Feature Set:  

Accurate estimates are imperative in construction estimation. Precise, reliable and quickly-completed bids are necessary as well. Sage Timberline Office estimating program reduces time-expenditure, curbs risks, and maximizes profits by automating estimating and bid management processes. The core estimating application gets supported by a multitude of thorough databases packed with thousands of standard industry items you can use immediately. You may also choose to enhance the databases by adding your own unique items, formulas and factors. The program also enables you to integrate with RSMeans databases and pricing services. With the addition of a digitizer or CAD Integrator, generating tight, accurate estimates is a snap. To further simplify the estimating process, there is an available application titled Model Estimating which prompts you with a series of on-screen questions and informs you of the impact of changes to the existing bid.

Sage Timberline Office integrates four elements of office management: Estimating, Purchasing, Project Controls and Accounting into one solution. The Estimating element offers CAD integration, common vendor/subcontractor lists, issues budgets to job costs, historical cost databases, conceptual estimates (modeling) and integration to purchasing. The purchasing segment creates a bill of materials from the estimation where you can then select from a common vendor/subcontractor list, issue subcontracts to job costs and issue purchase orders to job costs. The Project Controls aspect of the program manages contract and change orders, scheduling and subcontractors, including payments, insurance certificates, invoices, job cost variance reporting and warranty-tracking. The Accounting section offers efficient invoice processing, creates sworn statements, creates lien waivers, performs profit analyses by job and creates comprehensive financial statements.

Ease of Use:  

Because Sage Timberline Office is an integrated program and is capable of performing a multitude of management tasks, beyond the estimation, it is slightly difficult to master without aid. You should definitely take advantage of the online training sessions and training classes to fully capitalize on your investment in Sage Timberline Office.

Ease of Installation:  

We did not install Sage Timberline Office. It was an online demo.

Help/Support:  

We were unable to access a help menu. However, Timberline has established authorized training centers (ATCs) located in over 50 cities across North America and Australia where you can receive help with the program. Each ATC is Timberline-approved, offering assistance through the use of curricula, workbooks and specially-trained instructors. There are also available online learning options via web-based technology. These programs are titled, Timberline's Anytime Learning and Realtime Learning. They offer a full-range of instructor-led sessions which are both user-friendly and readily accessible. Timberline also offers service plans which consistently update you on inside knowledge about the program, helping you to become proficient with Sage Timberline Office.

Sage Timberline Office is an excellent program designed for the small and medium-sized construction companies. Although you will need to invest a substantial amount of time to master the program, this high-functioning software is well-worth the effort. The streamline approach to office management offered by Timberline is an incredible advantage. It eliminates the difficulty of trying to interface and coordinate several office programs. Once mastered, this program will improve your bottom line by alleviating excess paper work, saving time by eliminating program transfers, and organizing jobs.