Viewpoint Spectrum is a cloud-based construction ERP suite with project management, accounting, resource management, and reporting and analytics. Key features include workflow automation and collaboration tools, document imaging and sharing, cost estimating tools, and RFI management tools.
This ERP is suited for products that do not require customizations or personalization. Ideally, if you are selling a product as is, then S2K will fit your needs. Make sure to have all of the requirements for each piece laid out. For instance, with products - know all of your attributes and functionality for product pages ahead of time. Include this in the presentation for ERP selection. Ask what functionality is out of the box, and what is a customization. Ask for quotes ahead of time. This may increase the overall cost of the ERP as well as the time it takes to launch. Example: Product reviews, cross sells, remarketing, abandoned cart integration, etc
Spectrum is great for users who need to have visibility across job costs as well as financial modules (AP/AR, etc.) - honestly, Spectrum is scalable for both small and large companies. It's especially good for companies that are starting out, who want to plan for growth, without having to upgrade software down the line when they're bigger
It's sometimes hard to control the document imaging window. It doesn't stop when you release the cursor. Have to go to top of screen and click in one of the bars to lock it in place.
In AP invoice entry, you have to slow down when entering job and phase number. Doesn't keep up with the speed of the person entering.
Some things in Spectrum are NOT that intuitive, but I think knowledge of the software just comes with time. There are still some things I need assistance with in Spectrum but I'm very comfortable with my day to day items now that I've been using it for years. However, if there is something I don't do often or haven't done before, I don't find the software to be that intuitive, I actually find the logic on some things to be a little weird but it's fine once I know how to do it.
For the most part the product is very reliable. Since we are hosted we sometimes have connectivity issues but I would say that is more our ISP than Spectrum.
Support has not been great since merging with Viewpoint. I've sent several letters up the chain about this. It has made me want to leave the software altogether on more than one occasion. I spend a lot of time on hold, and on numerous occasions now we've sat around for days waiting for a response only to be told the person on the phone never actually made a ticket for that, or that the online system didn't alert them of our case. We used to be able to call and get someone immediately and have the problem solved by a knowledgeable person. Now it's hit or miss and you could be on hold forever. The online training academy is nice but it's still not in-depth enough for me to not have to sit and babysit someone through a training period.
If this is someone's first ERP implementation, I strongly suggest you ask for services to help implement. Ask for training on every aspect of the implementation. Make sure this is put into the overall ERP quote
S2K offered a system that could be used by various departments. There were modules for accounting, customer service, order entry, and web development. The ability to customize the website integration was a plus. S2K allows the option to have products in different warehouse locations. This allowed us to better manage inventory and see in real time what the stock status was
I have previously used Sage Masterbuilder, another construction industry software. This has been a number of years ago. The company I am working for already had Spectrum and have been using it for as long as it has been around when it was known as Forefront. Based on conversations I've had with the personnel that were here at the time of purchase, Spectrum clicked off all the boxes they were looking for.
You can grant user specific access which is nice. Project managers do not need all the same modules as Accounting. But Accounting does need access to PM modules as well
