Foundation Software Reviews

“Clunky, antiquated, not user friendly

Pros

There are a lot of different reporting options if you're willing to dig.

Cons

This program isn't intuitive at. all. Which takes away from any efficiency efforts. You have to drill down to find any reports or functionality you might be looking for. Every step requires 3 other steps and a box checked to get the desired reports or information. And least importantly, but doesn't help with anything but the narrative that the system is antiquated - the interface is stuck in like Windows 2000. Please, Foundation Software - HIRE A UX Designer!

“wide range of functions

Pros

Getting around the system is pretty simple. It handles a wide range of tasks, captures the key information I need and the overall layout works well enough.

Cons

Not being able to cut and paste information is frustrating. When entering PO numbers, it would really help if I didn't have to type the same details again and again.

“Comprehensive solution

Pros

Its amazing how many different modules it has, covering everything from new construction projects to service dispatch work. Another big plus is the ability to manage exactly what each user can access and use. Since our company handles several different trades, it does an excellent job of keeping everything together under one umbrella.

Cons

This is an excellent tool when it's configured properly from the start. I joined the company years after the initial setup so by then a lot of employees already had their own habits with coding and processes. Because of that, there was still quite a bit of manual entry and external reporting being done in spreadsheets and similar tools which I believe could have been avoided with a better setup in the beginning.

“Knowledgeable support staff

Pros

Right from the start their customer support has been the standout for me. I leaned on their knowledgeable team quite a bit while learning the system and they were always available and ready to help. Since it was all new to me, I used support often and they never let me down.

Cons

It is not as user-friendly as some other platforms but it makes up for that by being far more robust and offering a lot more functionality.

“Well-integrated system

Pros

One of the best parts of Foundation Software is how well it connects with Job Costing, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable. Everything works together in a way that feels smooth.

Cons

The part I like least is when I'm viewing invoices under a vendor and open another window, it jumps back to the beginning of the invoice list instead of staying where I was.

“user-friendly and simple to handle

Pros

This software has been very user friendly and simple to manage. Out of all the programs I've worked with, it's also one of the most forgiving.

Cons

while I'm in the middle of entering an invoice, the system will sometimes freeze for about a minute. During that time, I can't type or click anywhere in the software.

“Handles prevailing wage environment well

Pros

it handles the complicated union and prevailing wage side of construction accounting very well which is something not many systems manage this effectively.

Cons

A few parts of the interface feel clunky. For example some windows cut off information and, oddly enough, can't be resized to show everything.

“powerful reporting

Pros

Reporting functionality is incredible and it is easy to enter invoices in both accounts payable and receivables. The document imaging feature is probably my favorite part because I can quickly pull up any invoice or supporting document whenever I need it.

Cons

There are quite a few steps involved when entering invoices in payables and receivables or when printing checks. I understand that this is meant to help prevent mistakes which makes sense. Still, when an error does happen, fixing it can be frustrating and there are definitely days when a simple delete option would be very helpful.

“Customizable financial statements

Pros

Getting through the full process, from incoming invoices to outgoing bills, is very quick and the system is very easy to work with. The financial statements can be customized to fit what we need which has been really helpful. It has also turned out to be an excellent value for the cost and the customer support has been outstanding on top of everything else.

Cons

Honestly I have not run into any real downsides with the system. They take user feedback seriously during conferences and do a good job of staying ahead of potential issues before they become problems.

“fair pricing

Pros

Found it pretty easy to use. It does a solid job tracking AP, AR and PR and customer service is usually excellent when help is needed. The pricing also feels fair for what it offers.

Cons

A few of the Job Cost reports feel complex to work with or don't provide enough drill-down detail. It would also be helpful to have a search option for AR invoice amounts.

“increased our efficiency

Pros

After years of using Dexter Chaney, moving to this has made our work much more efficient and a lot less complicated. We still are not taking advantage of as many modules as I would like, partly because our team is spread across the US but it has still been a big improvement.

Cons

technical support can take longer than I would prefer although the support team does know the product very well once they respond.

“Well-trained staff

Pros

Whenever I need help, the support team has been very helpful. The online videos and PDF documents also provide solid guidance and make it easier to learn the software.

Cons

A few of the online guides seem a little outdated and I still run into some trouble when trying to create the specific reports I need.

“Makes sure everything is entered correctly

Pros

Something this software does really well is keep mistakes from slipping through. It helps make sure everything is entered correctly which is especially useful on the Accounts Payable side. It also catches duplicate entries and makes sure the right cost code is used based on the PO.

Cons

Every now and then it acts like it crashes especially when I'm working on a large PO. When that happens, I usually have to completely sign out and then log back in before it starts working properly again.

“friendly AP & AR modules

Pros

Getting comfortable with the AP and AR modules happened pretty quickly because they're very user friendly. Running a check run for multiple vendors is also really convenient and works very well.

Cons

The AP data entry module could really use more shortcuts. It would also help a lot to have report-writing functionality since there are some reports we need and currently have no way to generate.

“Brilliant customer care

Pros

Any time I talk about this software, I end up mentioning the customer service because it has consistently been brilliant and the response time is very fast. I can log a call whenever I need assistance and get the help I'm looking for and if the first person can't resolve it, they make sure someone who can gets back to me within a reasonable amount of time.

Cons

Whiting Turner's AIA in the Receivables package is missing. I'd also really like reporting options that would support my Workman's Comp audit such as a report showing how much I've paid subcontractors on each project.

“HQ modules were a letdown

Pros

Certified payroll has been a big advantage. The software is also quite flexible although that flexibility can sometimes work against it because there are simply too many options to deal with.

Cons

Honestly I hardly know where to begin. Project HQ, Executive HQ and Crew HQ were major disappointments and nothing like what was presented to us or what we believed we were buying. On top of that, the mobile app is constantly running into problems.

“responsive support every time

Pros

Whenever I need help, support is incredibly quick to respond. If I leave a call, they get back to me fast and every time I've reached out, they've been able to answer my questions. Since I work in payroll and deal with so many different functions, I end up calling often and they've always helped me with whatever I needed.

Cons

I don't really have any complaints. The system is very simple and there seems to be an option for just about anything I might need. I can even run the same report in countless different ways.

“Detailed reports and reliable support

Pros

I've appreciated the dependable phone support whenever help is needed. The reporting is very detailed and thorough which makes it much easier to get the information I need. It also helps simplify tax compliance.

Cons

Entering an AP invoice takes more time than it should. A quick-entry option for receipt entries would make the process much more efficient.

“support team never disappoints

Pros

Whenever I reached out, the team responded quickly and communicated really well. They also checked back in after the issue was resolved to make sure everything was still working properly.

Cons

Honestly there wasn't really anything I disliked. The only thing was dealing with emails coming back as undeliverable but I understand that sometimes updates or fixes are needed.

“Powerful accountability across operations

Pros

Great how much visibility it gives us for tracking and analyzing everything which really helps with accountability. There are a lot of moving parts in running a business and this software does a really solid job of handling all of those components in one system.

Cons

The only limitation I've run into is tool tracking. As far as I know, that isn't something I can do unless I buy an additional module.

“ease of use stands out

Pros

I really like how simple the system is to use. Entering information once and having it carry across the different modules saves a lot of time. Support has also been very helpful and pleasant to work with although there are times when the team seems so focused on individual modules that they miss how changes affect the rest of the system.

Cons

At times, the system will shut down unexpectedly which is frustrating. I've also noticed that when moving to the next screen, the cursor is not always active in the field like it used to be. Because of that, I have to grab the mouse and click into the box before I can keep going.

“Feels dated

Pros

After learning how the workflow works, it stays pretty much the same every time. The system is stable and dependable and I use it to complete payroll without any major issues.

Cons

Some tasks take far too many steps to get through. The software also feels very outdated and it would be much better if it were web-based.

“Highly customizable

Pros

I love how much flexibility there is to customize parts of the employee reports and the input fields we need to capture specific information.

Cons

I do wish there were more job-level customization options, like setting up travel pay by job. Some of the basic functions also take a few calls and tutorials to fully understand. It would also help a lot if ACA codes could be entered and then tracked automatically throughout the year.

“all the tools we need

Pros

Its easy to operate and it has the core features we need to handle our work effectively. The support team has also been responsive and helpful whenever assistance is needed.

Cons

Customer service used to be responsive and included at no extra charge but now it seems to be moving toward paid training and support. The built-in Report Writer also isn't strong enough to create truly useful reports and the integration with Procore has not been dependable.

“No experience needed

Pros

Coming into it with no prior experience, I was able to learn it quickly because the system feels very user-friendly. Once I started approaching it more like a database, it became simple to understand how it handled different transactions.

Cons

you can't actually delete incorrect transactions. I understand that keeping them preserves the audit trail but there are times when it would be really helpful to remove a transaction completely as if it had never happened.

“provides detailed reports

Pros

One of the best parts for us has been the detailed financial and job costing reports, along with the outstanding consultants and training team. They've been incredibly helpful and a big reason we enjoy using the software.

Cons

Entering data does take more time than expected although it starts to feel more natural as you get more experience with the system. Since we operate on a cash basis, we've also run into a few issues with the balance sheet not balancing properly.

“Foundation User

Pros

I love the capability to extract and filter reports for my projects. It really helps me narrow down the information I need.

Cons

I'm not a fan of the numerous steps and windows involved in updating an AIA pay App.

“Accounts Payroll/HR User

Pros

I wasn't a fan of most of the features offered by Foundation. I suppose after a few years, I got used to its quirks and was able to navigate it.

Cons

The list is extensive. The system is cumbersome, unstable, and the customer service was impolite and mostly unhelpful.

“Great Accounting Software for Construction

Pros

I've been using Foundation for over 12 years. A couple of years ago, we considered switching to another software but it didn't have as many features as Foundation, so we decided to stick with it.

Cons

It would be great if the program could be slightly updated to resemble windows more.

“Agrxis Review on FOUNDATION

Pros

Foundation was an amazing software for my legal practice. I absolutely loved its extensive feature set, specifically tailored to meet the needs of law practices. The accounting module, which is powerful and easy to use, streamlined my financial administration tasks such as billing, invoicing, and trust accounting. It seamlessly syncs data and allows for efficient workflows with other essential systems like time tracking and case management. The configurable reporting features provided clear insights into my firms financial status, enabling me to make informed business decisions.

Cons

While FOUNDATION has been an incredible software solution for my legal practice overall, there are a few features that I didn't find as impressive. Among the aspects I liked least was the learning curve required to grasp its advanced functions. It took me some time and effort to fully understand and utilize the system as a new user.

“Stay away

Pros

When we purchased it in 2017 it seemed like the right product. However after the company was sold, things went downhill from there.

Cons

The customer service and transparency regarding outages are commendable.

“Plenty to offer but not optimized for practical use.

Pros

Compared to other accounting software, Foundation offers a wider range of modules for construction companies. It gets the job done.

Cons

There are many modules available, but several basic features are lacking. For example, the Payroll module is fully functional, but there's no option to print Corrected W2 forms. When I contacted support, they mentioned that this functionality is not available, and I should visit the IRS website to print one. Many functions daily seem to cancel each other out or overlap, like the Equipment and Payroll modules for work orders. The permission levels for security are not optimized, as access to Vendors either provides all information, including account deposits, or nothing at all. There's no option for two tiers of permissions for employees; it's an all or nothing approach. Bid Proposals cannot be copied to AIA's, and the Mobile Time App is not user friendly at all, with frequent sync errors. On the web, I often need to clear cache and cookies or use private/incognito mode to use it. The training at the beginning only covers basic use, and they don't import previous data, only bringing in balances. If you request data import later, they say it should have been done initially when going live. After going live, there's no assistance unless you use their consulting service, which comes at a cost of $250 per hour. The Scheduler module has not been updated in over three years, and there's no option to export it to Excel or access it in the field, only print. The Document Imaging feature for invoice approval routing feels outdated, lacking an audit log and only showing the last change made on a transaction. The list of issues goes on, spanning the last three years of use, but it gets the job done with some limitations.

“Good construction software especially for payroll.

Pros

The payroll features were particularly helpful when it came to tracking union jobs and prevailing wage.

Cons

The overall features and system feel outdated and antiquated.

“Look for another System

Pros

To be honest, this software doesn't have many pros. The only positive thing I can say is that the update process is smooth.

Cons

The Service Module seems like an afterthought, perhaps created just to offer a complete package. The mobile app's bugs and synchronization with the office have been challenging to resolve despite multiple attempts with Foundation. Customer service often fails to provide the necessary help, responding with "I don't know how to do that" or "I'm not familiar with that." They don't even offer alternative solutions or suggest contacting someone who can assist. However, they are willing to charge additional fees to fix issues that have been present since the beginning.

“Easily deployed and onboarding experience was amazing

Pros

It was almost unbelievable how quickly we were set up and ready to go live with the software. We have eliminated our employees manual data entry and just imported the timecards. All the payments have high visibility so that other people can see what was sent and invoiced. Payable features are simple, and data input is quick and uncomplicated.

Cons

I would appreciate the ability to produce additional reports that only include the data I want. Also, some things require importation into Excel, which seems like an extra step that could be cut out.

“A lifesaver for our company. Its totally recommended from a construction point of view

Pros

We weren’t able to manage our business like we used to (partly due to the pandemic and travel bans) and were seeing a decline in our projects. Foundation and its excellent project management capabilities saved our company!We had another program that we used (which I will not name), but it couldn’t handle the RFC. We can now accurately track open requests thanks to the Foundation.

Cons

Foundation really doesnt have much wrong with it, since it meets almost all of our needs. If anything, it was our team that was reluctant to commit to the new software and change their old habits.

“Great for billing and cost control in construction

Pros

It has a lot of automated features that help me save time, such as quick reversal buttons in accounting that will automatically create the reversal of AP Payments, AP Invoices, Journal Entries, and more. Change orders are closely related to our billing and updating the billing line item there will return you to the AIA screen automatically, which is great. Overall, the system allows you to enter your information quickly and generates a wide range of results for each department.

Cons

They need to improve their reporting features. If Foundation ever showed promise of adding more reporting tools, such as clock-in time reporting, which is one of the most used reports in my company and I have to look elsewhere for, I would completely switch over.

“The foundation is very reliable and has excellent reporting capabilities.

Pros

We have a multi-state and multi-union (and quite complex) system of work, and the Foundation has been able to manage all of that with ease. Time input is also really simple, and its simple to tie hours to jobs and tasks. The support team is exceptional, and the technology is incredibly user-friendly. I have excelled at job costing, union reports, and HR data, including 401k reports. Also, there are no fees based on the number of employees in the system.

Cons

I dislike the fact that if I have several payroll cycles calculated and I need to delete one, it deletes all the computed cycles! not just the one I had selected. I cannot explain in words how frustrating that is.

“The foundation saves you hours of work and promotes collaboration.

Pros

It has a distinct workflow consistency across modules and a close relationship with their Payroll4Construction product. There is no user conflict when several users are using the same module. Print templates for checks, invoices, and other documents are simple to edit.

Cons

The reporting module doesnt offer a lot of personalization or customization options. However, we have been able to bend them just enough to satisfy our needs.

“Great experience overall! ideal for mid-sized businesses

Pros

Implementation was quick, and usability is a breeze. I love using the outstanding payroll features, especially the timecard import, which reduces data entry for all employees to a bare minimum with the exception of overhead. It has made accounting easy as well, and we can link copies of the invoices to the payable features so that other people can see what was sent and invoiced. Payable features are simple to use, and data input is quick and uncomplicated.

Cons

I would appreciate the ability to produce additional reports and lists without including the reports other data. Some things require importation into Excel, which seems like an extra step that could be cut out.

“With Foundation, project managers dont have to rely on others to get the reports they need.

Pros

It has enabled us to centralize all project-related documents. I dont have to keep anything I use every day on my computer because the software keeps everything in the database that relates to the project. This means anyone from my project team can go directly to the PM software to get an update instead of waiting for me to come online, and vice versa. I was able to do most things myself, but I had help whenever I needed it.

Cons

It has a fully working mobile app but lacks the reports that our management requires to handle our job locations. Theres also a lot of navigation required to figure things out, which adds to the total time spent.

“No after sale support, cloud based servers down often

Pros

I find the software relatively easy to use and understand compared to other accounting systems.

Cons

I find the after-sale customer support absolutely terrible. Call-backs after logging a support request typically occur 2 to 3 days later and the support staff seem grossly incompetent with only a marginal understanding of the software functions.

“One of the finest accounting software for construction business

Pros

It has easy going features and is up to date with all my demands. It makes accounting easy for someone who has no clue from the get-go.

Cons

Kind of wish they had a more efficient support system, otherwise cant complain.

“This software makes management easy

Pros

Their support is a great help whenever you get stuck in a corner, their user friendly interface makes things easier to manage.

Cons

I wish I could come up with at least one flaw, but there really isnt any!

“Its great for accounting, but not more

Pros

It is a pretty simple software when it comes to all the accounting related matters.

Cons

They charge a bit too many times for each module which can make this a pricey software.

“Using it for Project Management

Pros

So far I have been enjoying how it keeps all the documents in one spot and I dont have to open multiple files to find something related to one project.

Cons

Can be a little tricky trying to navigate the software at the start.

“Accounting, but nothing more

Pros

Foundation electronically routes vendor invoices to the appropriate associates, which greatly improves efficiency. The system allows you to create your own job numbering system or generates one for you, making it easy to track jobs by numbers. It effectively manages all construction project accounting information.

Cons

The system is quite similar to Microsoft Access. Searching for construction projects is only possible by the job number; other search criteria require creating a list or report, exporting it, and then filtering it. Standard reports don't provide the necessary information, so one must become adept at creating custom reports or pay Foundation to do it. The Project Management Module is terrible, and the Dispatch Module is acceptable but has some quirks. Foundation consistently charges more for each module that improves the system, and each module takes you further away from the original system, which is strange. Adding a new client is a convoluted process where you enter the client, then enter the client's billing address through a different selection, and finally, go back to the client record to connect the billing address. It's an odd workflow.

“I used to LOVE Foundation Customer Support.....Used to!!!!

Pros

I started using Foundation in 2015 at my previous company, and I absolutely loved it. The customer support was excellent, with prompt callbacks and fantastic videos that made everything interesting and easy to understand. When I took over the office for my current company, it took some time to convince my boss to switch from Sage to Foundation due to the higher cost. However, I explained the significant benefits, and finally, I got the green light. I was incredibly excited to have Foundation back, especially because of the exceptional customer service I knew I would receive.

Cons

The implementation process has been dreadful! The customer service response time has been a nightmare, far from what I was expecting. Initially, the training sessions were scheduled weekly, but they started canceling my meetings more frequently. After expressing some frustration in an email to a different trainer in my group, I was never put on the calendar for training again, and I wasn't even informed of the decision. I didn't receive month end close training or bank reconciliation training. Today, I had to submit a service call at 1 PM PST because my project in HQ is not in the cloud, preventing me from sending an RFI with attachments that need to be addressed tomorrow. I was told I'm first in line for a call back. Fast forward to 3 PM PST when I followed up, and I was informed that the next available representative would call me. It's currently 4:41 PM PST, and I still haven't received a call back. I don't even have an account manager I can contact to resolve the issues because my implementation support has been unhelpful. I'm truly disappointed and even embarrassed that I suggested this software to my owner.

“Very poor for anything with sales - we have aggregate sales.

Pros

For my specific use, I don't find anything appealing about it.

Cons

Dealing with aggregate sales and billing for hauling to customers, I find the software to be unfriendly and challenging. Importing scale system information is difficult, and the invoicing process requires an excessive number of steps.

“Good software for construction

Pros

Foundation's job cost integration for cost analysis and the capability to integrate with build to win and bid to win software are valuable features.

Cons

It would be helpful if the software included certain basic functions, such as the ability to control retainage in unit price billing and create estimates. This feature is critical for calculating 10% or the first 50% on contract calculations. Additionally, the ability to change the client's name for a job, especially when the LLC initiating the job undergoes a name change, would be beneficial.