Certificate Software. What do you use?

[BlueToBits]

I thought it was about time I dragged myself kicking and screaming into the 21st Century so I've been looking at Certificate form filling software.
Castline are doing an entry level domestic installer version as a bait to get you hooked, but it's not really enough without committing to another £300 for a usable version. Being a stingy *******, I don't want to pay the earth for something that I will have to replace when the 17th ammendment comes into force later this year. Amtech also want £300 + £320 for the update and the £255 NICEIC offering (without the certificate numbers) includes 12 months of updates but it has no smartphone support.
Would anyone who uses form fill software like to share their experiences?

 

[Jimmyb]

I bought some of ebay for £7.99, not quite as easy to use as the above but they are fully editable so you can update them your self when you want and save & add images if required.

ELECTRICAL TEST CERTIFICATES 17th EDITION SOFTWARE DISC on eBay (end time 06-Feb-11 13:46:02 GMT)

 

[telectrix]

i use similar. bought off ebay, mine need open office to run, but that's free and filling in is easy peasy

 

[chiplard]

I use Formfill

Castline Systems - FormFill Overview

Its free and pretty much has everything i need.

 

[keniff]

Elecsa have just joined with a company, I think it's called pirform and it's £80 trial seemed good I think I will buy when I can

 

[leolec]

i use similar. bought off ebay, mine need open office to run, but that's free and filling in is easy peasy

I bought these - really good - Napit chap wasn't as impressed though.

 

[DurhamSparky]

them EBAY certs are flaming rubbish!! i left some nice feedback for the seller!! hahahaha!

use Easy Cert as simple and clean!

 

[telectrix]

you must have got the wrong ones. i've no probs with mine. everything needed is on them. what was wrong with the ones you got?

 

[DurhamSparky]

cheap and nasty!!! left the same seller as in link bad feedback!! just click him to see!!

 

[IQ Electrical]

We use Castline Formfill 9, the full version-after about 50 updates, it's pretty near perfect!

You get what you pay for with software, 70% of our business is PIR's and they have to look the business and have the features that save you hours on large reports-DB schedules at the press of a button, watermarks for draft/original/copy, .PDF production etc.

 

[RecycleElectron]

I recently bought the NIC software for use for domestic installations. It seems to work generally, however if you find the plain paper use attractive, you will need to find buying printer cartridges fun also. Don't expect to much of the verification of test results, it's buggy, although we shouldn't be depending on that anyway, before I get reminded of that........Phone support works well and will confirm bugs as you find them. That said, some sort of software does produce better certs and save time, although you might find yourself wanting to take a laptop and printer to work and maybe an inverter etc etc. There's a £10 min order charge on the cert no's too, so if you only want one batch it's dearer than you think.

Hope this helps, but bear in mind I've only been using it for a couple of weeks.

 

[BlueToBits]

Thanks to all to date.

Anyone using Amtech?

 

[ian]

I use this, think its fantastic. nice and simple.

Electrical Software, Test & Inspection, Electrical Certificates

ian

 

[sparkdog]

I also had trouble with Ebay software,started filling in things on its own and wouldn't let me change it.

 

[Amp David]

Easy cert here also. Nice and easy to use and means you dont have loads of paper certs to store.

 

[Smugley]

I used to use the rubbish ebay ones too, which almost drove me bonkers. Love the tysoft eastcert product. Bit pricey, but fair enough, it is specialised software, and the guy who is developing it has to make a living too. It runs perfectly and does exactly what I want it to, and excellent support aswell. Once you've gotten over the original license fee, the £60 a year maintenance ain't too bad..

 

[prideofengland]

I have used Amtech when working as a QS. Good software but pricey. They were slow to update their Emergency lighting certs when it changed to 17th Edition and I got a bo***cking from NIC.
When I started up on my own did not want to go back to paper certs so bought some ebay ones, the layout was poor and some did not even conform to the 17th Edition. So ended up making my own using NIC certs as a guide. On my assesment the NIC inspector was happy with them and remarked how much they looked like NIC certs.

Im selling them on Ebay now, not saying there as professional as Amtech or Easy cert but for £5.99 I think their a good alternative for those on a low budget. If any one does find a mistake with them Ill correct it and replace for free.

17th Edition Electrical Certificate Software on eBay (end time 09-Feb-11 20:56:24 GMT)

 

[ringer]

Pride, your listing says they are complient. That should be compliant, mate. I spotted those the other day, but have been wary of certs on ebay since buying the NationalCerts ones a while back. They had several errors - I spent time telling them about it, had to get others real quick for a job I had, and they promised to update them but i never got the updates. Their EL certs were not to current BS5266 and they had their company name still listed on some of the certs. They were not a bad effort (apart from the out of date ones), just did not have the attention to detail I am used to applying in my work.

 

[ringer]

them EBAY certs are flaming rubbish!! i left some nice feedback for the seller!! hahahaha!

use Easy Cert as simple and clean!

I read your comments, Steve. I actually gave them positive feedback, but this was before I clocked some certs were out of date, and they had their own company name still embedded in others. Tried giving them feedback about what was wrong, but never got the promised updates. Wasted my money (and time) in the end.

By the way, what's the three-hole balaclava for? Planning a bank job?

 

[prideofengland]

Thanks Ringer - compliant it is on the next listing!