Sage Software — Sage Timberline Office

Article Tools

• Print This Article
• Email This Article to a Friend
• Save This Article
• Order a Reprint

From the April/May 2007 Review of Construction Accounting Software

Sage Timberline Office is an enterprise-level product designed for a variety of professional construction and contractor-related businesses. The program offers an extensive array of modules (over 50) that are suitable for mid to large construction companies. Timberline’s Job Cost module can track numerous types of data, including estimates, costs, contracts and subcontracts, purchase orders, customer data, and billings. Over 250 user-defined fields can be used to track additional data. Job ID codes can accommodate up to 10 alphanumeric fields, and the cost code field can handle up to 12. Projects can be easily monitored by the time frame specified: weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually. Change orders can be monitored and tracked back to the original documentation. Users can then enter changes to those documents and keep track of who requested the changes and who approved the changes.

Sage Timberline Office will also allow for the tracking of jobs in multiple companies using the same GL accounts. All projects can be supervised by utilizing the user-defined fields that allow users to assign the information for which they need to monitor. The new Database Builder Wizard assists with setting up a new Estimating database. The Document Management module is an organizational tool that allows users to get a handle on the immense number of documents that are often found in a construction office. Documents can be stored on the computer for easy retrieval, which will help to eliminate overflowing file cabinets. The Estimating TRA-SER Integrator lets users integrate Timberline directly with electrical, plumbing and HVAC pricing products.

LEARNING CURVE – 5 Stars
A drop-down menu bar can be found at the top of all Sage Timberline data-entry screens, with function icons directly beneath. Each data screen also contains a series of tabs that offers additional options within that screen. The Sage Timberline Office Desktop also provides a homepage of sorts that allows users to organize various tasks and functions at one centralized location. Shortcuts can be created and utilized for accessing frequently used functions and common reports as well as third-party applications directly from the desktop. An excellent Help function guides users through the system. The desktop feature, along with the Information Center, allows the program to be customized to fit the user’s needs and comfort level.

MODULES & ADD-ONS – 5 Stars
Modules are available in a variety of categories, with over 50 modules offered. This includes a full range of financial modules, including Contracts, Job Cost and Equipment Cost. Specialty modules include choices such as Estimating, Procurement, Production Management, Project Management, Service Management, Property Management, and Reporting & Other Tools (such as Crystal Reports, Service Inventory and an Address Book). Sage Timberline Office will also integrate with a variety of third-party applications such as pricing software, time tracking or time entry products.

PRODUCTIVITY TOOLS – 5 Stars
The program is designed to assist busy professionals with all the necessary tools available to make their job easier. One of the more notable features available is the Information Assistant, which is designed for employees who need ready access to financial and management information but who do not need access to the complete product. A customized toolbar can be placed on the computer desktop, which provides immediate access to accounting and management reports. Projects and jobs can also be tracked for budgeting and revenue purposes, and macros can be set up for quicker printing options. MyAssistant helps to prioritize tasks and log notifications, eliminating unnecessary tasks while concentrating on the important ones. MyAssistant comes with 125 pre-built tasks that can be used or users can add their own. The Sage Timberline Office Desktop functions as a homepage of sorts, and is fully customizable. As previously noted, using the Desktop allows users to add shortcuts to frequently used tasks or access third-party applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel.

IMPORT/EXPORT & INTEGRATION – 5 Stars
Sage Timberline Office offers ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) that allows for the import and export of data between the product and various third-party applications, including all Microsoft Office applications and numerous estimating programs. For even better performance, users can perform mail merges, import vendor or customer data from other applications, or link various programs together. Using the TRA-SER Integrator function allows users to link directly to pricing software. Sage Timberline Office modules can be purchased as needed with additional modules added as required.

REPORTING – 5 Stars
Over 700 standard reports are included, and the Report Designer allows for the modification of standard reports. All modified reports can be saved directly to the toolbar for easy access. The Inquiry Designer provides immediate access to over 100 standard inquiries that provide accounting and financial data. These can also be customized. Crystal Reports can be utilized for further customization.