What do you like best about UDA ConstructionOnline?
UDA has some good things going with how they organize their cost items, groupings, etc. That component works well, as does the methodology of how they create and tabulate selections. I also like how you can include customized overhead / mark up calculations. The "to do" list functionality is pretty nice and allows you to add and track cost impacts. Beyond that, the graphics are ok, but very busy and way too much movement to navigate efficiently. Our "coach" Win Chandler was incredible, very kind, very helpful, but unfortunately working within the confines of an antiquated system. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.
What do you dislike about UDA ConstructionOnline?
UDA is an extremely shallow program and by that I mean the following:
• Any successful contractor uses a numerical cost coding system. UDA does not. The word "cost code" does appear in their system, but it is useless as I was led to believe and believe me....I pushed against it hard.
• There is absolutely NO real method to track real, committed cost because there is no Purchase Order system. Again, the word "purchase order" is visible in the program but don't let it fool you. It is just a .pdf generator that is basically useless once it is created. If you want this to be in QuickBooks, you have to do double entry because it DOES NOT SYNC as you would reasonably expect.
• IMPORTANT: This program is mainly driven by QuickBooks. This is hugely impactful because QuickBooks is NOT designed to be a construction management software. THIS WILL CAUSE YOU AN ACCOUNTING DISASTER of epic proportions.
• Since the software is not driven by cost codes, the "linking" that is an OPTION and not even required, will absolutely wreck your job costing and forecasting.
• The client invoicing is an utter trainwreck. It is slow, it is extremely cumbersome, you cannot invoice for multiple change orders at one time and they have to be sent individually. This is massively irritating to our clients and it takes FOREVER.
• You are extremely limited on reporting. Yes, there are bunches of "reports" but they are all just .pdf generators and essentially produce useless documents.
• After several months of absolute devotion to this program, our bookkeeper essentially gave us a "them or me" ultimatum
• We ran 6 jobs through it and included a "collaboration software" cost line for each of the jobs. Every single client asked for a refund on that cost and refused to use it after about 1/3 the way through the project.
• While we were using UDA (prior to switching), we loved the idea of their integration with Square Take Off. During our use, it did not integrate as advertised and we kept receiving notifications that "it is a known issue, we are working on it"
• It is atrociously expensive
• Despite our best efforts, there are no online user groups that we could become a part of for peer conversation
• The bid request component is absolutely useless
• This is just the start... Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.