FOUNDATION Construction Accounting Software

Pros

Feature-rich design
When we place a support call, we almost always have a call back that same day, even for non-critical issues. Critical issues are usually addressed within hours.

Cons

As a new customer, the software can be intimidating, but we've always been able to move forward with customer support.

We chose Foundation for it's array of features, depth of reports, its customization options, and its affordability. Much cheaper than buying software that you have to pay per user access fees for. There are quirks, but once you understand the system, it's generally easy to navigate and manage them. Extremely feature rich. Would definitely recommend.

Pros

Incredible amount of features, options, and reporting functionality. Can pretty much do anything you would ever want to do, accounting-wise. Project Management module pays for itself. Other customization options are very nice. Price is extremely attractive for amount of features in the software. Customer support is A+++++.

Cons

Very steep learning curve, to use advanced features. Genie is a pain and really cumbersome, probably my least favorite part of the software, even though it's sold as a great feature. Software isn't always forgiving about mistakes, but customer support makes up for it.

We have a very complicated payroll for the simple fact that we are a multi state, multi union company. This means many different rates of pay, taxation tables and unions, as well as our Administration and Shop payrolls. P4C thru Foundation has been able to handle this with ease and I really am happy with the service they have provided to us in the past 2 1/2 years. I hope to continue a much longer relationship with them. Whenever a support call is logged, usually one of the 2 reps. call back almost immediately and help work through any issue, no matter how long it takes. They are personable and professional and always helpful. Reliable system, easy time entry and reports generated are very easy to read.

Pros

I love the fact that P4C can handle all of our multi state and multi union (sometimes up to 55 different unions) Time entry is very easy, and includes attaching hours to jobs and tasks with ease. The system is very user friendly and the Support staff is phenomanal. Generates great union reports, job costing and also great HR reports as well, such as 401k reporting. We can process same day layoff checks which is a must for union payrolls. Also not charged by the number of employees in the system as with other payroll companies. I love that it is web based so i can work from anywhere. They are able to create payroll cycles, so each cycle can have a different address, and they deliver the checks to the exact locations. So i can enter all my time and be assured that jobs in other states have checks go directly to the location versus coming here.

Cons

I don't like that if i have multiple payroll cycles computed and i have to purge one, that it will purge ALL computed cycles, not just the one I had chosen.

Pros

Job costing reports have been very helpful; payroll processing has been great; support has been absolutely WONDERFUL!

Cons

ease of ability to find past transactions; having to find transaction numbers. If there was a way to be able to use some kind of "find" method that would be awesome.

I find it easy to use. It was easy and quick to learn. Reports are helpful - different than I am use to but cleaner.

Pros

I think the layout of the software is great. Its easy to follow and easy to find functions needed. Easy to learn!

Cons

Foundation doesnt have every report I am use to, but I was using the same software for 10 yrs, I just need to get use to the new reports.

There are better programs out there.

Pros

The program does it all besides estimating. Has a good system of checks and balances and everything is tracked so very hard for employees to cover their tracks. It does a lot well but everything has its hiccups.

Cons

There are several things I dislike about the product as it has so much potential to be 10x better yet they have no ambition to make it better. 95% up the updates released by foundation software are fixes to glitches or problems. Very rarely is there an actual new feature or upgrade to the program. There are several flaws with the program that would be easy to fix, which have been suggested but go unanswered. Such as the pages scroll very awkwardly, they jump at the end of the page onto the next page but not at the top of the page. Very difficult to review a report on the screen when it keeps going back and forth. Their support team must have a very high turnover as everytime I call I know more than the person who is suppose to be providing the support. To their credit they do go and get the right answer and get back to you but the typical resolution to a problem is 24 hours. For us 2 hours is a long time when your waiting on an important resolution such as payroll.

Great trainer - great response time to questions

Pros

Logical and menu driven. Easy to train my co-workers. The similar menus in each module make it simple to navigate.

Cons

Learning to make my own reports is a challenge. The report Genie is useful, but I need to take the time to learn to perfect my reports

Pros

They are constantly adding to the platform which already holds a ton of applicable features. Lets you set up a template for estimating that can be tweaked for individual jobs.

Cons

I've been using the software for a year now and it's still complicated to use. Change orders, as they often change or cancel, are difficult to change in the software.

One of my biggest complaints with our previous accounting software was that I still had to do so much manually on the side with Excel spreadsheets. This system automates all of the most time-consuming activities and also reduces errors because it eliminates the double and triple entries required across multiple systems and spreadsheets. The time savings and reduced errors

Pros

All-in-one flow through data tracking, integrated payroll, highly-detailed and automatic reporting, top customer support.

Cons

Some coding could be improved (but that is coming from our highly in-house technical coding expert). However, they do regularly update the software and take customer input into account when rolling out updates.

Pros

I most like the knowledgeable support staff and quick response times to our assistance calls. We also had a great trainer at the beginning of the cutover to Foundation and the transition between one software system to the other was fairly smooth.

Cons

Biggest pet-peeve is that A/P Full Invoice Report cannot be pulled by job. That is the one really hindering issue I have in the A/P module, which is where I usually work.

If you need a basic software this is as good as anything else out there. You will be pleased with migrating away from manual systems, but will probably be ready to migrate again in 5-7 years to a more robust package.

Pros

Handles AP/AR/Gl/PR/ and job costing adequately. This is definitely a step up from Quick Books. Good customer support when contacted.

Cons

Very little help collateral for clients. Usually, a software whether ERP, Office, or even photo/video editing has a robust users group with many YouTube videos online to provide a self-service kiosk of information and recommendations on how people use the software. Virtually everything online is aimed at marketing the product, not supporting existing users. The Help Desk people are great, but I would rather be able to research my own solutions from people that are actually in the industry using the software rather than programmers.

Overall very happy with my decision to go to Foundation.

Pros

Much more robust product than what I have been using. The job costing module is very intuitive and seems to have all the reporting options I will need. The implantation process has been smooth and my trainer has been extremely professional and helpful.

Cons

I have only found a few small things that I would change. Would like more contact fields for contacts in the vendor maintenance.

I would highly recommend this program to contracting and construction businesses that employ 20+ people and also wants to track maintenance for equipment. The program, in my opinion, is not cost effective for smaller businesses

Pros

Very user friendly, if you have a basic understanding of accounting practices, it is easy to figure out where to go or what to do to find things, or fix errors. The report are easy to find, run & read. Customer service is excellent! The company hosts a training week for the software that is incredibly beneficial for both new & seasoned users. This software is similar to People Soft in what it can do without the complications and confusions!

Cons

Some of the add on programs (such as project management) appear to be unnecessary or even over complicated. You purchase a specific number of "seats" for users to log on which can be a huge hassle if you do not have enough seats, as it leaves employees waiting for others to finish up their work or stop mid-stream so that another user can log on and work.

The bad: When you sign on to Foundation, you get a shell program. They expect you to setup the system with them over the phone, did not want to perform a site visit. It takes 3 months of weekly phone calls to get the system operational. They also expect you to be an accountant to set up this system. Not a great system to create job invoices. Cannot calculate monthly union benefits - can only do by week.
The good: Great time card management system, certified payrolls, AIA billing, accounts payable and accounts receivable.

We are still in the implementation stage of this product use. It's a slow process but for good reason so we can ensure our new software is setup correctly. We are looking forward to getting it live and running.

Pros

The cloud based option is great. We chose this over the server option.

I use this product daily and it helps me be confident in my pricing and layouts of jobs at and or jobs in the future

I love the Project Management features! This is a huge help!

So far the experience has been very good! We are currently going through the setup process

Pros

How it combines multiple sources of information and combines them into a easier way to track close to accurate job cost.

Cons

Setup time is lengthy.

Advice to Others

Do your research well to make sure your investment is the right one for your company!

A solid piece of software, easy to use, and cost friendly. enjoy it

Pros

Ease of functionality

Cons

none yet

Very good cost accounting software. Had multiple modules that cover many facets of the construction industry.

Pros

Multiple modules to cover several different construction business'

Cons

Service mobile module is behind. Does not offer all the functionality we are looking for.