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VIEWPOINT CONSTRUCTION SOFTWARE V5.12 REVIEW

Concord Companies Inc., a commercial general contractor and construction management firm, saved about $500,000 a year when it purchased Viewpoint construction software, and the Arizona-based business predicts even greater savings in the future.

"It paid for itself in the first two years and, leveraging for future growth, will be the biggest pay-off, dollar-wise," said Eric Peterson, chief financial officer at Concord. "We paid, plus or minus, $175,000 for the software, $100,000 for the hardware and network and $50,000 for consulting and report development. We have saved two support salaries of $100,000 per year. We have the ability to save 0.5 percent, or $300,000 a year."

The software's integration of accounting and project management eliminated redundant tasks, thereby improving efficiency and accuracy and enhancing the amount and depth of data available to management.

Today, Concord is using an earlier version of Viewpoint construction software and was slightly dissatisfied with only a few aspects, such as the user interface. The vendor addressed that concern when it developed V6, which is scheduled to ship to users as part of a free software service package early this year, according to a Viewpoint spokesman.

"We plan to do an upgrade of procedures, manuals and training to take advantage of the improvements in V6. We also plan to finish work in areas we stopped working on because the team was tired of implementing," said Peterson.

Peterson gave Viewpoint a 9 out of 10 rating. If Viewpoint's new version improves the remote user experience and makes a more intuitive desktop, it will be a 10, he noted.

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?
We build schools, churches, government buildings, commercial offices and medical offices.

How long have you been using this tool?
Three years.

Where did you obtain it?
We bought it directly from Viewpoint.

How much did you pay?
We paid, plus or minus, $175,000 for the software, $100,000 for the hardware and network and $50,000 for consulting and report development.

How are you using this product?
We use Viewpoint construction software for all of our accounting including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, EQ, CM, job-costing and financials. Only works-in-progress and analysis are done outside Viewpoint. All project management, including workflow management, is done in Viewpoint, and so is job-cost management. We do not use Viewpoint for scheduling.

Why did you pick this product?
We had many reasons for selecting Viewpoint construction software. It has a strong accounting system, allows multiple periods to be open and features integrated project management. Viewpoint has a reputation for solid systems and great support, and the company understands construction and general contractors. In addition, it features or supports a SQL database, Microsoft development tools, Crystal reports, notifier and built-in scanning and attachments. It also has a user database that is easy to customize without a programmer on-hand.

The software is scaleable, supporting companies from $35 million to more than $500 million in revenue. It is a system around which you can build an enterprise system.

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)?
We looked at Timberline, Prolog, Constructware and custom-written applications. Only Viewpoint and Timberline had the scope and integration we required. Viewpoint -- its database and its program -- is more stable and faster, as well as more flexible because of its customization tools. Viewpoint construction software is very predictable and reliable vs. Timberline and its network of value-added resellers. Likewise, Viewpoint's data is always solid. It's a great backbone system.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool…what has changed?
Our integration of accounting and operations is vastly improved, and we use much less paper and have much less redundant work. In fact, we can do more work with less staff. Our project management and firm management have much, much better information available to manage. We feel our systems can support whatever growth we choose to pursue, with no constraints.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
All our projects have clean buy-out and team-cost and documentation reviews. Since the team uses the same system there is no disagreement over whether the data is valid. We do not lose sight of issues, changes and other things that cause profit fade. Implementing an integrated solution along with reengineering our company around it has been transformational. When we need to press owners to get paid for changes issues, we have the information.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
We have saved two support salaries of $100,000 per year. We have the ability to save 0.5 percent -- or $300,000 a year. It paid for itself in the first two years and leveraging for future growth will be the biggest pay-off, dollar-wise.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
The integration of accounting and project-management, as well as the customization tools for the user database, Crystal, etc. We can track issues across the entire project management system. The consistent look helps with training.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Very much so.

What would you change about the product if you could?
Viewpoint could make it look 'prettier,' so to speak, with a more web-like feel. We'd like to see better out-of-the box reports on the project management side that would require less customization. We'd also like an easier way for casual users, such as field workers and business owners, to get their programs, and we would like better Web tools.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
We do not use payroll and human resources because we use Paychex. Nor do we use the desktop faxing, because it does not work yet. Some of the project management applications, including testing logs, are not applicable to our business.

Who would you recommend use this tool?
General contractors, construction managements and midsize to large subcontractors. It would be a strong candidate for a self-performing contractor, but also great for construction managers, multi-office or multi-state firms, as well as growing businesses.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
Limited experience is needed for basic Viewpoint construction software users. Implementation and customization require some software experience or willingness to learn via support and hands-on experience. The IT environment needs a good network, SQL or Citrix firm. We don't have an in-house IT team; we have one-third time total outsourced IT support plus VP power users in departments and offices.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
Yes, but it was worth it. We sent five or so people to VP training in Oregon and spent a couple of months using a test company to learn how to set up and properly use the software. We did weekly training -- an hour on Friday -- for months for various users. New people are now trained by others because all employees are trained on a common system and procedures.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
Yes, they are great. Viewpoint's support is always quick to respond and competent. They are always friendly and have specialists in areas when needed. VPs can log in remotely and look at our system when necessary.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
We used it during the implementation, but developed our own operations and accounting manuals. We use online help very often, and find it very helpful.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Yes. We plan to do an upgrade of procedures, manuals and training to take advantage of the improvements in V6. We also plan to finish work in areas we stopped working on because the team was tired of implementing.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
9