Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What should new subscribers do first?

Print one of the Project Business Process Diagrams below and attend the Getting Started Webinar.

Awarded Projects Business Process Diagrams:

Live Webinar Schedule:

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Should a Lead and Estimate be created first before learning how to setup an Awarded Project (eg. Contract Admin, Procurement, Scheduling etc.)?

Sage Construction Management strongly recommends having an individual from accounting and project management departments lead the implementation process. Basically, new subscribers should take one recently awarded project and setup the Project, Directory, Job Cost Codes, Client/Prime Contract and Budgets. After accounting and project management staff are confortable with the Sage Construction Management process then the estimating department should learn how to document Leads, share Drawings and Specs with vendors using the Invitation to Bid (ITB) feature, prepare Estimates, and request and collect bids using RFP Packages.


How is setting up an awarded project different than an accounting system like Intuit QuickBooks?

Sage Construction Management mimics the real life world of construction. For example, materials are not purchased and field staff are not mobilized until there is a sign contract as shown below.

Accounting System Sage Construction Management
Customer
  • Job
    • Estimate
 Project
  • Project Directory (eg. Client, Architect, Your Firm, Vendors)
  • Job Cost Codes
  • Client/Prime Contract
    • Cost Budgets Per Job Cost Code (aka Budgets without the fee)
    • Contract Amounts Per Job Cost Code (aka Schedule of Values or Bank Draws)
    • Labor Hour Budgets Per Job Cost Code (Applicable for Labor Timecards)
    • Equipment Hour Budgets Per Job Cost Code (Applicable for Eqp. Timecards)

Should the AccountingLink for QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online, Sage 50 Canada or Xero be setup immediately?

Yes. Once a connection has been established to the accounting system via a AccountingLink utility, active vendors and employees can be imported into Sage Construction Management.


What about Cost Codes?

Establishing a master cost code structure is extremely beneficial so information can flow efficiently from one department to the next. Thus, Sage Construction Management recommends contractors schedule a meeting with their department heads (eg. estimating, project management, accounting, and executives) to review this information. This is not a requirement on day one of implementation but will certainly come up in the first few weeks!


Master Cost Codes Overview

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Feel free to attend our Open Session Webinar which are usually held on Wednesdays or send an email to SageCMsupport@sage.com.


Live Webinar Schedule:

View Schedule

What is the 'Order #' used for?

The 'Order #' field is applicable to many features and defined below.

  • Job Cost Code Table: Impacts how cost codes will be sorted and listed.
  • Estimate, CPR, CO, and Invoice Markups: Impacts how markups are sorted and comes into play when calculations include previous markups.
  • CPRs, COs, SCOs: Previous change amounts are determined by order number.
  • Prime and Sub Invoices: Previous completed, stored to date, and retainage calculations are based on order number.