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The Practice Management Knowledge Community (PMKC) identifies and develops information on the business of architecture for use by the profession to maintain and improve the quality of the professional and business environment.  The PMKC initiates programs, provides content and serves as a resource to other knowledge communities, and acts as experts on AIA Institute programs and policies that pertain to a wide variety of business practices and trends.

    

  • 1.  Project Management Software

    Posted 02-13-2020 07:43 PM
    One of our PMKC members has a good question for the group: What architecturally-dedicated project management software - such as CoreBQE, CMPA, Arch E-Office, ArchSmarter, ACTItIME, Monograph - do you know about or recommend (or is anyone aware of any comparative articles?) for a small office that wants to move beyond spreadsheets and hopes for a graphic output?

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    Scott Knudson AIA
    Principal, Knu Design, LLC
    Boyds MD
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  • 2.  RE: Project Management Software

    Posted 02-14-2020 05:51 PM
    Scott, we are 30-40 and only use Deltek for billing.  We still use excel for project schedules, and don't have a software that ties everything together (Deltek adds could but are expensive).  Interested in the discussion and seeing what everyone's experiences are!

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    Mitchell Harding AIA
    HH Architects
    Garland TX
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  • 3.  RE: Project Management Software

    Posted 02-15-2020 08:19 AM
    We use Clearview InFocus.  

    Brian Thomas AIA RID LEED AP

    Principal | Owner | 505 ARCHITECTS

    918.605.5303


    Sent from my iPhone 






  • 4.  RE: Project Management Software

    Posted 02-15-2020 04:56 PM
    We have been using BQE CORE for the last 2 and some years.  It's a very powerful tool for managing our 19 people and about 30 to 35 (average) active projects firm.  It provides great live information of everything that is happening on your firm, as long as you are timely logging in your time and registering all your financial transactions.
    Before actually contracting with CORE we reviewed and had some pro / cons comparisons made with Deltek's Ajera and Clearview's In Focus as finalists of a broader research.  Before that we were logging hours into a simple on-line software called TimeFox and compiled with spreadsheets and used Quickbooks Pro for accounting. At some point we tried out a server-based demo of ArchiOffice (which I believe it's the predecessor of CORE) and Basebuilder's Praesto.
    We decided to go with CORE because we found it to be more friendly, it is web and per-user subscription based, as well as very applicable to our size firm.
    Sadly the experience so far has not been as great as we would have desired, but not because of the software itself, but because it really takes a lot of learning and understanding of a myriad of important tips and considerations at implementation, some which are in the operations side on other on the accounting.  Although we hired the implementation help package, being remote didn't work that well.  I would recommend to put very close attention at this process to anyone considering it.
    Nevertheless, I think we have gone over the worst part of the learning curve and are now putting a lot of effort into fine-tuning the opportunities we are still missing and correcting some of the implementation errors we made.
    One really good thing about CORE it's that they're continuously making improvements to their platform (web-based) and provide regular learning Webinars.
    Overall I'd say it's a great software, but you really need to put the proper time to get the most out of it.

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    Rafael Selman Intl. Assoc. AIA
    Principal / CEO
    Selman Arquitectos
    Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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