1) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice run on both Mac and PC?

Yes, a great advantage ArchiOffice has over other project management solutions is that we are multi platform.  Whether your office is exclusively PC or Mac or a blend of both, we will work for you.  ArchiOffice runs on both platforms as well as multiple operating systems including Leopard (10.5) and Vista

2) Why does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice require a dedicated server?

With 3 or more ArchiOffice licenses, a server environment is required. The server environment provides application stability, auto-back-ups, and speed. A actual server is not necessary as a dedicated computer running the ArchiOffice Server software will suffice. The importance of having this machine dedicated to hosting the ArchiOffice data alone is so there are no other applications that to share the machines resources and or processing power.  Running file, print sharing, exchange services can conflict with the sharing of ArchiOffice data across your network with potentially damaging consequences to your ArchiOffice data.

3) How do I evalouate ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

Our website provides product feature details, video presentations, and a tutorial manual. We would also be happy to arrange one on one live on-line demonstration for your further review.

4) How many firms are using ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

There are approximately 850 firms worldwide using ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice

5) How many licenses of ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice are in use?

There are over 4,000 users worldwide using ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice.

6) Does each employee need an ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice license?

ArchiOffice licenses are based on concurrent users. If you have 10 licenses, then 10 people can log-in to ArchiOffice from any machine. You could have it installed on 14 workstations, but only 10 can connect at the same time. However, since ArchiOffice is a project / office / information management software application, it is meant for everyone in your company to share the information so you work as a team by running your projects with maximum efficiency to gain maximum profitability. Therefore allowing everyone access ArchiOffice allows for information to be entered accurately and efficiently to achieve your management goals.

7) Can I start with a single license and add additional licenses in the future?

Yes, adding additional licenses is simple and can be added at any time in the future.

8) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice require a training plan?

BQE offers various on site, remote migration, implementation, and training services that are designed according to your firms needs. Our worldwide users have found these services to be beneficial in providing a smooth transition into ArchiOffice and helpful in achieving quicker product utilization.

9) Can I import my contacts into ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

Yes. We provide the ability for you to either sync your contacts into ArchiOffice from Outlook, Entourage or Address Book.  In addition, if your contact list is large, we have a simple process of importing them into ArchiOffice.  There is no need for retyping of contact information.

10) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice have a limit to the number of contacts or projects that can be created?

There is no limit to the amount of information that can be entered into ArchiOffice.

11) How are emails synchronized with ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice a bi-directional synchronization capability with Microsoft Outlook, Entourage, ICal, AppleMail, and Apple AddressBook. It will sync with your Personal Folder where a custom ArchiOffice or EngineerOffice folder/category, in your email application, is created.  In addition ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice can sync your contacts, calendar events and outgoing/incoming emails.

12) Can my PDA synchronize with ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

We do not sync directly with your PDA. However, you would continue synchronizing your PDA with Microsoft Outlook, Entourage, ICal, AppleMail, or Apple AddressBook as usual, then once the information is in one of these applications, you would then sync into ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice.

13) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice manage documents?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice contains a document management system that tracks all files (Word, Excel, CAD, Digital Images, etc.) for every Project. Documentation for a Project is organized into Notebooks and Tabs (which is completely customizable). The documents themselves are stored in a location which you choose and ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice keeps track of where they are stored, allowing users to conveniently find them in an organized structure for every Project.

14) How does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice work with AIA Documents and other forms?

You can create your own documents to be used as templates. If the files are Microsoft Word or Excel files, you can merge data into the templates with VBA. Please check the version of Microsoft Word and Excel to make sure your version allows the ability to merge data. You can attach any kind of file (Word, PDF, image, etc.) to any contact or project and turn any file into a template. All of these digital assets are referred to as documents, and they can be linked and easily accessed by users (thumbnail view also available).

15) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice track efficiency?

Yes, all employees enter time and expenses into ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice.  They can see their daily efficiency in several locations; the home screen (if set to advanced), the Time/Expense tab, directly in the project, as well a number of reports which provide different filtering capabilities. We also provide an efficiency report which shows employee’s efficiency % and total billing hours for the last completed week as well as the last completed year.

16) What billing methods are supported by ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice supports the ability to bill fixed fees, hourly services, additional services and reimbursable expenses all on one invoice.  In addition your invoice methods include: Hourly • Stipulated Sum • Percent of Construction • Unit Cost • DSE/DPE

17) What reports does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provide?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provides 60 reports which can be filtered based on multiple criteria to provide different information. In addition, some reports can be exported for further data manipulation in applications like Microsoft Excel

18) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice have the ability to track shop drawings and submittals?

Yes. ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provides submittal and RFI tracking, as well as a drawing register. You can even define what the submittal types are (shop drawings, material samples, etc). When you create a submittal entry – you can link it to a contact (General Contractor), and assign it to an employee, and mark it as a ‘to do’ item for follow up as well. In addition, some submittals are prepared in PDF’s format (shop drawings), they can also be linked to the submittal entry as well.

As the status of submittals change, ArchiOffice will keep track of who made the change and track the new status. You can have four different actions for the submittal which match the submittal action, from your firms shop drawing stamp. We provide a default action list which can also be customized to fit your needs. You also have the ability to run reports of your submittal logs which look similar to the AIA Architectural Submittal log.

19) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provide standard proposals?

We provide a sample proposal letter but recommend you review your own firms proposals with your attorney. It is a simple process to turn your firms standard proposals into document templates that automatically file themselves in the appropriate folder (notebook/tab).

20) Does ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provide pre-contract or Request for Proposal project types for marketing purposes?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice provides the ability to track all pre-contract work as an RFP project. Once the project progresses to contract, you would then award the contract in the RFP project and start a brand new billable project. The RFP project DOES NOT roll over into the billable project. There is no connection between RFP’s and Billable projects. However, if you want the RFP details to be a part of the billable project, you could then create an RFP phase in the billable project and just track all pre-contract time there. All marketing information on the project before the billable time would be tracked in the RFP.

21) How does the “Map” and “Directions” feature work?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice knows your business address as well as the address of the contact or project you are interested in mapping. We link to the Google Maps, Yahoo and Mapquest websites to provide maps and directions..

22) I currently use another contact manager, like ACT™. How do I transfer the data to ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice can import contacts from most other programs. All that is required is that your program allow you to export the data into a tab-delimited file. We provide instructions on how to format this file so that ArchiOffice® will import it smoothly.

23) Why do you provide so many addresses tabs for each contact?

We have found that some contacts may have multiple locations. For example, a client may have a home, business, vacation, spouse’s work, temporary location etc. Rather than creating multiple records of the same name – we allow up to 6 different locations for each contact. Because you link contacts with documents and calendar events, you don’t want to have multiple contact records for the same person.

24) What if I want to rearrange the tabs that identify each address?

Since we allow up to 6 different address locations for each contact, we understand that you may want to rearrange their order depending on their priority. We allow you to shuffle them around as much as you like.

25) How do I print a label or envelope for the contact being viewed?

We provide a quick print button from within the contact detail window which allows you to specify the kind of envelope or label you will be using. Through the Reports module, you can print envelopes and labels for multiple contacts at one time.

26) How do I create a letter, memo, transmittal or fax cover?

ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice knows that every document, from a letter to a Punch-list is associated with one or more contacts. You can start from a contact and create any type of document you like. You can also attach any existing document to any number of contacts. It’s as easy as going to the Documents tab in the Contacts module and selecting the “new” button. ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice will guide you through the process of creating a new document or helping you find an existing one. ArchiOffice/EngineerOffice will launch any application on your computer that is required to handle the document type. From AutoCad to Microsoft Word files.

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