Floor Covering Soft will launch FloorEstimate Pro 2012 Edition (FEP2012), the next generation flooring layout and estimating program for commercial and retail flooring contractors and dealers, on Jan. 24, 2012.

FEP2012 stands out from other competing products for its strength as a cloud layout and estimating application — meaning not only no longer having to worry about where to save and back up estimates and diagrams but also having the convenience of being able to access it from anywhere on nearly any device over the web as well as share and e-mail quotes and diagrams with coworkers and customers.

"Technology is more important than ever, especially during these tough times. Well-established companies are taking this time to deploy software solutions to streamline takeoff estimating,” said Dr. Steven Wang, PhD, chief developer and founder of Floor Covering Soft. “We've helped major contractors, including some who work with Lowe's, automate their daily measure estimating and ISST quotes.”

Mark Prudhomme, president of Balance Point in N.C. and a Lowe's contractor said that Floor Covering Soft has helped his company streamline measure estimating for the 40-plus Lowe's stores he works with. “From scheduling to diagram layout and to final Lowe's ISST estimate sheet generation, saving us lots of time and eliminating many errors over this previously tedious process. With this cloud solution, the field estimator, office staff, and store associates can collaborate, saving time between faxes or emails back and forth,” he said.

For mobile tablet solution, FEP2012 sports enhanced onsite measuring features and improved integration with Laser Disto meters and is optimized for Windows-based touchscreen tablets for both fingers and styluses. It also interfaces with Quickbooks, transferring estimates to QuickBooks with a single click.

“We deployed a web-based layout estimating solution to our regional state offices nationwide two years ago, and have found this centralized enterprise-level estimating solution extremely helpful in managing estimates and diagrams of our cross-state multi-family flooring operations. This year we will further streamline our bidding proposal generation over the web,” said Brian Caress, vice president of Redi Carpet.

According to Wang, Floor Covering Soft has been focusing on making the estimating software easier to use and and more integrated with clients’ existing IT solutions. “The new program can be purchased on demand with a monthly subscription. FEP2012 Retail Edition starts at $49 per month and there's no need for a big upfront investment,” said Wang.

“FEP2012 is major enhancement release. We deployed FloorEstimate Pro to our all our branches in 2009 and have capitalized on a long term relationship with Floor Covering Soft as a commercial estimating solution at the enterprise level,” said Bill Koch, chief estimator at Acousti Engineering, a major flooring contractor with 18 offices in Fla., N.C. and Georgia.

Special show prices, live tutorials, and free trial software CDs are available at Booth B3020 at Surfaces 2012. Contact Steven Wang at 626-683-9188 or visit http://www.floorcoveringsoft.com.