By using XaitPorter your working hours will be shorter
Updated October 26, 2015

By using XaitPorter your working hours will be shorter

Solveig Solheim | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Software Version

Porter5

Modules Used

  • Porter5 writing system

Overall Satisfaction with XaitPorter

We use XaitPorter to write proposals/tenders. Some of us are also using it when writing [about] technical equipment information and procedures.
  • This tool gives us the opportunity to work together. We always work in the last revision.
  • We can write comments as we go along and all involved will see it straight away.
  • We can structure it the way we want/our the way customer wants it and print the whole book in one go. We are sure that pictures/text/tables are where they are supposed to be (they have not moved around the document as it does when using Microsoft Word).
  • The new version, XaitPorter5 has issues with tables. We cannot have less than 10% column width if the table has several columns. I would like XaitPorter to accept my choice of columns width. We did not have this issue in XaitPorter4.
  • I would also like to use the arrows going up and down when clicking on the table of content to the left. Now I have to use the mouse to move from one section to the next.
  • When using spellcheck I have to go back to another section and in again to see that the yellow highlights have disappeared. I cannot click on the spellcheck icon again to have the yellow highlights disappear.
  • I would like to have two different subtitles styles (ie Heading 1 and Heading 2) :-)
  • Replace function could improve. I would like to find words and replace 1 at the time since sometimes I don't want to change but keep as is. If I click on find and no more then it replaces the word with nothing.
  • Has improved me from spending hours in the office (less overtime).
  • More constructive work. Writers now focus on the write-up and we [focus] on the look and how it reads.
  • We have received positive feedback from customers that our submissions look professional and easy to navigate through.
We only use XaitPorter for tenders/proposals. We use Microsoft Word but that is for minor documents - approximately 4 page documents.

The cost and also to get people to change from old systems to new systems. It is not easy to get people to change from using Word to using XaitPorter.

Those who are willing to change and start using say "why haven't I started using this before". :-)

Using XaitPorter

Sales, Management and Operations (Oil industry)
4 - We do not have any with special skills except for us who is "administrators". We had a bit more to learn since we will guide/support the other users
  • Tender writing
  • Procedures
  • PSL Specifications
  • Contracts
  • End of Well Reports
This is a tool for the future, so will definitely continue using XaitPorter

Evaluating XaitPorter and Competitors

Yes - We did use Microsoft Word for tender writing/Procedures/Manuals etc.
  • Product Features
  • Product Usability
  • Product Reputation
  • Analyst Reports
  • Third-party Reviews
We heard rumours of a new tool for writing large books and for us preparing tender responses it sounded great.
Start using it sooner

XaitPorter Implementation

I was really satisfied with the implementation
Yes - We had several phases. 1 for Administrators and 1 for "normal users". we had to split into two sessions (how to create a project and how to work with XaitPorter.
Change management was a major issue with the implementation - We had issues getting it approved by Management due to cost and also since this was a new system; how was it to be implemented, who will use it, will it be a good tool etc etc
  • Getting people to change their way of working from Word XaitPorter
  • Getting the system up and running (slow network connection)

XaitPorter Training

  • Online training
  • In-person training
He was really good. He came from Xait and trained us for several days. He got all involved and answered the questions asked. He was a professional trainee
The online training was really good. They know the way of getting people involved and they answered all questions asked. They were there for us.

Configuring XaitPorter

it is wright for what we use it for.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface - We have made templates that are company specific and the same goes for styles etc etc.
Some - we have added small pieces of custom code - same answer as previous
Table Colours, different styles we wanted in our response (ie. key text, "extracts" )

XaitPorter Support

The support team are just great. They are there for us from beginning to end.
ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Quick Initial Response
None
Yes - I need to get the system fixed at no cost :-). Well if cost is too much then we need to get it approved, but normally we know the cost since we have been told in advanced
Yes - we have had several "bugs" episode but they have been dealt with accordingly

Yes, we had an issue with a person I gave access to. He was new so I had to create an account. After I had done and given the user all information needed he couldn't log on. He got either wrong password or username. I tried several times but without success. I had to call for help from Xait Support and what he discovered was that despite me giving him access he couldn't find him. Support had to create a new user profile for him to try again. We still had problems. Support had to go back and check, well he solved the problem and the User is now happy.

it was really strange since I could see his profile but Support couldn't. I am not sure why but since the problem was solved I was happy and so was the User. :-)

Using XaitPorter

Well driven program. Easy to use and the project looks as ONE document.
ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Technical support not required
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
Feel confident using
Familiar
None
  • you are always working in the last revision
  • All involved in the project, are seeing the last revision
  • Adding pictures, tables and attachments.
  • The whole process of using XaitPorter in a tender process gives us the possibility to deliver a well done and professional document
  • The only issue I have is the FIND/REPLACE function.

XaitPorter Reliability

I just love the system
XaitPorter is always there even though we have issues with outages (suddenly the network does not work, but that is internal issue)
Our reports/Tenders complete in a reasonable time frame, actually faster than Word. We have not integrated with other systems or softwares.

Integrating XaitPorter

I think it works easy and fast
  • File import/export
From Word to XaitPorter.
If any systems can be used, please use it since it makes your work / day a lot easier :-)

Relationship with Xait

The vendor was easy to work to work with during the sales process
We are still friends. They have not changed at all. They are the same from beginning to now. They are very supportive.
no other than be yourself and treat them as you want them to treat you, meaning trust.

Upgrading XaitPorter

Yes - It took time since we have to transfer some data from Porter4 to Porter5. Actually Xait did that for use but we had to send them the information of what we wanted to transfer.
  • Faster and better
  • new upgrade of Tables, writing in columns, attachments. Less clicks