In the AV industry, speed matters. Whether you are bidding for a corporate boardroom upgrade, a hybrid classroom setup, or a luxury home theater, getting your proposal in front of the client quickly can be the difference between winning or losing the job. While D-Tools has long been a favorite for managing AV documentation and proposals, it can often feel slow, complicated, and overly rigid—especially when turnaround time is tight.
As project timelines shrink and client expectations rise, AV integrators need tools that not only help them design systems efficiently but also generate polished, accurate proposals without delay. Fortunately, there are faster, more agile options in the market today. In this blog, we explore top D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators that can significantly reduce your proposal turnaround time—and at the top of that list is XTEN-AV.
XTEN-AV – Lightning-Fast AV Proposals Built for the Modern Integrator
XTEN-AV is redefining how AV professionals approach system design and proposal creation. This cloud-based platform is powered by AI and built to streamline every part of the AV workflow—from drawing schematics to generating detailed, branded proposals in just a few clicks.
XTEN-AV’s proposal tool pulls directly from your system design, automatically incorporating hardware lists, pricing, quantities, and visuals. The result? A professional, client-ready proposal that requires zero copy-pasting or exporting between applications. Proposals can be customized with your branding and adjusted in real time to meet client feedback, speeding up the approval process.
For anyone looking for D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, XTEN-AV offers the perfect combination of speed, automation, and visual presentation—without the steep learning curve.
How XTEN-AV Speeds Up Proposal Creation:
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Automatically generates proposals from your AV design
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Built-in templates with customizable branding
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Real-time edits and version control
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Integrated pricing from product libraries
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Seamless inclusion of cable schedules and rack layouts
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Cloud access for proposal creation from anywhere
Whether you're a solo AV consultant or part of a growing integration firm, XTEN-AV allows you to send out more proposals in less time, increasing your chances of winning more business.
The Proposal Problem with Legacy Tools
D-Tools is known for its depth and customization, but its proposal process can feel outdated for today’s fast-paced AV environment. Many users report spending hours inputting data, formatting documents, and ensuring consistency between design and proposal content. And because D-Tools is desktop-based, creating or editing a proposal on the go is difficult without additional workarounds.
Here are some common issues that slow down proposal turnaround with legacy tools:
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Manual syncing between design documents and proposals
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Limited design-to-proposal automation
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Complex formatting tools that require time to master
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Slow response to client changes and revisions
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Difficulty accessing proposals remotely or from job sites
These limitations often lead to delays, miscommunication, and missed opportunities—especially when competing on fast-moving bids.
What to Look for in a Fast Proposal Tool
When evaluating new tools to speed up your proposal process, focus on features that reduce manual work and eliminate duplication. A solid proposal platform should offer:
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Automation: Proposals should auto-generate from your system design.
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Customization: Branded templates should be easy to apply and update.
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Real-time editing: Make changes on the fly and keep version history.
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Pricing integration: Include product costs and labor estimates accurately.
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Cloud collaboration: Access and share proposals from any device.
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Client-friendly visuals: Help clients understand the solution, not just the specs.
Let’s take a look at some of the best D-Tools alternatives that check these boxes.
Top D-Tools Alternatives for Faster AV Proposals
1. XTEN-AV
As already noted, XTEN-AV leads the pack in speed and automation. Proposal generation is not just a feature—it’s at the core of the platform. You can create multiple versions of the same proposal, track revisions, and include everything from equipment layouts to cable schedules without switching tools.
Pros:
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End-to-end AV design to proposal workflow
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Real-time edits and collaboration
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Cloud-based with mobile access
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Professional templates with your branding
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Integration with CRM and tasks
Best for: AV firms, freelancers, and consultants who want to reduce turnaround time without sacrificing quality.
2. Jetbuilt
Jetbuilt is a cloud-based AV proposal and estimation platform that’s known for its speed and simplicity. While it doesn’t have the full design features of XTEN-AV, it’s good for fast quoting and budgeting.
Pros:
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Quick estimation and quote generation
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Easy-to-use interface
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Web-based with team collaboration features
Cons:
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Limited drawing or schematic tools
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Primarily focused on proposals, not full design
Best for: AV sales teams and estimators working on fast bids.
3. Quoter
Quoter is a quoting software tool used across various industries, including AV. It integrates with CRMs and offers templated pricing tools, but it lacks AV-specific functionality.
Pros:
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Good automation for recurring quotes
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Integrates with popular CRMs
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Easy pricing management
Cons:
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Not tailored for AV workflows
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No drawing or AV system design tools
Best for: Tech-savvy AV teams that already have design software and need a separate proposal tool.
4. Lucidchart + Google Docs/Sheets
Some AV teams use Lucidchart for diagrams and combine it with Google Docs or Sheets to produce proposals manually. While affordable, this approach takes more time and involves more manual effort.
Pros:
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Flexible and low-cost
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Customizable for small projects
Cons:
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No integration between design and proposal
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Slow for revisions or multi-page documentation
Best for: Freelancers starting out on a budget who don’t mind building documents from scratch.
Why XTEN-AV Is the Top Choice for AV Proposal Automation
While other tools offer bits and pieces of the solution, XTEN-AV delivers everything in one cohesive platform. You design the AV system, drag and drop your devices, finalize your layout—and your proposal is ready to go. This kind of end-to-end automation is what sets XTEN-AV apart from both legacy systems and single-purpose quoting tools.
For AV professionals constantly racing against the clock, XTEN-AV allows you to send out accurate, well-designed proposals in minutes—not hours or days.
Final Thoughts
In the competitive world of AV system integration, proposal speed is more than a convenience—it’s a competitive advantage. If you are spending too much time formatting documents, hunting for part numbers, or syncing between your drawings and your quotes, you are losing valuable time and possibly losing business.
Instead of waiting for D-Tools to load, update, or export, make the shift to faster, smarter tools. Platforms like XTEN-AV offer everything AV professionals need to design, document, and deliver stunning proposals—faster and with fewer errors.
For anyone searching for D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators, XTEN-AV is the clear leader in proposal efficiency, automation, and modern cloud-based design.
Read more: https://avfusionhorizon.weebly.com/blog/top-d-tools-competitors-in-2025
