Software that Works for You

Project managers are the engines that drive a construction business, and most PMs have time-tested ways of doing their job. The last thing a busy PM needs is software which dictates a process or creates extra steps. Spectrum was designed to be flexible and adaptable, providing a “tool kit” of options so PMs can decide for themselves how to best utilize its time-saving features. The options tool kit starts with a user-definable desktop which provides easy access to all reports in the system, tailored to the company’s way of doing business. Links to personal documents, spreadsheets and key programs and functions are right on the Spectrum desktop - - with full security to protect sensitive data. 

Less Chair Time

With Spectrum, project managers can get away from their chairs and stay focused on what’s important: clients, subcontractors and what’s happening at the jobsite. Even when project managers aren’t stuck in meetings, they’re often preparing cost-to-complete estimates, generating spreadsheets, working on change orders and project team communication. Instead, Spectrum allows PMs to easily check status and generate reports. Spreadsheet and word processing documents can be tied directly to Spectrum’s data files, eliminating the need to re-enter information manually. And Spectrum provides access to invoices, contracts, and change orders, right on the jobsite. No more calling into the office to have someone fax you a document. Spectrum makes it easier for PMs to stay focused and plan ahead, rather than process paperwork and react to surprises.

The Power of One

Spectrum provides all the functions you need in a single unified package. One system, one process, one place to look. Spectrum’s single, shared database means one set of numbers, always entered once at the point of origin. So all job cost data is accurate and up-to-the-minute. So job cost projections can be run at any time. Handling RFIs takes minutes not hours. Processing stacks of invoices and reconciling change orders are a thing of the past. Spectrum automatically provides updated numbers to everyone who needs them. And Spectrum can provide customized reports delivered on an automatic schedule, for tracking progress and spotting potential problems early.

Clear Communication

Spectrum also provides a Correspondence Log for easy storage and retrieval of e-mail messages, transmittals, images, reports, everything relating to the project. The new drag-and-drop feature enables users to easily move e-mails, documents, .pdf files and more directly into the Correspondence Log. All along this attention to detail builds trust with clients. And when it’s time to close out a job, documentation pays huge dividends, allowing PMs to do it efficiently and profitably.

Delegation Made Easy

The Tasks feature in Spectrum provides project managers with an easy method for delegating to-do items to their staff. The task-specific step-by-step wizard guides users through their assigned tasks. To create a task wizard, one can just click a list of functions, set due dates and send an e-mail link. It takes only minutes. Now project managers can get things done right, without always having to do it themselves.

Keep Good Jobs from Going Bad

With Spectrum your PC has graphic read-outs of Key Performance Indicators on every job. Now you can spot a potential problem early, and fix it before it’s too late. The Queries function provides automated reports on the specific measures selected, so PMs can truly manage by exception.

Leverage at Close Out

Project managers know that negotiating job completion can make or break profits. Spectrum enables them to go into meetings with leverage, armed with correspondence logs, RFI and submittal tracking, change order history, and all the documentation needed to help them protect that important last 10%.

Measure Productivity

Spectrum’s Job Cost module provides ongoing feedback, so you can track actual production numbers against estimates, as well as your projections. It’s a versatile a tool to manage labor, materials and equipment. By entering daily production output or quantities (like linear feet, yards, tons), you can evaluate installed cost-per-unit relative to your estimates, and you can estimate final project cost at your current production rate. You can compare Crew A with Crew B, and contrast different times or conditions on the job-site. With Spectrum you can identify factors which contribute to efficiency and productivity, which allows you to take control of the outcome.

Lose wait

Spectrum allows Project Managers to reduce time spent in meetings, eliminate redundant paperwork and streamline important processes. Spectrum helps users work more efficiently and effectively by providing a reliable process for workflow, streamlining each step from input to output. Single data entry and data sharing put an end to hunting expeditions, bugging people for the latest numbers, struggling with conflicting info, pulling together reports. With Spectrum, Project Managers will have more time to manage what counts.

Real World Results

Using Spectrum to Integrate Operations and Financial Activities The Colacurcio Brothers started out as an excavating contractor back in the 80’s but grew into a general contractor for large projects. “In expanding our business, we needed a way to handle a huge increase in paperwork, especially change orders,” says Chris Colacurcio, “which is why we started thinking about project management software." “I watched my project managers track their jobs using spreadsheets, notebooks, binders, faxes, and decided I needed a software tool that could help us integrate all those functions” says Colacurcio. “Duplicate data entry was a huge drain on resources, and I noticed a great divide between my accounting department and my project managers. Change orders were always bouncing back with coding problems, and cash flow was suffering."

"I looked at every project management system I could find", Colacurcio says. Many systems offered integration with accounting, but on a limited scale. "Things like phase codes and scheduling were integrated," he says, "but everything else had to be manually entered from one system to another. Spectrum offered—and delivered on—the promise of complete integration," asserts Colacurcio.

"Spectrum helps us manage the change order process much more effectively, providing a 3 to 5 percent improvement in margins. We were able to cut paperwork processing by 80 percent, saving us time and money. Now everyone can look at the exact same numbers at the exact same time. There's never a question about whether a subcontractor has gotten a particular change order or what's been paid. Committed costs from purchase orders are right there and estimates are updated using the most recent payroll numbers. It's all in Spectrum. That's huge," Colacurcio smiles.