Constructware® PM Software

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Author Message Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 96 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 12:54 pm:    Has anyone used Internet-based PM software in general or Constructware® PM Software in particular? Thanks! Steven T. Lawrey, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: lawrey Post Number: 12 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 01:13 pm:    Our office recently began using it on a project involving our in-house PM group. The team reports that they are utilizing no more than 5 percent of its capability. The major issue seems to be that it is too time consuming and that it generates too much additional "paperwork". The only features currently being used are for submittals and RFIs. Check out Autodesk Buzzsaw. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 288 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 - 01:19 pm:    I used Constructware briefly on a project in 2000, for construction phase only. No drawing library or exchange was used. Unfortunately, at least at that time, it did not support the designer's needs very well at all. As it was explained to me by the Constructware rep at the time, "contractors are subscribing and thus paying for the development of this application, so we don't really care whether the architect has what they need." An example is the RFI-tracking module. On the contractor side, RFI's could be generated by the GC and sent to subs or suppliers, or generated by subs and sent to the GC. All nicely tracked. They could then be forwarded to the architect. However, there was no provision for the architect to be able to send the RFI to the consultant. We had e-mail, but not the actual form. As a result, no tracking could be done on the designer's side of RFI responses from engineers, and I had to keep a separate RFI log anyway. Essentially, this doubled my work since I had to log my activities in Constructware as well. Eventually, we just refused to use it (the construction manager wanted it) because of the added effort. Note, however, that this was four years ago, and Constructware may have improved itself since then. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 11:42 am:    Yes -I am with Constructware, but I hate to see people mis-informed. Constructware is quite robust today and contains functionality well beyond what has been noted by John. Functionality for the Architect to collaborate with all team members has been in the tool for quite sometime - John may not have been given permission (by the administrator) to do so. The tool has been designed for all team members on a project, but each user can have a unique interface displaying only the functionality they need, on the projects they work. Call Constructware (800) 374-2260 for a walk through of the functionality specific to the design team. Then have your sales guy set you up with a free password to kick the tires for yourself. I think you'll see why its being used more and more for true project collaboration cradle to grave. PS - we would be happy to provide you with references of other Architects using the system today. William C. Pegues, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: wpegues Post Number: 317 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, November 24, 2004 - 05:12 pm:    Helaine, My recommendation would be to get their list of architect's actually using it for their architectural uses (not just for CA purposes). It has a lot of features, but when you are assigned as a user for access to a project by another party (owner/contractor) then you only get functionality for what they give you permissions to use. We have used it for CA purposes where the general contractor is using it as his CA tool. Given that, its not a statisfying experience - but that is mostly because of misuse of it by the contractor. It seems that its ease of use lends itself to even greater numbers or irrelevant RFI's. We participate only voluntarily though, so if something is going to take longer to do, we just mark a print out and FAX it back to them. It can be a full service product - if you as the architect are the primary group using it for your own needs. All of these systems still have some quirks, and my opinion is there is no real leader with a really complete or clean product yet. So, definitely talk to some architectural full service users. If possible, try to get information about a local contact where you can get a hands on demonstration leading you through the kinds of things you want to do. William Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 97 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Friday, November 26, 2004 - 02:19 pm:    Constructware Person: Please post these architectural references to this page. Thanks! "we would be happy to provide you with references of other Architects using the system today." (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 09:29 am:    Helaine, To protect our clients from an overwhelming amount of prospect reference calls, we would ask that you please contact us for those specific companies and individuals. We want to be courterous with our cliets by asking permission, then letting them know to expect your call. Thank you for understanding and for your interest in Constructware. 800-374-2260. Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 98 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 10:25 am:    Most of us will not bother with you than. Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 99 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 10:26 am:    Most of us will not bother with you then. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, November 29, 2004 - 05:16 pm:    Helaine, That is unfortunate, but if you were the reference, consider the interruptions in your day if you had to field several unqualified calls requesting your opinion on a software product you used. We are committed to our clients success and are considerate and respectful of their time. Best of luck with your evaluations. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 289 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 09:56 am:    I have no problem with getting references at the time of a potential purchase. In my use of Constructware, the problem was not my permissions (I had what was needed). The problem was most definitely that the designer-side of the system was very weak in features, and did not reflect the business process of a typical architecture firm. I stand by my earlier opinion of their product. BUT, I am willing to accept that Constructware probably has made improvements in the intervening years as suggested by the contributor to this forum. I will be happy to look at it with a fresh eye should a time come when I am again using the product. Anonymous   Posted on Tuesday, November 30, 2004 - 11:58 am:    Colin - How is it that Helaine's rude response to the product representative was allowed to be posted? How does that posting add positively to the discussion string? Helaine - speak for yourself, please. I find nothing objectionable to the reps response to your request that client's names be posted. Colin: Registered users' postings go on automatically, all others are reviewed before posting. In this case I decided it was a marginal call and left the posting up. If I were the sales rep for this company, I would view this as an opportunity to provide them the names. Helaine K. Robinson CCS Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 100 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 01, 2004 - 08:20 am:    What I said was direct, not rude. I politely requested that Constructware back up its statement that it has architectural references. It apparently doesn't have any.