Construction Software Review .com

• Estimating Reviews
• Job Cost/Accounting Reviews
• Project Management & Scheduling Reviews

CONSTRUCTWARE USER REVIEW: YONKERS INDUSTRIES

Yonkers Industries of Cary, N.C. specializes in building pharmaceutical and biotech facilities. Previously, the firm used a Microsoft Access database solution for construction project management. When that system outlived its usefulness, the firm considered purchasing another application and writing its own software but ultimately decided on Autodesk's Constructware. The decision paid off, as Yonkers Industries simultaneously reduced paperwork and hardware and personnel costs.

First, since Constructware is a Web-based project management software tool, the firm saved "significantly" by not needing a file server in place at each project site. "We got these reductions both in hardware savings for installation and configuration costs," said Molly Donaldson, formerly of Yonkers Industries and now of Tishman Construction Co. of Nevada.

In addition, she noted, Constructware streamlined the production of documents such as letters, meeting minutes, requests for information, contracts and change orders. "On some projects, we save as much as a full-time employee's salary and benefits," Donaldson said.

Another benefit of using Constructware was the ability to create custom modules. This was important, Donaldson said, because the product did not integrate with Yonkers' existing accounting or construction scheduling solutions.

Donaldson rated Constructware an 8 out of 10 for construction management firms and a 9 out of 10 for general contractors. "If [Autodesk] improves the bid management features, then I'd give it a 9 for construction management firms," she said.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
 
How long have you been using this tool?
 
Where did you obtain it?
 
How much did you pay?
 
How are you using this product?
 
Why did you pick this product?
 
Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
 
Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made    this product better)?
 
Before you bought this product, were using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
 
How many people are using this software?
 
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
 
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
 
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this    tool?
 
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
 
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
 
What would you change about the product if you could?
 
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
 
Who would you recommend use this tool?
 
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
 
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
 
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
 
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
 
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
 
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
Yonkers Industries specializes in the building of pharmaceutical and biotech facilities including research and development, pilot plants, labs, bulk manufacturing and finished dosage manufacturing.

Yonkers started using Constructware in January 2005.

We bought it directly from Constructware, prior to its acquisition by Autodesk. (Autodesk acquired Constructware in 2006.)

How much did you pay?
The first year, after the initial setup, we went on a per-user basis. In 2006 we signed a three-year enterprise agreement. I do not know the price.

How are you using this product?
I used it for all aspects of construction project management.

Why did you pick this product?
We had a Microsoft Access database-based system, installed in-house, that needed significant improvements. We evaluated whether to upgrade that system or purchase commercially available software. We decided that the Internet-based Constructware would allow us to save money on computer hardware and that [Autodesk's] support would allow much more flexibility and growth. Constructware had modules for almost all the tasks we were currently involved with and required only minimal customization.

Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
Yes and no. It did not have an interface to our MAS90 accounting system, nor to our Primavera P3 and SureTrack scheduling software. But it was completely compatible with our Internet browser and firewall settings.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made this product better)?
Yes. We looked at Meridian Prolog, Expedition and at writing our own construction project management software. At the time, Prolog and Expedition required self-hosting, and writing our own software was not one of our core competencies. The Web-based architecture of Constructware, combined with its easy-to-learn interface and short learning curve, sold us on it.

Before you bought this product, were using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
Yes, we had an in-house Microsoft Access system.

How many people are using this software?
Almost all 200 employees use Constructware, in addition to several owners, subcontractor firms and A/E firms.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
This tool has brought significantly more communication within and between project teams. It has standardized the way certain tasks are done -- for example, by using document templates. Using Constructware we standardized subs' contracts and purchase orders across the organization, and we have the ability to easily make updates if, for example, contract language changed due to changes in the law.

In addition, it allowed staff to be more flexible. Projects could be transitioned from one project manager to another very quickly and seamlessly when there were management changes due to staff turnover or reassignment. Thankfully, very little institutional knowledge is lost in the transition. Also, staff can support a crunch time on a project without having to be trained on the new project manager's system, since everyone is using the same software and procedures.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference? One area where this system greatly improved our efficiency was in our new ability to type data into the system and have it both post to the cost report and print out the document, such as a contract or change order, ready for signature. Prior to adopting Constructware, we prepared change orders and contracts in Microsoft Word, and then manually re-entered the same information into a separate cost system. Constructware cut the time to create a contract or change order by half.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
We saved significantly by not having to put a file server in place at each project site. We got these reductions both in hardware savings for installation and configuration costs. It has also streamlined the production of documents such as letters, meeting minutes, requests for information, contracts and change orders. On some projects, we save as much as a full-time employee's salary and benefits.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
There are many: The integration of the data and output; the easy to learn, intuitive interface, and the flexibility to use only selected modules, depending on each project's requirements, were tremendous features for Yonkers Industries.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Yes.

What would you change about the product if you could?
I would like more flexibility in the formatting of standard reports, as well as improvements to the bid-management modules for construction project management and owners' agents type uses. These modules are designed more for the general contractor at this time.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
We only use the contractors' module on a few projects due to the additional training required to add our subcontractors to the system. We did not use the human resources module, as our HR group had a separate system. We did not use the risk management module, as our safety group had a separate system.

Who would you recommend use this tool?
Both owners and contractors can benefit from this construction project management software. It is an excellent tool for a company that needs a rapid roll-out. The more advanced features -- such as routing and customization -- allow it to grow in usefulness and be appropriate for larger firms with more diverse needs.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
You only need basic skills in email and word processing.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
The average user was given four hours of training -- two hours in logging in and navigation and two hours on their specific job tasks. Additional training in the details of cost management and document management was provided for power users.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
Yes, frequently. The response time was excellent and they either solved the problem or explained why they couldn't do so. They also maintained a log of open issues -- requests for enhancements and fixes -- that they used when developing subsequent upgrades.

Constructware has a built-in Help function that lets you send a message to the system administrator. We had that configured to go directly to our in-house administrator, who either solved the problem or escalated it to the Constructware help desk, who then contacted the originator of the question. All of requests are logged in the system and are searchable, which is very helpful when the same question comes up later or we got a new system administrator.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
It's good. Most users did not print a copy of the full documentation, but they did use the context-sensitive help.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Upgrades are automatic and generally are released quarterly.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
For a construction management firm, I'd rate it an 8. For general contractors, I'd give it a 9 for now. If Autodesk improve the bid management features, then I'd give it a 9 for construction management firms.