Project, document, and asset management software programs enable greater levels of efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration in design and construction projects. Additionally, web-, server-, and desktop-based programs allow civil engineering firms and public agencies of all sizes to benefit. In response to a request from CE News, companies provided the following information about their products. Company web addresses are provided for immediate access to additional information.

Accela (www.accela.com) offers Accela Asset Management to help government agencies track and manage assets and resources, including street, water, wastewater, railway, and roadway assets. The program provides historical data on assets to allow intelligent maintenance analysis and planning. Data can be integrated with GIS, CAD, and SCADA systems. In addition, Accela’s wireless solution allows field inspectors to report on the condition of assets directly from the field.

AEC Resource Management Software, LLC (www.aecrms.com) launched its Project Central file management software program. Project Central provides a project-centric view—access to all related documents, files, web pages, and folders on a per-project basis through one program and often with one click. According to the company, Project Central is the only window needed open to access virtually all project files, including e-mails, simplifying the process for project managers and reducing the strain on the computer from having numerous windows open. A 30-day free trial version of Project Central is available from the company’s website.

Autodesk (www.autodesk.com) says that companies looking for more advanced data management for their civil engineering workflow can take advantage of Autodesk Vault technology, which is included with AutoCAD Civil and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Autodesk Vault enhances the data shortcut functionality with advanced change management, version control, user permissions, and archive control.

According to Bentley Systems, Inc. (www.bentley.com), its ProjectWise software integrated with Microsoft SharePoint Server provides enterprise-level engineering content management; optimizations for geographically distributed project teams; design review environments for content creators, collaborators, and consumers; multi-channel publishing tools for project deliverables; business intelligence for asset management and compliance; and seamless integration with engineering and other desktop applications. ProjectWise provides a choice of OnLine or OnPremise access and deployment options. All ProjectWise server technologies reside on the Microsoft Windows Server platform and seamlessly integrate with MicroStation and AutoCAD.

ColumbiaSoft (www.documentlocator.com) released new integration technologies in its Document Locator 5.1, which now supports custom integration with many third-party business software applications. The first major integration package released gives users of Meridian Systems Prolog Manager software the ability to use document management services from within their existing project management application. The integration technology allows ColumbiaSoft’s Professional Services team to rapidly develop custom integrations for customers so they can associate documents and communications with information in other business systems that manage financial records, project records, and customer account records. Users of these other business systems can quickly search and retrieve all related files with a simple key-and-click action on any field in their business application.

CyberMatrix Corp. (www.cybermatirx.com) released version 4 of CyberMatrix Timesheets, a Windows-based timesheet entry application. The most significant change in version 4 is the complete rewrite of the Timesheets Web edition. Timesheets Web now includes its own web server, eliminating the need to configure and maintain an unwieldy web server. Timesheets Web now also makes use of AJAX technologies to provide a richer user interface. The database engine and reporting engine have also been updated. A Timesheets CE edition is now available that supports PocketPC and Windows Mobile devices. Timesheets Web allows access to employee time data from any web browser on virtually any operating system.

Deltek’s (www.deltek.com) Vision technology platform provides users with universal access to information through an interface that is tailored to a company’s business processes. The platform offers 100-percent web-based technology; a technology foundation built with Microsoft.NET; SOA and web services for customization and integration; seamless integration with Microsoft Office; and mobile applications for anytime, anywhere access. Deltek Vision was designed to allow firms to easily configure the application to meet their own requirements without complex coding or costly customization. Vision provides tools to tailor the user experience, from configuring screens, reports, and terminology to applying role-based security down to the field level.

Dexter + Chaney (www.dexterchaney.com) introduced Spectrum Mobile, a module for its Spectrum Construction Software that enables field supervisors to submit daily field reports to the main office quickly, easily, and accurately. Supervisors can enter labor, equipment hours, and production quantities directly into a mobile device or laptop, and the data flows to the main office in a timely manner. Spectrum Mobile consists of a PC server application and client software running on Microsoft Windows Mobile handheld remote devices, laptops, or PC workstations. Employee, equipment, and other job-related information is downloaded automatically from the main office to the field supervisor’s handheld remote device, ensuring that the supervisor will always be using current information.

DocuLex (www.doculex.com) DocuLex Archive Studio WebSearch 4.1 is a web-enabled content management program to enable secure content access from any location with convenience of use that is similar to an Internet search engine. Searches may be performed using document-specific metadata descriptions, full text content, as well as date ranges, search history, search lists, and saved searches. New features include SharePortal, which allows users to securely share content and collaborate with third parties without user logins. Auto Notification automatically notifies users or communities if files or folders are added, deleted, checked-out, or edited.

Envista Corporation (www.envista.com) unveiled its web-based Envista solution for infrastructure project coordination. Envista allows map-driven, real-time sharing of construction and maintenance project schedules among municipalities, utilities, and highway agencies. Envista’s software as a service (SaaS) allows project leaders to view projects on a map and see what work is planned in a specific geographic location during a particular time period. Stakeholders can instantly troubleshoot potential conflicts. Envista features include automatic geo-location of projects on a map, instant identification of conflicts, integrated communication among project owners, and management dashboard views. Using a standard Internet browser, annual subscribers have a convenient, centralized way to exchange planning schedules with all stakeholders.

First Trace, Inc. (www.firsttrace.com) released Korrigo, a standards-based engineering document management product that is the newest addition to the KinnosaONE product family. Korrigo was built for engineering enterprises with a strong CAD focus that need to prepare engineering data for eventual inclusion in an enterprise strategy. According to the company, Korrigo addresses the needs of engineering departments without revamping existing infrastructure or networks. Korrigo provides document version control, property management, relationship management, workspace management, file backup, restore, and archiving. The program supports a virtual data repository, allowing users to manage distributed data repositories, control life cycle states, conduct full content searches, and integrate with enterprise authentication and security systems.

Journyx (www.journyx.com) Timesheet is a timesheet and expense management solution for any company that bills for its services, performs project-oriented work, or tracks absences for a professional workforce. Users can manage employee timesheets and expenses for project control, customer invoicing, and payroll automation with Timesheet. Optional modules for Timesheet can help automate the time and expense approval process, accurately handle employee vacation accruals, or allow users to enter time via e-mail. According to the company, Timesheet is based on open standards to make integration with existing software easy.

LiquidPlanner (www.liquidplanner.com) launched the commercial version of its project management service, which the company says is the first and only online project management software to combine ranged estimates and a patent-pending probabilistic scheduling engine. Firms can use the online service to manage projects and collaborate with team members. The new release offers e-mail notifications to team members on upcoming tasks; 50 GB of online supplementary storage data associated with a project, including documents, images, and video; bulk task operations to quickly populate a project plan; import/export capabilities; LiquidLabs online training program to get teams onboard quickly; and performance optimization to accelerate application response, eliminate latency, and improve overall system performance.

Meridian Systems (www.meridiansystems.com) released Prolog 2008 project management software with customer-requested enhancements to optimize performance, increase usability, and improve overall project communication and collaboration. Specific technology enhancements include the ability to limit revisions to Potential Change Orders (PCO) that are linked to other documents, advanced database performance and archiving capability, contract-centric PCOs, default Crystal XI reporting, easy access to contact and company lookup buttons, enhanced security level attributes, greater quick-print reporting capability, improved list group and lookup group data export, RFI drag-and-drop file attachments, user-friendly duplicate company manager features, enhanced view and redline capabilities available in Rasterex Version 9, and Master Format 1995 and 2004 support.

Newforma (www.newforma.com) offers Newforma Project Center Fifth Edition, a project information management software solution that includes e-mail management, comprehensive search, external communication, BIM/CAD design review, project monitoring, and contract administration (CA). A new CA module provides support for logging and tracking RFIs. A submittal or RFI can be created from an incoming e-mail in Microsoft Outlook, received via Newforma Info Exchange, or entered in the RFI activity center. Newforma Project Center is used to organize and manage internal project information, share and track published project information with external team members, and streamline project execution processes. According to the company, the program is AEC-focused, leverages existing IT infrastructure, works with existing processes, and combines multiple tools that work together to support major processes.

Primavera Systems, Inc.’s (www.primavera.com) Primavera 6.0 (P6) gives AEC companies and owners the ability to manage projects from virtually any location at any time via the web. According to the company, P6’s combination of a fully redesigned, intuitive interface with powerful functionality simplifies project management by enabling quick and easy progress updates, while at the same time giving organizations more control and visibility into scheduling, resource optimization, and capacity planning. New features and functionality include collaborative scheduling, interactive Gantt charts and improved graphics, integrated job costing that allows users to evaluate the potential impact of change orders, fully configurable dashboards, and extended reporting and analytics.

Projity, Inc., (www.projity.com) offers OpenProj, a free, open-source desktop alternative to Microsoft Project that is available on Linux, Unix, Mac, or Windows platforms. OpenProj opens existing native Project files. It features Gantt Charts, Network Diagrams (PERT Charts), WBS and RBS charts, Earned Value costing, and more. OpenProj shares its scheduling engine with Project-ON-Demand, a web-based, SaaS program (monthly fee) that builds on the project functionality in OpenProj and delivers additional multi-project, collaboration, reporting, and management features. Project-On-Demand is also a complete replacement for Microsoft Project.

Richard Sampson Associates, (www.constructioncommunicator.com), developers of Construction Communicator, announced a new feature of its online construction management software that makes it easier for users to search and access data offline, as well as online. This web-based software helps the construction team manage contract administration documents that affect day-to-day progress, such as RFIs, shop drawing submittals, change order requests, and contractor payment applications. With the new, optional Auto-PDF feature, users can download construction documents in a PDF file format. The PDF documents include links to any file attachments.

Synchro (www.synchroltd.com), developers of 4-D construction simulation software, announced a new plug-in for Google SketchUp. The plug-in allows engineers to take 3-D models from SketchUp and import them into Synchro’s scheduling tool. The result is a 4-D simulation of construction as it progresses over time. According to Software Advice, an online resource that helps construction companies find construction project management software, 3-D and 4-D modeling software is gaining traction as project managers and engineers recognize this technology to be an effective tool for construction planning. Visualizing the construction process gives engineers insight into potential delays or underestimates. It also helps them communicate the construction process to clients and stakeholders. Software Advice captured a video of a demonstration of the Synchro plug-in at the recent Construction Management Association of America conference in San Francisco. View it here.

Synergis Software (www.synergissoftware.com) unveiled Adept 8 document management and workflow software. According to the company, new features extend its core capabilities, helping clients manage, share, and control design and business documents throughout their lifecycle. Adept 8 features full text searching of documents managed by Adept, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and DWG files; automatic Excel-based bill of materials creation; transmittal automation, automated workflow capabilities; support for MicroStation V8; and tight integration with the 2009 family of Autodesk design software, including AutoCAD Land Desktop and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Adept 8 also incorporates features for e-mail management and notification, as well as advanced data importing tools that allow users to add richer content into Adept for better searching and reporting.

WennSoft (www.wennsoft.com) released Job Cost Portal, which allows project managers access to project information in WennSoft Job Cost, including cost codes, forecast revisions, customer invoices, transaction details, and change orders, without logging into WennSoft Job Cost. Available from any location via a web browser, the access to detailed, up-to-date project information eliminates time-consuming searches for information and, according to the company, enables project managers to make informed decisions based on real-time data and maintain greater control over projects, resulting in increased efficiency and a positive impact on their bottom line. Job Cost Portal allows companies to control the information project managers can access.