Deltek Ajera vs. 4Clicks for Federal

Ajera is great for small firms in the AE industry. I would not use Ajera if you are not in the AE industry or if you are a very large company. It is the perfect software for those small companies that can not get the information they want from QuickBooks type softwares.

If you are considering purchasing this (very expensive) software, there is a 100% chance you are doing so because you have been awarded a Government contract that dictates you use 4Clicks Project Estimator. There are plenty of easier to use estimating packages out in the world, but you can't use any of them if you have a contract that requires 4Clicks.

Incentivized

• Project cost management.

Incentivized

• The estimates it produces are simple and easy to follow. The formatting is good.
• The tech support provided is very attentive.

Incentivized

• They are working towards being browser agnostic. Ajera is still quite dependent on Internet Explorer's Runonce features for many functions.
• Developing custom SQL queries is quite difficult given the highly interdependent DB structure. No meaningful data dictionary is available.
• Their support department isn't always responsive.
• We'd like more options for electronic payments for AP/EFT.

Incentivized

• The software feels 20 years old. It has not kept up with modern times, and practically functions like an old DOS program.
• Clunky interface, arcane commands.
• Even their training info focuses on hotkeys like this is 1995. Even though I am of an age to remember computers in 1995, the younger generations of managers/estimators are not. It is time to bring the software into the new century!

Incentivized

The previous systems were essentially timesheet systems only with very basic accounting. It's mostly the accounting subsystem that made us select Ajera.

Incentivized

WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.

Incentivized

• Ajera has allowed our company to become more efficient when it comes to compiling project management reports.
• Ajera has allowed us to become more efficient when it comes to monthly invoicing.
• There is some initial downtime when we hire new project managers as many are not familiar with Ajera so we need to train them on the software and how to run reports, task management, budget management, etc.

Incentivized

• As stated before, if you are buying this software, it is because you have a contract forcing you to. While it does work, it is clunky, awkward, and very expensive.
• The price of the software and databases has always been high, but with the fairly recent acquisition of 4Clicks by Gordion (who also bought RS Means for their databases), there is literally no competition. Prices will continue to be very high, with no check on how high they can go.
• Again, can't fault 4Clicks tech support, as I think it is the best in the industry. They know their product and they respond to issues immediately. Considering what we spend a year for this product, however, you would expect nothing less.

Incentivized