Replace D-Tools and Reduce Design Time by 50 Percent

In the fast-paced AV industry, time is money. The faster you can design, document, and deliver AV projects, the more competitive and profitable your business becomes. For years, D-Tools has been the standard software for AV system design and project management. However, many integrators find that it can be slow, complex, and costly—especially when it comes to producing detailed schematics, proposals, and bills of materials. If you want to reduce design time by up to 50 percent without sacrificing quality, it may be time to explore D-Tools alternatives for AV integrators.

At the forefront of this transformation is XTEN-AV, a modern cloud-based AV design and automation platform built to accelerate every stage of the AV project lifecycle.

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Why Design Time Matters in AV Projects

Design time is a critical factor in AV project success. Long design cycles delay proposals, frustrate clients, and increase labor costs. Complex systems demand accuracy, but spending too many hours on manual tasks like drawing schematics, updating product lists, and creating proposals can slow your entire business down.

Reducing design time by half means you can:

Take on more projects without increasing headcount.
Respond faster to client requests and changes.
Improve proposal turnaround and win rates.
Free your team to focus on higher-value tasks.

If your current design process is tied up in legacy software and manual workflows, it’s time to rethink your tools.

XTEN-AV: The Solution to Cut Design Time in Half

XTEN-AV is designed from the ground up to help AV integrators speed up system design and project documentation without sacrificing accuracy or detail. Unlike D-Tools, which depends heavily on Microsoft Visio or AutoCAD, XTEN-AV offers an all-in-one platform that simplifies and automates key steps.

Here is how XTEN-AV reduces design time by 50 percent or more:

1. Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Design with X-DRAW

XTEN-AV’s X-DRAW module allows users to create signal flow diagrams, rack layouts, and floor plans easily. You don’t need advanced CAD skills or multiple software licenses.

Preloaded manufacturer symbols and components speed up drawing.
Drag-and-drop functionality reduces clicks and mistakes.
Automated cable and connection management saves hours on documentation.

Compared to D-Tools, where schematics often require Visio expertise and manual updates, X-DRAW accelerates design by streamlining every interaction.

2. Automated Proposals with X-DOC

Creating client proposals is often a bottleneck in AV workflows. With XTEN-AV’s X-DOC, proposals are auto-generated directly from your designs and product lists.

Proposal templates are customizable and brandable.
Pricing, labor, and product descriptions update in real time.
Eliminates the need to copy and paste from multiple sources.

By contrast, D-Tools users frequently spend hours compiling proposal documents manually or exporting data between programs. X-DOC can cut this time dramatically.

3. Real-Time Bill of Materials with X-PRO

Accurate bills of materials (BOMs) are essential for budgeting and installation. XTEN-AV’s X-PRO connects your schematic components to live manufacturer data, ensuring your BOM is always accurate and current.

Instantly generates part numbers, specs, and pricing.
Automatically adjusts quantities and updates with design changes.
Reduces errors and rework on ordering.

D-Tools users often juggle BOM creation between software and spreadsheets, which adds time and risk. X-PRO’s automation makes this seamless and fast.

4. Cloud-Based Collaboration and Access

XTEN-AV operates entirely in the cloud, allowing your team to collaborate in real time from anywhere. This eliminates delays caused by version control issues or waiting for files.

Multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously.
Clients and stakeholders can review proposals online.
Updates are saved instantly and accessible on all devices.

D-Tools, by comparison, typically requires desktop installations and separate file sharing processes, which slow communication.

5. AI-Powered Recommendations with XAVIA

One of XTEN-AV’s unique advantages is XAVIA, an AI assistant that helps optimize your designs by suggesting products and system configurations based on project requirements.

Speeds up product selection.
Ensures system compatibility.
Reduces back-and-forth with manufacturers.

This AI-driven feature further slashes design time and improves accuracy in ways traditional D-Tools setups cannot match.

Real Results from AV Integrators

Many AV professionals who have switched from D-Tools to XTEN-AV report up to a 50 percent reduction in design time. These efficiency gains translate directly into:

Increased project capacity.
Faster client response times.
Reduced overhead on design and documentation.
Higher profit margins.

For integrators looking to grow without sacrificing quality or hiring large teams, this kind of time savings is a game changer.

Why Switch to D-Tools Alternatives for AV Integrators Like XTEN-AV?

If your current D-Tools setup involves expensive subscriptions, multiple software dependencies, or slow workflows, exploring alternatives like XTEN-AV makes sense. The modern AV landscape demands agility, collaboration, and automation—all strengths of XTEN-AV’s cloud-native platform.

Additional benefits include:

No need for Microsoft Visio or AutoCAD.
Scalable pricing for solo integrators to large teams.
Constant updates and manufacturer library expansions.
Faster onboarding for new team members.

Conclusion

Reducing AV design time by 50 percent or more is possible when you switch from legacy platforms like D-Tools to innovative alternatives like XTEN-AV. By streamlining schematics, automating proposals, managing bills of materials, and enabling cloud collaboration, XTEN-AV empowers AV integrators to deliver projects faster, more accurately, and with less effort.

If you want to stay competitive, grow your business, and improve profitability, it’s time to upgrade your AV design software. XTEN-AV is leading the way as the best D-Tools alternative for AV integrators who want to work smarter—not harder.