CONEST® SOFTWARE SYSTEMS TO ACQUIRE RAPIDBOM TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORK DESIGN AND ESTIMATING SYSTEM
ConEst moves to expand offering to the datacom and networking market

MANCHESTER, NH – ConEst Software Systems, the leading developer of a fully integrated suite of electrical estimating software applications serving the electrical and datacom contractors, today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire RapidBOM, the premier telecommunications network estimating system from Catalyst Data Inc. of Athens, AL.

RapidBOM will be sold and marketed by ConEst Software Systems and Mainstay Software Corporation of Englewood, CO. RapidBOM becomes the newest addition to ConEst’s standard line of estimating programs and continues as an integral asset to Mainstay’s suite of proposal pricing, analysis and estimating software. Mainstay will also be responsible for all ongoing software development and enhancements, as well as user training and support programs related to RapidBOM.

RapidBOM is a complete telecommunications network estimating system that automatically creates a Bill of Materials (BOM), including both material and labor costs, needed to totally design a network from the faceplate to the router. RapidBOM was designed specifically for telecommunications estimating professionals by telecommunications professionals with years of field experience. Among its unique features, RapidBOM boasts a regularly updated, electronically enhanced product catalog containing more than 100,000 products (complete with cut sheets) from more than 100 major telecommunications manufacturers.

“RapidBOM is an invaluable estimating product with the most comprehensive database of telecommunications-specific products ever created and made available commercially,” said Dan Walkovitz, president of Mainstay. “Mainstay is excited to join forces with ConEst to further position RapidBOM as the superior choice for telecommunications professionals.”

RapidBOM has a proven ability to enable telecommunications network designers and estimators to develop higher quality estimates more quickly and accurately when compared to traditional manual process, and to do so simultaneously as part of the design process. In fact, current users of RapidBOM have found the tool to reduce their design and estimating time from 60 to 90 percent when compared to traditional spreadsheet methods.

RapidBOM also boasts an internal intelligence system that validates the design against BICSI, TIA and EIA standards, thus limiting errors in the design process by preventing an estimator from creating a substandard, or incomplete, design. RapidBOM ensures that all of the parts of a network build have been accounted for so that bids are fully priced and no time is lost on site for lack of appropriate materials.

“We are extremely excited about the acquisition of RapidBOM and the strength this product will bring to our telecom offering,” said ConEst President George Hague. “It will be a great complement to our IntelliBid electrical estimating program for those contractors working in both the electrical and telecom fields.”

Representatives from ConEst Software and Mainstay will be in attendance at the BICSI Fall Conference from September 17 through 21 at booths 222 and 301 respectively. More information on RapidBOM, its acquisition by ConEst and the distribution and support services being offered by Mainstay will be discussed during exhibit times at the conference.

About ConEst Software

ConEst Software Systems was founded in 1989 and released the first issue of ConEst in 1990. The company's founders are deeply entrenched in the Electrical Industry. It is their experience and knowledge that drives the design of software solutions that are powerful yet affordable and easy to use.

Over the past few years, ConEst has experienced significant growth, increasing the company's product line into a suite of software solutions for electrical, low voltage, and data cabling contractors. With that growth, the company has also realized an exciting increase in revenues, profitability and staff.

ConEst Software Systems provides electrical and datacom contractors with innovative and forward-thinking technology and is committed to continuing to enhance the design of their products to meet the demands of today’s specialty construction industry. # # #