Been using Excel for all my audits since I started, but seeing more specialized software options now. Anyone using dedicated utility audit software? Worth the investment or should I stick with my tried-and-true Excel templates?
Software tools vs manual Excel workflows
Amir, I've tried a couple software packages but always come back to Excel. More flexible, I understand exactly how my calculations work, and every client can open Excel files. Software tools seem designed for volume processors, not detailed analysis work.
Chuck makes good points. I use a hybrid approach - specialized software for interval data analysis and rate engine calculations, then export to Excel for final report formatting and client presentation. Best of both worlds.
The learning curve on most audit software is steep and expensive. Unless you're doing 50+ audits per year, hard to justify the cost. My Excel macros handle 95% of what I need, and I can customize them for weird rate structures that software can't handle.
Mike's right about the learning curve. I spent 3 months learning one package, then the utility changed their rate structure and the software couldn't handle it. Back to Excel I went. Sometimes the old ways are better ways, especially for complex industrial rates.