Time management

[Anonymous]

I am wanting to streamline the time management process for projects and asking if there is something inherent in AC that will allow for tracking of time. Also was wondering what methods/software small firm owners use for time tracking on projects.

[Fritz T]

Matthew wrote:
I tend to recommend against full featured time/office/business management systems for small firms since the setup and operating overhead (not to mention the purchase price) is often more than it's worth.

Just out of curiosity, would you consider AIM and Archioffice to fall within this category? These are the only ones that I know of that seem to automate an architectural studio workflow.

[Anonymous]

Matthew wrote:

Just out of curiosity, would you consider AIM and Archioffice to fall within this category? These are the only ones that I know of that seem to automate an architectural studio workflow.

At $720 per employee that's an expensive timesheet! I know it does a lot of other tasks as well.

Another possibility is Architime from our friendly add-on producers in Venice, Cigraph. This records all time in various tasks within ArchiCAD
see:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=61525&highlight=architime#61525

[Anonymous]

The link to ArchiTime is:
http://www.cigraph.it/cigraph/pagetrans.do?action=current_product&prodotti_id=8

[RandyC]

For a Canadian answer try Worktime....www.nestersoft.com/worktime
Small footprint , records all programs,and documents opened , it can be set to tell how long one works per story window,It records automatically with no need for a start/stop button, works on a network server to record all computers,monitors programs or refuses to monitor programs.
worth a look . Windows only

[Anonymous]

Fritz wrote:

Matthew wrote:
I tend to recommend against full featured time/office/business management systems for small firms since the setup and operating overhead (not to mention the purchase price) is often more than it's worth.

Just out of curiosity, would you consider AIM and Archioffice to fall within this category? These are the only ones that I know of that seem to automate an architectural studio workflow.

I haven't enough direct experience with either AIM or ArchiOffice to feel comfortable recommending them. They do look good and if they meet your needs they may be a good deal.

I think the minimum firm size for programs like this is probably about ten to twelve people. They will require maintenance so a minimum of one full time office manager is probably required. This person must also be capable of supporting the software around the office and training their replacement if they leave.

The trick is that every major piece of software you decide to use as a regular practice is going to require an ongoing commitment of time and money to get the value from it. Care must be taken in adding overhead of this sort, especially when the software is outside the of the expertise and daily use of the Architects.

[Anonymous]

I thought I would chime in because I use Archioffice in a one man firm and would highly recommend it. In my opinion the time I save in basic office overhead costs is justified by the cost of the software. I probably only use a very small portion of its capabilities and I did have an initial investment of time to learn how to use it. I was using quickbooks pro (which I personally give a thumbs down) for all of my accounting, but Archioffice takes over all of those aspects. For me it has similarities to archicad in that it allows small firms to be "bigger" than they actually are and the return is worth the financial investment. And by the way I like and use the time tracking feature.

[Anonymous]

If anyone has the zip file for the older version of the ArchiOffice demo that was posted below could you please email it to me. I'd like to check it out again, but the download link is no longer valid.


Thanks,

[Fritz T]

Eric wrote:
If anyone has the zip file for the older version of the ArchiOffice demo that was posted below could you please email it to me. I'd like to check it out again, but the download link is no longer valid.


Thanks,

I have that file, but its 43mb in size. How do I mail it?

[Anonymous]

You can send it with www.yousendit.com

[Fritz T]

The file has been sent, I used the email address ebatteatgetstandardizeddotcom.
I forgot to mention, its a mac file, not pc.

I think there was a 20 day evaluation period before the program popped up a nag screen and lost functionality.

It seemed like a good solution, I was put of by the requirement to buy Filemaker, a licence, and a an annual subscription per user. I'm not certain this is still the case.
I came to the conclusion that we are too small to benefit from it at this stage, though in all fairness, I spent a very brief period of time for evaluation.