Turtle Creek Software (1) 2v1db

Turtle Creek Software – GoldenSeal

1.0 Introduction Goldenseal software is used for Macintosh and Windows computers in small business. It is easy to learn and use, through “real world” ing concepts. It designed for help in track the expenses, create cost estimates or manage projects in any small business. no needs to learn several programs or figure out how to share data between them because all the Goldenseal features are tightly integrated. It’s “groupware” software that can make as client – server software on a network. In other hand, with the multi- version, can access the same file via a LAN (local area network) or dial-up connection from any number of computers.

1.1 Uses of Integrated Software Goldenseal combined the estimating software, project management software, ing software into a single program that could run on Macintosh and Windows. By this, no need to transfer data between programs and worried about incompatible data formats because all the ’s records keep in one place. Using of same basic interface everywhere, no need to learn different ways to do the things. By this, make easy by enter data once, and get multiple uses. As example, after creates an estimate, Goldenseal uses the project specs to create all of the things automatically:     

Material takeoff lists (bills of materials) Project schedules Specs sheets or contracts Time and materials bills “Estimated vs actual” job cost

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

1

2.0 Features Features of includes in Goldenseal Software:            

estimating business management project management job costs general ing payroll schedules contract writing retail sales project and customer billing rental property management inventory tracking

2.1 Estimating Estimating software in Goldenseal is being fast, accurate cost estimating for any type of project. It can be use in construction and any other business types. This software includes many cost estimation features that can help to increase the accuracy of a project estimates, and can reduce the time to prepare a bid:    

smart dimensions calculate quantities for from a few simple measurements unit costs and assemblies calculate an accurate cost for the work do and update automatically when prices change competitive bid tracking handles price quotes from suppliers and subcontractors project templates make it easy to estimate “standards” types of projects

When created a Goldenseal estimate, automatically get other useful information from it such as project schedule, contracts and material takeoff lists. Goldenseal estimating software included with so many features that not will be available in other estimating programs in construction or other fields.

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

2

2.2 Schedules The date starting of project can be entered by any date. When changes the start date, goldenseal automatically adjusts the entire schedule. Then, it will show the completion date for each line item in the estimate, and the overall completion date for the project. This software knows duration of each task to complete, since it includes labor hour quantities in each of the Assemblies that put in estimate. If that is a construction scheduling, Goldenseal comes with over 2000 unit costs which is includes the labor hour quantities that are needed to be calculate an accurate schedule. Basically it’s a simplest scheduling program, because it’s automatically calculates the duration for each task complete based on the unit costs that come with the program.

2.3 Contract Writing Contract writing software in goldenseal automatically creates spec sheets, contracts and subcontracts. By using the details estimates and change order records to write “scope of work” specification, so can be sure that ’s contracts describe the work plan need to do by . Contract writing features by using goldenseal work well for construction contractors, property managers, architects and other business that needs to create and manage large number of contracts.

2.4 Project Management Integrated project management software in goldenseal helps to effectively manage each project from start to finish, by handling bids, project billing, change orders, project paper work and many other details for each project. By the goldenseal scheduling software may know “time line” that scheduled within each estimate, so can estimate “when” as well as “how much” of a project. Besides that, the contract writing software in goldenseal helps to in writing of project specifications and project contracts for clients, supplier or subcontractors. It will automatically create project specifications for each item that includes in ’s estimates. Other than that, goldenseal project management software will give an automatic material takeoff list, and it tracks allowance and change orders progress, transmittals, project events, retain age and subcontractors insurance for each project. BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

3

2.5 Business Management Goldenseal’s business management software helps to run ’s marketing efforts and ’s day to day business. By the single computer software program, can manage most aspects of ’s business. This software features use a consistent interface. When learned one of the part of Goldenseal program, it easy to start using additional items.

2.6 Job Costs Goldenseal’s job costing software designed for tracking costs against a project estimate or budget. It helps to allocate every expense to a specific project or overhead , and also know exactly what need to change to be more profitable. Goldenseal will build from the ground up to do accurate job costing and also the job cost features are not just tacked onto a general ing program. It’s a best ing program for construction companies and other businesses that will need to track projects costs, and compare them to an estimate.

2.7 General ing Goldenseal’s ing software helps to manage all aspects of the business. It is awesome at cost ing- keeping track of expenses for each project or business activity. It is very useful for construction companies, service business, professional and anyone else that needs to do time billing for labor and services, or control expenses carefully. When give cost estimates, Goldenseal’s job costing reports will show “estimated vs actual” costs. As only needs to enter transactions once, it’s an integrated ing system. Goldenseal has been using for many things such as when enter a materials purchase, it will automatically posts to payable, job cost and time and materials billing. Other than that, ’s inventory, and updates ’s estimating unit costs and assemblies can be increased by this software.

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

4

2.8 Payroll Goldenseal’s payroll software will calculate tax withholdings and other deduction from employee payroll, it also completed with payroll withholdings tables. Paychecks can be written by this software and tracks employee time for job costs and time billing. It is integrated to handle expenses, customer billing, job costs, and general ing.

2.9 Project and Customer Billing Goldenseal’s business billing software is used to manage customer invoice and tracks s receivable. It is handling the invoicing for customer sales, project work (draw schedules, progress payments, time and materials) and property rentals. Invoices and billing statements that will gives several types of reports on ’s s receivable status can be generated by this software as well.

2.10 Inventory Tracking Goldenseal’s inventory software keep track of the inventory items that buy, sell or use in projects. It is designed for construction, small retail and service businesses, and small manufactures that need accurate inventory control.

2.11 Rental Property management Goldenseal’s property management software designed to specifically for managers and owners of any type of rental property. And also, rent tracking, tenant relations, cost ing and repair cost estimates.

2.12 Retail Sales Goldenseal’s business management software for small business that sells, products or services, and that don’t need a point of sale system. It also uses every day to run sales and shipping at Turtle Creek Software. It works for:   

Retail sales Wholesalers and distributors Internet and mail order sales

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

5

3.0 Advantages and Disadvantages

3.1 Advantages It’s a friendly use program and no experienced problem when using. Its covers all the need of the business, especially in cost estimating, and project management. Other than that, its facility known as Smart Dimension, which converts simple measurements into actual purchase quantities, is particularly useful for the business. And also its estimates are quicker, more accurate and reduce wastage and cost. It also makes the documentation comprehensive, clearly expressed and easy to follow for anyone average computer literacy. Besides that, this software had a useful module which enables me to calculate completion dates for each item in an estimate based on man/hrs and number workers involved. s can also allow for any anticipated delays, giving adjusted completion times for each stage of the contract.

3.2 Disadvantages GoldenSeal wouldn't really be appropriate for a commercial subcontractor. It's basically a smallvolume residential builder/remodeler ing software with some project management features. s can understand how someone would land there but the confined data is in the details. GS does have a transmittal log and some other basic document management features, but they're designed as enhancements to the core ing system. 9 times out of 10 the enhancements aren't anywhere near as capable or flexible as what you could get from dedicated software that does that specific thing. So contractors wind up with a hodge-podge of overlapping feature/functionality.

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

6

4.0 Comparison Comparison between Manual and Software Estimation

Manual

Software

 Require longer period of time to estimate and calculate for payroll, time billing and job costs as all the details need to be jotted down for every activities.

 Easy to employee and owner time, for payroll, time billing and job costs. s can allocate time to any project or to overhead.

Time

 Wasting time for double checking if there are any mistakes.

 The end product or the estimation of costs, materials would not be accurate.  Confliction between Project Manager & client might occur due to improper estimation

 Cheaper than software yet not preferred by companies.

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

 Automatically includes it in time-and-materials billing, using whatever billing rates and markup that you choose. You can use separate rates for payroll and for job costs.  Keeps track of inventory, and it handles s receivable.

Quality

 Proper work schedule and management

 Organized & uninterrupted work flow  Reliable price

Cost

 Preferred choice

7

5.0 References   

http://www.turtlesoft.com/ http://www.turtlesoft.com/Goldenseal-Software.html http://www.turtlesoft.com/Goldenseal-Software.html#estimates

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

8

6.0 Appendices

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

9

BEC 402 – ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

10