Project and business management software are becoming increasingly complex, offering a variety of features and services. By efficiently managing employee, client, and project information, this type of software can serve firms and organizations of all sizes. Resource management, project management, accounting, sales and marketing, time and expense capture, and billing can all be accomplished with software tools. In addition, the ability to integrate project and data management software with other software programs allows essential information to be imported.

In response to a request from Structural Engineer, a number of manufacturers provided the following information about their products. Some companies declined to participate by failing to return the questionnaire by our deadline. We apologize for inadvertent omissions. To be added to our contact list, please contact Jennifer Goupil, P.E., at jgoupil@zweigwhite.com.


Designed by structural engineers, BillQuick from BQE Software Inc., efficiently manages employee, client, and project information, including document management, budgets, Gantt charts, and receivables. BillQuick allows unlimited billing rates for employees, tasks, and projects. Invoice based on time and material, fixed fee, percent complete, and recurring. BillQuick also accommodates phasing and billing against retainers. Invoices and reports are fully customizable. Add-on products are available for offsite consultants and satellite offices: time and expense recording, report generation and invoicing via the Internet, e-mail, and PDAs. BillQuick integrates with QuickBooks, Microsoft Office, and Intuit Payroll.

Deltek’s Vision is an enterprise resource and project planning software solution designed specifically for project-based firms of all sizes. Available as a complete enterprise-class suite or as a preconfigured solution designed to meet the needs of smaller firms, Vision incorporates critical business functions, including resource management, project management, accounting, sales and marketing, time and expense capture, and billing. Vision integrates planning, tracking, and project administration features with innovative functionality such as Visualization and mobile access. According to the company, Vision is the only software solution designed to help professional service firms of all sizes improve their business performance management, streamline their operations, and win more business.

Graphisoft’s Cost Manager 2007 is an application that enables visual presentations on estimating information for client purposes, and it visually compares one version of the estimate to another. According to the company, it graphically illustrates budget variance, line items, and the minimum and maximum cost (cost range) for any system or item that is not 100-percent specified. The software also performs target cost analysis on all project levels with full drill-down capabilities for accessing the detailed cost breakdown information. The software allows users to import estimating information from MS Excel or Estimator 2007 and connects to 5D Presenter.

Meridian Systems provides software solutions designed to optimize the plan, build, and operate phases of real estate, construction, and other physical infrastructure initiatives. According to the company, its solutions are used by building owners, operators, construction and engineering firms, and public agencies that rely on physical infrastructure to deliver their core business. Meridian features a comprehensive lineup of construction project management software applications spanning several business capabilities in the areas of project portfolio management and facilities management.

Primavera Systems, Inc.’s project, resource, and portfolio management software solutions are used by general contractors and subcontractors as well as public and private owners to improve scheduling and planning, negotiate change, and increase collaboration to ensure projects are delivered on-time and on budget. According to the company—which has been involved in construction and engineering for more than 20 years—its solutions have ensured the success of projects collectively worth more than $5.5 trillion, including the management of the Pentagon reconstruction, construction of China’s Three Gorges Dam, and the infrastructure development of the London Underground transit system.

According to Richard Sampson Associates, Inc., its Construction Communicator online construction document management software helps engineers to upload responses with attached files in answer to new contractor requests for information (RFIs), as well as to review past responses and track due dates. E-mail notifications alert the engineer to new RFIs and submittals. The e-mail includes a link to the online system, making responding or commenting online as easy as opening e-mail messages. Engineers can also log into the system when no e-mails are received. According to the company, simplicity and speed are the primary reasons that design and construction professionals choose this system over others that may be far more complex than necessary.



To obtain more information about any of the products featured in this Specifiers’ Guide, click www.gostructural.com/infodirect and enter the number listed below.

Company Name ( InfoDirect number)
BQE Software Inc. (570)
Deltek (571)
Graphisoft (572)
Meridian Systems (573)
Primavera Systems, Inc. (574)
Richard Sampson Associates, Inc. (575)