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FOUNDATION Contractor Software
 | 11 Reviews (4.7/5) |
Foundation Software is the developer of FOUNDATION for Windows, a construction job cost accounting, project management, and scheduling system. It is a fully integrated system that uses the powerful Microsoft SQL Server database. Contractors use FOUNDATION for its job costing, payroll, accounting, and constructioni reporting capabilities.
FOUNDATION for Windows is a comprehensive accounting system with job costing, payroll, general ledger, accoaunts receivable, accounts payable, and purchase order modules. Construction reporting is a strength of FOUNDATION, with hundreds of instant reporting options available. Examples include the US Department of Labor Certified Payroll in addition to special state and agency formats; AIA Billing/Progress Billing; Job Overhead Allocation; Estimated vs. Actual; Production; Bonding, Over/Under Billing, WIP; EEO Minority compliance and many others.
FOUNDATION also offers add-on modules, including project management, scheduling, service dispatch, document imaging and routing, equipment, inventory, fixed assets, time and material billing, unit price billing and an award-winning Executive Dashboard for performance monitoring with detailed drill-down.
FOUNDATION is used by commercial, governmental and industrial contractors of all trades and sizes. Examples include both general contractors and specialty trade contractors such as electrical, mechanical, heavy/highway, roofing, plumbing, paving, and many others. The system is also popular with general contractors who self-perform a component of their work. FOUNDATION is used by contractors with as few as 10 employees and $1 million in annual revenue to as many as 1,000 employees and up to $500 million in revenue.
In business since 1985, Foundation Software is available nationally with over 3,000 construction clients and has received several awards over the years for excellence in product development and corporate growth.
11 Reviews of FOUNDATION for Windows
Overall rating
Lighthouse Electric is a commercial / industrial electrical contractor operating primarily in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. We are a union shop dealing with many local electricians, laborers, carpenters and operating engineers. We routinely employ several hundred tradesmen.
Our software quest started with a goal: increase volume by 50% without adding overhead. That was 2001 and we soon realized our current accounting software was detrimental at current levels and could not support such an increase. We started looking for new software, prioritizing stability, support and functionality. We compiled a list of functions necessary to support our business. The candidates were narrowed to three who could support our efforts. Foundation Software had a clear edge in all three categories and, surprisingly, was the least expensive.
We took the opportunity to reexamine our processes and develop streamlined procedures, taking advantage of Foundation’s features. We had in-house training and imported data for jobs, employees, customers and vendors. We paralleled a few payrolls, tested other systems and went live in January 2002. We accomplished our business goal in two years. Currently we operate at 300% of our 2001 sales level with a few more people but the majority of them are estimators and project managers.
Foundation continues to add features and functions but stays true to its core competencies: stability, support and functionality. We are certainly proof of their scalability. Foundation provides outstanding job costing and the unprecedented ability to reproduce any report back to your first transaction. The support staff is well-trained and very responsive, traits that are found in all the employees I have encountered at Foundation software.
Utilizing Foundation’s data genies (report writer) and Crystal Reports to access the MS-SQL data base, it is a very rare instance when we cannot provide information requested from internal or external sources. Our relationship with Foundation Software is a truly a partnership. Currently, we are using Foundation for Windows version 11.6. There are usually several updates per year which we apply without reservation.
Our software quest started with a goal: increase volume by 50% without adding overhead. That was 2001 and we soon realized our current accounting software was detrimental at current levels and could not support such an increase. We started looking for new software, prioritizing stability, support and functionality. We compiled a list of functions necessary to support our business. The candidates were narrowed to three who could support our efforts. Foundation Software had a clear edge in all three categories and, surprisingly, was the least expensive.
We took the opportunity to reexamine our processes and develop streamlined procedures, taking advantage of Foundation’s features. We had in-house training and imported data for jobs, employees, customers and vendors. We paralleled a few payrolls, tested other systems and went live in January 2002. We accomplished our business goal in two years. Currently we operate at 300% of our 2001 sales level with a few more people but the majority of them are estimators and project managers.
Foundation continues to add features and functions but stays true to its core competencies: stability, support and functionality. We are certainly proof of their scalability. Foundation provides outstanding job costing and the unprecedented ability to reproduce any report back to your first transaction. The support staff is well-trained and very responsive, traits that are found in all the employees I have encountered at Foundation software.
Utilizing Foundation’s data genies (report writer) and Crystal Reports to access the MS-SQL data base, it is a very rare instance when we cannot provide information requested from internal or external sources. Our relationship with Foundation Software is a truly a partnership. Currently, we are using Foundation for Windows version 11.6. There are usually several updates per year which we apply without reservation.
Overall rating
hth companies, inc. is an industrial and general contractor serving clients across the Midwest. Our specialties include mechanical insulation, scaffold erection, industrial maintenance and janitorial services, vacuum truck and waterblasting services, as well as providing general construction services to governmental entities.
In 2001, hth switched to Foundation Software from Peachtree in order to obtain a more complex job management, payroll and date sensitive program. We were spending a substantial amount of time tracking prevailing wage rates on a separate system. We were having issues tracking our multi-state taxes and struggled to produce adequate job costing and management reports that were date sensitive.
We were very impressed by the ease of use and implementation of the system. We began our implementation process in October 2000 and went "live" on January 2001 in most of the modules. Foundation offered a training option which included training at their facility, using our data and setting up the system while learning to use it. Because Foundation Software is sold directly by the company, middle men are eliminated and response time for service and support is expedited.
hth has been very pleased with Foundation Software from the ease of use, adaptability to ever-changing needs and functionality for the variety of services we offer. We have doubled our workforce and annual sales since inception of Foundation Software and the system continues to meet our needs.
In 2001, hth switched to Foundation Software from Peachtree in order to obtain a more complex job management, payroll and date sensitive program. We were spending a substantial amount of time tracking prevailing wage rates on a separate system. We were having issues tracking our multi-state taxes and struggled to produce adequate job costing and management reports that were date sensitive.
We were very impressed by the ease of use and implementation of the system. We began our implementation process in October 2000 and went "live" on January 2001 in most of the modules. Foundation offered a training option which included training at their facility, using our data and setting up the system while learning to use it. Because Foundation Software is sold directly by the company, middle men are eliminated and response time for service and support is expedited.
hth has been very pleased with Foundation Software from the ease of use, adaptability to ever-changing needs and functionality for the variety of services we offer. We have doubled our workforce and annual sales since inception of Foundation Software and the system continues to meet our needs.
Overall rating
Large & Gilbert is the largest CPA firm in Georgia that deals exclusively with commercial contractors, and has been in business for over 40 years. One of our most valued services is helping companies get their accounting system set up correctly, and their accounting personnel trained to do the work accurately.
Over the years, we have worked with and have become familiar with many of the various construction accounting systems, and have found FOUNDATION for Windows to be the best. We have visited the FOUNDATION offices in Cleveland, tested out their support staff, and have over 20 clients utilizing their software solution.
One of my most common complaints regarding accounting systems is the lack of support. That has never been a problem with FOUNDATION since we began recommending them in 2000. The software is excellent! The support is excellent!!
I highly recommend looking at FOUNDATION for Windows if you are interested in looking for a better construction accounting system.
Over the years, we have worked with and have become familiar with many of the various construction accounting systems, and have found FOUNDATION for Windows to be the best. We have visited the FOUNDATION offices in Cleveland, tested out their support staff, and have over 20 clients utilizing their software solution.
One of my most common complaints regarding accounting systems is the lack of support. That has never been a problem with FOUNDATION since we began recommending them in 2000. The software is excellent! The support is excellent!!
I highly recommend looking at FOUNDATION for Windows if you are interested in looking for a better construction accounting system.
Overall rating
Foundation for Windows is the industry's leading construction accounting software. We have found that our construction clients that outgrow Quickbooks, or are not satisfied with other construction software's have benefited from the functionality of Foundation. The integrated modules within Foundation for Windows provide easy to learn and powerful reporting that streamlines the accounting function for contractors. The job cost reporting is excellent.
As CPA's, we have found conducting our year-end reviews and audits to be more streamlined through Foundation for Windows.
As CPA's, we have found conducting our year-end reviews and audits to be more streamlined through Foundation for Windows.
Overall rating
We’re a commercial design build electrical contractor. We selected Foundation for Windows Software for many reasons. The two main things that set it apart from other construction software products are the report writer and the ability to track and report committed costs. We believe understanding and tracking job cost and committed costs are one of the keys to being successful in today’s competitive environment.
Foundation’s report writer allows you to easily create and utilize custom reports with the data important to you, on your own, and as often as you like. We utilize the inventory and purchasing modules which give us up-to-the minute accurate reporting for each project by cost code.
Additionally, we are a union contractor with 8 different local unions in our territory, and we process our own payroll and union reports utilizing Foundation. The flexibility of the payroll module allows the entry of time cards in a manner that is most convenient for you, eliminating the double entry of information. The accounting side of the software, A/R, A/P and G/L are just as powerful as the job cost side.
Finally, their technical support and training are outstanding because they understand that your business is very important to you and treat you like you’re their only customer.
Foundation’s report writer allows you to easily create and utilize custom reports with the data important to you, on your own, and as often as you like. We utilize the inventory and purchasing modules which give us up-to-the minute accurate reporting for each project by cost code.
Additionally, we are a union contractor with 8 different local unions in our territory, and we process our own payroll and union reports utilizing Foundation. The flexibility of the payroll module allows the entry of time cards in a manner that is most convenient for you, eliminating the double entry of information. The accounting side of the software, A/R, A/P and G/L are just as powerful as the job cost side.
Finally, their technical support and training are outstanding because they understand that your business is very important to you and treat you like you’re their only customer.
Overall rating
Cary & Associates Builders, Inc. is an award-winning Full Service General Contractor specializing in negotiated projects for the Design and Construction of Commercial, Industrial, Winery and Agricultural buildings.
We used a very well-known complex construction software for approximately 18 years. Through the years, the problems with the software were accompanied by inordinate increases in support fees. We discussed each year whether to renew our support or look for another construction software. In April of 2003, it became obvious that the software could not be kept up and running and we had constant "crashes". At the same time we received the next year's support contract for about $6,000. It was the last straw for us.
I began a search for a new software because I knew our system would crash as soon as our support ran out (which it did). I interviewed everyone I could locate and talked to our subcontractors. Our CFO said that ultimately I would have to go with my "gut" feeling and pick one. He said if it did not work out, we would just buy another one next year and we would still be ahead of the game. All my instincts said to buy FOUNDATION.
With a lot of trepidation, I purchased the software and bought a ticket to Cleveland to attend training. FOUNDATION was able to help me before I got to class by transferring my Vendors, Job Numbers, Cost Codes, etc. into my new FOUNDATION Software. I had pulled my G/L down in the middle of our FYE and was ready to open it as soon as I knew what I was doing. Surprisingly, by the end of the week, we ran my first payroll right in class! We spread open my G/L and we were ready to go. They dropped my information off on a disk and I headed for home. The following Monday, we rolled FOUNDATION out on our server and have never had so much as a glitch in anything, let alone a crash.
Once it was up and running, our team has able to learn the system easily. It is very user-friendly. Any problems or questions, you can click on the support button and get a call back in about 20 minutes! They can also connect directly to your computer (with permission) and help show you how to fix a problem (human generated) or they will fix it for you! Love it!
We have benefited in so many ways it would be hard to describe them all. We are currently on version 11.9 and FOUNDATION has just rolled out their new automated update that updates your server and clients automatically! I suppose one of the biggest benefits is the amount of time it has saved. I used to work every holiday due to having to make hard closures, etc. but with FOUNDATION I have not worked a holiday since 2003!
This system is astoundingly efficient. The AIA billing is easily reversed if an architect or owner decides on a different amount. The certified payroll is a dream. Although we are not union, it prepares multi-state, multi-county, multi-union etc. It does a wonderful printout for the 941 and in California our DE9. Our CPA loves the Fixed Asset module. He framed the first print out since he said he had never had one so accurate.
Quite simply, we love FOUNDATION! We get great customer service from real people and a software solution that keeps progressing and enlarging on concepts to help construction companies!
We used a very well-known complex construction software for approximately 18 years. Through the years, the problems with the software were accompanied by inordinate increases in support fees. We discussed each year whether to renew our support or look for another construction software. In April of 2003, it became obvious that the software could not be kept up and running and we had constant "crashes". At the same time we received the next year's support contract for about $6,000. It was the last straw for us.
I began a search for a new software because I knew our system would crash as soon as our support ran out (which it did). I interviewed everyone I could locate and talked to our subcontractors. Our CFO said that ultimately I would have to go with my "gut" feeling and pick one. He said if it did not work out, we would just buy another one next year and we would still be ahead of the game. All my instincts said to buy FOUNDATION.
With a lot of trepidation, I purchased the software and bought a ticket to Cleveland to attend training. FOUNDATION was able to help me before I got to class by transferring my Vendors, Job Numbers, Cost Codes, etc. into my new FOUNDATION Software. I had pulled my G/L down in the middle of our FYE and was ready to open it as soon as I knew what I was doing. Surprisingly, by the end of the week, we ran my first payroll right in class! We spread open my G/L and we were ready to go. They dropped my information off on a disk and I headed for home. The following Monday, we rolled FOUNDATION out on our server and have never had so much as a glitch in anything, let alone a crash.
Once it was up and running, our team has able to learn the system easily. It is very user-friendly. Any problems or questions, you can click on the support button and get a call back in about 20 minutes! They can also connect directly to your computer (with permission) and help show you how to fix a problem (human generated) or they will fix it for you! Love it!
We have benefited in so many ways it would be hard to describe them all. We are currently on version 11.9 and FOUNDATION has just rolled out their new automated update that updates your server and clients automatically! I suppose one of the biggest benefits is the amount of time it has saved. I used to work every holiday due to having to make hard closures, etc. but with FOUNDATION I have not worked a holiday since 2003!
This system is astoundingly efficient. The AIA billing is easily reversed if an architect or owner decides on a different amount. The certified payroll is a dream. Although we are not union, it prepares multi-state, multi-county, multi-union etc. It does a wonderful printout for the 941 and in California our DE9. Our CPA loves the Fixed Asset module. He framed the first print out since he said he had never had one so accurate.
Quite simply, we love FOUNDATION! We get great customer service from real people and a software solution that keeps progressing and enlarging on concepts to help construction companies!
Overall rating
We are a CPA firm specializing in Construction. We have found Foundation Software to be a very sophisticated and easy to use program. The CPA Audit/Review Module has really streamlined our review process and allowed us to provide better service to our clients. The clients we have using Foundation Software are very happy with the program. It adds a level of functionality, reporting, and security that less sophisticated programs just cannot match. All of our clients who have switched to Foundation Software have greatly benefited.
Overall rating
While not a user of the software, my insights into the management of the Company, and their product, allow me to say that my favorite aspect of Foundation Software is actually the people who created it. That's not to take anything away from its wonderful features or its ease of use but, rather to point out that a team that takes ethics and fiscal integrity very seriously created it. That is the right mindset to have for developing this software!
Overall rating
Since 1974, Williamson Builders (WBI) has been a family owned commercial construction company performing work in the greater Central Ohio region. We serve as a General Contractor for new building construction, additions, tenant build-outs, interior fit-ups and renovation projects.
Prior to 2001, WBI had been using a text-based system. It worked well enough, but was not updated for the transition for the millennium. We converted to GEAC Staar Builder; which would have been a good choice if it had worked consistently. The software support representatives were baffled by the inconsistent and poor performance. They could offer no assurance that the program would ever work as intended. In 2001 Foundation Software was selected because it meet our needs. We currently have Version 10.6.
The implementation went well. The personnel from Foundation Software were very helpful in all aspects of the process. FOUNDATION for Windows provided two or three days of training and installation. Over a 10-14 day period, the software was installed, the users had been trained, the initial data had been entered, and we were using the program.
Foundation Software has a strong Customer Support Department. A support representative responds within a few hours and is always knowledgeable, courteous, and prompt in dealing with the issues that arise. FOUNDATION for Windows has allowed us to better track Job Cost, simplify our payroll processing, and allowed us to customize reports to fit our needs.
Prior to 2001, WBI had been using a text-based system. It worked well enough, but was not updated for the transition for the millennium. We converted to GEAC Staar Builder; which would have been a good choice if it had worked consistently. The software support representatives were baffled by the inconsistent and poor performance. They could offer no assurance that the program would ever work as intended. In 2001 Foundation Software was selected because it meet our needs. We currently have Version 10.6.
The implementation went well. The personnel from Foundation Software were very helpful in all aspects of the process. FOUNDATION for Windows provided two or three days of training and installation. Over a 10-14 day period, the software was installed, the users had been trained, the initial data had been entered, and we were using the program.
Foundation Software has a strong Customer Support Department. A support representative responds within a few hours and is always knowledgeable, courteous, and prompt in dealing with the issues that arise. FOUNDATION for Windows has allowed us to better track Job Cost, simplify our payroll processing, and allowed us to customize reports to fit our needs.
Overall rating
Our company began using Foundation Software approximately 10 years ago. We were using a very out of date program that could not keep up with our needs. We are currently using version 11.7 FOUNDATION for Windows, and are pleased with how "user friendly" this program is. After purchasing, we had a tech come to our location to help us get started. The first module we used was payroll. It took about a day for the representative to explain the details and help us get started. A few months later we added more modules, so again a tech came out and it took about a half a day. From that point on, we were on our own.
The customer support is in a league of their own. Updates are received regularly and easy to install. If we make a call, we can expect a response time of about 10-15 minutes. We can't say enough about how great this group of people is! Very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and if they don't know an answer (which rarely happens) they will work with you until they find one.
We are extremely happy since using FOUNDATION for Windows. We would highly recommend this program!!!
The customer support is in a league of their own. Updates are received regularly and easy to install. If we make a call, we can expect a response time of about 10-15 minutes. We can't say enough about how great this group of people is! Very friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and if they don't know an answer (which rarely happens) they will work with you until they find one.
We are extremely happy since using FOUNDATION for Windows. We would highly recommend this program!!!
Overall rating
Before using Foundation Software we were using a program called Hyrdratec. Hydratec stopped servicing their accounting program and we had to try something else. When we were introduced to FOUNDATION for Windows I couldn't believe how much I liked it. It seemed to good to be true. The representative that trained me was wonderful. She was so helpful and knowledgeable. The program is so easy to use and understand. If I do have a problem I call the customer support line, and I am called back quickly by someone that can always help me solve my problem. This is a great program and I would recommend it to everyone.
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