BuildingConnected vs Trimble Materials

The network that powers preconstruction.

BuildingConnected is a leading preconstruction software platform designed to streamline the bid and risk management process for the commercial construction industry. It operates the largest real-time construction network, connecting owners, general contractors, and subcontractors through an easy-to-use digital platform. With over one million construction professionals on the network, BuildingConnected addresses the critical challenge of efficiently managing preconstruction workflows, from finding and qualifying trade partners to tracking bid invitations and awarding contracts. The platform offers three core products tailored to different stakeholders in the preconstruction process. BuildingConnected Pro is designed for general contractors and owners, enabling them to centralize bid management, leverage the most up-to-date construction network to invite the right subcontractors, manage proposals, and award the best bids to increase ROI. TradeTapp serves risk management teams by providing automated analysis and recommendations to qualify subcontractors and mitigate risks early in the project lifecycle. Bid Board Pro is built for subcontractors, allowing them to centralize bid invites, track projects, manage team assignments, and monitor due dates across the entire office from a single platform in real time. BuildingConnected delivers significant value across multiple construction workflows. General contractors benefit from streamlined subcontractor discovery and qualification, reducing the time and effort required to assemble competitive bid lists. Subcontractors gain increased visibility and the ability to get discovered by top general contractors, improving their chances of winning work. Owners gain access to the most extensive network of builders, ensuring they can connect with qualified teams for their projects. The platform's real-time collaboration capabilities eliminate the inefficiencies of traditional bid management processes, such as scattered email communications and manual tracking spreadsheets. As a cloud-based web application, BuildingConnected is accessible from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for construction teams to adopt without complex IT infrastructure. The platform offers a free tier for joining the network, lowering the barrier to entry for subcontractors and smaller firms. Its integration within the broader Autodesk ecosystem enhances its value for firms already using Autodesk construction solutions, enabling seamless data flow across preconstruction and construction phases. BuildingConnected has established itself as a market leader in preconstruction technology, with thousands of contractors relying on the platform daily. Notable customers include major general contractors such as Barton Malow, as highlighted in customer testimonials. The platform's scale—connecting over one million construction professionals—positions it as the industry's most comprehensive preconstruction network, making it an essential tool for firms looking to modernize their bidding and risk management processes.

Better materials management starts here

Trimble Materials, formerly known as StructShare, is an end-to-end purchasing, inventory, and accounts payable software solution designed to help construction contractors gain control over material costs. The platform addresses the historically broken material purchasing management process by replacing manual, fragmented workflows with a seamless, cloud-based digital solution. It is specifically built for specialty trade contractors, particularly those within the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) industry, who need to streamline and digitize their material management workflows across field, office, warehouse, and supplier teams. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of features covering the entire materials management lifecycle. Key capabilities include field requisitions via a mobile app that allows teams to create accurate material requests using standardized item information and premade catalog lists, centralized purchase order management that eliminates communication inefficiencies and slashes PO processing time, and a quote-and-compare function that enables users to submit RFQs to multiple suppliers to ensure the best pricing. Additional features include materials receiving optimization, real-time inventory tracking with minimum quantity alerts, analytics for price tracking and supplier share-of-wallet insights, and automated invoice reconciliation powered by AI that scans invoices, matches them to projects and purchase orders, and verifies against deliveries to instantly spot discrepancies and eliminate errors. The measurable benefits of Trimble Materials are significant for contractors looking to improve operational efficiency and profitability. Users report a 50% reduction in time spent managing purchase orders, weekly time savings of approximately 5 hours for each foreman, and direct materials cost savings of 5-10%. By connecting field teams, office staff, warehouse personnel, and suppliers on a single platform, the solution eliminates miscommunication that leads to incorrect orders, project delays, and cost overruns. MEP contractors and specialty trade firms handling high volumes of material procurement stand to benefit the most from the platform's centralized approach to purchasing and inventory management. Trimble Materials is deployed as a cloud-based web application with a companion mobile app for jobsite use. The platform integrates with several leading ERP systems, including Spectrum, Vista, Foundation, Sage 300, and Procore, enabling contractors to sync purchase orders directly into their existing financial systems with line-item-level detail including item codes, quantities, supplier prices, phase codes, and GL codes. This integration capability ensures that procurement data stays aligned with broader project accounting and financial management workflows. Originally founded in 2017 as StructShare and headquartered in Austin, Texas with an additional office in Tel Aviv, Israel, the company was acquired by Trimble Inc. and officially rebranded as Trimble Materials on May 20th, 2025. The acquisition expanded Trimble's construction technology portfolio with dedicated procurement and material management capabilities. The platform leverages machine learning and AI technologies to continuously improve purchasing workflows and invoice processing, positioning it as a forward-looking solution within the construction technology ecosystem.