A-Systems Corporation — A-Systems JobView

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From the April/May 2007 Review of Construction Accounting Software

JobView, from A-Systems, is in its 30th year of development. A sophisticated, yet easy-to-use program, JobView provides users with three product levels: The Preferred Edition (contains all system modules bundled together); the Standard Edition (provides many of the modules included with the Preferred Edition); and the Small Builder Advantage Edition (ideal for smaller businesses).

The job setup screen is all-inclusive with numerous tabs available to enter detailed information on each job. Job cost codes can contain up to 10 alphanumeric characters and are easily user-defined. Each job entered will also be given a user-assigned job number. Cost codes for each phase of the job can be entered along with original budget, current budget and costs to date. Project financing detail can also be entered, and the billing phases option allows users to choose their preferred billing type. All change orders can be recorded and tracked by description, by status or by date. Ten user-defined fields can be utilized to track any information necessary. Equipment VIN or serial numbers can be recorded, as can class codes (if any) and usage details. This information can later be managed in the Equipment File Maintenance function, and can be accessed by ID or description. The AIA Draw Request feature in the AR module allows users to change phases, add change orders, calculate percent complete and bill retainages.

LEARNING CURVE – 5 Stars
Installation was quick and problem free. The main screen of JobView features a drop-down menu bar featuring various system functions such as File, Edit, Management, Accounting, Setup, Utilities and Help. All installed modules can be accessed under the accounting function or via the vertical bar to the left of the screen. Directly below is a series of icons representing system functions such as printing, a lookup menu option, the new company startup wizard, favorite reports, data view, and a link to JobView’s website (where system updates can be downloaded). New transactions or other data can be added by clicking on the ‘Insert’ tab that is found in all data-entry screens. Data-entry screens are designed to be efficient, with numerous options available to add, change or delete information. GL transactions are entered using an optional batch system. As well, options are available for entering normal journal entries and depreciation entries.

Lookup options and drop-down arrows are found in all data-entry screens, and all screens are very similar despite performing different functions, simplifying the learning curve and easing comfort with the system.

MODULES & ADD-ONS – 4.5 Stars
As mentioned earlier, JobView is available in three different editions. The top-line product, the Preferred Edition, comes complete with GL, AP, AR, Job Costing, Payroll, and Sales modules. Also available within these modules are additional functions such as an order entry system, projections, fixed asset management, and contact management. Various add-ons are also available, including options to add additional users, purchase orders, inventory, point-of-sale and equipment costing. JobView also offers an electronic import and export function, a PDA Interface for field personnel, DataView (a custom report writer) and an ODBC interface option.

PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS – 5 Stars
The management function provides users with excellent company and departmental overviews. These snapshots display vital information such as AR and AP balances, total cash balance, active jobs (including total contracts), total billed to date, total to be billed, and total received on each job. The GL Projections/Modeling feature allows users to enter a project description, and then create a projection of sales, expenses and cash flow for up to three years. Multiple projects can also be entered simultaneously.

IMPORT/EXPORT & INTEGRATION – 5 Stars
JobView is a completely integrated system, with all modules designed to work together. Numerous import and export options are available, including the ability to import data files from QuickBooks and Excel spreadsheets, along with estimating data from any third-party estimating program. Data sets can also be imported into a batch file, where data is checked for errors prior to posting. Reports can be easily e-mailed or converted to a PDF file and saved. The DataView custom report writer can also directly export files to an Excel spreadsheet or numerous other third-party software products. The optional Electronic Data Importing feature further simplifies data import.