2011 Review of BQE Software Inc. — BillQuick
In addition to recording billable and non-billable time, BillQuick can also track personal time off hours and include this information in the program’s approval process.
Invoicing Functions (4.75 Stars)
The Billing Review screen is the hub for billing decision-making in BilllQuick, where users can filter billing data, drill down into the details and then bill on-screen. The program easily handles write-ups, write-downs, discounts and retainers. New in the 2011 version is automatic billing, which provides the ability to bill any project automatically on a specified frequency, and progress billing, which allows billing an amount immediately and entering the time and expenses on a later date.
Invoices, when previewed, allow for double-click drilldown, and individual line items can be edited by right-clicking them. With the click of a button, invoices can be sent as PDFs by email as file attachments to either the client, client manager, project manager or other contact. More than 110 customizable invoice templates come with BillQuick, or users can create their own. Frequently used invoice layouts can also be memorized for repeated use. BillQuick has the ability to accept credit card payments.
Management Features (5 Stars)
BillQuick offers strong project management, budgeting and reporting capabilities, making it a powerful analytics and business intelligence system. BillQuick uses Crystal Reports to generate all reports and invoices. The report center lists standard reports in a well-organized manner and auto-previews the report within the program window. Some of the standard reports display data in a chart or other graphic. These reports, combined with the dashboards that exist throughout the program, provide management with data that can be easily and quickly analyzed.
Extensive security settings can be granted or revoked to employees per module. Security profiles act as templates to quickly set security settings to a user based on his or her position/role in the firm.
Integration & Data Management (5 Stars)
Among comparable time and billing systems, BillQuick’s integration with third-party accounting software commonly used by small and mid-sized firms is the most comprehensive and customizable. Including extensive integration settings and rules, bidirectional synchronization is supported with MYOB, Sage Peachtree, and Intuit’s QuickBooks desktop products. QuickBooks synchronization can be set as real-time, on-schedule or on-demand, and can even handle classes (locations or reporting units). The types of data able to be synchronized include employees, vendors, clients, projects/jobs, time entries, expense logs, invoices and payments.
BillQuick also integrates with Microsoft Office. Reports and invoices can be exported in PDF, Word or Excel format. With the Outlook add-in, appointments can be right-clicked and converted into time entries in BillQuick.
Help/Support (5 Stars)
An auto update feature can prompt the user that updates are available, which can be downloaded from BillQuick’s website. With most of the support staff based in the company’s California office, BillQuick boasts that all support calls are answered in less than five minutes. Issues are typically resolved quickly through live web meetings, and e-mail support is also available. The company offers plans for unlimited support in increments of 12 months. Support is provided for the free Lite edition at $299 annually.
The built-in Help menu is detailed and easy to read. BillQuick’s website is full of support resources, including a knowledgebase, frequently asked questions (FAQs), the latest program downloads, and detailed PDF guides for the following: getting started, integration and data conversion. BillQuick uses a Yahoo! Group as a customer discussion board, and this group is monitored frequently by the support staff. With a strong social media presence, BillQuick shares product news and tips through its LinkedIn user group, Facebook page, Twitter, YouTube channel and blog.
Summary & Pricing
