| Tue, 12/07/2010 - 11:09am | |
| Monica Elenbaas | We are a subcontactor specializing in insulated metal wall panels. We are looking at getting quotes for a new software package that would satisfy all of our accounting needs such as: Accts. Payable, Accts. Receivable, General Ledger, Job Costing and possibly Project Management. We currently are using Open Systems with Contractors Job Cost but we are looking to stream line things into a more productive software. Does anyone have any recommendations and possibly some estimated costs? |
| Tue, 06/21/2011 - 11:07am | #1 |
| Jenny Emmenegger | Monica, we use Accubuild Construction Software. They have been around for more than 15 years. |
| Tue, 12/14/2010 - 4:33pm | #2 |
| Monica Elenbaas | I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your insight, knowledge, and suggestions on my construction software inquiry. This is truly a huge project and I really appreciate each reply. Our office will have to research and come up with a strategic plan for this implementation. With your input, we now have a starting point. Angie Gorman will be assisting me on this adventure and may contact you directly with questions. If you think of further information that pertains to this, you can contact her directly at AGorman@Universalwall.biz. Sincerely, Monica Elenbaas |
| Fri, 12/10/2010 - 3:56pm | #3 |
| David Barnes | Monica, Having implemented 8 different systems over the years (at mostly hi-tech mfg companies, but now construction), I've learned a couple of things: A. Look for some of these major characteristics in a software package/vendor: 1. Modular - You should be able to purchase modules you need such as project management, when you need them, not before you can possibly get to implementing them. 2. Customer base with companies exactly (or close to) like yours - the ability to converse with someone in the user group who has the same issues is huge. 3. Growing customer base - if acceptance is growing, that means it works or they have a great sales dept. If it has been growing for awhile, it means the former, not the latter. 4. Steady and significant upgrade revisions in a controlled manner - this typically means they have two important things; a good R&D group and a higly responsive customer feedback process. 5. A very well-developed implementation/education process. - there is nothing like "tried and true" for getting up and running fast! Do not shortcut spending on this portion. You will not get your software money's worth if you do. This should be 30% to 60% of the actual software cost at least. B. Somewhat facetiously, there are 5 phases to the typical software capability evalution implemention process and anticipating and managing these is key: Does it have this capability? 1. Yes, it does all that. 2. Well, it doesn't do that, but you shouldn't be doing that. 3. Ok, since you need it, we have a workaround. 4. We'll make the system do that in an upcoming upgrade. 5. Now it does that. > Decide what you absolutely have to have and use that similar user company to help you do this. We use Viewpoint and I have to say I have been very impressed with the functionality and quality of this software and with the customer support. db |
| Fri, 12/10/2010 - 11:13am | #4 |
| Bob Stewart | Monica, there are a lot of good suggestions here. The software choices are quite numerous. While I don't agree with every aspect of what Douglas proposes, I would say that it is the most deliberate and practical approach posted. Bruce also raises some excellent points. The choice you make will affect your firm, hopefully in a positive manner, for at least the next decade and preferably for much longer than that. A deliberate and methodical selection process is more than warranted here. You might also look through the "General Inquiries" under "Forum Topics" where some of these same issues were deliberated previously: here, for example. Good luck with your search, selection, and eventual implementation! |
| Thu, 12/09/2010 - 6:19pm | #5 |
| Bruce Bellrose | Unless there is something unique to your business, you don't need to do a lot of software research. Construction accounting software is a decidedly mature field. Software vendors will blanch, but there is very little real difference between them. Because of this, the most important thing to look at is support. There are 2 parts to support: the software vendor itself and the quality of your local VAR. Ask for references for both. Second, evaluate which software vendor is likely going to be around a long time. The last thing you want is for your software vendor to go out of business. Now that's expensive! Be very careful of new companies who are coming out with a new product. If you're in a large metropolitan area, make sure there is more than 1 VAR supporting your software. If you don't have that option, see how long your VAR has been in business and what other software they support. Make your decisions accordingly. We use Timberline and although the software is a little long in the tooth, it works and their service is truely world class. They have a new version, Timberline Enterprise, which has great potential, but it just came out and I wouldn't recommend it for at least another year while they get the likely bugs out. |
| Thu, 12/09/2010 - 10:39am | #6 |
| Douglas Hutchison | Monica:I would suggest to you that you approach this decision strategically. Software selection and implementation is a huge decision that can affect your firm at all levels for many years to come. Poor implementation methods and cost overruns will derail a financial professional’s career track rapidly. 1. Before you solicit ideas for software, do a "needs assessment" (NA) by polling the users of your financial information (statements) which would include your owners, executives and senior managers, field managers, customers, vendors, bank, surety, etc. Get clear on what features are most important to your users. Rank and prioritize which features and reports are most crucial for your company’s success. Remember, no software product will give you 100% of what you need, unless you develop it on your own. 2. Once you have completed your needs assessment, take the time to write a Request for Proposal (RFP) outlining your firm’s needs and the utility (ranking by importance) of each. Share this with the software vendors you are considering. A thorough response should be required from each software vendor. Ones that refuse to answer your RFP should be eliminated from your search. After all, the vendor you select will be your business partner for many years to come. If the vendor cannot spend the time to answer your RFP, how well do you think they will listen to you when you require training and support services? Avoid vendors who tout, “One size fits all.” 3. Once you’ve narrowed your search to a few SW vendors, ask to interview three current customers and three customers that have left and no longer use their software. You can learn much from these interviews. You of course may have to squash the negativity of some of the customers that have left, but you also may learn that the difference in a successful vs. unsuccessful implementation may have been in adding a key staff position or a dedicated resource (outside those normally offered by the software vendor). 4. When you are ready for the SW demonstration, ask for the demo to be done at the location of an existing customer that is similar in operation to your own company. This may require travel, but seeing a demonstration with “live” data offers insight into how users cope with real-time issues. Many databases used for demonstration purposes by SW vendors only have 3 or 4 jobs loaded, and do not allow users/potential customers to truly see how long a search or edit actually takes in a fully-loaded and integrated database. You also will have the opportunity to talk with the customer and ask them some telling questions about support, updates, etc. Many SW vendors in their own controlled demo will show you their best features, not addressing weaknesses or poor architecture.Buying software is tricky. While there is a huge potential for improvements in new software, there are also many pitfalls. My advice is for you to get clear on what it is your organization really needs, remain objective, control the process, seek wise counsel, and don’t be seduced by features you will infrequently use or that do not add value to your organization’s processes. Oh, one more rule of thumb… whatever you think it will cost, double it, and however much time you think it will take to implement it, triple it. That way, you will give your management reasonable expectations. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I have purchased and implemented numerous systems in my thirty years in this industry – I have also made a lot of mistakes.Good luck and good hunting! |
| Wed, 12/08/2010 - 3:15pm | #7 |
| Kevin Halme | We use Viewpoint. I would recommend it to companies with over $7-$10 MM in sales. It has high initial investment, approximately $40k plus a dedicated server or virtual server. It is very flexible, but requires more setup than boxed systems. We are in civil/utilities but Viewpoint fits well with building & specialty contractors as well. |
| Wed, 12/08/2010 - 1:25pm | #8 |
| Geoffrey Falk | I would like to recommend Spectrum, by Dexter + Chaney. Good luck in your search! Geoffrey Falk |
| Wed, 12/08/2010 - 10:40am | #9 |
| Ralph Ricciardelli | Masterbuilder or Timberline depending on your budget and how sophisticated your needs are. |
| Wed, 12/08/2010 - 9:46am | #10 |
| Jerry McHugh | We use Viewpoint. I recommend it highly. Project Management modules are strong with outstanding integration with the job costing and accounting modules. |
| Wed, 12/08/2010 - 8:56am | #11 |
| Ann Sims | You should also look at Maxwell Systems, particularly if you are interested in a complete solution that includes Estimating. www.maxwellsystems.com. Maxwell has a couple of products that will serve you well, most particularly our newest product, ProContractorMX. |
| Tue, 12/07/2010 - 9:24pm | #12 |
| Peter Lowry | Viewpoint is a fully integrated system that may work well for you. Other popular programs include Timberline, Penta and Dexter & Cheney. |