Construction Software Review .com

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

SAGE TIMBERLINE SOFTWARE REVIEW

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

USER REVIEWS

• Sage Software
• Sage Master Builder
• Sage Timberline Office 1
• Sage Timberline Office 2
• Sage Timberline Office 3

MORE INFORMATION

• Sage Master Builder
• Sage Timberline

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After using Timberline for job cost accounting for the past five years, Kelly Runge has seen a significant reduction in "the time that our payroll clerk used to incur doing manual calculations. That also resulted in a corresponding reduction in human errors. In addition, valuable time is saved in the way we are able to obtain job costing in real time as we need it -- daily, if necessary. When we have short duration jobs that can be crucial."

"I would estimate that the change in payroll processes reduced manual entry by up to 10 hours per week -- and that was with half as many employees as we currently have," Runge explained. "The ability to provide our project managers with detailed, timely job cost reports has allowed for immediate billings, thereby improving cash flow. Information is readily available for our PM's, which allows their assistants and our accounting personnel to focus on their normal tasks."

For the fully integrated accounting, job costing, and equipment management applications, Elexco paid $15,000, and Runge feels that Timberline provides good value. He recommended it to general or specialty contractors, adding that it would benefit "anyone who wants a system they won't outgrow and understands the value of being with a leading manufacturer."

One criticism is that while upon initial purchase good training and manuals were provided, "Timberline has gotten away from that and has encouraged utilizing the website and local consultants. If you are fortunate to find a good consultant, that's fine. However, I believe experienced consultants are in short order -- no matter what product you have."

Runge stresses that training is the key to using Timberline effectively, and the best method is "on the job" training. While "basic data entry can be accomplished by someone with limited skills, to make the most of the system, it takes someone with a better grasp of what happens 'behind the scenes' to provide full utilization and implementation."

With the proper training and a good transition plan, Runge would rate Sage Timberline Office an 8 out of 10 overall.

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?
 
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)?
 
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?
Elexco performs cellular tower construction, underground utility construction, trenching/boring, wind tower construction, RRR and custom rock trenching.

Five years.

Ironwood Systems in Milwaukee, Wis.

Approximately $15,000.

Fully integrated accounting, job costing and equipment management functions.

It's industry-based construction software that provided the detailed job costing our company required. In addition, there were local consultants to assist with the implementation process.

Not really -- at the time there didn't seem to be an option that provided the software flexibility and manufacturer stability that Timberline did.

We have a fairly complicated payroll system and we have been able to reduce the time that our payroll clerk used to incur doing manual calculations. That also resulted in a corresponding reduction in human errors. Finally, the way we are able to obtain job costing in real time as we need it -- daily, if necessary. When we have short duration jobs that can be crucial.

Capturing equipment costs and revenues during time card entry has proven to be very valuable. In the past we tracked those items manually and had double entry.

I would estimate that the change in payroll processes reduced manual entry by up to 10 hours per week -- and that was with half as many employees as we currently have. The ability to provide our project managers with detailed, timely job cost reports has allowed for immediate billings thereby improving cash flow. Information is readily available for our PM's which allows their assistants and our accounting personnel to focus on their normal tasks.

The best features of Timberline are payroll, job costing and equipment costing.

Yes.

There could be improvements in the flexibility of the equipment costing module. We are considering a Sage third-party developer for integrated equipment maintenance and construction scheduling.

Of course. [Every] software package you purchase (even $100 QuickBooks) has more tools than a company will usually utilize. Sometimes the additional processes and time required don't make sense in comparison to the savings potential. However, having the features available is always a plus as things move forward and conditions change.

Contractors, general or specialty. Anyone who wants a system they won't outgrow and understands the value of being with a leading manufacturer will benefit from Timberline.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
Basic data entry can be accomplished by someone with limited skills. However, to make the most of the system, it takes someone with a better grasp of what happens "behind the scenes" to provide full utilization and implementation.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
To use it effectively and to its utmost, yes. Training and studying are two options; however, the most effective training comes "on the job" and working through how the software integrates with your internal processes. A key to the success of the product is a well thought out implementation process and transition from any existing program.

Yes -- when we initially purchased Sage Timberline Office, the company had support packages that allowed for direct support calls. At the time, the support staff was very helpful and knowledgeable. Over time, the company has gotten away from that and has encouraged utilizing the website and local consultants. If you are fortunate to find a good consultant, that's fine; however, I believe experienced consultants are in short order -- no matter what product you have.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
Upon our initial purchase, we were provided training manuals that were easy to use; however, once the implementation was complete, the time to spend on the training was significantly less than we would have liked.

Yes.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
8