D-Tools vs XTEN-AV: Which AV Design Software is Best for Your Firm?

As an AV system integrator, selecting the right software tools is critical to the success of your projects and your business overall. The AV design software you use impacts everything from your design efficiency to your ability to collaborate with clients and deliver an exceptional finished product.

Two of the leading options for AV design software today are D-Tools and XTEN-AV. Both platforms aim to streamline the AV system design process, but they take different approaches. D-Tools has been an industry standard for many years, known for its robust feature set and integrations. However, XTEN-AV has emerged as a strong alternative, especially with the launch of its AI-powered design engine called XAVIA.

In this in-depth comparison, we'll explore the key differences between D-Tools and XTEN-AV. By the end, you'll have a clear understanding of which AV design software is the best fit for your firm's unique needs and workflow. Let's dive in!

Overview of D-Tools

D-Tools software is a widely used AV system integration software that has been serving the industry for over 20 years. Its flagship product, System Integrator (SI), provides end-to-end management for low-voltage systems integration firms.

Key features of D-Tools SI include:

• Product library and data management

• System design and documentation

• Project management

• Service orders

• Client management (CRM)

More recently, D-Tools has also launched a cloud-based platform called D-Tools Cloud. This aims to provide a more modern, accessible, and collaborative experience compared to the legacy D-Tools SI platform. While D-Tools has long been a go-to choice for AV integrators, it does have some limitations. The software can be complex to learn and set up. It also relies heavily on third-party tools like Visio and AutoCAD for drawings and diagrams. Pricing for D-Tools can also be steep, especially for smaller firms.

Overview of XTEN-AV

XTEN-AV is a newer entrant to the AV design software space, but it has quickly gained traction as a powerful alternative to D-Tools. Founded in 2018, XTEN-AV takes a cloud-first, AI-driven approach to simplifying AV system design.

Key features of XTEN-AV include:

• AI-powered design automation with XAVIA

• Collaborative cloud environment

• Real-time, auto-syncing product database

• Integrated proposal and drawing generation

• Intuitive UI/UX for ease of use

One of the standout elements of XTEN-AV is XAVIA, its AI design engine. XAVIA enables users to auto-generate AV designs with just a few inputs, dramatically reducing manual effort. It also provides intelligent recommendations for products, schematics, and documentation. XTEN-AV is built from the ground up as a cloud platform, making it accessible from anywhere and facilitating seamless collaboration. It also boasts a modern, user-friendly interface that minimizes the learning curve for new users.

Head-to-Head Comparison: D-Tools vs XTEN-AV

Now that we've covered the basics of each platform, let's compare D-Tools and XTEN-AV across several key areas:

1. AI and Automation

XTEN-AV takes the lead here with its XAVIA AI engine. XAVIA enables a level of design automation that is unmatched by D-Tools. With XTEN-AV, you can:

• Auto-generate complete AV system designs with minimal inputs

• Get intelligent recommendations for products, schematics, and documentation

• Dramatically reduce manual design work

While D-Tools does offer some automation and integration features, it does not have an equivalent to XAVIA. Much of the design process in D-Tools still requires manual effort and know-how.

2. Cloud Collaboration

As a 100% cloud-native platform, XTEN-AV enables seamless collaboration for AV teams. You can access projects from anywhere, on any device. Real-time co-editing and commenting features streamline teamwork. And everything is always in sync.

D-Tools has made some strides in the cloud with D-Tools Cloud, but it's not as flexible or full-featured as XTEN-AV. Many D-Tools users still rely on the on-premise SI version, which limits remote collaboration.

3. Product Database Management

XTEN-AV connects to live manufacturer databases to ensure your product information is always up-to-date. Specs, pricing, and inventory sync in real-time. You can search and filter to find the perfect products.

With D-Tools, database management is more manual. You may need to update product info yourself or rely on static manufacturer libraries. This can lead to inaccurate or outdated data in your designs and proposals.

4. Proposal and Drawing Creation

Creating client-ready proposals and drawings is fast and easy in XTEN-AV. The platform generates professional branded documents in minutes, complete with images, pricing, and terms. It also auto-generates line schematics and signal flow diagrams, reducing the need for CAD.

While D-Tools does offer proposal and drawing features, the process tends to be more time-consuming. Many users still rely on outside tools like Visio, AutoCAD, or InDesign to refine visual documents.

5. Ease of Use

XTEN-AV is designed with simplicity in mind. Its interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Common tasks use drag-and-drop interactions. Onboarding is quick, with tutorials and templates to get started.

D-Tools, especially the SI version, has a steeper learning curve. The UI can feel dated and complex. Onboarding and training tends to take longer before users are fully proficient.

6. Scalability

XTEN-AV scales well for AV businesses of all sizes. Its cloud model and simple pricing make it easy to add or remove users as needed. Solo practitioners can start lean, while larger firms can deploy across big teams.

D-Tools is generally better suited for larger integrators with complex needs. Smaller firms may find the costs and complexity harder to justify. Scaling up or down also requires more IT coordination.

User Case Studies

To further illustrate the differences between D-Tools and XTEN-AV, let's look at a couple real-world user case studies:

Case Study 1: Solo AV Consultant Boosts Efficiency with XTEN-AV

John, an independent AV consultant, switched from D-Tools to XTEN-AV to streamline his design process as a "solopreneur." He was able to get up and running with XTEN-AV in a single day, thanks to the intuitive interface and helpful onboarding tools.Using XAVIA AI, John can now auto-generate designs for client projects with just a few clicks. What used to take hours of manual work in D-Tools now takes minutes. He's also able to put together professional proposals and schematics without juggling multiple software tools."XTEN-AV has been a game-changer for my productivity as an AV consultant," John says. "I can respond to client requests faster and deliver better work in less time. Plus, the platform scales with me as my business grows."

Case Study 2: AV Firm Enables Remote Work with XTEN-AV

AVX Solutions, a 25-person AV integration firm, adopted XTEN-AV to enable better remote collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the company used an on-premise deployment of D-Tools SI, which made it difficult for team members to work together from home.With XTEN-AV, AVX's designers, engineers, and project managers can now access all their project files securely from any location. They can co-edit designs, leave feedback, and track progress in real-time. The platform has enabled a smooth transition to remote work."We've been able to maintain and even improve our productivity with XTEN-AV, despite our teams being physically separated," says AVX's CEO. "The platform's cloud collaboration features have been essential. We're delivering projects faster and with fewer miscommunications."

Frequently Asked Questions

To round out this comparison, let's address some common questions AV professionals have when evaluating D-Tools vs XTEN-AV:

What are the system requirements for each platform?

• D-Tools SI requires a Windows PC and can be installed locally or on a network.

• D-Tools Cloud is web-based and can be accessed from most modern browsers.

• XTEN-AV is fully cloud-based and can be accessed from any device with a web browser and in ios and android mobile app also.

How do the costs compare?

• D-Tools SI has a perpetual license fee starting around $1,000/user, plus annual maintenance.

• D-Tools Cloud starts at $500/user/year.

• XTEN-AV starts at $79/user/month with discounts for annual billing and larger teams.

Can I import my existing D-Tools projects into XTEN-AV?

Yes, XTEN-AV offers a migration tool to import projects and libraries from D-Tools. The XTEN-AV team also provides migration assistance for larger deployments.

What kind of customer support and training is available?

• D-Tools offers phone and email support, online training, and on-site training options.

• XTEN-AV provides chat, email, and phone support, extensive online help guides, and regular live webinars. Dedicated onboarding and data migration services are also available.

How often are each platform's features updated?

• D-Tools releases major updates to SI every 1-2 years, with periodic maintenance updates. D-Tools Cloud is updated more frequently.

• XTEN-AV releases new features and improvements every 4-6 weeks, automatically available to all users.

Conclusion: XTEN-AV Emerges as the Superior AV Design Software

After an in-depth evaluation, it's clear that XTEN-AV offers significant advantages over D-Tools for modern AV firms. With its AI-powered automation, true cloud collaboration, real-time database sync, and intuitive interface, XTEN-AV simply enables a faster, smarter, more efficient design workflow.

The launch of XAVIA AI, in particular, sets a new standard for what AV design software can do. By automating time-consuming manual tasks and offering intelligent design assistance, XAVIA helps AV professionals work smarter, not harder. It's a capability D-Tools simply can't match.

XTEN-AV is also more accessible and scalable than D-Tools. Its cloud model means you can work from anywhere and easily expand your user base. Onboarding is quick and painless. And the costs are reasonable for firms of all sizes.Of course, D-Tools remains a powerful and popular platform, especially for larger integrators heavily invested in the D-Tools ecosystem. But for AV firms looking to boost their productivity, collaboration, and innovation, XTEN-AV is the clear choice.Ready to see for yourself why XTEN-AV is the superior AV design software?

Start a free trial today and discover how XTEN-AV can transform your AV design process.