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Construction Executive 2003 Industry Review
Best of 2003 Editor's Choice Awards
Construction Executive celebrates its first year of publication with its first-ever
Editor’s Choice Awards highlighting some of the top products the construction
industry saw hit the market in 2003.While space limitations prevent us from
paying homage to all the noteworthy new products and innovations introduced
in 2003, we proudly present readers with a selection of the Best of 2003—the
cream of the crop of this year’s technology offerings.
These innovative solutions help to meet the industry’s accounting, estimating,
project management and job costing needs—to name a few. Designed specifically for the business of construction, these products take into account the budgetary and time demands placed on construction projects and the high degree of coordination required between general contractors, subcontractors and other project stakeholders; and the importance of protecting and sharing critical information across multiple platforms and applications.
In this highly competitive construction market, technology constantly evolves to help construction managers run their businesses more efficiently, more productively and more profitably. The Best of 2003 Editor’s Choice Awards recognize solution providers of long-standing companies as well as relative newcomers that define the state-of-the-art in helping contractors maintain and improve the bottom line.
To recognize these companies for their contributions to making the day-to-day operations of the U.S. construction industry more efficient and more profitable, Construction Executive’s editors and staff present the Best of 2003 Editor’s Choice Awards.We invite you to review this special section, we call the Contractors’ Holiday Wish List, dedicated to these prestigious award winners to learn more about how your construction business can profit from these solutions.
As always, the Construction Executive team welcomes your comments and appreciates your ongoing support.
Lisa A. Nardone, Editor
FOUNDATION for Windows Genie Series
Accounting and job costing software based on SQL (Structured Query programming Language), offers users the unique ability to access and analyze large amounts of data in a multitude of ways. These databases are attractive to
construction professionals—providing endless reporting possibilities. The major draw-back: to design these reports and forms users need to understand and write SQL computer code—something that can be difficult and time-consuming, especially for a novice user.
This is why FOUNDATION for Windows construction accounting software offers the Genie series of report and form
designers. These built-in tools simplify the technology behind SQL, turning what could require programming knowledge into a simple click-and-drag task.
The Genie Series comes standard with FOUNDATION and consists of the following tools:
Report Writers
• Job Costing DataGenie
• General Ledger DataGenie
Form Designers
• InvoiceGenie
• PO/SubGenie
• T/M BillingGenie
• TimecardGenie
Import/Export Designers
• Direct Deposit ExportGenie
• Job Cost BudgetGenie
• TimeGenie
The report writers in the Genie Series use a special “data capsule technology.”Data Capsules are on-screen graphics that represent hundreds of pre-defined segments of data that can be easily added to create custom reports. Users can control the design and get the exact information they require simply by clicking and dragging these customizable
capsules. A job costing report, for example, might use the capsules for such things as current period labor, revised estimated labor or revised period labor.
All capsules are fully date-sensitive, meaning reports can be created for any desired time period, such as year-to-date, job-to-date or current period. Several “template” reports come standard with the software and can easily be copied for customized modifications. In addition, the DataGenie allows users to define their own custom drill-downs, creating a tool to navigate through a wealth of data, moving from a broad overview to precise information for individual costs.
The form designers that are part of the Genie Series tools can customize the layout and appearance of forms such as standard, percent complete and time-and-material invoices as well as purchase orders and subcontracts.With these completely integrated designers, users can control font and color capabilities and attach bitmap images such as logos or graphics.
The TimecardGenie allows the user to create the on-screen entry form for inputting timecard information. As with
the other designers, capsules of information can be arranged in any order on the screen, allowing users to design the software screen to match the timecards submitted by staff so that data entry is simplified and accelerated.
Several import and export designers are included in the Genie Series. The Direct Deposit ExportGenie allows users
to quickly design a report containing the information required for direct deposit of employee payroll. These files are compatible with a wide variety of bank software programs and can be easily imported.
The Job Cost BudgetGenie and TimeGenie help eliminate a great deal of data-entry. Instead, of manually inputting
timecard and job estimate information, users can simply click-and-drag the data capsules in these Genies, mapping data in the import file to the location where it should be imported in FOUNDATION. This capsule technology makes FOUNDATION compatible with an almost unlimited number of other programs, including most third-party estimating software systems, Palm Pilot products and many timecard systems. Even something as simple as Microsoft Excel can be used by project managers or employees to input time. This information can then be seamlessly imported into FOUNDATION without accounting staff having to re-enter or reformat it.
While SQL technology is extraordinary and quickly becoming a standard for databases, FOUNDATION goes a step further, making it user-friendly with its Genie Series of designers and the unique drag-and-drop data capsule technology it uses. These tools offer users the ability to quickly and easily report on essential job data.
What Users Have to Say
“We found FOUNDATION for Windows’ reporting truly remarkable. In a single click I can see how we are performing as a whole—then keep clicking for details. I can list all jobs that make up my job cost totals. I can retrieve cost code lists that make up individual jobs. I can even pinpoint cost class detail, such as labor, and see each employee that’s worked on the job. These precise details provide peace of mind that I am making the right decisions.” - Neil Patel, VP East-West Construction
“We designed our DataGenie series to meet the needs of today’s busy construction owners and project managers,” Fred Ode, CEO/chairman of Foundation Software, says. “After speaking with literally thousands of construction professionals, we heard a consistent theme. Everyone wanted a simple reporting solution where they could easily design custom reports and documents unique to their business needs. Our DataGenie series of report writers, form designers and import/export tools allow contractors to accomplish this.”
Foundation Software, Inc.
150 Pearl Road
Brunswick, OH 44212
www.foundationsoft.com
Phone: (800) 246-0800
Fax: (330) 220-1443
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