ExcelCalcs
It seems like an outrageous claim but a recent user survey shows that ExcelCalcs.com saves an average user $16,750 per year. ExcelCalcs achieves this by providing software to make Excel work better for engineers and scientists and by granting access to a repository of Excel template calculations. The survey shows that on average ExcelCalcs users spend 44% of their working day preparing calculations. For the 10,000 registered users that adds up to a considerable amount of calculation time.
Their XLC software allows Excel to display cell formulas as mathematical equations so that calculations can be read like a math text book. Its ability to quickly identify errors in cell formulas reduces debugging time and gives the user a productivity gain. The user survey shows that on average XLC saves some 33% of calculation preparation time. The software is easy to learn as it works within the familiar Excel environment and there are plenty of online video tutorials to follow. Files are saved in Excel format so calculations can be emailed to anyone, safe in the knowledge that the recipient will be able to open the file.
Finding an appropriate Excel calculation from the repository is a great time saver. Downloaded calculations can be simply re-used or copied into a new worksheet. The user survey shows that on average the ExcelCalcs repository saves a further 19% of calculation time. As more users share their calculations online the repository becomes an even more effective time saver.
In combination these productivity benefits save an average user 23% of their working day. The longer you spend doing calculations the more time you save; so the top 16% of users save over 45% of their working day. Time savings translate easily into tangible cost savings which, in these recessionary times, is never far from the minds of engineering business managers. ExcelCalcs offers a significant cost reduction compared to traditional solutions like Mathcad and Mathematica and it works directly with Excel which everyone has, everyone knows and everyone can read. The majority of ExcelCalcs users are American engineers who earn an average salary of $72,200. Thus the average saving per ExcelCalcs user is $16,750. The annual cost of $90 for an XLC Pro subscription is extremely small compared to the substantial benefit. For educational users the service is completely free.
ExcelCalcs asks its users to:
1) Participate:
2) Invite new users: ExcelCalcs growth creates a virtuous circle of more users, more contributions and more time savings.
3) Purchase an XLC Pro subscription:
4) Become a corporate client: ExcelCalcs offer live online demonstrations, volume discounts and on-site training to their corporate clients.
ExelCalcs.com was started by John Doyle in March 2007. He is a chartered member of the UK Institute of Mechanical Engineers and he runs an engineering consultancy called MoreVision. The consultancy offers analysis and testing services for railway vehicles, construction equipment, oil and gas plant, cranes and mechanical items for theme parks. John Doyle provides training around the world using the tools from ExcelCalcs typically centred on a specific product or industry.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
