Viewpoint Construction Software

Transcription

1 14-1 Viewpoint Construction Software Executive Summary Headquartered in Portland, OR, Viewpoint Construction Software has served the construction industry for nearly 40 years. With a long-standing focus on the issues and challenges facing contractors and capital project owners, Viewpoint provides constructionspecific software from preconstruction to construction to facilities maintenance that enhances process efficiencies and improves project visibility that leads to even greater profitability for Heavy Highway, General Contractor, and Specialty Subcontractors. Viewpoint has carved out a unique position in the business software marketplace. Instead of pointing resources toward the development of generic business solutions, Viewpoint focuses attention on solving the unique needs of construction professionals. This means working closely with customers and industry-focused organizations to gain the specific insights required to continually adapt the software to new industry conditions. This also means creating products that are built to scale with a customer s business, without forcing them to invest in infrastructure that outpaces their current needs. The pillars of Viewpoint s construction-specific toolset of software solutions include: Vista by Viewpoint ProContractor by Viewpoint Viewpoint For Projects, including Field View Viewpoint For Estimating The majority of this review is specific to Vista, but because Viewpoint has offerings across the entire construction software industry, brief mention is made here of the other primary products. ProContractor is an all-in-one, cloud-based solution with flexible features that enable users to begin with the most critical applications they need whether only estimating or accounting or project management and grow into the full breadth of offerings as their business needs evolve. The integrated suite is unique in that it allows work done in the Estimating module to flow into the Accounting and Project Management modules without double entry; and the entire package is unique in the construction software market because it includes a virtual desktop that customers can use to access other third-party, construction-specific, line-ofbusiness software applications. Viewpoint for Projects is a web-based, SaaSmodel solution with a few different subscription pricing models, and is designed to make project collaboration easier each step of the way. With Viewpoint For Projects, stakeholders have the ability to collaborate on BIM models, drawings, documents, s, and contracts, helping ensure projects meet cost, time, and quality expectations. Every major project relies on a complex network of owners, architects, engineers, construction managers, contractors, and sub-contractors. In order for success and profitability, organized collaboration between key parties must occur in an integrated manner. The hallmark of cloudbased Viewpoint For Projects are its workflows which help accomplish this critical integration of diverse project stakeholders and construction teams by offering them the ability to access, manage, distribute, mark-up and audit drawings, submittals, RFI s, issues, and other construction and pre-construction documents. Powerful document control features. Features include document control, project communications, BIM collaboration, and Field View. Field View is a tablet-based application as a part of the Viewpoint For Projects suite that allows project teams to access everything they need on site. This may include permit completion, defect management, safety walks, project progress, and

2 14-2 more. You can leverage transparency to make corrective actions and ensure no details are overlooked. Field View improves how information is collected, managed, and reported. Contractors who need to quickly and accurately takeoff, estimate, and bid projects for best profit rely on Viewpoint For Estimating software. This suite of easy-to-use solutions provides contractors with ways to save time, simplify workflow, prepare more winning bids, and efficiently maintain a pipeline of opportunities. In an era where contractors are focused on winning larger projects, an estimating solution that removes as much human error as possible is critical. With Digital Takeoff, Excel, and RS Means integration, what-if scenarios, and visual assemblies, estimators can get their jobs done faster with more accuracy. Viewpoint for Estimating integrates with Vista and ProContractor providing an unmatched user experience for all stakeholders of a project from takeoff to close-out in a single solution. production data received from the field prior to updating the Vista Payroll, Job Cost, and Equipment Modules. Mobile Time allows the field team to easily enter labor hours and costs and deliver that information directly to the office for fast payroll processing. Even in places without internet connectivity, you can enter your time on smartphones and tablets and later send that data for review prior to updating Vista Payroll. There are no limits on how many people can use the mobile application, giving your office optimal flexibility in deciding who needs access. Automatically track arrival time with GPS features. Mobile Equipment addresses the need of getting equipment time information from the field. Integrated with the Vista Equipment Module, this easy-to-use application allows you to utilize a smart phone or tablet for fast entry of equipment time. Mobile Field Manager is an extension of Vista, specifically for construction employees to input their labor, equipment time, and productivity from anywhere with an ios or Android tablet or smart phone. It has four applications: Field updates sync to Vista. Easily tag photos with a date and job location. Field Work Center enables office personnel to review and validate labor, equipment time, and Mobile Production enables you to quickly and accurately enter and track production units in the field. The production units are aggregated in Mobile Field Manager until they are uploaded as a batch to a progress entry in Vista Job Cost. Once entered, Mobile Field Manager users can view daily and job-to-date totals and see how daily quantities will affect the totals, all in realtime.

3 14-3 Multiple users can enter production units for the same phases on a job which can be uploaded for the day by an administrator. This application with focus on the needs of the end user. Remote and on-premises access to rich-client software is provided over the internet; mobile apps boost efficiency even without an internet connection; collaborative software applications leverage SaaS; and finally there is DaaS, a somewhat unique IT-Free solution that provides the familiarity of the desktop experience for end users but allows the organization access to highend IT expertise without having to manage it themselves. Table of Contents Accurately enter and track production units in the field. provides users the ability to review and maintain control of received information before updating the Job Cost module and eliminates double-entry and potential costing errors. Vista Content Management provides a central storage and management solution for all electronic content, whether documents, photos, s, or anything else that can and needs to be indexed and stored in an organized fashion. Additionally, Content Management includes a principal administration portal for security, access, archiving, backup, and retention. Introduction to Vista 3 Vista System Features 4 Preconstruction 6 Job Cost 6 Project Management 8 Subcontract Ledger 9 Accounts Payable 10 General Ledger 12 Cash Management 13 Payroll 13 Human Resources 15 Accounts Receivable 15 Equipment Management 16 Inventory 18 Purchase Orders 18 Material Sales 19 Service Management 20 Resource Management 21 Utility Modules User Database Module 21 Imports Module 22 Document Management Module 22 Business Intelligence Module 22 Photo Management provides a quick way to capture, organize, and resize images. This solution equips users and administrators with an array of tools to develop and maintain a comprehensive ECM strategy. Mobile web access allows users in the field to capture new documents and photos and then index and add them to the main database using their mobile device. Also with their mobile devices, they can create new search queries, complete with lookups, to find any existing document. Deployment Viewpoint s intuitive applications are delivered on the most effective platforms for the customer, New offices as addition to its HQ across the street. Vista by Viewpoint is a comprehensive, configurable, and adaptable Finance, Operations, and Project Management suite of software designed to synchronize all aspects of a construction business. Vista includes construction-specific tools, technology, and access to information that companies need to empower employees, increase job profitability, and enhance company performance and success in today s competitive market. Change Orders, RFI s, and transmittals are second nature; old standbys like union and certified payroll are customary, Vista Payroll also includes all federal

4 14-4 requirements, including the latest ACA (Affordable Care Act) requirements and dozens of state-specific and even local requirements. Users of Vista report that having a single integrated system that handles accounting, and project management increases efficiency and delivers more depth to management-level reporting. The software s integrated modern architecture means that the accounting and operations groups share data and a common reporting structure, which allows both divisions to access the information needed to manage jobs and cash flow more effectively. Built utilizing the Microsoft.NET Framework on the Microsoft SQL Server database, Vista provides improved security, better collaboration abilities, increased performance, and best-inclass user experience to help ensure a rapid return on investment. Vista delivers powerful reporting features using Crystal Reports and Microsoft Office SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS). Data generated in Vista can be easily exported to Microsoft Excel for further manipulation as desired. Vista comes with over 1,200 standard Crystal Reports. With the new drill through inquiry tool, information can be easily accessed throughout Vista without having to run a report, saving valuable time. The core Vista accounting package includes Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash Management, General Ledger, Payroll, Financial Statement reporting, Job Cost, plus system utilities (Imports, Reports, and Viewpoint Administration modules). Add on modules include Equipment Management, Human Resources, Inventory, Job Billing, Material Sales and Parts Management, Pre-Construction, Subcontract Management, Service Management, Resource Management, Purchasing, Workflow with alerts, and a User Database. Viewpoint Download Manager The Viewpoint Download Manager is a webbased notification and delivery system that enables you to install and update your server whenever it best suits your operations. Viewpoint also offers after-hours stand-by service in case you run into anything expected. Sales and Services Viewpoint Construction Software is sold through both a direct sales force and a few distinguished business development partners who ve proven themselves in the construction industry through many years of experience. Implementation, Training, and Support The Viewpoint Professional Services team will take your company through a collaborative and comprehensive planning process to ensure your team members share in the vision and success of the project. The implementation team consists of a Software Consultant, an Implementation Project Leader and a Project Manager who will lead all facets of the implementation from planning to go-live. The Consultant will do the majority of the software training, sometimes using subject matter experts for specific sessions. The Project Manager works in the background to ensure the project is appropriately staffed with the right team members at the right time and directs the planning and implementation scheduling. Depending upon the size and complexity of the implementation, a Project or Team Leader(s) may be assigned to be directly involved with the implementation and planning. Viewpoint converts many years of implementation experience into a very detailed and thorough project plan which will be customized to user implementation timing and resources. Viewpoint has over 750 global employees. For nearly 40 years, Viewpoint has staked its reputation on the quality of its software and its knowledgeable support team. The Viewpoint team has over 750 employees including development, support, and professional services who are dedicated and talented individuals with extensive software and construction experience. The Support team is located in Portland, OR, Plymouth Meeting, PA, and Charlotte, NC. Standard support hours are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time.

5 14-5 Vista System Features Enhanced Windows-like user interface for more intuitive navigation Microsoft SQL Server database (ODBC compliant) Microsoft.NET Framework Attachments feature Seamless Project Management and Document Management capability Import module Work Center configurable by user/role Customization of data entry screens Notifier (alert system) Cons Setup is time-consuming and requires considerable training and support Each module has five main areas maintenance, processing, reports, drill-downs, and userconfigured fields. An unlimited number of userdefined fields can be added by the user to any tab of any form and arranged to meet their needs. Vista also provides the ability to run a report from within a form, removing the need to navigate away from the task at hand. Notes tabs are available throughout the system at almost all levels. The Attachments feature enables users to attach documents (word documents, spreadsheets, images, etc.) to specific records in the system. A Windows tool bar button allows for easy viewing of any attached files. s can be easily dragged and dropped onto a form. Vista offers an integrated Scanning/Imaging program. The program will work with any TWAIN compliant scanner. A scanner button is available from the tool bar menu in each Vista form. As a document is scanned, it is automatically attached to the individual record (invoice, job, employee, vendor, etc.) Behind the scenes, the program indexes each document for quick search and retrieval. Batch scanning of documents allows a group of documents such as invoices, PO s, and receivables to be scanned consecutively and held in a temporary directory. Users can then run a Vista form such as AP Invoice Entry, reviewing and attaching scanned documents to the invoices. Images can be stored either in the SQL Database or in a user-specified, shared network drive location. Vista offers a powerful workflow system. The software allows users to set up standardized workflows anywhere in the system, assign tasks and track progress. The system monitors the database looking for key events (overdue documents, unapproved invoices, etc.) and notifies the responsible party via or Desktop message. Notifier is delivered with a library of pre-defined alerts. In addition, users may create their own notifications with this powerful tool. Viewpoint has developed a powerful Import module within Vista. ASCII text files, Excel, comma separated, or XML files coming from third-party applications may be brought into Vista through an import, validation, and upload scheme. The batch process and validation capabilities ensure that data integrity is preserved. In addition, the import program can provide intelligent defaults as the data is brought into Vista. An example would be providing employee union/classification data during the upload based on a predefined employee setting. Vista primarily uses enhanced batch processing. Multiple batches can be open simultaneously in any module. Once a batch is approved for posting the system updates all applicable modules. If changes are needed to something that is already posted, you can pull up the transaction in a subsequent batch, make the necessary changes, and the system will update with the new values while retaining a record of your original transactions. This makes auditing easy. Project Management data is handled somewhat differently in that it is updated in real-time within the PM module, with an interface action that updates accounting. A nice feature of Vista is the ability to customize the grid-based entry screens. For example, in Payroll time entry, the user can control whether certain fields are even shown on the entry grid. By user, you can define a default input, skip a field, or enter transactions on a field-by-field basis. Viewpoint has provided a database diagram with Vista, which shows the interrelationship between database tables. Users can obtain this information using a standard report that includes all database fields, formats, and relationships. Company setup is done in the Headquarters module, which is part of the core system. For each company, you can establish groups of

6 14-6 Accounts Payable vendors and Accounts Receivable customers, enabling you to share vendor and customer master files across companies. The Headquarters module also allows the setup of other files (e.g., units of measure) to be shared by multiple modules as well as across companies. Vista is delivered with a library of over 1,200 reports developed with Crystal Reports. With the Crystal developer kit, more sophisticated users can copy and customize their own reports. Viewpoint offers Financial Manager, which is a reporting, budgeting, planning, forecasting, and consolidation tool designed specifically for the unique financial requirements of the construction industry. Help All reference documentation for Vista is online, accessible through the customer portal. The Form and Field Help is also pushed to the web to allow users faster access to Help updates. Implementation checklists and logs are also provided as a step-by-step approach to bringing up the software in a logical and organized manner. bid administration (to assist the estimating department in managing the bid process), request for quote or request for proposal, and ability to track small or minority business bids and manage SWMBE goals. In the bid phase it has the capacity to record dates and information about bid day, pre-bid meetings, planning costs, and availability that enable more accurate estimating. Once awarded the project, you can simply convert to a contract in Project Management. Pre-Construction also allows at-a-glance subcontractor information regarding qualifications, certifications, licensing, and skills and safety records so you ll know the qualifications of any subcontractor under consideration, facilitating the vetting and selection of subcontractors for inclusion in the bidding process. Job Cost Flexible job coding structure Real-time on-line inquiries Powerful forecasting for revenue and costs Option to close and transfer WIP (work in progress) Large library of predefined Crystal Reports Supports multiple phases per contract item and multiple cost types per phase. Over 100 Job Cost reports Cons Must have Project Management module to use estimating import program. Revised budgets must be updated through change orders (internal or external) Users have access to the latest help documentation online. Pre-Construction The Pre-Construction module allows you to track your project leads, opportunities, and bids in one place, record important project information and document locations, as well as dates for quick resource allocation. It includes invitation to bid, Jobs are linked to profit centers (departments) within the general ledger. The department by item feature permits multiple departments working on a specific job. Payroll hours and costs, equipment and material usage, and accounts payable costs and quantities all update Job Cost when posted from the applicable module. Material sales (typically used by heavy/highway contractors with plants, pits, or quarries) update Job Cost through an automated ticket upload program. The Job Cost contract forecasting provides insight and control of your projects allowing for gross profit forecasting for expected revenue and

7 14-7 anticipated costs utilizing S curve or straight line methodology. Job File A 10-character alphanumeric field identifies jobs. The user can define up to 10 different segments within the job number. Vista also includes an additional 20-character alphanumeric phase (cost) code, which can have up to 20 segments. Item is a 10-character alphanumeric field and is linked to the phase code. You can have multiple phases per contract item and can have multiple cost types per phase. Users can define up to 256 cost types in the system. For each department, a general ledger revenue and closed revenue account (for completed contract jobs) are defined and linked to the cost type. The job file includes all of the standard fields required for setting up a job. Some unique fields in the job cost file include reviewer (a reviewer sequence may be assigned for unapproved invoices), liability template (which allows you to define how the job is to be burdened), and project manager (which is a standard sort field for reporting). Up to 256 user-defined fields (date, text, number, yes/no) are available at the job, contract item, and phase level. cost, cost, bill flag (determines if you want just cost or units to feed to billing system), and item unit (used for heavy highway to match field and pay quantities). You can track an original budget, current budget (original plus approved change orders), projected budget (computed from the forecasting system), and committed budget (from purchase orders and/or subcontract ledger). Vista does not maintain a separate budget for revised estimates. Any changes to the estimate must be done through a change order (internal or external). Hours are brought over to Job Cost, which enables you to maintain hours by regular, overtime, premium, or any other user-defined earnings code. A nice feature is Lock Phase. If this feature is activated for a specific job, a user cannot enter to a phase (cost code) that has not been set up on that job. With lock phases turned on, only those phases on the job show up in the lookup windows, helping maintain job data integrity. Templates containing a list of standard activities can be established and duplicated to set up a job. In addition, there is a nice copy program in the Job Cost and PM modules. This program gives the user the option to copy a job s contract items, phases, cost types, and change orders. A variety of job classifications are available for job reporting and closeout processing. Pending jobs are in the Project Management module and have not been released to accounting. Other classifications include open, soft-closed, and hard-closed. Changes to Job setup cross over to the Project setup. Vista provides the ability to reopen a job, or post to closed jobs with a warning for posting. For contractors using the completed contract method of accounting, you can set up a flag in the company file to determine if you want to automate the posting for completed jobs. When the job is officially closed, the system will automatically make a journal entry from work in process to costs of construction. For each cost code/cost type combination, Vista will maintain unit of measure, hours, units, unit Overhead allocations can be made based on userdefined criteria. Users can define allocation formulas based on cost (amount or rate per selected cost types, hours, or revenue). You can identify which jobs and which departments are affected by the allocation. A separate program can be run to establish journal entries for allocation. Vista is extremely flexible in charging labor burden to jobs. An unlimited number of burden templates (called liability templates) can be established. Within each liability template, you can determine the liability types (i.e., taxes, union, etc.), and whether actual or estimated burden will be computed for each type. You can also determine by liability template if you want burden to be posted to a particular cost type,

8 14-8 phase, or assigned to the same phase as direct labor. Inquiries and Reports Inquiries have been developed using Crystal reports, and allow the user to drill down from summarized levels to the most detailed transaction information. Since the inquiries are written in Crystal, the user can modify them. In addition to the inquiries, there are over 200 standard reports within the Project Management and Job Cost modules. Examples of just a few of the key Job Cost reports and inquiries are as follows: Revenue & Cost Drill Summary Contract Status Unit Cost Drill-down Estimate & Actual Job Estimate/Actual/Projected Cost Drill-down Work In Progress Report(s) Job Cost & Pending Change Orders Labor Productivity Report(s) Contract Profit & Item Details Unit Cost Reports Job Cost Drill-down Project Management Shared file system with Job Cost module Project Manager Desktop view specific to role Tracks key documents: Contracts, RFI s, Change Orders, Submittals, Punch Lists, Daily Logs, Drawing Logs, Inspection Logs, Meeting Minutes, etc. Integrated with Microsoft Office & Outlook for document creation/ ing Over 120 standard PM reports Project Management is an optional module, and integrates with Viewpoint s Estimating solutions and leading estimating systems for automated project setup. This module is a complete tool for managing all aspects of the project life cycle. Work Centers are a central location to track and log critical information, perform common tasks, view related records, configure the software with a user s specific workflows, and frequently used forms. This includes document logs and the ability to launch, edit, and perform related tasks based on returned data sets. Once the project is established, a powerful tool box manages the full range of tasks including contract management, RFI s, change orders, submittals, transmittals, meeting logs, lists, and more. The software also works seamlessly with Microsoft Office plugins for automated generation and distribution of construction documents from within Vista using this common business application. RFI forms are robust and intuitive. Project Management is fully integrated with the accounting module, enabling users to transmit continually and receive up-to-date project information. It automatically updates Accounting and Job Cost with subcontracts, PO s, and change orders approved in Project Management. Vista s project-specific buy-out and setup screens enable users to set up and monitor projects, contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, and change orders. Project Management provides complete document control, including tracking of RFIs, submittals, letters of transmittal, daily logs, meeting notes, issues, and pending and approved change orders. With issue history you can link issues to different document types. Vista s linking to Word generates the majority of documents. The system will also automatically link to if that is the preferred method of sending documents. Besides the many defined documents, users have the ability to define their own document types. Document Tools (MS Word link) is available to print forms such as RFI s, Request For Quotes, Pending Change Orders, Submittal Requests, Letters Of Transmittal, etc. and Miscellaneous (user-defined) documents. The system includes a number of predefined Word templates set up to merge with information from the database.

9 14-9 These Word templates can be customized by selecting from a library of predefined merge fields made available in Vista. Approved change orders can be tracked in the Subcontract Ledger and Job Cost modules. In order to develop pending change orders and track them through the approval process, you need the Project Management module. Project Management will track change orders from pending through approval. Subcontractor changes can be linked to owner change orders using a separate sequencing scheme so the subcontractor change order number does not have to be the same as the owner change number. When change orders are approved, Vista automatically makes the necessary changes to the owner contract, cost estimate, and committed costs. Approved owner change orders can be made up of pending change orders and/or selected items within the pending change order. Multiple pending change orders can become a single approved change order. The cost projection system utilizes either fieldreported quantities or percent complete to initially calculate the projection. A flexible review screen allows the project manager to evaluate each phase/cost type and perform what-if scenarios with projected units, hours, cost, unit cost, or man-hour production. projection screen. If the PM overrides a projection, a note window is available to record the reason for the override. After performing the update, it is necessary to run a batch process which will update the projected budget field in the job cost file. Cost projections are maintained within a detail file as of a given date and can be updated as often as you want. Subcontract Ledger Handles lump sum & unit cost subcontracts Cross-reference subcontract to owner billing User-defined compliance codes and compliance groups Cons Need Project Management in order to track pending change orders Subcontract Ledger enables you to enter and track subcontract information in the Project Management module. Approved subcontracts can be sent to Job Cost to automatically fill the committed cost field. In the Project Management module, the subcontract form can be generated through a document link to Microsoft Word. You can also import projection detail to support your PM Cost Projections. Using the standard IM (Import) template and workflow, you can import the details of any combination of phase and cost type, saving time and effort over manual entry. Apply compliance rules to contractor or contract. Simplify and save time with configurable Work Centers Unique drill-down buttons allow the PM to see detailed cost transactions and pending change orders on-line without having to exit the Project Management includes subcontract buyout and set-up screens and integrates with Subcontract Ledger. Project Management pulls in all phase codes with subcontract cost types. Unassigned, assigned, and interfaced (released to accounting) tabs provide an easy way to track the buy-out. A buy-out report shows the savings during the buy-out process.

10 14-10 Subcontracts can have multiple line items and each line item can update a different job cost phase. Each item can be a lump sum or unit price. Subcontract items can be cross-referenced to owner billing items so that quantities or percentages on the owner s pay request can generate like quantities or percentages to be paid to the subcontractor. A work file may be used to review all subcontracts on the job, edit amounts to be paid, and automatically update the subcontract invoice in Accounts Payable. A subcontract billing report showing current payment and contract to-date information may be sent along with the check as remittance advice. You can also enter a subcontract pay estimate and then prepare the worksheet to automatically update the work file, which will in turn update the owner billing. Approved change orders to the subcontractor and owner can be printed with Crystal reports which can be modified by the user. Separate retainage information for work complete and stored materials can be entered for each subcontract. In addition, you can add a user-defined hold code, which is transferred to Accounts Payable. Back charges can be entered as a separate item type and reported upon in the subcontractor ledger. However, you still need to enter the back charge as a credit during the invoicing process. Subcontracts, change orders, and pending change orders are processed and monitored in Project Management, which will automatically update the Subcontract Ledger upon approval. Accounts Payable Share vendors across companies Inter-company option Flexible, grid-based payment selection screen Joint check supplier in vendor master file Integrated Scanning & Routing Capability and Internet links Sequential customer numbering with option for auto number assignment Cons Numeric vendor number only (can search by unique sort name) Multiple periods and batches can be open, but a single batch cannot post transactions to more than one period Vista s Accounts Payable efficiently handles the normal accounts payable functions of invoice entry and check printing. It effectively controls costs by comparing invoices with purchase orders and subcontracts. Accounts Payable is integrated with Job Cost, General Ledger, Subcontract Ledger, Purchase Orders, Equipment Management, and Inventory. If using purchase orders, you can initialize the accounts payable entry from receiver or the entire PO. Vendor Master Vendor code is a six-character numeric field name with a look-up by name. Vista includes all of the necessary standard fields within the vendor master file in addition to 256 userdefined fields. Vendors can be coded as a supplier for use in joint check printing and reporting. EFT (electronic funds transfer) can be set up for any vendor in the master file. You can have EFT payments for US contractors with vendors that have foreign banks, and there is support for Canada and Australian EFT payments. Vista includes an automatic tie to from the vendor master file that enables you to directly link to a vendor address. This allows for ing EFT remittance advices. In addition, you can directly link to the vendor s Web site. On all address fields there is a Map button, which will link to Google Maps. Invoice Entry For invoice entry you can enter the vendor number or first characters of the name (the system will suggest the best match). You can, optionally, enter the total invoice amount as a check to make sure the line items entered balance with the total. A single invoice can be distributed to multiple areas. On a single invoice you can distribute to a direct job expense, purchase for inventory, non-job expense (will require entry of a general ledger account), equipment item, work order on a piece of equipment, and/or a purchase order or subcontract (if entered it will pre-fill with line item information). Each line, based on type, will prompt and validate master records. For instance, a line being charged to a job will request the entry of job number, phase, cost type, units, and unit price (optional); whereas, an equipment line prompts and validates for equipment number, cost codes, etc. Intercompany transactions in Vista are strong. A to company in many data entry screens allow

11 14-11 you to easily post transactions to another company. In addition, the vendor master file can be shared across companies. Sales, use, and GST tax may be recorded at the time of invoice entry. Use tax can accrue a liability and job-cost the expense, as well as report to the tax authority. Other options during the invoice entry process include an ability to override 1099 calculations on an invoice-byinvoice basis, enter prepaid as single entry, override the address where the check is to be mailed, and link an image to the transaction. Vendor Compliance A strong feature in Vista is compliance groups, which are sets of user-defined compliance items set up in the subcontract and purchase order modules (WC insurance, lien info, license, etc.). You can develop multiple groups of compliance items, which can be tied to a job. For each compliance item, you have the ability to specify whether you want the system to warn during AP processing. Both soft and hard warnings can occur during invoice entry and/or during the payment process. A company parameter option will prevent any out-of-compliance invoice from being included in the payment process. In addition to compliance warnings, Vista will trigger a warning if the subcontract or purchase orders unit cost doesn t match, or if the total cost exceeds the subcontract or purchase order. The system does not warn if the invoice exceeds the budget. Invoice Routing & Approval Unapproved invoices may be entered and assigned reviewers for later approvals and processing. Unapproved invoices do not go into a batch or post to Job Cost, but are held until approved. approval is done, and all information entered, the invoice is pulled into a batch where it is reviewed and posted. Unapproved invoices do not update Job Cost until approved and posted, but you can include them in Commited Costs for project management purposes. Invoices are processed by batch, which are tagged with the posting individual s login name. Batches are grouped by month, so you can t expense multiple months in one batch. After entering a batch of invoices, you can obtain a preview report before posting. If a user error is found after posting, you can recall a transaction into a new batch (as long as the month is still open). Payment Processing Payments are facilitated by cash requirements reporting, and creation of a payments work-file. In developing the work-file you can restrict by vendor; by job, by payment control, or by payable type (e.g., expense, job, subcontractor, retainage) to add open transactions to the grid. After the initial selection criteria have been entered and the payments grid is populated with invoices to be paid, a simple mouse click is all you need to check off invoices for payment. At the top of the screen, a total payments field is dynamically updated to give the user constant feedback. For ease of use, a payment control detail screen is accessible from the work-file screen. You can easily edit key invoice criteria (dates, discounts, hold/release, etc.) Maintain control and flexibility over Invoice Approval with Reviewer sequences, thresholds, and more. With the reviewer sequence feature, multiple people may be assigned the same invoice for approval. If the integrated Scanning Program is used, the reviewer may click on a display button and view the scanned image. This is great feature for people in remote offices. Once Additional processing options are tidily out of sight until the user needs them.

12 14-12 The user can pull up an invoice and assign a supplier to a line item or multiple line items on an invoice, or add third-party payees. These suppliers can be set up in the master file to default name and address information. Vista, also available in the Canadian and Australian markets, supports processing, printing and submittal of tax and reporting requirements. Inquiries and Reports Checks can be printed on laser stock or downloaded to a MICR program. On-screen drill-down inquiries created with Crystal Reports include inquiries by vendor and by vendor/job. In addition to standard invoice and payment information, drill-downs show the check-cleared date in Cash Management. Two standard reports can track lien waivers. One will print by job, vendor, and check date for subcontractors only, while the other includes subcontractors and material suppliers. General Ledger Handles multi-level profit center reporting Flexible budgeting Allocation entries Supports intercompany transactions restrictions within the General Ledger module for posting to related to accounts. For example, you can make a GL adjusting entry to accounts receivable without identifying a customer or to job cost without identifying a job number. Budgeting within Vista is extremely flexible. User-defined budget codes enable entry of an unlimited number of budgets. Budgets can be automatically computed based upon actual or budget (budget code) from a prior year, or you can modify any budget code by a percentage or amount, or enter individually by budget code. Budgets can be spread monthly, quarterly, or annually. Allocation journal entries within Vista are extremely powerful. Allocations can be established as a percent, ratio, or fixed amount. You can also build allocations on interim totals (i.e., add up all sales accounts and make allocation as a ratio of sales). The level of detail posted is determined within the source module, with an override in General Ledger available at the account level. Users also have the ability to build the description that is being posted from the subsidiary module to General Ledger. Cons No warnings for GL posting to related to accounts Writing custom reports with Crystal Report Writer is a challenge for many users Vista s General Ledger is a versatile system providing multi-company and multiple profit center reporting. Chart of Accounts Account codes are user defined and can be up to 20 characters, with the ability to break down the account number to handle multiple levels such as profit center, division, department, or location. General Ledger has the ability to enter a to company for multi-company transactions. However, in most instances, inter-company transactions are made in the source module (AP, PR) which flow through automatically to the General Ledger. When setting up the chart of accounts, you can establish a related to account for cash, accounts payable, accounts receivable, job, equipment, and inventory type accounts. There are no Convenient Month-end Close dashboard highlights outstanding items. All closings are handled through the general ledger. During company setup, you determine how many months you want to keep open. In month-end close, you need to close the subsidiary ledger before closing the general ledger. Once a month is closed in the subsidiary ledger, you can no longer post to it. This allows the Controller to prevent changes while closing the General Ledger. However, with the right access, you do have the ability to open a closed period. You also have the ability to close AP

13 14-13 and AR separately or choose all other subledgers. A beginning balance update must be run at yearend in order to get the financials to roll forward to the next year. There is no limit to the number of times that this update can be run. Inquiries and Reports On-screen account balance inquiries provide the ability to drill down from summary to detail transactions by account. Standard reports written with Crystal include a trial balance, detail general ledger, etc. Viewpoint offers Financial Manager, integrated to Vista General Ledger and is comprised of two key components: Financial Reporter is included with the Vista core modules and delivers a fullfeatured report designer plus a viewing, scheduling and distribution solution. Financial Planner is offered as an add-on that facilitates organizational budgeting, and forecasting, employs a spreadsheet interface for ease of data entry and built-in workflow to help control the review and approval process. Consolidated financial statements are available within this reporting tool for any combination of companies. You can also obtain reports by profit center, location or any other breakout in the GL code separately or consolidated. These reports can either be created at any time including during the implementation process by Viewpoint s Technical Services team, or they can be created by the user themselves. The time involved is completely dependent on the complexity and number of the statements desired. Simple statements with a simple chart of accounts can be set up very quickly (in less than on hour), complex statements based on complex GL structures could take several days to define, test and revise. Simpler Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow reports come standard in Vista, but they are not as capable as those produced through the rigor of Financial Manager and Financial Planner. Cash Management Cash Management is a full check reconciliation system with information flowing from Accounts Receivable (deposits), Accounts Payable and Payroll (checks). It includes an easy-to-use program for clearing checks, deposits, and adjustments with on-screen statements and variance totals. An automatic update of cleared checks is available if the bank can provide an input file and Vista will match the format. Miscellaneous bank charges, transfers, or adjustments may be entered in Cash Management, with corresponding entries being made automatically in the general ledger. Payroll Automatic update from Accounts Payable Inter-company payroll Time card entry and approval processing in Vista and Viewpoint Connects web portal Comprehensive union handling & reporting Optional crew time card entry with unit progress Integrated with Human Resources Module Direct deposit capability for U.S., Canada, and Australia Australian payroll calculations for allowances and awards, including the ability to accrue liabilities on employee benefits Over 100 standard Payroll reports Comprehensive regulatory reporting meeting EEO, Certified Payroll, DOT, OSHA, and ACA requirements. Cons No piece work payroll features Payroll is fully integrated with Job Cost, General Ledger, Equipment Management, Cash Management, and Human Resources. Integration with optional off-line posting software (not one in particular must be able to output in ASCII format) allows for remote data collection in the field, and subsequent uploads to the payroll files for editing and updating at a later time. Payroll provides the capability of direct deposit and provides a flexible method of handling vacation, sick, or other personal time accruals and tracking, including leave balance alerts that help prevent over-usage of accrued paid leave. Cross-company situations where employees in one company work on multiple companies jobs are easily tracked with all intercompany entries are automatically made. Employee Master The employee master and the master file used in the Human Resources (HR) module are separate files. A system option provides for auto sync of key data fields between the two modules. The

14 14-14 employee master file contains all the basic information needed for payroll processing, while HR is a comprehensive, personnel tracking system. In addition to the employee s pay rate, you can establish job cost and equipment maintenance fixed rates by which the employee s cost is charged to job cost. A separate general ledger account is maintained to assist in reconciling job cost to actual payroll. Burden features can also be added on top of job cost. Vista is extremely flexible when it comes to deductions and liability codes (benefits) with nine different methods of calculation including amount, rate per day, factored rate per hour, rate times gross, rate times net, rate of straight time equivalent, rate based upon selected deduction code, variable factored rate, and routine. There are an unlimited number of user-defined earnings codes. Eight different calculation methods are available for computing earnings. One of these eight methods allows you to write a procedure to calculate your own earnings code. You also have an ability to point an earnings type to a different cost type (i.e. reimbursement). automatically based on the job/template scheme. Capped codes and capped basis provide the ability to establish an hourly limit by classification when individuals working on prevailing wage jobs have different benefits paid. Timecard Entry Timecard entry is in a grid format and can be customized by user. Grid defaults can provide easy entry by job, employee, and crew. Two different entry screens are available. Option 1 is a flexible, multi-use entry screen (daily or weekly timecards, multiple jobs, etc.). Option 2 is a daily time sheet screen that provides added functionality for heavy/highway contractors who record labor, equipment, and units-information on a daily basis. Timecard and crew entry is available in either the Viewpoint Connects web portal or Mobile Field Manager, the mobile application that runs on ios or Android tablets and smart phones. This allows field and home office staff efficient timecard entry and approval processing. Workflow includes a timecard approval process prior to Payroll posting and reporting for validation. Frequent and routine updates to Federal and State tax tables. A nice feature within Vista is the ability to set up two rates and dates within the craft file. This enables you to enter the date when a union or prevailing wage rate will change and the system will pick up the new rate based upon trigger date, even if it is within a payroll period. Union reciprocity (templates) enables you to establish none, partial (identify for each deduction/benefit if home or away), or full override to home and working union. Prevailing wage rates are set up in tables (templates). A template is assigned to a job. During payroll entry, the pay rates default Customizable grids that each user can optimize. Timecards contained in third-party data capture systems can be uploaded, validated, and brought into the main payroll files through a batch process. The import program provides intelligent defaults for union, pay classification, etc. Timecard entry will maintain totals on the screen as data is being entered. A special equipment usage option turns on fields in timecard entry for equipment hours and rate. With this feature, job

15 14-15 cost is updated for both labor and equipment hours and amounts. For job costing of salaried employees, the system uses either a composite hourly rate based upon the number of hours worked during the pay period, or the job cost fixed rate. Vista provides an ability to define automatic overtime schedules by job, union, and employee allowing entry of all time as straight pay. When the overtime schedule program is run, it will automatically compute overtime pay based upon a user-defined hierarchy. You do not have to close the prior pay period in order to start a new one. If a payroll week crosses a month, you have the ability to expense the payroll across both months with an automatic payroll accrual of gross payroll (benefits accrual and tax liabilities cannot be accrued across pay periods since they follow the check date). Vista, available in the Canadian market, supports processing, printing, and submittal of T4s. Inquiries and Reports All payroll reports are written in Crystal and allow the user to drill down from summarized levels to the detailed information. A variety of pre-check registers are available including the ability to sort by general ledger account, earnings, FUTA/SUTA, job, miscellaneous deductions, tax register, union deduction/fringe, and workers comp. If timecard data is captured by day, the certified payroll report can be created or previewed at any time. As part of the Software Assurance annual maintenance fee, Viewpoint will provide updates for federal, state and local tax tables. Human Resources A unique tab system is used to organize personal information in the following categories general information, application/interview, training, rewards, accidents, dependents, benefits, skills, contacts, reviews, grievances, salary history, schedules, and employment history. Security can be established at any and all of the module, employee, and tab level to prevent access to sensitive data. An HR set-up screen lets the system administrator specify which data fields in Human Resources will be synchronized with fields in the Payroll module. Easily select which fields from HR update to PR. Benefit groups can be set up with eligibility date and effective date. The system will trigger the benefit to apply during payroll processing as the eligibility or effective date hits. HR tracks information relating to skills, education, and training for both applicants and existing employees. Inquiries on available personnel with specific skills or training are easily accessible. Review and salary history, as well as disciplinary actions and employee grievances, are also maintained. Interview notes, references called, and availability by the applicant are also tracked. Safety history records including information required for OSHA and workers compensation claim reporting are easily handled in HR. In addition, drug-testing results may be tracked. Accounts Receivable Integrates with Job Billing, Job Cost, Material Sales, and General Ledger Flexible cash receipts handling Flexible age analysis reporting Can support multiple billing modes in a single contract Cons No recurring invoices Accounts Receivable works in conjunction with the Job Billing, Service Management, and Material Sales modules. Accounts Receivable updates Cash Management with deposits as well as General Ledger. Refunds of job-related expenses can be posted to Job Cost as a reduction of costs. Change orders flow into billing from either Job Cost or Project Management. Customer Master File Accounts Receivable can use shared customer groups across companies. In addition to the standard customer fields, Vista includes 256 user-defined fields. Customers may have

16 14-16 separate billing and payment addresses. Payment terms, a default tax code, statement type, credit limit, and contact are available in the master file. Billings The Vista Job Billing module provides two major types of billings - progress (including AIA and quantity) and time and material. The billing format is determined at the contract level with an override at the contract item level. This enables you to bill T&M and progress billing on the same contract. You can set up items, which are progress based and T&M based (which will enable you to provide T&M backup for a progress line item). Progress billing works like a spreadsheet enabling you to enter either percent complete, to date units, to date amount, this bill units, and this bill amount. During setup, you can customize the entry screen to include or exclude unit information. When amounts are entered in one column, the system will automatically calculate the other related columns. You can also initialize progress billings based on costs that hit the system. This will enable you to pull costs through a range of dates and determine a percentage of completion, which will default to the progress-billing screen where it can be overridden. The billing system comes with several predefined invoice formats. Since the invoice formats are actually Crystal reports, the user can modify them. Some of the formats include printing on an AIA pre-printed form, AIA look alike, unit price billing, and Sworn Statement type billing (listing line item and subcontractor involved under the line item). AIA billing easily handles stored materials and you can separately track retainage on stored materials. Notes can be assigned at the overall contract level, as well as to each line item. Using templates for T & M billings, you can define the detail level printed on the invoice by source. Each source has up to nine levels of different detail that can be used. You can also identify if labor is to be billed at cost, by pay class, or by individual employee (table), and if equipment is billed at cost or equipment rates. With T & M billing, you define sources that will show on the bill, the sort and summary options (i.e. how much detail you want to show to the owner), markup, and pricing. Also there is the ability to set up add-ons at the bottom of the billing (add-on sequences). Freeform invoices, independent of Job Cost, may also be created. After you produce a billing, it goes into a holding file until final approval. After a billing is posted, you can recall it (as long as the month is open) and make changes. However, the system will not automatically update the subsequent billing and a separate journal entry will be required. There no one-step automatic reversal of a posted entry. Cash Receipts Vista includes an optional automatic cash application to the oldest invoices, selected invoices, or on account. Entries are automatically updated to Cash Management for bank reconciliation. When processing cash receipts, you enter the customer number, check number, date, and deposit number. Instead of all invoices coming in on a window, you have the following options to select how to apply the payment apply to oldest invoice, apply on account, by invoice number (start at first open invoice), by invoice number (start at entered invoice number), don t initialize (enter invoice number), or decide to include retainage. Inquiries and Reports On-screen inquiries include a customer drilldown in which you can sort by customer name and contract within customer, and drill all the way down to invoice line items. In the customer credit inquiry, you can determine the number of days between columns, which show customer credit and sales information on screen. A customer payments drill-down is also available. Other reports include aging by customer, by contract, or by project manager. In addition, the system offers a variety of sales, use and GST tax reports, customer labels, and statements. Retainage is in a separate field, so you could obtain reports on retainage only. Subcontract items (from Subcontract Ledger) are cross-referenced to owner billing and can automatically update subcontracts with quantities and percentages. You can also initialize an owner billing based on subcontractor completion.

17 14-17 Equipment Management Component and attachment tracking Mechanic tied to job for certified payroll Powerful work order & preventative maintenance system Automatic or manual billing of equipment. Cons While it supports book depreciation and diminished value depreciation, third party products are required for other depreciation methods (ties to Sage FAS Fixed Assets and other 3rd party depreciation solutions) Equipment Management is offered in two levels. Level 1 contains equipment master file info. With level one you can charge equipment costs to jobs and perform basic cost tracking. Level 2 provides preventative maintenance and work order capabilities. Equipment Management is a single module, but can be purchased with one or both levels. fields are available. User-defined fields are also available at the component level. User-defined categories can also be set up to get reports by equipment class. The system can also maintain a list of parts on each piece of equipment. For each part, you can track warranty information in days, miles, or hours. The system will warn if a part is still under warranty. Vista allows multiple assets to reference a single piece of equipment so that you may have a depreciation schedule on the original equipment, but also separately depreciate a major component, such as engine, that was replaced to extend its life. Both of these assets, the original equipment, and the new engine can reference the same piece of equipment. You can also set up maintenance groups to track when equipment or components are due for maintenance, and the work order is automatically set up with pre-defined tasks and parts. Payroll posts equipment and mechanics time. Mechanics time and burden from payroll can be charged to equipment at actual, a percentage, or actual plus a percentage. Vista allows for mechanics to be charged to a job for purposes of getting the mechanic to show on the certified payroll report. Equipment also integrates with Inventory, Purchase Orders, Job Cost, Accounts Payable, and General Ledger. Vista integrates with a third-party package (Sage FAS Fixed Assets) for additional depreciation schedule options. Book depreciation (straight line and declining balance) is included within the product as well as diminished value depreciation. Equipment File The hierarchy for tracking equipment is equipment number, component, cost code, and user-defined cost types. All of the fields (except cost type) can be up to 10 alphanumeric characters. For each piece of equipment, you can assign a component (i.e. engine, transmission, tires) or an attachment (may frequently move from one piece of equipment to another (e.g., a trailer)). Within the equipment file, you can track specs on equipment including type of fuel, capacities, and specifications as well as three meter types: hour, odometer, and fuel. In addition to the multitude of standard fields, 256 user-defined Easily set maintenance reminders based on dates/gallons/hours, then let Vista do the tracking. Unlimited, user-defined rate structures are available for each piece of equipment. You can link cost codes to revenue breakdown codes (which can be a build-up of the billing rate). Rates can be established by category for ease in updating. With the auto-billing feature (used in conjunction with the transfer program), equipment may be automatically charged to the jobs based upon predefined billing templates. Allocations allow you to automatically allocate costs based upon actual cost, hours of use, revenue, or user-defined variable. Allocations can be made for specific pieces of equipment, categories of equipment, or by department. Allocations can either be flat amount or a rate.

18 14-18 Preventive Maintenance Vista allows for the setup of maintenance groups based on hours, miles, gallons, or annual fixed date. Within a maintenance group you can have unlimited maintenance items. You can also associate parts with a particular piece of equipment within a maintenance group and link maintenance groups together which will tie to a maintenance schedule. Work orders or repair orders can be initialized automatically or set up manually. Work orders can be established by job, location, category, assigned shop, particular piece of equipment, and standard maintenance group. Inquiries and Reports Inquiry drill-downs are available which enable you to drill all the way down to timecards and parts. With the location drill-down, you can view by category, location, or job (all the way down to transfer history on the equipment). Other drill-down reports include equipment cost per meter unit drill-down, monthly cost and revenue distribution, and work order drill-down. Inventory Bill of Materials feature Flexible pricing options Interface with outside pricing services through importing Automated reconciliation between book and physical inventory count The Purchase Order and Accounts Payable modules interface with Inventory to track quantities on order received and invoiced. Costs of freight and tax may be automatically added to the unit cost of the inventory or charged to a separate account. Materials from inventory used on a job are recorded with automatic Job Cost and General Ledger entries. Inventory receiving flows from purchase orders. You can update inventory amounts through Accounts Payable or through a separate Inventory screen. Parts inventories may be charged to work orders and equipment in the Equipment Management module. Sales of inventory to outside customers is handled through the Material Sales module. A single level bill of materials may be set up identifying the quantity of each component that makes up a finished good. A production entry program automatically reduces the raw materials and adds them to the finished goods. For asphalt and ready-mix producers, this process may be done automatically when the sale is made in Material Sales. Master File A single master file is used for purchase order items and inventory items. Vista offers a link with price service systems (e.g., Trade Service) for keeping material prices up to date. A variety of pricing options are available, which differ for customer sales, job sales, inventory sales, and equipment sales. Pricing options include average cost plus markup, last cost plus markup, standard cost plus markup, or standard price less discount. Markups or discounts may vary by job. Costing is established by company and may be on an average cost, last cost, or standard cost basis. Inventory valuation methods include: as posted, average cost, standard cost, LIFO, and FIFO. Transfer of inventory to and from a job is handled through the Job Cost module. In Job Cost, there is a material use program in which you can assign materials coming from inventory to a job. In order to move inventory from a job back into inventory, you would use a negative amount in the transfer program. Fully integrated to Job Cost, Inventory functions can be done within the Job Cost module. Inquiries and Reports Inventory drill-down reports include a current inventory drill-down (on hand, on order, allocated, and available) and inventory history drill-down which tracks purchases, sales to a job, transfers between locations, production, and adjustments. The reconciliation process combines beginning inventory levels with monthly activity to capture month-end balances. A full report is provided

19 14-19 and the system will create and post a journal adjustment to keep the General Ledger in balance with Inventory. Purchase Orders Receiving by receiver number or P.O. number. Can share master file with Inventory Change Order feature Integrates with Project Management, Inventory, and Equipment Management Cons No backorder purchase orders Purchase orders may be initialized in Project Management as the job is bought out using quantities and prices entered manually; generated from requisitions; or automatically created from an upload of materials from a third-party estimating package. Changes to purchase orders are tracked in either Project Management or the Purchase Order module. Receiving If using the receiving feature, invoices can be matched to a receiver instead of directly to the purchase order. When entering receipts, you first enter the purchase order number and item. You then enter a receiver number and the number of units received. When the invoice comes in, you simply enter the receiver number and invoice number. The prices will be pre-filled and this information will all flow into Accounts Payable. For those contractors who require timelier Job Cost information, a system option provides for immediate cost update upon material receipts entry. Inquiries and reports Drill-down inquiries are available by vendor, job, or specific PO. Information can be sorted by vendor, job, PO, equipment, work order, or inventory item with original quantities, received amounts, and invoiced amounts. A drill-down of material purchased includes a drill-down to each transaction relating to that material and purchase order. The Purchase Order Workflow gives you the ability to assign role and/or user-based spending authority and to create flexible workflows that reflect your business processes. With notifications and user-friendly review capabilities, you ll be able to easily track the status of tasks in your workflow each step of the way. Purchase orders may include as many details as desired, such as delivery dates for the whole order or by item, shipping method, order initials, ship-to address, and payment terms. Line items may be assigned for jobs, equipment, equipment work-orders, inventory, or expense items. Line items may be a lump sum or unit price. Notes may be attached at the purchase order header or line item detail. The purchase order entry screen is similar to accounts payable entry. PO numbers can be automatically or manually assigned. Blanket purchase orders are available; however, the system will not automatically prepare a backorder PO. If all items are not received, the purchase order simply remains open. When closing a PO, the system will relieve backordered items. When printing a purchase order you can preview, print, export, or cancel. The Purchase Order form is a Crystal report, which can be modified by the user. This order form, like all forms, can be customized because it is a Crystal Report. Requisitions Requisitions may be initialized from Inventory (e.g., based on preset low stock conditions), Project Management (for job purchases), or Equipment Management (parts). Purchasing Reviewers control the processing and routing of requisitions by sending them to vendors to request quotes; assigning them directly to purchase orders; directing them to be pulled from stock and indicating the location to be used; or rejecting the request and indicating the reason. This feature brings an orderly work-flow to the purchasing process from the point of initial request, through soliciting vendor quotes, to final review, approval, and issuance of purchase orders. Requisitions may be initialized

20 14-20 automatically based on information from these other modules, or entered manually as needed by users. Material Sales Designed specifically for contractors who have asphalt/ready-mix plants, pits, or quarries Import feature allows auto upload from most scale ticketing/weighing systems Powerful quoting system with flexible price template scheme Tracks multiple haul charge methods with automatic update to Accounts Payable Comprehensive sales analysis reporting Cons Flexibility results in intensive setup Viewpoint has leveraged their extensive experience with highway contractors and material producers to prioritize features that have the most impact. The Material Sales module is a highly integrated quoting, ticket processing, haul tracking, and invoicing system. Tickets may be uploaded from the plant weighing systems or may be entered manually. Daily ticket processing provides immediate Job Cost information as well as an invoicing system for sales to outside customers. Haul charges (inhouse or outside) may be tracked using a variety of methods. The Material Sales module works in conjunction with the Inventory, Accounts Receivable, Job Cost, Equipment Management, Accounts Payable, and General Ledger modules. Quote Master File Quotes may be set up for outside customers, your own jobs, or for materials brought in to inventory. Quotes have three status levels: bid, ordered, and completed. Pre-defined price templates may be assigned to speed setting up the quote. Price templates may contain standard material pricing, payment terms, and tax information. Prices can be overridden on a specific quote. Haul may also be quoted using a variety of methods, e.g., per unit, per hour, etc. As shipments are made against the quote, detail is retained for quantities delivered. Tie With Inventory The system allows for standard mix designs by plant/location, with automatic production calculation when the ticket is processed. Products such as asphalt and concrete may then have raw material inventories updated based on mix designs. The system also allows for production in one unit of measure, with automatic conversion to a different unit of measure for the sale. Ticket Entry The Material Sales module is designed to handle the high volume of tickets generated by the plants on a daily basis. The Imports module contains a ticket upload template. With a minor amount of customization, key data fields in the plant-specific ticketing system can be mapped to Vista s ticket upload file. During the upload of tickets, the software will provide feedback on any problems with the data, e.g., missing customer, job, etc. Manual ticket entry is quick and easy with a very flexible (and configurable) ticket entry screen. A user may activate only necessary fields to speed entry. In addition, defaults are available (plant, job, customer) to reduce key strokes. Manually entered or uploaded tickets post to Job Cost immediately. This is especially useful for contractors who need daily job cost. Tickets for sales to outside customers are stored and available through a powerful invoicing program. Vista provides considerable flexibility in the format and processing of customer invoices. Haul Charge Tracking This system tracks both in-house and independent haulers. Haul charges may be assigned using several different schemes (per unit, per hour, per load, etc.). It also provides the capability to charge the job or customer at one rate or basis, while paying the hauler at another. Hauler information can be entered either with the material ticket or in a hauler time sheet screen. Detail from both is rolled up into a payment worksheet file, which, after edit and approval, generates a hauler invoice in Accounts Payable. Choose from over 40 standard Material Sales reports.

21 14-21 Haul charges integrate with Vista's Equipment Management system to track in-house usage and revenue. Hauling equipment, which is set up in the Equipment Management module, is fully accessible by the Material Sales module. Hauling revenue can be tracked by and assigned to the piece of equipment used. Sales Analysis & Reporting is available by plant, material category, month, job, customer, customer job, etc. Extensive reports and drilldown inquiries are available. Using the Crystal Reports tool, any of these reports may be copied and modified to accommodate individual needs. Service Management The Vista Service Management module includes Work Order Management and Service Agreements, developed for specialty and other contractors seeking tools to easily manage small job work orders on demand along with quick billing. Contractors can also automate preventative maintenance, facilitate periodic billing, and manage agreement renewals. Work Order management s interactive Dispatch Board facilitates fast responses to customer calls using the drag-and-drop dispatch board. The dispatch board provides a comprehensive view of all work to be performed and the available resources to do the work. You can schedule work orders across days using a multi-day dispatch board and view work orders that are overdue or have an incomplete status from a prior day. all the information needed to respond to the customer quickly and accurately. Work Order Management is fully integrated with Payroll, Purchasing, Inventory, Equipment Management, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and General Ledger. This helps avoid duplicate entry and quickly bill when work is complete. The Service Agreement module allows you to manage on-going service agreements with terms, coverage, and pricing for the agreement. You ll be able to easily set up contracts for your service organization, facilitate the generation of preventative maintenance work orders, periodic billing and agreement renewals, and manage profitability over the life of the agreement. Equipment-based time entry allows user entry directly into any work order that is equipment related, which creates both a labor entry and an equipment usage transaction for the work order in one step. Auto assignment of technicians (based on your settings) and the ability to renew any number of service agreements at once are key time-saving features. Resource Management Resource Management is a centralized scheduling system that provides better insight into planning and scheduling of labor and equipment across all projects. With this module, you can manage, locate and view the availability of resources across projects while easily classifying resources, crews, and equipment requirements at the project level. A powerful dispatch board with drag-and-drop ability. Vista s call handler provides the ability to easily view work history, payment history, or quick reference information such as work orders, invoices, schedules, open quotes, equipment, AR aging, and call history. This way dispatchers can reference key information about the customer or site to administer the appropriate work and initiate key workflows as needed. Alerts, messages, and controls ensure the dispatcher has A dashboard-like view for dispatching resources. The preceding has been an examination of the modules and tools that address specific construction needs. What follows is a summary of Vista utilities that make their use easier.

22 14-22 User Database Module Provides for an unlimited number of userdefined tables Allows for creating user-defined look-ups Creates entry form automatically after userdefined table is created. Cons Powerful tool that requires extensive training or existing knowledge of databases to become proficient. The User Database module extends the features of user-defined memo fields, providing additional development tools for Vista users to track and maintain information that is not in the standard applications. Users can create new fields, tables, look-ups, and even their own forms made up of those same components. The import program also allows you to establish cross-references; and of course the system runs a check and flags any exceptions. See page 4 for more information on Imports. Document Management Module The Vista Document Management module is a useful tool for attaching, indexing, and routing documents throughout your organization. The optional Scanning device is designed to work with any TWAIN-compliant scanner and allows users to directly scan images and automatically attach and index them to data records. The UD module enables creation of custom lookups. They can then operate them independently or in conjunction with Vista forms and applications. Fields in User Database files can be linked to standard Vista database tables such as employees or vendors, and added to standard posting programs and data tables. Applications created with User Database can take full advantage of the Vista user interface, table structures, security, and reporting tools. Imports Module Viewpoint has built a number of third-partyready import templates for users of Comdata, Cosential, HCSS, Textura, and more. In-house data sets can be pushed into Vista by setting up custom templates. Choose where your attachments are stored, and the file structure formatting. Business Intelligence Module The Business Intelligence (BI) module presents a graphical view of your business performance, through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and customizable dashboards. Included is a library of over 25 dashboard reports including Top AR Receivables, RFI Trend, Projected Profit Monthly Trend, and many more. With easy-to-use graphical reporting and optimal flexibility for accessing multiple data sources either the Vista transaction database or preconfigured OLAP cubes you can quickly view and understand large sets of information enabling better decisions, faster. Standard import templates are modifiable, and new templates can be set up using standard features. Select from standard dashboards or create your own.