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| BillQuick 2003 | |
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BillQuick 2003 from BQE Software is a time and billing program offering complete integration with QuickBooks. New features include the ability to assign one project to several different clients. You also can restrict employee access to specific projects and restrict specific billable activities. With the addition of 250 system reports, BillQuick 2003 now offers users more than 300 fully customizable reports. Plus, with the increase in user-defined fields, you now have more reporting options than ever before. To ensure better billing accuracy, invoices can be proofed by printing a draft copy prior to printing the final version. To use BillQuick 2003, your computer needs to be quick, with at least a Pentium-level processor running at 800MHz. You also need 256MB RAM, although 512MB is recommended for optimal performance. BillQuick 2003 is available in three convenient sizes: “Basic,” for one- or two-person offices; “Pro,” for small- to mid-sized companies; and “Enterprise,” which uses a structured query language server for large organizations. When first opening BillQuick 2003, you must choose to create a new data file (to create a new database/separate firm, etc.) or open an existing database. To become more comfortable with BillQuick, take advantage of the sample database installed with the software. The main screen has a standard drop-down menu bar at the top and a series of colorful icons offering quick shortcuts to common tasks. A series of functional icons at the bottom of each data entry screen makes printing, changing or deleting system files easy. The BillQuick Navigator, found on the main screen, is divided into six areas; “Employee,” “Client,” “Codes, Schedules, and Budget,” “Project,” “Time Entry and Expense Log,” and “Invoices and Payments.” The navigator also offers direct links to BillQuick’s home page, the technical support department and an online knowledge database. Setting up your company database is simple. BillQuick uses a series of wizards to ensure easy setup. For more hesitant users, a tutorial is available. If you are not using the sample database or integrating with QuickBooks, company, employee, vendor, activity and expense information will need to be entered prior to using BillQuick. Numerous user-defined fields allow easy program customization, so you can set up billing and activity codes to suit the needs of your firm’s specialty. Actions and activities are easily entered, and billable costs are assigned accordingly. You can bill against retainers when necessary. Once basic information is entered, you can continue to enter more client information. There is a client wizard as well. The client information section easily stores detailed information on your clients. You also can maintain an unlimited number of contacts for each client. For your convenience, BillQuick’s project screen lets you maintain an extensive profile on each project. BillQuick’s primary function is time accountability, service billing and firm management. Recording time and other relevant information can be done manually or by using BillQuick’s timer feature. Client charges can be calculated in a variety of methods, including hourly, flat-fee or by using a special rate. Instead of entering time manually or with the timer, you can have employees enter their own time using the “Time Card” function. Employees are given full access to data entry functions, but have limited system access to confidential information. Using the fee schedule, you can set up a variety of billing rates specific to employees, activities, projects or a combination thereof. You can invoice by client or project for any specified period. By clicking the “Refresh” option, you can update all current system information to produce the most current billing available. You can review your invoice on screen prior to printing. If a payment is received on an outstanding invoice, you can apply payment information while reviewing the client’s past payment history. As I mentioned earlier, reporting options are terrific with BillQuick 2003. There are more than 300 reports that are fully customizable by using Crystal Reports, which integrates seamlessly with BillQuick. You also can import and export files into BillQuick from other programs, including Microsoft Access and Excel. BQE offers add-ons including a Palm/ Consumer Electronic interface allowing time entry from the field, along with a Web interface, which allows time and billing entry from anywhere with an Internet connection. |
BQE Software Inc. Price: $695 for a five-user license; $55 for each additional license. Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP Reviewed by Mary Girsch-Bock, a technical writer and independent software consultant based in Albuquerque, N.M. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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