Job Initiation Features and Functions
Job Initiation: The process of setting up a job is similar to setting up any other master file. First you have to define system defaults. Then you define how the system is going to work. Finally you define the jobs themselves.
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Job/Project Industry Support
Supports Job/Project Types for: While many organizations require some form of job costing, in many instances the industry in which they compete will dictate what type of job or project costing system they require. This question asks each vendor whether their job and project costing system will supports the needs of users in the industries listed.
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Job Type Support
Job Types Supported: There is no one standard job or project. Some may accrue work in progress, while others may not. Some companies may need to track detailed project costs over multiple years, while others may just want to track the costs and possibly revenue from a short--term activity such as an advertising campaign.
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Job Definition File
Job Definition File Contains: Although there is any amount of information a job file should contain, we have elected to list some items that may not be found in some systems. Probably one of the most important items is the ability to describe a job in as much detail as might be required. This implies the existence of an unlimited text file that would let users input whatever they thought appropriate. On other item would be very useful and that is the existence of at least five user defined fields to track whatever needs to be tracked.
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Job Resource File
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Job/Project Front Office Support
Job/Project Front Office Support: Job and project costing requires more than just the ability to record and analyze costs. In many instances the user will need other job and project related functions to serve their clients effectively. These additional functions all relate to customer support as well as organizational issues that have some effect on customer service.
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Default Billing Rates
Default Billing Rates: There are any number of methods by which a client can be billed. It may depend upon the person doing the work or the work itself or it may be based upon rates negotiated with the client. This question lists some of the methods by which default billing rates can be assigned.
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Billing Formats
Billing Formats Supported: Depending upon the nature of the job and the agreement reached between the service supplier and their customer, the methods by which a client can be billed may vary widely. This question lists many of these billing options and asks if the system supports such options.
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Bill-to Functions
Bill to Functions Supported: In some instances an engagement will require slightly different billing procedures. The work may be done for one organization, but billed to another. It may be done for one department, but the invoice sent to another address. This question lists some of these possibilities.
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User Defined Line Item Cost Detail
User Defined Line Item Cost Detail: Most job costing programs divide costs into a combination of cost categories and phases. Cost categories could be labor, material, etc. Phases could be foundations, electrical, etc.. Some users might wish to see as much detail as possible, while others wish to see summaries only. Most are somewhere in between. If the cost system is going to meet these varying sets of needs, it must be flexible. This requirement can be met best by giving users the ability to define the level of detail in as much detail as they desire.
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Start and End Date Tracking
Tracks Start/End Dates for: Most systems track some dates for jobs and projects. This question asks if the system has the ability to track both the start and end dates for the whole job as well as each phase and sub-phase (activity). Tracking the cost of jobs is but one portion of job and project systems. The other major activity is the control of each part of a job or project, and that requires target dates so that users can determine if each part of the job or project is on-track.
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Cost Tracking
Tracks Costs for: Although all job costing systems have the ability to track direct costs, this question asks if the system has the ability to track other forms of costs which can be associated with a job or project, including direct administrative costs (portable office rental, electricity, etc.), indirect labor and material (overhead costs which can be associated with a job but which are not usually billed to clients), and non-billable or non-productive costs (down time for direct labor that normally would be billed to a client).
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Job Setup (General)
Job Setup (General): This section lists setup type functions and features that do not fit into any one specific category.
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Job and Project Costing Features and Functions
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