Turtle Creek Software GoldenSeal

1.0 Introduction
Goldenseal software is used for Macintosh and Windows computers in small business. It is easy to learn and use, through real world accounting concepts. It designed for help in track the expenses, create cost estimates or manage projects in any small business. User no needs to learn several programs or figure out how to share data between them because all the Goldenseal features are tightly integrated. Its groupware software that can make user as client server software on a network. In other hand, with the multi-user version, user can access the same file via a LAN (local area network) or dial-up connection from any number of computers.

1.1 Uses of Integrated Software Goldenseal combined the estimating software, project management software, accounting software into a single program that could run on Macintosh and Windows. By this, user no need to transfer data between programs and worried about incompatible data formats because all the users records keep in one place. Using of same basic interface everywhere, user no need to learn different ways to do the things. By this, make user easy by enter data once, and get multiple uses. As example, after user creates an estimate, Goldenseal uses the project specs to create all of the things automatically: Material takeoff lists (bills of materials) Project schedules Specs sheets or contracts Time and materials bills Estimated vs actual job cost

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

2.0 Features
Features of includes in Goldenseal Software: estimating business management project management job costs general accounting payroll schedules contract writing retail sales project and customer billing rental property management inventory tracking

2.1 Estimating Estimating software in Goldenseal is being fast, accurate cost estimating for any type of project. It can be use in construction and any other business types. This software includes many cost estimation features that can help user to increase the accuracy of a project estimates, and can reduce the time to prepare a bid: smart dimensions calculate quantities for user from a few simple measurements unit costs and assemblies calculate an accurate cost for the work user do and update automatically when prices change competitive bid tracking handles price quotes from suppliers and subcontractors project templates make it easy to estimate standards types of projects

When user created a Goldenseal estimate, user automatically get other useful information from it such as project schedule, contracts and material takeoff lists. Goldenseal estimating software included with so many features that not will be available in other estimating programs in construction or other fields.

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

2.2 Schedules The date starting of project can be entered by user any date. When user changes the start date, goldenseal automatically adjusts the entire schedule. Then, it will show the completion date for each line item in the estimate, and the overall completion date for the project. This software knows duration of each task to complete, since it includes labor hour quantities in each of the Assemblies that user put in estimate. If that is a construction scheduling, Goldenseal comes with over 2000 unit costs which is includes the labor hour quantities that are needed to be calculate an accurate schedule. Basically its a simplest scheduling program, because its automatically calculates the duration for each task complete based on the unit costs that come with the program.

2.3 Contract Writing Contract writing software in goldenseal automatically creates spec sheets, contracts and subcontracts. By using the details user estimates and change order records to write scope of work specification, so user can be sure that users contracts describe the work plan need to do by user. Contract writing features by using goldenseal work well for construction contractors, property managers, architects and other business that needs to create and manage large number of contracts.

2.4 Project Management Integrated project management software in goldenseal helps user to effectively manage each project from start to finish, by handling bids, project billing, change orders, project paper work and many other details for each project. By the goldenseal scheduling software user may know time line that scheduled within each estimate, so can estimate when as well as how much of a project. Besides that, the contract writing software in goldenseal helps to user in writing of project specifications and project contracts for clients, supplier or subcontractors. It will automatically create project specifications for each item that user includes in users estimates. Other than that, goldenseal project management software will give an automatic material takeoff list, and it tracks allowance and change orders progress, transmittals, project events, retain age and subcontractors insurance for each project.
BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT 3

2.5 Business Management Goldenseals business management software helps to user run users marketing efforts and users day to day business. By the single computer software program, user can manage most aspects of users business. This software features use a consistent interface. When user learned one of the part of Goldenseal program, it easy to user start using additional items.

2.6 Job Costs Goldenseals job costing software designed for tracking costs against a project estimate or budget. It helps user to allocate every expense to a specific project or overhead account, and also know exactly what user need to change to be more profitable. Goldenseal will build from the ground up to do accurate job costing and also the job cost features are not just tacked onto a general accounting program. Its a best accounting program for construction companies and other businesses that will need to track projects costs, and compare them to an estimate.

2.7 General Accounting Goldenseals accounting software helps user to manage all aspects of the business. It is awesome at cost accounting- keeping track of expenses for each project or business activity. It is very useful for construction companies, service business, professional and anyone else that needs to do time billing for labor and services, or control expenses carefully. When user give cost estimates, Goldenseals job costing reports will show estimated vs actual costs. As user only needs to enter transactions once, its an integrated accounting system. Goldenseal has been using for many things such as when enter a materials purchase, it will automatically posts to account payable, job cost and time and materials billing. Other than that, users inventory, and updates users estimating unit costs and assemblies can be increased by this software.

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

2.8 Payroll Goldenseals payroll software will calculate tax withholdings and other deduction from employee payroll, it also completed with payroll withholdings tables. Paychecks can be written by this software and tracks employee time for job costs and time billing. It is integrated to handle expenses, customer billing, job costs, and general accounting.

2.9 Project and Customer Billing Goldenseals business billing software is used to manage customer invoice and tracks accounts receivable. It is handling the invoicing for customer sales, project work (draw schedules, progress payments, time and materials) and property rentals. Invoices and billing statements that will gives several types of reports on users accounts receivable status can be generated by this software as well.

2.10 Inventory Tracking Goldenseals inventory software keep track of the inventory items that user buy, sell or use in projects. It is designed for construction, small retail and service businesses, and small manufactures that need accurate inventory control.

2.11 Rental Property management Goldenseals property management software designed to specifically for managers and owners of any type of rental property. And also, rent tracking, tenant relations, cost accounting and repair cost estimates.

2.12 Retail Sales Goldenseals business management software for small business that sells, products or services, and that dont need a point of sale system. It also uses every day to run sales and shipping at Turtle Creek Software. It works for: Retail sales Wholesalers and distributors Internet and mail order sales
5

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

3.0 Advantages and Disadvantages

3.1 Advantages Its a friendly use program and no experienced problem when using. Its covers all the need of the business, especially in cost estimating, and project management. Other than that, its facility known as Smart Dimension, which converts simple measurements into actual purchase quantities, is particularly useful for the business. And also its estimates are quicker, more accurate and reduce wastage and cost. It also makes the user documentation comprehensive, clearly expressed and easy to follow for anyone average computer literacy. Besides that, this software had a useful module which enables me to calculate completion dates for each item in an estimate based on man/hrs and number workers involved. Users can also allow for any anticipated delays, giving adjusted completion times for each stage of the contract.

3.2 Disadvantages GoldenSeal wouldn't really be appropriate for a commercial subcontractor. It's basically a smallvolume residential builder/remodeler accounting software with some project management features. Users can understand how someone would land there but the confined data is in the details. GS does have a transmittal log and some other basic document management features, but they're designed as enhancements to the core accounting system. 9 times out of 10 the enhancements aren't anywhere near as capable or flexible as what you could get from dedicated software that does that specific thing. So contractors wind up with a hodge-podge of overlapping feature/functionality.

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

4.0 Comparison
Comparison between Manual and Software Estimation

Manual
Require longer period of time to estimate and calculate for payroll, time billing and job costs as all the details need to be jotted down for every activities. Wasting time for double checking if there are any mistakes.

Software
Easy to log in employee and owner time, for payroll, time billing and job costs. Users can allocate time to any project or to overhead.

Time

Automatically includes it in time-and-materials billing, using whatever billing rates and markup that you choose. You can use separate rates for payroll and for job costs. Keeps track of inventory, and it handles accounts receivable.

The end product or the estimation of costs, materials would not be accurate. Confliction between Project Manager & client might occur due to improper estimation

Quality

Proper work schedule and management

Organized & uninterrupted work flow Reliable price

Cheaper than software yet not preferred by companies.

Cost

Preferred choice

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

5.0 References
http://www.turtlesoft.com/ http://www.turtlesoft.com/Goldenseal-Software.html http://www.turtlesoft.com/Goldenseal-Software.html#estimates

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

6.0 Appendices

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

BEC 402 ESTIMATING & CONTRACT

10