Sage – Sage Master Builder

The Executive Dashboard provides a summary of all cash accounts, cash position,
receivables, payables and income from operations, and contains drill-down capability.
Sage Master Builder works with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES:
The Master Builder GL supports up to a 10-digit account number. Users can post
transactions to any period throughout the year. The AP module allows users to
make partial payments on invoices, choose from a wide variety of check formats,
and track workers compensation insurance expiration dates. Users can also be
notified when going over job budgets. The AR module allows users to customize
invoices, statements and all other documents. It also provides several different
billing methods including AIA, contract, and time and materials.

The Payroll module handles regular and union payroll, workers compensation
rates, and provides labor cost calculations. Payroll check stubs can be customized
to suit business needs. Additional modules include Service and Inventory modules
that integrate with the core financial product. Master Builder offers several
audit features, including the audit error function that scans entries for errors,
the payroll audit function and the audit history, where you can view historical
data for each period.

Sage Master Builder offers excellent system security features, including the
ability to create users and passwords for each company, along with user groups,
where global access rights can be set up. Access can be permitted or restricted
from company all the way down to features and functions within windows.

CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR-SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Sage Master Builder offers three separate editions of estimating software, including
Basic, Standard and Extended. Numerous estimating modules are also available
that integrate with Sage Master Builder, including Cut & Fill, Database
Editor, Digitizer Extended and ePlan Takeoff. Project management features are
found throughout, including the Project Work Center, which is a customizable
interface that offers access to information on each job, including Receivables
Invoices/Credits, Change Orders, Purchase Orders, Subcontracts and Progress
Billing. Users can also track submittals and transmittals, along with job tracking
information such as cost to complete and hours to complete.

The Change Order function offers two separate options for entering change
order information: prime change and budget and sub-change details. Users can
also track changes separately from established job budgets. Change orders can
also be added to subcontracts. Customer information is easily tracked using
the Receivables Clients option, where users can enter client information, billing/shipping
information and Payment information. Tabs at the bottom of the screen provide
access to job lists, equipment, locations, AR invoices, service invoices and
other information. The Vendors feature tracks personal information, allows users
to set up specific invoice defaults, and tracks other information, such as contracts,
POs, open and closed invoices, payments and certificates. The Subcontracts features
allow users to enter item descriptions, cost code and cost type, along with
original contract amounts. The Subcontract List allows for the printing of subcontract
lists using a variety of sort criteria.

The Inventory module supports multiple inventory locations as well as multiple
inventory valuation methods, and can track both stock and serialized inventory.
Purchase Orders can be created for jobs or from work orders, change orders and
RFPs. Users can also create master purchase orders, which combines all of the
materials and supplies that are necessary to complete a job.

The Master Builder scheduling module allows users to create task lists for
each job, manage construction schedules and process project notices. Users can
also process supply notices, which provide detailed supply lists for each job.
The optional Service Receivables and Inventory module provides the ability to
handle service calls, dispatch technicians, schedule routine maintenance and
monitor work order status. Integration with Inventory keeps item quantities
up to date as items are used. The optional Equipment Management module allows
users to allocate equipment usage cost directly to each job, track maintenance
for all equipment, track and process loan payments, and post depreciation expenses,
as well as monitor the profitability of each piece of equipment.

REPORTING & MANAGEMENT TOOLS:
More than 1,200 standard reports are included with Sage Master Builder. Frequently
accessed reports can be stored on the desktop for easy access. All system reports
offer drill-down capability. The Quick Reports option offers a series of basic
reports that can be accessed with one click of a mouse. The Report Writer function
allows users to create custom reports or modify existing reports. Excellent
job cost reports are available, including Job Status, Work in Progress, Job
Profitability, and Job Income Statement.

AIA billing is available in the AR module, with both generic and custom formats
available. Templates can be created throughout for easy processing of invoices,
statements and other customer correspondence. The new Attachment feature allows
users to attach files and links to vendor, job and customer data on order to
create a central location for all pertinent documents. The Sage Master Builder
website provides links to a variety of third-party software vendors that can
provide a variety of remote access options.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT:
Sage Master Builder now integrates with Microsoft Outlook, making it easy to
email documents to vendors and customers. All Master Builder reports can be
exported to either Word or a PDF file. ODBC capability allows users even greater
flexibility to exchange database information between programs. Sage Master Builder
is an integrated product, with all system modules, including add-on modules
such a Service Receivables, Estimating and Inventory integrating with the core
financial product.

HELP/SUPPORT:
Sage Master Builder contains excellent Help functionality within the program
and also provides printable PDF files such as the Getting Started Guide and
the User Manual. The Online Services option provides access to system updates,
product enhancements and any patches. The Knowledgebase offers anytime access
to advice and troubleshooting. Product support is based in Oregon and is available
during extended business hours. Users can choose from several different support
plans, with varying levels of phone support included.

SUMMARY & PRICING
Sage Master Builder starts at $5,000, with add-on modules costing extra. The
product is well-designed and best suited for those in the construction/equipment
management industry. An excellent selection of estimating modules, solid equipment
management functionality, and a good financial core product make this especially
attractive for mid-sized entities in this space.

2010 Overall Rating: