For example: They could see a trend in the DC of increased project types and adjust their advertising and stocking accordingly.

We may also ask for additional personal information, such as a job title, department name, fax number, or additional company information, such as annual revenues, number of employees, or industry. Subscribers can opt out of providing the additional information by not entering it when asked. Subscribers can update or remove their personal information at any time by logging into the Service and editing their personal profile.

...we do not disclose the information subscribers enter in the Service to third parties. All financial and billing information we collect through the Service is used solely for billing purposes, and not for marketing or promotional purposes. ...

Subscriber email addresses and any personal subscriber information will not be distributed or shared with third parties. Subscribers can opt out of receiving promotional and marketing information from us at any time...


http://superbuild.com/privacy.aspx
For purposes of this Agreement, Subscriber Data is categorized into Private Data and Project Data. “Private Data” means data, information, or material provided or submitted by you in using the Service that is private and confidential to you, such as User names, log-in information, addresses, order terms, and billing records. Private Data will be maintained as private by SUPERBUILD under the SUPERBUILD Privacy Policy and this Agreement. “Project Data” means data, information or material, other than Private Data, which is provided or submitted by you in using the Service, and that is specific to construction projects, such as: the project location; the scope of work; the labor amount, type, and price; the materials amount, type, and price; the office overhead charges, and profit margin for the project. ...

You acknowledge that SUPERBUILD will use the Project Data to make comprehensive, accurate, and current construction industry market data available to Subscribers and other SUPERBUILD customers.

http://superbuild.com/termsofservice.aspx

[Silvertree]

Sure its a standard boiler plate agreement, but the last paragraph in the article I wrote does have you agreeing to go along with anything they may want to do. You have just given up the right of ownership.

[MOTB]

Sure its a standard boiler plate agreement, but the last paragraph in the article I wrote does have you agreeing to go along with anything they may want to do. You have just given up the right of ownership.
I agree with you in principal but people need to understand how the data may be used. As prices for application use go down, or are Free, the software company needs to make money somehow, and many times can warehouse the data and sell it for target marketing. They will not promote the details of your data or sell it to a competitor since that is unrealistic. But they can do things like summarize all the business you have done in your area, combine it with everyone else, and watch as different zip codes have spikes or declines in activity. Things like that are an example of using your data for data warehousing and then providing the information in a bundle to marketing firms. There are many variations to this explanation but I wanted to get a simple example out to show that the ownership concern should be too much of a worry. Before I started MyOnlineToolbox.com, I was a co-founder of www.InvestmentCafe.com that has a tremendous amount of data online all owned by the customers, and none of it is warehoused for sale, BUT the customers do pay a lot of money to use the application. Hopefully this makes it a little easier to understand the issue and lack of concern when it impacts you. Brian