5 BigTime Alternatives for A&E Firms

Fortunately, there are numerous alternatives to BigTime! We’ve put together 5 top BigTime alternatives for architecture and engineering (A&E) firms, analyzed user reviews, and collected data from each option so you can determine what works best for you.

1. Monograph

Monograph is a web-based, project management platform built exclusively for architecture and engineering firms. According to Capterra, customers love its user-friendly interface, seamless workflows, and frequent updates. A&E firms leverage Monograph to:

Make data-driven decisions.
Reduce time spent on admin tasks by up to 50%.
Dramatically increase revenue by 3x in some cases.

Monograph provides A&E firms with clarity into their budgets, projects, time, and clients so their entire team can make smarter decisions.

Features & Benefits

In addition to providing expected project management features like time tracking, Monograph offers a slew of benefits that include:

Build budgets: Eliminate uncertainty with precise and phased budgets.
Assign staff: Accelerate staffing with real-time data at your fingertips.
Track projects: Manage projects with error-free timesheets.
Generate invoices: Streamline invoice creation and minimize admin hours.
Accept payments: Shorten payment cycles with online payments.
Forecast performance: See future revenue and staffing in an instant.
Leverage reports: Make confident decisions with clear, design-centric reports.
Simplify payroll: Consolidate admin with a seamless payroll add-on.
Receive support: Experience fast and friendly support from A&E experts.

Monograph enables firms to quickly assign staff and allocate hours across all projects.

Monograph is a modern choice for A&E firms seeking high performance at an affordable price. As a result, Monograph has quickly become the go-to project management solution for more than 1,000 A&E firms and growing.

Pricing & Plans

Monograph offers two pricing plans to suit the needs of A&E firms: Track and Grow.

Track: The limited plan that is most suitable for A&E firms of 5 employees or fewer. Track users get access to real-time tracking of time and fee across all firm projects, budgets, and clients. Pricing for Track starts at $25/user/mo.
Grow: The full-access and unlimited plan suitable for firms that want to improve and optimize their performance. The Grow plan includes everything in Track plus reports and forecasting across projects, budgets, time, and clients. Pricing for Grow starts at $45/user/mo.

Reviews & Ratings

Reviews: 4.5 ⭐ (224 Reviews on Capterra)

2. BQE Core

BQE Core is a specialized project management tool for architecture, engineering, and professional service firms. It automates firm management, combining back office functions with front office insights. This approach aims to boost efficiency and project success. BQE Core's features include project management, reporting, payment processing, and more.

Features & Benefits

BQE Core offers comprehensive features that include:

Project management: Offers real-time visibility into project performance, facilitating accurate budgeting and deadline tracking.
Time and expense tracking: Centralizes time and expense tracking for streamlined management and improved job costing accuracy.

Pricing & Plans

BQE Core's pricing structure is modular, with the exact pricing varying based on selected modules and user numbers.

Reviews & Ratings

There are 700+ reviews for BQE Core on Capterra.

3. Harvest

Harvest is a project management software designed to meet the needs of A&E firms. It provides features aimed at simplifying key aspects of project management, such as time tracking, invoicing, and budget oversight.

Features & Benefits

Harvest’s features include:

Time tracking: Harvest simplifies logging time on projects.
Invoicing & payments: It facilitates the creation of invoices with tracked expenses.

Pricing & Plans

At the time of this writing, Harvest plans start at $10.80 per user/month, covering unlimited projects and team members.

Reviews & Ratings

There are 700+ reviews for Harvest on G2.

4. Deltek Ajera

Deltek Ajera is a cloud-based ERP solution designed for A&E firms. It offers a range of features covering accounting, project management, and more.

Features & Benefits

Deltek Ajera’s features include:

One ERP cloud solution: Provides solutions for various business needs.
Visibility and control: Offers visibility into projects and resources.

Pricing & Plans

Deltek Ajera does not publicly share detailed pricing information.

Reviews & Ratings

We’ve analyzed the G2 reviews to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Deltek Ajera.

5. Unanet

Unanet is a comprehensive ERP solution designed for A&E firms, tailored to unify various organizational functions into a cohesive, productive team.

Features & Benefits

Unanet offers:

Project management: Enhances client satisfaction and profitability.
Time & expense management: Easy-to-use mobile tools for tracking.

Pricing & Plans

The specific pricing details for Unanet are not immediately available on their website.

Conclusion

In the dynamic world of project management software, finding the right tool that aligns with the needs of your A&E firm is crucial. Monograph is a standout option, particularly for those in the architecture and engineering sectors due to its ease of use, robust features, and incredible support.

Take control of your time and finances so you can focus on design