IPM Global Software

It is limited, but good so far. We are updating our IPM services and looking forward to the newest features and functionality.

We have been using IPM for around 2 years now, it was quite a challenge to start with, however with training and good customer support we are now going strong and the system melds into Outlook to track all project correspondence.
The system integrates with our accounting system and does streamline our old practices.
The system is accessible from anywhere with web login and mobile phone access as well, although I find the app hard to use on my android phone.
Overall it was a good move for our company I believe.

In the beginning, our Project Management systems consisted of a myriad of the manual process generating countless kinds of documents all stored in a plethora of places! Our time poor Project Managers were expected to juggle a multitude of tasks and all the while trying to deliver a project.
But then came IPM Global, a product that could simultaneously manage all the tasks all in one place! An intuitive, functional user-friendly tool that would allow our PM's to concentrate on their prime role while every other facet was almost taking care of itself.
If you can think of a Project Management task that you would like automated and managed then IPM Global does it and does it well.

Pros

It's ability to site beside CRM and Outlook and integrate every project management task into one place.

Cons

The various different places you have to access some elements e.g. main menus and dashboards, then remember where you found them.
The User Guide is really terrible and does not deal with the current version of the software.

Advice to Others

You really have to commit to using this product from the get-go, I do not believe you can afford to dabble with it, you have to jump in feet first and immerse yourself until you fully understand and appreciate its nuances.

First, IPM has a strong foundation of project management functionality, including budget tracking, procurement tracking, schedule tracking/integration, field communication/tracking, submittals, secured document sharing, time entry, invoicing, and more.

Second, customizability is second to none! With IPM being installed as a plugin/extension of MS CRM, an organization can quickly leverage the functionality IPM delivers, but make necessary adjustments like simple label changes, add a field to one of the existing IPM records, or develop a brand new entity to address a need that is unique to a business.

Third, reporting and integration to and from IPM is easy.

Runs INSIDE of Outlook - very easy to use and navigate, rapid user adoption, automatically integrates emails for projects and documents within a project (RFI, RFQ, change request, etc.).

Single Source of the Truth... IPM houses all functions between the estimating and accounting space related to projects. More than documents, it tracks budgets, change management, forecasting, scheduling integration, billings, and all their relationships.

Estimating Import - can import any estimate file from a spreadsheet format (most formal estimating systems can export to Excel).

Accounting Integration - IPM has an integration utility that links it bi-directionally with most major construction accounting systems (Oracle, SAP, JDE, Sage 300CRE (Timberline), Dexter-Chaney, Viewpoint, QuickBooks, and Microsoft's Dynamics accounting solutions. Customers don't have to give up their accounting system to have a real time integrated project management solution designed for project managers.

Seamless presentation from office server out to tablets in the field using Microsoft's standards for device connectivity via the web.

Automated workflows defined by the customer - automate business processes such as emailing reminders to parties that their RFI is due or insurance certificate is expiring, or moving an issue to RFI to Change Request to Change Order. Very powerful functions!

IPM has two license models. Cloud based subscription model OR traditional perpetual (purchase) license.

Because IPM is built within the Microsoft Dynamics CRM application solution, contractors have a full professional Business Development and Customer retention system as part of the project management system.

Pros - fits between Estimating and Accounting giving us Doc Control, Cost Control Budget Management, Document Distribution - everything we were doing before on multiple systems including Excel, Word, Dropbox, Sharepoint etc.

I can operate the system from within Microsoft Outlook which means I only log into one system and it also files all my email correspondence.

This is a GREAT system which alerts me to things that I need to address and keeps our whole business on the same page.