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 Profit Builder Millennium By Michael Roselius, CPA Construction Data Control Inc. (800-285-3929) has designed and built an impressive product in Profit Builder Millennium (PBM). This is a Windows package that consists of 20 modules comprised of both typical accounting functions and construction industry specifics. The database is Microsoft Access and supports user IDS with pass-words and multiple companies. Users can be given selective access for read, write and delete, by mod-ule. Setting up a new company Is guided by a wizard, which will help in making sure all the settings, such as account number and job cost ID masks are consistent. Each compa-ny can have a unique screen color, which will help keep things straight in a multi-company office. The Contact Manager is a central name and address file in the database, used by AR, AP and Payroll. This database can be shared among the companies or kept separate for each. PBM can be run as a stand-alone program or using shared files over a network. Navigation around the screen can be done solely by keyboard, which will be good news for power users. The Smart-Fill feature, known as auto complete in other programs, will offer to complete fields such as vendor name as the user types in the first few characters. The Job Cost system is very complete and detailed and allows an unlimited number of cost types. Change order tracking is included in Job Cost and supports budget changes as well. The ambitious user can add custom fields, and free-form text notes can be annotated to the job description. When run-ning inquiries on actual costs and budgets, the numbers are presented in either a summary or detail level. Purchase Order provides the begin-ning point for actual cost data input into Job Costing. Another important part of Job Costing is the Subcontract Control function. Complete detail level control and inquiry is available for draws and retainage. The Payroll system supports some industry specific require-ments, such as craft wage rates with expiration dates, benefit and union plans with multiple components that can be defined as taxable or not. Daily payroll data is available for job cost inquiries. A very nice manual called the Learning Companion provides step-by-step instructions on getting started and doing basic tasks. There are two sample companies provided to use in learning. Also, formal classroom instruction is offered in various major U.S. cities through-out the year. PBM is sold through a network of certified dealers who provide support for their customers. In addi-tion, the following are available: a toll-free support line, e-mail, fax and web page support. The company web site (www.cdci.com) offers updates to registered, installed users. Since there are many additional modules, each company can select just those parts that meet their needs. This is a fine, well-designed product, suitable for mid-to-large size construction contractors. Profit Builder Millennium Feature Chart CDCI 8OO.285.3929 www.cdci.com REPRINTED FROM CPA SOFTWARE NEWS © 1999, The CPA Software News, April/May 1999 Vol 9, No 2 |
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