CUC Software, Inc. — Contractor Essentials

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From the April/May 2007 Review of Construction Accounting Software

CUC Software, makers of EMS Construction software, released Contractor Essentials in early 2006. Although CUC Software continues to support both products, the vendor is beginning to convert existing EMS customers to Contractor Essentials. Contractor Essentials is a completely revised and updated product designed for construction and contracting businesses of all sizes.

Contractor Essentials has an excellent Job Cost module where all types of jobs can be created. Users can specify the job type as construction, service-related, minor or major and indicate if it’s warranty related or overhead, where only labor costs are involved. Multiple jobs can be created using the Mass Create Jobs function, where multiple jobs can be set up for one customer, such as a contractor doing subdivision work. Gross profit and overhead percentages can be set up for each job. Past due accounts can be flagged according to the criteria set.

New customers can be added on the fly, and invoices can be created from an AIA invoice. An excellent Service Management module allows users to record incoming service calls, note the relevant site equipment, record notes and files relevant to the customer, and even map directions (Using Microsoft Map Point) for service technicians. Service history is recorded and easily maintained for each client, making it easy to access historical data. The Employee Scheduling screen displays all scheduled and unscheduled jobs so calls don’t get overlooked. A schedule grid allows users to schedule jobs in 1/4 hour increments, record additional comments and record notes pertinent to the service call. Users have the option to schedule all employees or schedule by job category such as office, techs, installers or estimators. E-Service allows work orders to be sent to field techs electronically, and the Map Manager function works with the service and scheduling function to map directions for all service calls. Specialties selections provide industry-specific modules for manufacturing, refrigerants, tool management, vehicle maintenance, marketing and job estimating.

LEARNING CURVE – 5 Stars
Installation was quick and problem free. The main screen contains a drop-down menu with all system modules displayed. An assigned taskbar is located to the left of the screen and contains a list of items that need to be addressed (this can be displayed or hidden). My Appointments leads to the employee schedule screen, where tasks can be recorded. The user interface is extremely easy to navigate, with data-entry screens organized in a logical manner. Screens also provide access to reporting and customer files, which can be accessed and edited if necessary. A decent Help function is available, and a sample company can be accessed for training purposes.

MODULES & ADD-ONS – 5 Stars
Modules available with Contractor Essentials include GL, AR, AP and Purchasing, Payroll, and Job Costing. Numerous add-on modules and features are available as well, including Service Management & Dispatching, Inventory, Material Estimation, Marketing Manager, Tool Management, Vehicle Maintenance, Task Manager, Flat Rate Pricing Interface, Time and Material Billing, Equipment Tracking, Refrigerant Tracking, In-House Manufacturing, and Progress Billing.

PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS – 5 Stars
Assigned Tasks and My Appointments are found on the main user interface screen. Assigned Tasks provides a list of user-specific shortcuts to key functions or tasks that need to be completed. The list is sorted by module and user priority. My Appointments provides a detailed weekly calendar for the current user. Appointments can be assigned priority, color coded by zone and status marked by icons. Contractor Essentials also has one of the best service modules I have encountered, with areas to create jobs, schedule and dispatch technicians, monitor equipment maintenance schedules, and create and track service contracts. The Marketing Mailing feature allows for the creation of lists and mail merge documents for customers, contracts, invoice age, equipment, job sites, etc.

IMPORT/EXPORT & INTEGRATION – 4 Stars
Contractor Essentials allows for the export of reports to a comma-delimited file, which can be imported into third-party applications such as Excel. Contractor Essentials uses Microsoft Access as a database, so database files can be accessed if needed. All of the Contractor Essentials modules and features integrate easily. Purchase orders and invoices can be e-mailed to vendors and customers as PDF files directly from the screen.