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Tools for managing, learning, designing
By Deborah Snoonian, P.E.

ArchiOffice
OrangeLoft
www.orangeloft.com
(for Windows and Macintosh)

ArchiOffice is geared toward small firms.

This software was designed by practicing architects to meet the management needs of small firms. It’s a database that allows users to enter and manage information such as contacts, time and expenses, projects, billing, and schedules. Information can be entered just once and then linked to other information—for instance, a company listed in the contacts database can be called up and associated with relevant project documents, invoices, billed hours, and so forth. The system comes with several preformatted templates for common reports such as invoices and address books, or users can search and filter the data they enter to create custom reports. The contacts database and calendar features can be synched with all the popular handheld organizers. If installed on a network, an administrator can allow team members to have different security settings and access depending on their roles.

AEPlans
AEPlans
www.aeplans.com
(for Windows only)

AIA Louisiana assists in the distribution for AEPlans.

The Air Force and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are among the 30,000 users of this online clearinghouse for plans and specifications. A public area of the site showing basic information on project bids is available to all registrants free of charge, while private areas containing more information are password-protected and available via subscription. Creators of project documents can organize and upload their files (CAD drawings, bids, specifications) to the Web site, with others viewing, downloading, and marking up the files as needed. Developed by software maker MaxView Corporation of Seattle, the tool is marketed and distributed through AIA Louisiana, which contributed to its development. It follows an innovative business model: A portion of the proceeds from the software’s purchase goes to the local AIA chapter with whom the buyer is affiliated, so that the local community sees some profit from the product.

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