Since its inception about three and a half years ago, EADOC LLC has embraced the Software as a Service (SaaS) model for its eponymous construction project management software. EADOC's founders, a project engineer and a software engineer, created a Web-based application for facility owners and construction managers, ranging from small and medium-sized businesses to enterprise customers around the United States. The software was designed to quickly load pages on all connections, including wireless.

EADOC supports multiple construction project management and financial tasks; moreover, it eases the exchange of electronic project documents, eliminating the need to print, file, fax and ship multiple documents to multiple users. The types of documents that can be exchanged electronically include RFIs, submittals, punch lists and drawings. The software is customizable during set up and includes an automatically generated workflow, a built-in reporting tool and automatic document logging.

Easy does it

Users typically need one to four hours of training, according to EADOC; this varies because an individual user's interface is based on his or her permissions. However, this customization is done within the application, so it can be done in house without consultants, the vendor said in an EADOC overview. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption is used to safeguard companies' data. As a further security precaution, each EADOC user has an individual user ID and password.

Many users attribute their success with EADOC to the software's ease of use and short ramp-up time. Also, since the software was specifically written for facility owners as well as construction companies, it includes features that enable team members to work together. Since it is Web-based, the software simultaneously provides real-time information to multiple users, and all data is up to date without the need for multiple entries. Contractors, engineers and architects can add their employees and subcontractors to the software, giving all authorized personnel access to the same information throughout a project. This reduces the need for overnight mail, faxes, emails and couriers. Moreover, since EADOC date- and time-stamps all documents, there is a searchable audit trail if problems arise.

Pricing starts at $400 per month per project, for an unlimited number of users.  Since EADOC is a hosted service, users do not need to purchase additional servers or expand network capabilities, add storage technologies or conduct daily backup, according to an EADOC competitor comparison. A free 30-day demo is available. Details of EADOC's service level agreement are located on the company's website.

EADOC company information

• Phone toll-free: 877-305-3844
• Phone toll: 510-903-9658
• Address: 436 14th Street, Suite 150, Oakland, Calif. 94612
• Products: EADOC Software
• Company size: $500,000
• Number of employees: Five
• Founded: 2006

EADOC software product information

• Type of application: Web-based Software as a Service
• Windows requirements: None
• Browser requirements: EADOC supports Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Memory requirements: None
• System requirements: For the majority of users, only a dial-up connection or cellular air card is required. For users who will be uploading large volumes of pictures and project documents, EADOC recommends a broadband connection of at least 512 KB/s
• Integration: None
• Mobile device support: None
• Customer size: Small, midsize, enterprise
• Customer type Facility owners and construction managers in small cities and water districts to enterprise-level construction management companies
• Minimum number of users: 2
• Maximum number of users: Unlimited
• Suggested retail price: Starts at $400 per month per project for an unlimited number of users
• Free software trial: Free 30-day demo; contact EADOC

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