BQE Core made it through a possible replacement!!
Updated November 11, 2021

BQE Core made it through a possible replacement!!

Tanya Foster | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with BQE Core

We use BQE Core for all of our project management along with time and expense tracking. We run invoices from that data and will soon be utilizing that module of Core to send out invoices and take payments. We were using QuickBooks for that part of the invoicing. We also use it for weekly timesheets above the time put on projects. It is used across our organization. It solves having multiple programs to keep track of those items.

Pros

  • Time and expense tracking on projects
  • Client data tied to projects
  • Invoicing from the time/expense and date range items. Batch invoicing
  • Fee Schedules along with employee rates

Cons

  • Reporting
  • Updating an invoice that has been created
  • Pricing on Core and it's modules is competitive which helps with the bottom line
  • Centralizing one program for project management and invoicing saves time which saves money
We paid for BigTime and started to implement it so we could have one package with accounting as well. BQE Core didn't have the online payment selection and we had trouble years ago with integrating with QuickBooks. In trying to set up BigTime, the migration of previous and ongoing projects was going to take more time and data entry than was worth the move so we backed out. Now that Core has the online payment and integrations with QBO have evolved, we have stayed with Core.

Do you think BQE CORE delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with BQE CORE's feature set?

Yes

Did BQE CORE live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of BQE CORE go as expected?

No

Would you buy BQE CORE again?

Yes

It was doing the project management job from the beginning but now the company has stepped up with updates to payments, invoicing, and integration. They listen to customer suggestions and support has been great. Now the training we are receiving for integration with our accounting package has been awesome.
Support is quick to answer and make sure that the problem or question is addressed. Training support is proving to be invaluable and we are hoping that continues through our move to invoice and take payments directly from Core and only push the financial information to the accounting program.
For our application where we are a service organization, it fits well with project management and the time and expense entries that go along with that. We are still on the cusp of full invoicing from Core but it looks promising and a time saver instead of double entry. Updates and improvements seem to be a priority with the company as well.

Using BQE Core

10 - CEO
CFO
Admin
Financial
Drafter
Engineer
Planner
2 - Accounting and IT knowledge. Accounting to make sure Core is recording entries right, both in the financial end and the project end. IT knowledge for the mapping and sending over to QuickBooks. We also watch videos when needed and attend trainings that fit what we need to keep up on or learn about.
  • Project Management
  • Invoicing
  • Reporting
  • Time and Expense tracking
  • Project Management with phasing
  • Custom invoice layout
  • Invoicing through Core and sending to QuickBooks for Financial
  • Possible complete financial package
  • Expanding our organization and Core keeping up
  • Time tracking of additional employees
We have been using Core for a few years now, and honestly started to look at other software systems to see what was out there. What we chose was a nightmare for migration so we never left Core. Now we have added invoicing and payments from Core instead of double entry with QBO. Still only a few cycles in but looks like it will be up to speed soon and working smoothly.

Evaluating BQE Core and Competitors

  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
It had to do project management with phases well, along with expenses and time tracking for employees. Usability after some training was smooth and now we have added invoicing and payments through Core. Custom invoices and now asking for a custom report....customer support is also awesome.
Not sure we would change anything. For a small company that can not use something like NetSuite, Core has answered all of the day to day project management needs.

BQE Core Implementation

After the rough spots with Core/QBO integration it started working out better.
  • Implemented in-house
Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled - Should have looked more into what would happen with projects sent to QuickBooks and what that would look like.
More training while doing the implementation.
Possible invoicing and receiving payments from Core from the beginning, although some features weren't available back then and it's cleaner now.
  • Sending projects to QBO did not turn out the way we thought.
  • Reporting was not what we needed, had a custom report done

BQE Core Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
I believe we did. I have not had any blocks or problems whenever I need help. We also paid for quite a few hours of open training when we need to use it.
Yes - I believe they are in the queue to fix.
Every time we have asked for any kind of help and support it has been excellent service. When a ticket is put in the call back is quick and they troubleshoot asap unless it has to be escalated or it turns out to be a bug.

Using BQE Core

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • Project management
  • Invoicing
  • Timesheets
  • Using the clone feature in the project management could be cleaned up
  • Changing an item on an invoice before sending...have to delete and re-run
  • Changing a phase on a timesheet will delete the comments if done one of the two ways
Yes - Have not used it yet but have it downloaded. I usually open it within a web browser but will soon be testing the app!

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