As integral as computers and software are to our businesses, finding the ideal application for our unique situation may be easier than you think. Many developers offer a variety of software and web applications to enable your business to perform at its peak. Accounting, organization, timesheets, and document control are all examples of what is currently available specifically for engineering firms.

In response to an open invitation from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. Company web addresses are provided for immediate access to additional information.
To participate in Structural Engineer Specifiers’ Guides, visit www.gostructural.com/specguide.


Autodesk’s (www.autodesk.com) Buzzsaw collaboration software as a service helps architecture, engineering, and construction firms centralize and coordinate project-related documents and data at the outset of the building information modeling (BIM) process. This service allows firms to make more timely decisions and exchange more up-to-date information among project members, promoting the successful execution of building and infrastructure projects.

Bentley Systems, Incorporated (www.bentley.com) offers ProjectWise, an engineering project team collaboration system that is used to help teams improve quality, reduce rework, and meet project deadlines. Proven on projects of all shapes and sizes to increase productivity and reduce costs, ProjectWise is unlike competing systems as it is the only one that delivers integrated solutions for content management, content publishing, design review, and asset lifecycle management. Better still, ProjectWise is optimized for real-time collaboration across distributed teams and can be deployed OnPremise at your office or OnLine as a hosted managed solution.

Document Locator, by ColumbiaSoft (www.documentlocator.com), is enterprise-class document management for engineering and construction firms to improve collaboration with more efficient review and approval processes, reduce risk with greater accountability and control, and increase productivity. Seamless Microsoft integration means that Document Locator is engineered for ease of use—everyone, from project managers, to engineers, to contractors, to designers, to vendors, and even customers—can immediately understand and use it. Integrations with AutoCAD, Brava!, and more give everyone instant access to collaborate and share designs, drawings, and documents from within they applications they use every day.

CyberMatrix Corporation, Inc.’s (www.cybermatrix.com) Timesheets is a timesheet entry application that allows employees to easily enter their time spent on various projects or tasks. The Timesheets software is ideal for engineering companies and other project oriented businesses. Timesheets Standard can share employee timesheet data over a network. Timesheets Client/Server, Enterprise, and Web can share timesheet data over an intranet or Internet connection. Timesheets Web can be accessed from virtually any web browser. Timesheets CE runs on Pocket PCs and most Windows Mobile devices.

First Trace, Inc. (www.firsttrace.com) has developed the first and only document management solution that breaks down the traditional wall between engineering and the greater enterprise: Kinnosa. With its heritage solidly established on meeting the complex needs of the engineering user, Kinnosa is built on open industry standards with a true enterprise compatible architecture. Kinnosa is intuitive and adaptable enough to be used by novice enterprise users but also highly advanced for the robust requirements of the technical engineering/CAD user. Kinnosa integrates with CAD tools from SolidWorks, Autodesk (AutoCAD), and Bentley Systems (Microstation) as well as desktop applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and OpenOffice.

Meridian Systems (www.meridiansystems.com) is the plan-build-operate technology solutions leader for project-based organizations (PBO2). Building owners, construction and engineering firms, and public agencies use Prolog software to effectively manage capital building programs and facility assets. Meridian offers construction project management and infrastructure lifecycle management solutions that reduce project costs and schedules across the plan-build-operate project lifecycle. Prolog is the industry standard for successful construction project delivery. Prolog provides robust construction project management by automating all aspects of the construction lifecycle, from project design to close out.

Newforma Project Center (www.newforma.com) is project information management software specifically designed to support the multi-step, multi-party, highly-interactive, and highly-involved processes of integrated project delivery (IPD). In particular, it supports the complex process of LEED certification administration and the emerging digital workflows required for BIM-based design. Newforma Project Center removes time- and money-draining inefficiencies from AEC project execution while supporting clearer communication and the accountability required for a more integrated, collaborative practice. It is the only project information management software that allows AEC/O professionals to organize and share all project information across all projects for all team members.

Richard Sampson Associates’ (www.constructioncommunicator.com) Construction Communicator enables structural engineers to organize internal documentation (RFIs, responses, and submittals, etc.). This online document-control software makes it easier for users to communicate with architects and contractors. Track new submittals, comments and mark-up drawings. Easily move between e-mail and the online world. Quickly download RFI and submittal documentations in PDF format, for easy sharing and archiving.

Vela Systems (www.velasystems.com) software automates field activities in construction and capital projects, creating significant efficiencies for contractors, architects, engineers and owners. Instead of carrying a field notebook and paper plans or specs, Vela users work on Tablet PCs to electronically access construction documents and to complete field reports, safety inspections, work lists, punch lists, schedule updates, and other critical activities. Users routinely save weeks on project schedules, improve quality of delivered projects, and reduce risk across the firm.