How DESTINI Cloud Differs from the Legacy Version

This article provides an overview of the key differences between the Legacy (or Hosted) DESTINI platform and DESTINI Cloud.

DESTINI Cloud is built on a modern cloud-based architecture that enhances the platform's performance, accessibility, and maintainability. While the core functionality remains familiar to existing users, several workflows, features, and user interface elements have been updated or improved.

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature Area	Legacy (Hosted)	DESTINI Cloud
Installation	Installed through Remote Desktop environment with additional setup requirements.	Available through the Microsoft Store with simplified installation and automatic updates.
Saving	Manual Save button and database refresh process.	Automatic saving with no Save button required.
Collaboration	Changes visible after save and refresh	Changes are visible in real-time across multi-user environment (excluding Project View and Dashboard View which utilize a Commit button to save changes).
File Access	Files often managed through Hosted drives and Remote Desktop workflows.	Direct access to local files and folders from your computer.
Performance	Dependent on Hosted environment responsiveness and connection speed.	Dependent on Internet connection and computer hardware.
Cost Database	Cost Database managed in Hosted Data Manager. Assemblies live connected in the estimate.	Cost Database managed in new web-based Cost Library. Cost Data snapshot is embedded into each estimate and template at creation thereby securing the data at a point in time.
Project View	Sync Estimate & Lock Spreadsheet / Unlock Spreadsheet.	Edit Mode / Commit.
Assemblies	Click or tab into each question to answer.	Auto-tab and automatic question advancement.
Fees	Standard fee configuration workflow.	Fee type selected during creation, distributed bonds, burdened cost calculations.
Dashboards	Aggregate cost includes distributed fees thereby causing confusion between Estimate and Dashboard data.	Side-by-side estimate comparisons and enhanced dashboard workflows.
Comparisons	Separate view with a disconnected workflow to update the Dashboard.	Comparison selection is on the Dashboard.
Reports	Traditional report generation and parameter organization.	More standard reports with collapsible parameter sections and improved responsiveness.
Analytics	SQL Views that contain only Base Estimate	API that includes all estimate data, capabilities for use in other applications, Semantic model for use in Fabric, Analytics View within DESTINI Cloud with Beck Tech provided Cost History Power BI. API calls for DESTINI Takeoff and DESTINI Bid Day, too.
Takeoff	AI Integrations that are outside of Estimator. No Document Management. No Overlays.	Embedded AI Takeoff experience, Conditions library for re-use, Overlays, and Document Management
Updates	Periodic software upgrades.	Automatic feature delivery through Cloud updates which can be controlled via InTune or delivered in real-time. You Choose!

Details About Major Changes and Improvements

Real-Time Collaboration

A key feature of DESTINI Cloud is the ability for multiple users to work in the same estimate simultaneously. This means:

• Changes appear in real time
• No save conflicts
• No version mismatches
• Reduced coordination around estimate access
• No Save button
• No refresh delays
• Changes are stored automatically
• No need to manage save states
• Faster application startup
• Faster estimate loading
• Faster report generation
• Faster navigation between views
• Open files from local drives
• Export directly to local folders
• Upload files without Hosted file workflows
• No Hosted Z: Drive

Continuous Autosave

DESTINI Cloud maintains a live connection to estimate data. This means:

• No Save button
• No refresh delays
• Changes are stored automatically
• No need to manage save states

Faster Performance

Cloud introduces architectural improvements that reduce waiting and improve responsiveness, including:

• Faster application startup
• Faster estimate loading
• Faster report generation
• Faster navigation between views

Direct Access to Local Files

DESTINI Cloud runs directly on your computer. There is no hosted Z: Drive so you can:

• Open files from local drives
• Export directly to local folders
• Upload files without hosted file workflows

Cost Libraries

This is one of the biggest workflow changes for migrating users.

In DESTINI Cloud, a snapshot of the selected Cost Library is embedded into an estimate or template when it is created.

This means:

• Existing estimates are not automatically updated when Cost Libraries change
• Copied estimates inherit the original Cost Library snapshot
• Users select a correct Cost Library before creating a new estimate or template
• Auto-tabbing between questions
• Automatic advancement through dropdown selections
• Dynamic line item updates as answers are entered
• Reduced clicking throughout assembly workflows

Project View

Project View terminology has changed.

Hosted		Cloud
Sync Estimate Lock Spreadsheet		Edit Mode
Unlock Spreadsheet		Commit

Important: Commit does not save data. Data is already being saved automatically. Commit simply finalizes project-level changes.

Assemblies

Assembly workflows have been streamlined to speed up data entry, including:

• Auto-tabbing between questions
• Automatic advancement through dropdown selections
• Dynamic line item updates as answers are entered
• Reduced clicking throughout assembly workflows

Fees

Fee management has been expanded in Cloud, including:

• Fee type selected at creation
• Distributed bond support
• Burdened cost calculations
• Improved Base Estimate and Alternate fee management
• Load comparison estimates side-by-side
• Improved estimate analysis
• Faster dashboard updates
• Faster report generation
• Report output reacts to estimate filters
• Improved parameter organization with collapsible sections

Dashboards & Reports

Cloud introduces several enhancements for analysis and reporting.

Dashboards

• Load comparison estimates side-by-side
• Improved estimate analysis
• Faster dashboard updates 

Reports

• Faster report generation
• Report output reacts to estimate filters
• Improved parameter organization with collapsible sections

Additional Cloud Capabilities

Several capabilities have been added or expanded in Cloud, including:

• Embedded Takeoff integration
• Analytics capabilities
• Excel estimate import
• Assembly import/export
• Public API support
• Global unit management

Features Still Transitioning to Cloud

Some Legacy functionality is still being expanded in Cloud, including:

• Self Perform
• General Conditions
• Certain Bid Day workflows
• Some advanced administrative capabilities
• Certain migration-specific workflows

Related Resources

DESTINI Cloud Training Portal