ProjectMates Construction Project Management Software

The client we used this for was a perfect client. They had new convenience stores going up left and right so bidding to them was easy.

Pros

I like this product... I used it when bidding to a client and I was able to access their drawings, see any RFIs, or any addendums from this site.

Cons

I didn't like how I had to individually download each folder and couldn't download everything into one large zip folder.

Pros

Ability to create custom projects with various inputs from different team members and keep everyone up to date with the latest information.

Cons

A lefthand side navigation would be helpful to see paths to different parts of the platform, but other than that the software seems great.

It's a great product that helps with keeping our projects organized.

It's easy to set up new projects and add users. Straightforward process to create folders and organize the project online, and it's easy to upload files/send links to third party consultants of construction plans. The main complaint would be with the scheduling feature. It's confusing and hard to use. It needs to be

Pros

Easy to set up projects and upload/send files.

Cons

The scheduling feature.

Likes Best

Easy to use and share files with everyone involved in a project.

Likes Least

The scheduling feature could be easier to use. It'd be useful to manipulate the headings for each project as some have unique hurdles that don't quite fit into the standard template. Also, if you could customize report generation (ie: a list of all the projects) that wasn't just done alphabetically, allow the user to choose the order they want the report generated in. For example, on a team meeting to review outstanding projects, I would rather go through the most complex projects first.

Recommendations

Spend the time to learn how everything works up front. Dedicate a few hours to working with someone familiar with the software.

Likes Best

capability of having paperless purchase orders and invoices

Likes Least

The fact that you cannot drag a file directly from an email as an attachment to upload.

Recommendations

Give it a try. It takes a little time to learn but definitely worth it.

Likes Best

I like that is allows all documents and information to be consolidated in one, easily accessible place.

Likes Least

It could be slightly more user friendly. Creating projects and searching for information can be slightly confusing when you first begin and takes practice before it becomes easy.

Recommendations

It takes a few tries to learn the software, but once you know how to work all of the functions, it is a time saver.

Likes Best

It's very intuitive to use. If you can search the Internet and click links, you can use Projectmates.

Likes Least

Moving and copying files can take a bit longer than you want. You have to use file selection and action menues rather than quick keys like windows.

Recommendations

Dig into the scheduling portion and the associated tools that go with it.

Likes Best

This is a great way to store project files without relying on your computers hard drive. Having a central location to store and access needed information for each project helps a Project Manger like myself better manage the project.

Likes Least

There should be a better way to list the project on the home page. I have so many projects that it creates multiple pages to click through. The home page should be able to list every project or give the project manager the ability to "hide" projects that aren't access as frequently.

Recommendations

This is great for those who manage multiple projects and also for projects that require many different teams to access the same storage format.

Likes Best

Being able to store and access files from a central location and being able to share those files with other users and non-users alike. I also like the drag and drop function of uploading.

Likes Least

The folder layout and the multiple steps it takes to get to the folder I am trying to access.

Recommendations

Look at what is offered and the functionality of what you want it to do for you.

Likes Best

What I like the most about this product is that it is extremely reliable and it has allowed me to transfer large files to not only people in my organization, but also to outside consultants and to people who arent even "users" in the system.

Likes Least

What I like least is that the system is not easily integrated into JD Edwards meaning that we must print out all of or financial approvals and walk them through accounting. If this integration is done then the product will be even more valuable.

Recommendations

I would recommend this software if you need help with scheduling and if you are trying to move away form using a local drive for storage. Projectmates makes it easy to store all documents pertinent to a project in the same location so that users in the future can access the project files. It also makes financial reports easy to generate.

Likes Best

I like that it serves so many purposes. It's an extremely organized FTP site that is easy to use. It handles purchase orders and invoices with ease. It's just a great project management tool.

Likes Least

I think there are small things that you keep fixing. People miss my comments a lot of the times on links I send them. What I've started doing is just sending the link to myself and then copying the link in an actual email.

Recommendations

It would be nice to be able to have a file preview so you don't have to download the whole thing. It also would be nice to be able to download section files. It would be nice if the emails we send were in a nicer format.

Likes Best

I really liked the ability to coordinate things amongst many people. It was very easy to use and exceptionally user-friendly.

Likes Least

Nothing, honestly. I have had nothing but good things to say when using Projectmates.

Recommendations

I recommend spending a few hours upon first use really diving in and gaining a better understanding of the functionality of Projectmates and what all you can do with the program.

Likes Best

It has a simple layout, which makes it easy to learn and to teach to new users.

Likes Least

It is very not mobile friendly, which is not ideal while traveling.

Recommendations

Simplicity is key because many non-technical people will be using this.

Likes Best

The program and user face is easily navigable. It really allows for many users from different backgrounds to interact and share data for all of projects. It has centralized all management of our data, scheduling, consultant interaction, and financial processing.

Likes Least

The only thing that really bothers me is not being able to drag and drop out of emails/Outlook format. That we must save data from an email to the CPU and then upload the file.

Recommendations

Truly explore the entirety of the software. It allows for a good many capabilities with purchase orders and invoicing, detailed scheduling, and data management for longevity.

Likes Best

The product was easy to navigate and use with no prior experience of the product.

Likes Least

The restriction on which browser can be used on uploads is a bit of an issue.

Recommendations

The functional use of this product can be curved for better individual use.

Likes Best

I like the Contracts, Change Orders, and Invoice side of this software the best. Most Project Management software has document storage but lacks on the Financial side. This one does not! I can track my budget to commitments as well as track what I have paid to date. I can also set the approvals for each financial module easily as well as change them on a Project level as my needs change. As for Systemates, owners of Projectmates, they are extremely responsive and helpful. As the system administrator for this software I need to tweak roles, picklist and dropdowns, and approvals often, they help me think through my changes before I make them and help me make small program changes with me when I get stuck. By far, this is on of the most affordable programs out there.

Likes Least

I am able to get data out of the system to do special analysis however; I would like it if the line items details on the contracts would export as well.

Recommendations

Now a days most Project Management Software store documents, have schedules, and report progress but are not good at Contract, Change Orders, and Invoices. Really think about your internal process and evaluate how much time and resources you can save by bring the Financial piece online as well; including integrating approved invoices to your accounting software. You need to compare software based on the future time and resource savings and not just your current way of doing things. We as Owners of the Project get stuck with old paper copy way because that is the way it has always been done and that copies of contracts and waivers are usable in court, we no longer need to keep all original signatures and can save headcount and file cabinet space by bringing it online. Most importantly, compare your software choices to flexibility. Can the System Administrator on your side make the necessary changes in the software as needed without needing an IT department or hired third party to make minor program changes?

Likes Best

The peretual push toward improving its user interface. No product is perfect, but Projectmates perpetually strives to improve their core functionality through listening to their clients' feedback, which I like.

Likes Least

There is not much to report here. Great product that has made my company more efficient.

Recommendations

Projectmates has greatly improved our workflow, allowing the company focus more on our present projects and less on administrative hang ups.

Likes Best

The ProjectMates Team has been very responsive to our requests for customization to better meet our needs.

Likes Least

No complaints; however, I have noticed a bit of a lag in going from screen to screen as of late.

Recommendations

Be candid with the ProjectMates Team about your needs. They are very willing to help.

Likes Best

Besides the fact we have a great representative helping and supporting us along the way with this product, the product itself is really great. Coming from another corporate entity that was in the midst of a 4 year renovation project, I really wish we had something like this when that large project kicked off. The fact that you can tailor it to your needs, alleviates the one size fits all limitations. Instead it can be created to work with the milestones needed within your company for a successful project. Giving other departments visibility also creates a broader partnership for a successful project.

Likes Least

It would not be the product at all. It's more internal and getting departments to see it as a resource and to utilize it as such. The program is only successful if it is being used. Internal buy in can sometimes be difficult getting them on board. But it is getting better as more things and informational links are available for them to get what they need.

Recommendations

Look outside your similar industries and see how they are using it. Doesn't matter if you are a retail environment or a hospitality environment, seeing how the system can be used to drive processes and visibility are the key to any project. It happens to be used for the construction of our retail locations, but could be used to drive many facets of business in house or out.