eTEK International Inc. — eTEK for Microsoft Office 2007

From the July 2010 Review of Construction/Contractor
Accounting Programs.

eTEK
for Microsoft Office is a financial/job costing software product ideal for construction
companies looking to step up from off-the-shelf products. Designed to be highly
functional as well as scalable, eTEK offers solid features and an easy-to-use
interface that has been designed for functionality and efficiency.

BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS:
When eTEK first updated its user interface to utilize Microsoft Office
2007 design, I was frustrated, as I was only beginning to familiarize myself
with Office 2007. A few years later, I can truly appreciate the eTEK
user interface, which like Microsoft Office 2007, uses the ribbon-style method
of navigation. Built on Microsoft Office 2007, eTEK’s user interface
contains a set of function icons at the top, with system modules listed directly
below. Clicking on a module will display the corresponding functions within
that module, with most functions expanding into features within each particular
section.

Data-entry screens are easily navigated, with clean, uncluttered entry screens
and the appropriate lookup options throughout. Setup checklists are available
for setting up new companies, making it easy to enter information and ensuring
that nothing is overlooked.

When entering a new job, users can choose an existing job template or just
create a new job from scratch. eTEK also offers five data-entry screen
views. Users can also choose which items to display on the toolbar, including
minimizing the ribbon feature if desired. The Inquiry screens located throughout
can quickly and easily display selected financial and job-related reports. Because
eTEK is available as a desktop system or as a SaaS model, multi-location
access is easily utilized. eTEK works with Windows XP, as well as Windows
Vista and Windows 7. Special instructions for Vista and Windows 7 are included
in the Help file.

CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES:
The GL module is data driven so users can enter transactions at any time without
worrying about closed months or future transactions being posted correctly.
Recurring journal entries can be set up, and reversing journal entries can be
completed by reversing the entire batch or by entering a reverse transaction
for a single item in the Enter Journal Entry option.

The AP module allows users to easily add or edit invoices or create or utilize
an invoice template. Vendors can be added on the fly, and recurring invoices
processed automatically. The AR module allows for the creation of a series of
billings, including Time and Materials, AIA Invoicing and Contract Billing,
along with the standard billing function. The choice to place all of these billing
options in the AR module was a good one; it streamlines transaction processing
and eliminates the extra steps often found in other programs. The Payroll module
allows users to enter employee hours using the QuickTime entry function or the
standard entry function where earnings and deductions can be entered along with
labor cost codes and equipment hours. The Payroll module also supports direct
deposit and multi-state payroll.

Other financial modules available include Cash Management, Inventory and Purchasing.
eTEK automatically creates a system Audit List, with batch numbers
assigned for easy transaction processing. Solid system security options are
also provided, with menu-level and step-level security available.

CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTOR-SPECIFIC FEATURES:
eTEK offers an estimating function that can be used when entering new
job information. Users can assign a job estimate or estimator to each project
or enter a new one on the fly. Estimates can be entered in a variety of default
categories including Labor and overtime hours, Equipment, and Material Cost.
The Job Cost Master Editor tracks detailed statistics on each job, including
job status (which provides percentage complete), burden percentage and job permit
information. The Inquiry feature provides additional detail on job-related transactions
and vendor analysis. The Analysis feature provides quick views of information
such as Estimates vs. Actual Costs and Work in Progress.

Customer data management in eTEK is excellent with options to track
all customer activity, payment history, including original invoice amount, payment
and discount applied and average days to pay. AIA billing can be tracked by
job information, certificate for payment, change order summary or continuation
sheets. AP allows users to track vendor payment history along with supplier
payment information, as well as process 1099s. Employee information is easily
managed in the Payroll module, where extensive employee information such as
historical wages, taxes and deductions can be viewed. Subcontractor costs can
be tracked either by job or subcontractor, which provides detailed information
on contract costs, change order amounts and balances.

The Inventory module allows users to enter both items and kits. Items can
be assigned to specified locations, groups or suppliers, and can handle multi-location
warehouses. The Purchasing module allows users to add PO types, process POs
and move information to the Inventory module. The Equipment Management function
allows users to track both equipment and labor costs and rates attached to each
piece of equipment, along with machine serial numbers and a detailed description.

REPORTING & MANAGEMENT TOOLS:
eTEK offers an excellent selection of reports in each of the modules,
including the Job Recap report, the Billing Receipts Analysis and the Job Cost
report. The Reports Wizard offers quick report customization, and all reports
can be exported to PDF, XPS, Excel, Word, or text file formats, as well as emailed
directly from the print screen. As previously noted, eTEK offers AIA-compliant
invoicing with certificates tracked by job name or number. Creating communication
templates is easy when utilizing the product’s exceptional integration
with Microsoft Office products. Remote access is easily available using eTEK’s
SaaS option.

INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT:
eTEK offers solid integration of its entire selection of modules, along
with strong integration with Microsoft Office products. eTEK also offers
import capability from Access, as well as the ability to import estimating data
from several third-party applications.

HELP/SUPPORT:
eTEK offers an excellent Help function within the product, along with
a self-guided tour that is perfect for new users. Multi-media videos are available
to assist new users in learning system navigation through all of the modules.
eTEK also maintains a private blog for system users and offers various
support agreements with first-year costs running 20 percent of the total license
fee.

SUMMARY & PRICING
eTEK offers a solid construction software product that is ideally suited
for small to mid-sized construction trades that require flexibility, ease of
use and affordability along with a software product they won’t outgrow.
Priced at $3,856 for a single-user system that includes Accounting, Payroll,
Job Cost and Supply Chain Management modules, along with first-year product
support and training, eTEK is a solid investment for construction companies.

2010 OVERALL RATING: