The construction company that I work for is looking for integrated
accounting software that does project management and estimating.  We
have already Demo'd Master Builder and Timberline and are looking for
other options to make the best decision.  If this is something you can
help us with, we would appreciate it!  I can be reached at
401.635.2329 or laura@arkinsmillwork.com.

---

Request for Question Clarification by larre-ga on 26 Apr 2004 10:20 PDT

Researchers are bound by the Google Answers Terms of Service, which
restrict interaction to the Google Answers site. In other words, all
information is published here, as an Answer to your query. We are
prohibited from making offsite contact with customers.

Within that context, we can certainly search for additional
applications to meet your requirements and present our findings. Will
that type of Answer suit your needs?

---l

---

Request for Question Clarification by larre-ga on 26 Apr 2004 10:28 PDT

Also, in what areas are Master Builder and Timberline most
insufficient? Too complex, too big for your typical job, too limited?
I'd like to be able to offer good matchups.

--larre

---

Clarification of Question by acc-ga on 26 Apr 2004 12:07 PDT

I apologize, when I first typed the question I wasn't sure how you'd
reach me.  Can that information be deleted out of the original
question?

Master Builder and Timberline seem very good, with seemingly huge
learning curves, whish is fine.  We just want to be sure we have
searched all the reasonable options before we make a decision.  We
want to be able to do everything possible from one software system.
Thanks!

---

Request for Question Clarification by larre-ga on 26 Apr 2004 12:23 PDT

The Google Answers staff will contact you at some point in the near
future to ask if you wish the contact info deleted.

I'm glad to know we're on the same wavelength. I am in the process of
preparing an overview of additional packages that you may use for
comparison.

---larre

Thanks for asking!

I've surveyed 30 construction industry software products. Among them,
I located two additional vendors that offer construction accounting
and integrated scheduling software that meets your criteria, and that
have functionality similar to Timberline and Master Contractor.


Vendors/Packages Surveyed
-------------------------

Contractor Anywhere - ProfitTrac
American Contractor
Arch Street Software - PORTFOLIO
Bluegrass Technology - Bluegrass for Windows
Cheetah Advanced Technologies - StreetSmarts Advantage
Conac Software - Axis, Pivot SE
Construction Applications Software - CAPS Suite
Construction Data Control - Full Cycle Cost Control Suite
ConstructView Software - ConstructView
Contractor Software - Contractor V
Contractor Software Solutions - ConTracker EZ
Corecon Technologies - Corecon
e-Builder - TeamBuilder   Mid*   Request Info! 
ECL - Cato Suite
eTEK International - MTX Job Cost Accounting
Foundation Software - Foundation for Windows
GTS Software - CMS Construction Management Software
KRS Enterprises - SERVICE FIRST!
Management Information Control Systems - Builder Information System  
McCormick Systems - Windows Time and Material Billing (T-Bill)
MICS - BIS Professional
Quality Business Consulting - The Construction Manager
The Construction Link - CLIWin Estimating System 
Total Synergy - Synergy 
TradePower - Estimation
UDA Technologies - UDA Construction Office
WinEstimator - WinEstimator 

Plus, Timberline and Master Contractor for comparison.


UDA Technologies -- Construction Office 2003
----------------------------------------------------------------------

One size doesn't necessarily fit everybody. United Design's
Construction Office modules let customers pick and chose the basic
package and add-on modules that offer the best fit to their own
business. The learning curve is reduced, because the software package
is built upon familiar Microsoft Office.

UDA Technologies / Construction Office
http://www.uniteddesign.com/cos.html


Construction Office Professional, Standard (Specialty) Packages available:

UDA Construction Office 2003 Professional
Comprehensive Construction Productivity Suites    

UDA Construction Office Standard Versions
Construction Productivity Suites for Individual Fields    

UDA Construction Office 2003 Remodeler
Construction Productivity Suites for Remodeling Projects    
     
UDA Construction Office 2003 Design-Build
Construction Productivity Suites for Design-Build Projects    
     
UDA Construction Office 2003 Architect
Construction Productivity Suites for Architects    
     
UDA Construction Office 2003 Construction Management
Construction Productivity Suites for CM Projects & Services    
     
UDA Construction Office 2003 Light Commercial
Construction Productivity Suites for LC Projects    
        
UDA Construction Office 2003 Builder
Construction Productivity Suites for Residential Builders    
           
UDA Construction Office 2003 Homeowner
Construction Productivity Suites for Homeowners    

UDA Construction Office 2003 Developer
Construction Productivity Suites for Property Development    
 
UDA Construction Office 2003 Professional NT
Construction Productivity Suites for Multi-User, Networked Environments    
 
UDA Construction Office 2003 California
Construction Productivity Suites for California's CSLB


Standard and Add-On Modules:
----------------------------

UDA Contracts 2003
Construction Contracts & Forms

UDA Scheduling 2003
Flexible Gantt Chart Scheduling

UDA Estimating 2003
Powerful Excel-based Estimating Tools

UDA QuickBooks Integration
Integrate UDA Estimating & QuickBooks 

UDA Specifications 2003
Detailed Specifications for Construction

UDA Financing 2003
Prepare Winning Construction Proposals 

UDA Marketing Tools
Marketing Campaigns & Sales Literature

UDA Accounting 2003
Construction Bookkeeping for Quicken

UDA Document Automation
Comprehensive, Easy-To-Learn Automation Tools 


Clickable feature and description listings for each of these UDA
versions and modules are available at:

Construction Office Products
http://www.uniteddesign.com/cos_products.html

Version Comparison Chart
http://www.uniteddesign.com/cos_compare.html


Construction Applications Software, Inc. - CAPS Accounting
----------------------------------------------------------------------

CAPS Accounting includes:

Job Cost collection , reporting, and control - Multi-level cost
reporting (Project, Job, Cost Code, Category, Detail)

General Ledger - Financial Statements, Division Department reporting,
Budget comparisons, more

Accounts Payable - Infinite G/L, Job Cost, Inventory, or Equipment
distributions, backcharges, check printing

Accounts Receivable 

   AIA Requisitioning - Complete G702 and G703 reporting as well as
   unit pricing for heavy/highway contracts

   T & M Billing - Bill for anything including equipment rentals,
   inventory sales, payroll
 
   Standard Requisitions - Bill for Lump Sum jobs 

Change Order Processing - Develop and track change orders from
inception through payment

Job Budgets and Buyouts - Estimate transfers from Compete!, true
Buyout capability, price comparisons, bid comparisons

Purchase Order/Subcontract Preparation -  Customizable Purchase Order
and Contract forms, automatic A/P posting.

Equipment Cost and Tracking - Automate your maintenance department,
charge equipment to jobs

Inventory Management - Charge inventory to jobs, bill inventory to customers

Payroll - Union deductions, certified registers and union reports,
infinite deductions, infinite distributions

Subcontract Management - Contract Buyout, auto-tracking of overages,
Pay-up-to capability

Standard and Customizable Reporting - Over 200 reports with source
code so you can customize them with the native Paradox Report Writer,
Crystal Reports, etc.

Bank Reconciliation - Outstanding Checks from Payables and Payroll. 

Clickable feature and description listings are available at: 

CAPS Accounting Construction Software
http://www.capscentral.com/Winco.htm

CAPS Doc and Scheduling Modules include:

-- Prospective Job Tracking 
-- Job Correspondence and Documentation 
-- Job Activity History 
-- Submittals 
-- Simple Estimates and Proposals 
-- Requests for Information 
-- Change Order Development and Processing 
-- Service Call Scheduling 
-- Strategic Planning and Event Management 
-- CPM Scheduling through Microsoft Project ? 
-- Standard and Customizable Reporting 
-- Internet Access to Information Services 
-- Data Entry with Handheld Devices

Clickable Feature Descriptions
http://www.capscentral.com/Murphy.htm


Lastly, from Foundation, a common-sense approach to buying new
accounting software.

10 Practical Tips for Selecting Construction Accounting Software
http://www.foundationsoft.com/CFM/News/Pdf/10Tips.pdf


Search Strategy
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Google Search Terms:

construction accounting software integrated scheduling
construction accounting scheduling

In addition I used the Google Directory:

Google Directory - Computers > Software > Accounting > Construction
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Software/Accounting/Construction/?il=1


I hope this research enables you to make an informed purchasing
decision. Should you have any questions about my survey, or the links
provided, please, feel free to ask.

---larre