
Clearview Software Review - Infocus
Pros
I like that the software is able to integrate all aspects of our business, from timesheets to expense reports, invoicing, and bill payment, etc. It is a one stop shop kind of software.
Cons
The hardest part of the software is getting it to generate the reports you want if they are not already built into the system, if you want a custom report do you do need to know some sequel background to run a report. I have also found that it is an extremely powerful tool but I am only scrapping the surface, and if I knew more information it could be even more useful. Adding custom boxes to applets to make it more specific to our business.
Project Management software
We have greatly enhanced and automated the project cost management using InFocus.
Pros
*Tracks project costs easily
*Many options for project set up
*Allows users to enter time and expenses from anywhere
*Electronic file attachments allowed throughout the software
Cons
*Cumbersome or lacking drill down capabilities in multiple modules
*Missing a few warning messages in critical areas such as the ability to post AP/AR to closed periods
Clearview is for Everyone!
One benefit I have realized is the ability to make minor edits to Accounting entries without having to go back redo something. The flexibility of this software is unmatched.
Pros
One thing I like most about Infocus are the Gridgits on the dashboard that provide various information all in one place. I also prefer this program because of the flexibility in entering data so there is no more deleting something because you have to make a minor change. Infocus has a variety of reports that are easy to understand that provide a wide array of data. I also appreciate check processing in Infocus for Accounts Payable and Employee Reimbursables because it is very easy to use especially with the recent transaction tab. Timesheets are very easy to enter and approve in Infocus and benefits hours are easy to see for each employee.
Cons
One thing I like least is that some functionality of Infocus is not user-friendly (i.e. having to use F4 instead of Enter). I also would like to see benefit accrual more automated and payroll integration with outside software (i.e. Pensoft) made more seamless for companies that have salary plus employees.
Great SAAS accounting solution for an ACEC firm
It's a more cost-effective option than Deltek Vision. If that's your comparison as an ACEC firm, I'd say go for it! :)
Pros
* Reasonable setup and ongoing price per seat. Monthly billing available.
* Quick and easy setup. We were online within 24 hours and had our data converted from Deltek within 7 business days.
* Great technical support via dedicated user login message board interface. Answers/response are usually taken care of in under 2 hours for non-critical/emergency issues.
* InFocus Custom Reports and Invoice Designs can be created and edited using the SQL Business Intelligence Development Studio 2005 from Microsoft.
Cons
The only real downside so far has been speed of the interface. We had this as an onsite server and response times were awesome with our own dedicated server. I would have hoped that with SaaS that the background horsepower for their servers would be a little better than what it is. Requests take approximately 4x as long to process as when we tested it as a local SQL installation. Please keep in mind that this is a "feels like" statement and not a technically measured out in milliseconds statement.
Best ERP and Project Management Software for its price
Pros
It has all the blows a whistles SAP has to offer. For me, it was very important that InFocus had strong internal controls in order to preserve the integrity of the data. Additionally, it is very user friendly and allows for quick queries, custom reports, and third-party integration. It is a software that caters to your needs without the big software restrictions.
Cons
Currently there is nothing a true dislike. But if i had to pick one it would be statements. In order to generate stand alone statements and submit to the client it has to be done manually versus a mass email distribution. Similar to invoicing. However, if the client is invoiced on a monthly basis they would recieve a copy of their statement with their invoices.
Great product for a small to medium firm
We've been using this for a few years now and we're still learning how to use it effectively. Overall, I think its a great tool.
Pros
Once you get used to the layout its very easy to navigate and find the information you're looking for. I'm sure it can do a lot more that what we're using it for and I'm excited to see how we can grow with it.
Cons
It forces you to structure your projects specifically in order to use all of its features. At times it seems too rigid in its assumptions on how a project should be structured and we have to find work arounds. For example we might have 2 Project Managers on one project, but you can only select one per project.
A Must-Have!
Our employees pick up time entry very easily with InFocus. Its also great that employees can monitor their own PTO accruals, seeing all that they've accrued and used throughout the year. Employees can also generate their own reports to see how many hours they've worked on a specific project. Its great!
Pros
It is so user friendly, if you are familiar with excel, many of InFocus's features are created the same way. Very low training time!
Cons
Copying entries on time sheets or AP's could be a little better, but it isn't that bad.
Long time customer
Pros
Was able to import data from old/so to be obsolete program (Sema4)
Cons
Need to have ability to write computer code to make changes to templates
Quickbooks to Clearview
We are solving a lot of redundancy issues that we had with previous software. It is helping us streamline our accounting system.
Pros
The thing that I like the most about software is its ability to provide me with up to date information that is critical factor in making project related decisions. Also I have found ability to run numerous standard and custom reports helpful.
Cons
All of the capabilities are overwhelming in the beginning.
InFocus - a Great Product!
Pros
This software offered easy conversion from our former software; they were able to bring all of our previous file information forward for project reference. It matched up with our former software in many ways and is easy to learn and use. Clearview Software's staff is very good to work with during the conversion. The training offered is very helpful, and they will always respond quickly and efficiently to any need you may have. Give them both a try; you will like them.
Cons
The only downside I have had is not being able to customize the software's reports at my level to the needs. I have had some custom reports and invoices designed to match up with our needs, but it is too costly to have all my report requirements customized. Therefore, sometimes you have to either run three or four reports to gather the information you may require.
Incocus is just great
Pros
Friendly use, very easy to use and not that much complicated.
Cons
The fact that I don't have o shortcut on my desktop that takes me directly to log in... I need to open a browser and type in the link...
Love Clearview
I have been very happy with Clearview.
Pros
Very easy to use, well thought out, and the layout really makes sense.
Cons
At times it is slow retrieving data, but this is rare.
I feel that some items in the program can be more intuitive and easier to use. It gets the job done.
Pros
The layout is nice. I like the list format. The overall calculation of time works well. It is nice that you can copy recent items to a new time sheet.
Cons
It is not very user friendly. If you don't know the "shortcut" commands, it can be very time consuming to do anything. Scrolling through long drop down menus is annoying.
Project Software Review
Top of the line Project Software. The developer has put a lot of thought and spend a great deal of time in looking at the total scope of the program functionality and how it interacts with real life situations. They have every angle and every circumstances covered.
Pros
Very forward thinking product that benefits true life occurrences and situations.
Cons
None that I have seen yet. And from what I have seen I do not think it will seen anything derogatory.
Not user friendly. Every day I dread having to use this product for time and invoices.
Pros
This program is only beneficial to our bookkeeper. People actually imputing there time find it difficult to use and time consuming.
Cons
This software is very difficult to navigate. It is not easy to use or understand. You need to complete multiple steps in order to get the result needed.
Review
I mainly use it to submit time for my timesheets.
Pros
I like how easy the software is to use. Very straight forward.
Cons
I don't have any grievances with the product at this point.
Efficient
Project management
Pros
It makes it easy to manage and organize projects
Cons
It takes a little time to get use to the features.
Great for small engineering firms!
Overall we are very happy with Clearview. The attention to detail in each applet makes for a thorough accounting and project management system that can't be beat.
Pros
This software is easy to use and the support team is great for every question and issue you have. The daily financials and banking systems are easy to follow, and the way employee timesheets, bill reviews and invoicing systems are integrated make billing a breeze.
Cons
Custom reports can be tricky, but the support staff is very knowledgeable and will help you out.
Very Easy to use compared to other time sheet systems.
Pros
The ability to document as much as possible...adding documents..no character limit for comments. also the ability to copy and paste existing information
Cons
Sometimes information is lost if more than one person accesses the time sheet. Also the ability to have more than one time sheet open at the same time and different information showing up on each.
InFocus has been the glue that holds our organizational pieces in place.
We know have command of our numbers. It's fantastic to see our organization by the numbers in real time and be able to make financial and project decisions.
Pros
InFocus provides such an intuitive user interface and provides incredible flexibility.
Cons
There is a slight learning curve for folks who are not accounting savvy.
Overall product it good
Pros
What I like the most about this software is the ease of exporting reports to excel
Cons
What I like the least about this software is the billing of reimbursable expenses. When part of a fixed dollar amount it does not break out the time from expense.
User Friendly
Pros
The greatest pro for this product is just how user friendly InFocus is. Very clean interface. Minimal training needed.
Cons
The only really con is not enough people are using it. Other than that I don't really have any complaint from my perspective.
Great customer Support, would like more data on features
Pros
Online, web based in the cloud. Dashboard is pretty easy to use, very visual. Need a better way to customize dashboard.
Cons
Need mac version. Need a better way to customize dashboard. Would like to be able to send help tickets direct from software.
Endless capabilities on a dated platform
Capturing employee time sheets, project costing, invoicing, etc.
Pros
The software has the ability to capture an unlimited amount of data and translate that into what seems to be and infinite number of custom reports for analysis.
Cons
The software platform is dated and does not appeal to the progressive user. Functionality is excellent if all data points and selections are properly input. Many erroneous mistakes are unidentified until you reach a failed attempt to export a related function.
Benefit of using Clearview Infocus
Pros
Clearview Infocus offers a lot of nice features to improve the project workflow, and save you a lot of time.
Cons
It is hard to learn at the beginning. you either need to have training by your own team or third party consultant.
I am extremely happy with Clearview Infocus. They have been amazing in their customer service department and help when I need it with trouble shooting. They have gotten better about adding tutorials and training modules, and even adding in person workshops to help expand my knowledge and learn more about the software. They are always listening to their customers and adding updates to include features their clients want to see.