BQE CORE Product Guide
What do users really think about BQE CORE? This product guide was created utilizing real, vetted user reviews and will help you get to the nitty-gritty details about where BQE CORE performs well, and where it may have room for improvement.
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Throughout the guide below, there are links directly to reviews. Select the reviewers most relevant to you, and those links will be highlighted in blue.
Table of Contents
Time Management and Tracking
Time Tracking
Users generally praise BQE CORE’s time tracking capabilities, highlighting its efficiency in tracking billable and non-billable hours, ease of use in logging time entries, and the ability to provide detailed reports on time spent on various projects. Some users appreciate the simplicity of the interface and the quick submission process for timesheets, while others find value in the visual representations of time allocation through charts and graphs. Despite a few minor concerns about the accuracy of reports and the flexibility in assigning overtime hours, overall, users find BQE CORE’s time tracking feature to be a valuable asset in managing and monitoring their time-related activities. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“BQE allows me to seamlessly log the days/hours I worked per pay period, and also notate what tasks I worked on. Once I’m done, I submit the timesheet for manager approval.” – Employee in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 11-50 employees
“I love that you are able to submit PTO requests directly to your manager or director for approval. It’s also helpful that it keeps track of all the PTO time you have used and unused throughout the year.” – Employee in Professional Services, Design, 51-200 employees
“Sometimes time card entries double up or notes are lost.” – Engineer in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
“It is very good for us because we are always switching between what we are working on and it makes it so much easier to keep track of hours worked.” – Engineer in Engineering, Industrial Automation, 11-50 employees
Time Card and Timesheet
Users across various reviews have consistently praised BQE Core’s timesheet and time tracking functionalities for their user-friendly interface and ease of use. The ability to accurately log hours worked on different projects and tasks has been highlighted as a key strength of the platform. While some users have noted minor glitches in the timesheet entry process, the overall sentiment leans towards the effectiveness and efficiency of BQE Core in facilitating accurate time tracking and timesheet management. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
“BQE is perfect for documenting the hours I work each pay period. As far as timesheet management platforms go, BQE is my favorite one I’ve ever used. The interface is extremely simple and streamlined.” – Employee in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 11-50 employees
“BQE Core is excellent for timesheet entry. I think even a small-sized company might find it extremely useful. Makes timesheet entry quicker; More accurate analysis of time entry.” – Engineer in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
“BQE Core is slower for time entry than our previous system of using excel sheets, but is easier to process and saves our billing and payroll department time.” – Professional in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
Time Management Techniques
User feedback on BQE CORE’s time management techniques consistently highlights its effectiveness and user-friendly approach. Reviewers appreciate the ease of tracking time, keeping projects on schedule, and managing tasks efficiently. The general sentiment leans towards positive experiences with the software’s time management features, indicating that users find it valuable in optimizing their time allocation and enhancing productivity. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Time management and resource allocation is what CORE is built for. The ability to check a project’s current status, whose resources are required, how much money is left on a specific phase, all of these items are invaluable.” – Employee in Other, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“It’s great for our company for time tracking, expense reports, project management, invoicing, billing, and keeping track of project hours and budget.” – Engineer in Engineering, Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 11-50 employees
“My company uses BQE CORE for keeping track of timesheets and billing. There is a learning curve and it took some getting used to at the beginning, but after a few weeks, everything went smoothly.” – Employee in Finance and Accounting, Accounting, 201-500 employees
Project Management and Tracking
Project Management
User feedback on BQE CORE’s project management functionality is generally positive, with many users finding it to be a valuable tool for organizing and tracking project-related tasks. The software’s ability to streamline project workflows and facilitate project cost tracking has been highlighted as a significant benefit by reviewers. While some users have mentioned minor issues with project progress oversight and resource allocation, overall, BQE CORE seems to effectively support project management needs for various businesses. The system’s project structuring features and ease of project phase tracking have been commended, indicating that it is a reliable solution for project management tasks. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“BQE CORE has greatly benefited our small engineering firm over the past six months, streamlining our time tracking, expense reporting, project management, and invoicing processes.” – Engineer in Engineering, Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 11-50 employees
“BQE CORE is a great project management software for our Architectural firm. Being able to easily run time detail reports on a project and/or specific phase within a project has proven to be invaluable to our team.” – Manager in Professional Services, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“This program is fantastic for keeping track of time spent on projects, time worked overall, and for project management. It’s a good tool to use when performing accounting tasks, although I wouldn’t recommend it next to anything like QuickBooks. But as a basic time tracker it’s tops. Enjoy using it!” – Administrator in Professional Services, Environmental Services, 11-50 employees
Project Tracking and Allocation
User feedback on BQE CORE’s project tracking and allocation features is varied. While some users appreciate the platform’s ability to organize projects and project phases efficiently, others express concerns about the lack of user-friendliness and the need for improvements in allocation forecasting and tracking. Additionally, there are mentions of slow performance at times and the desire for enhanced customization options in reports. Despite these mixed reviews, many users find value in BQE CORE’s project tracking and allocation functionalities for managing resource allocation across projects and ensuring efficient utilization of team members. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“BQE CORE tracks time for job phases well and saves payroll time. The implementation of expense entry could be better.” – Professional in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
“CONS: Allocation forecasting and tracking don’t update with hours spent; Reports could be more user friendly; Would love to have procurement functionality.” – Project Manager in Professional Services, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
“BQE Core is a really great product for time management, billing, Accounts receivable, Accounts payable, vendor billing, and project management for architectural practices. It is also very strong in supporting collaboration and management reporting as well as integration with other software that you may already be using such as Quickbooks.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
Task and Workflow Management
Users have mixed opinions about BQE CORE’s task and workflow management capabilities. While some appreciate the ease of tracking tasks and projects, others find issues with the system speed and expense entry process. The ability to assign project tasks and track job progress is seen as a positive aspect, but there are concerns about the intuitiveness of expense tracking and the need for improvements in certain areas. Despite some challenges, users generally find BQE CORE to be a useful tool for organizing and managing tasks within their projects. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“BQE Core is well suited for dividing up projects into separate categories. We are able to use the software not only as a time card system but also to track productivity and job progress.” – Professional in Professional Services, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
“Positive: streamlined invoicing compared to BQ Desktop = time savings; Negative: online payment issues impact AR turnaround. User friendly website but the payment issues and strange errors keep my score from being 10.” – Administrative Assistant in Legal, Legal Services, 1-10 employees
Financial Management
Invoicing and Billing
User feedback on BQE CORE’s invoicing and billing functionalities is predominantly positive. Clients appreciate the ease of invoicing and the ability to track payments efficiently. The software’s invoicing features are commended for streamlining the billing process and providing detailed insights into financial transactions. While some users mention minor areas for improvement, such as search functionalities, overall, BQE CORE’s invoicing and billing capabilities are well-received for their effectiveness in managing client billing and financial transactions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Invoicing is very nicely performed; Tracking time budgets vs actual time; Allows us to see where we are in the profit calculation; Support team is great!” – C-Level Executive in Corporate, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
“Our highest use and priority are for invoicing. The program allows us to move time round and adjust rates as needed. It’s great for record keeping and tracking expenses, payments and invoice history.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
“Creating new projects using templates has been a tremendous time saver. The ability to easily track expenses and billable hours per project phase has made invoicing through BQE CORE a breeze.” – Manager in Professional Services, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
Expense Management
Users generally praise BQE CORE for its efficient expense tracking capabilities, highlighting its ease of use and accuracy in tracking expenses. Many users appreciate the software’s ability to streamline expense entry and submission processes, making it convenient for employees to track and submit expenses accurately. While some users suggest improvements such as providing designated lines for specific expenses like mileage count and enhancing the expense memo function, overall, users find BQE CORE’s expense management features to be effective and valuable for their businesses. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“improve expense memo function – detail window has most functionality but is hidden; foreign currency conversion” – Employee in Information Technology, Paper & Forest Products, 1-10 employees
“Expense tracking could use a ‘approved’ and ‘pending’ total on current expenses; A way to hide blank columns in time tracking” – Consultant in Other, Information Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
“BQE makes this a very easy and simplified process. Being able to assign to-do’s is also a good way of ensuring everyone stays on track with a project and that nothing falls through the cracks.” – Project Manager in Professional Services, Management Consulting, 11-50 employees
“It has exceeded our expectations and employees are all commenting on the ease of using and are on board with the new features.” – Engineer in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
Budget Management
Users generally praise BQE Core’s budget tracking capabilities, highlighting its effectiveness in monitoring project budgets and providing up-to-the-minute fee and budget tracking. The platform’s ability to track individual staff time and resource allocation to stay on budget has been commended, along with its feature to show every charge by every person, making it easy to track budget allocation. Some users have mentioned that the program has been instrumental in helping their teams work towards bringing projects in on budget, thus maximizing profits. Additionally, historical project data within BQE Core has proven invaluable for preparing fee proposals and enhancing performance for future projects. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“PROS: Tracks individual staff time and resource allocation to stay on budget.; Provides up to the minute fee and budget tracking.; Almost infinitely customizable with a dashboard to bring it all into a single digestible view for a holistic oversight.; Historical project data has been invaluable for preparing fee proposals and performance for future projects.” – Professional in Other, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
“It’s great for our company for time tracking, expense reports, project management, invoicing, billing, and keeping track of project hours and budget.” – Engineer in Engineering, Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 11-50 employees
“CONS: The invoicing seems a bit tedious, however, I am still learning the software. Hopefully, it will get easier and quicker.; Sometimes it’s a little difficult to get the Services to balance under the Budget, especially if a figure needs to be changed. Probably more our fault on this one.; I think we need to delve more into the Project Management and CRM module to see exactly how useful it can be.” – Manager in Other, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
Client and Employee Management
Client and Customer Management
Users consistently praise the exceptional customer service provided by BQE Core. They highlight the quick response times, knowledgeable support staff, and willingness to assist, even during nights and weekends. Clients appreciate the user-friendly design and the continuous improvements made by BQE Core to enhance the customer experience. While some users mention minor areas for improvement, such as search features and UI enhancements, overall, the sentiment towards client and customer management remains positive. Customers value the ability to rely on BQE Core for efficient client and customer interactions, making it a preferred choice for businesses looking for reliable customer management solutions. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“Customer service response fast.” – Engineer in Engineering, Design, 51-200 employees
“Customer support is always available and helps me with any questions I have and with ways to use the program better. I would recommend this product for any business billing on a timely basis.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
“Customer service is excellent. Invoicing is great. Report function is cumbersome & more complex than it needs to be.” – Administrative Assistant in Corporate, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
Employee and Staff Management
Users consistently highlight BQE CORE’s employee and staff management capabilities as a key strength of the platform. They appreciate the ease of tracking employee time, managing staff workloads, and allocating resources efficiently. Despite some minor concerns about certain reports and customization options, users generally find BQE CORE to be a valuable tool for enhancing employee productivity and streamlining staff management processes. The program’s user-friendly interface and real-time project status updates contribute to its effectiveness in supporting effective employee and staff management practices within organizations. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“We use BQE Core for employee time tracking via daily time sheets, as well as invoicing clients based on the entered time and expense entries. We also utilize the online payment functions for invoicing.” – Administrative Assistant in Legal, Legal Services, 1-10 employees
“Very efficient program. Used by all our staff, helps budget financial and schedule purposes for a staff of 25.” – Professional in Corporate, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“Some reports are lacking.” – Administrator in Other, Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
Reporting, Analytics, and Insights
Reporting and Analytics
Users generally appreciate BQE CORE’s time tracking and reporting features. While some users find the reporting capabilities to be robust and detailed, others express concerns about the lack of customization options and the difficulty in navigating and editing reports. The consensus seems to be that BQE CORE’s reporting and analytics functionalities are effective but may require some improvements in terms of customization and ease of use. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“CONS: typical reports are not that easy to edit/customize, but staff has been helpful to make the modifications we need.; Time sheet system sometimes require to be regenerated to see all projects.; creating and running a custom report and having it distributed has been a challenge.” – Project Manager in Product Management, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“At first, like any new software, it was difficult to follow, but then when we figured out how to load all of our information it was much easier. Most of the HR and billing reports are easy but not all the time what we are looking for.” – Director in Marketing, Civil Engineering, 51-200 employees
“PROS: Preset automated reporting, so that you don’t have to create (wrong) reports; Time input from any device and any location; Tracking for non billable marketing as well as billables” – Consultant in Professional Services, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
Custom Reporting and Dashboards
User feedback on BQE CORE’s dashboard and reporting features is mixed. While some users appreciate the clear layout and ease of use, others find the customization options lacking and the editing process cumbersome. The dashboard’s ability to provide a quick overview is highlighted as a positive aspect, but some users express a desire for more functionality, such as detailed report generation directly from dashboard visuals. Additionally, concerns are raised about the online dashboard layout and the need for more user-specific options. Despite some positive feedback on the intuitive nature of the dashboard, there are consistent calls for improvements in customization and functionality to enhance the overall user experience. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“I wish the dashboard was more functional in that when you click on the bar chart, it would produce the report showing how it arrived at that number.” – Partner in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
“The dashboard is clearly laid out and easy to use; the interface is customizable based on preference; keeping track of projects/tasks easily.” – Administrator in Professional Services, Environmental Services, 11-50 employees
“Dashboard give a good overview.” – Administrative Assistant in Customer Service, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
“The dashboard user interface is a little hard to customize and not super clear on how to edit.” – Engineer in Engineering, Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 51-200 employees
“Online dashboard could be better laid out with available options per user’s option level.” – Consultant in Professional Services, Environmental Services, 11-50 employees
Software Usability and Integration
User Interface and Navigation
Users consistently praise the user-friendly interface and easy navigation of BQE CORE in their reviews. The majority of reviewers find the interface to be intuitive and well-organized, making it simple to input time entries, generate invoices, and manage projects efficiently. While some users mention occasional lags or the need for improvements in speed, overall, the sentiment towards the user interface and navigation remains positive. Customizability and ease of use are highlighted as key strengths, with users appreciating the clean design and accessibility of the software. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“The interface is extremely simple and streamlined. It took all but 5 minutes to learn how to input time entries. Submitting my timesheet for manager approval is easy, it’s only 2 clicks away.” – Employee in Other, Hospital & Health Care, 11-50 employees
“With its high-customizable interface, invoicing is made easy. The templates are easy to navigate and manage outstanding accounts.” – Consultant in Corporate, Management Consulting, 51-200 employees
“One thing that could be better is the speed in sorting through projects as you enter them.” – Engineer in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 11-50 employees
Software Integration and Compatibility
Users consistently highlight BQE Core’s software integration and compatibility as a key strength, emphasizing its ability to seamlessly integrate with various accounting packages like QuickBooks. The software’s adaptability to company workflows and its support for collaboration through integration with other existing software are frequently commended. While some users mention minor glitches that need fixing in the integration tool, overall, the sentiment leans towards positive experiences with BQE Core’s software integration capabilities. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
“Must fix glitches with the integration tool; Stop faulty classifications.” – Advisor in Engineering, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“BQE Core is lacking in the allocation and forecasting area, especially when trying to see the big picture for capacity across the company.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
“Now the training we are receiving for integration with our accounting package has been awesome.” – Administrator in Finance and Accounting, Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
Accounting Integration
User feedback on BQE CORE’s accounting integration capabilities is varied. While some users appreciate the software for its accounting functionalities, others find it lacking in certain basic accounting features. There are mentions of the software being suitable for tracking hours, expenses, and billing, but some users express concerns about the reporting and organization aspects within the accounting module. It appears that the software is making strides in addressing user concerns and improving its accounting features over time. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“CORE works really well for accounting for consultant hours attributed to a specific client or project.” – Consultant in Customer Service, Security & Investigations, 11-50 employees
“BQE CORE has allowed me to take control of the accounting side of the business without relying on outside accountants for everything.” – Partner in Engineering, Civil Engineering, 1-10 employees
“The accounting side leaves much to be desired.” – Executive in Finance and Accounting, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
Support and Training
Training and Support
While some users praise the responsive support team and helpful training resources provided by BQE CORE, others express a need for more in-depth training, especially for initial setup and customization. There are mixed opinions on the effectiveness of the support, with some users highlighting the availability of customer support around the clock, while others feel that there is room for improvement in the training area without incurring additional costs. The software’s interface is noted to still heavily lean towards accounting language, which may pose a challenge for non-accountant users despite the availability of live support and training materials. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
“The support is getting better but still has room for improvement in the train area without the hourly cost.” – Administrator in Corporate, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“I believe that including a non-accountant in preparation of training materials would benefit many of your non-accountant customers.” – Administrator in Corporate, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“Customer support is available around the clock.” – Consultant in Corporate, Management Consulting, 51-200 employees
“The support is very responsive and fixes the issue within the same day.” – Project Manager in Professional Services, Management Consulting, 11-50 employees
“The responsive support team and helpful training resources have been invaluable.” – Engineer in Engineering, Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering, 11-50 employees
Resource and Compliance Management
Resource Allocation and Scheduling
User sentiment regarding BQE CORE’s resource allocation and scheduling functionalities is generally positive, with users appreciating the platform’s ability to streamline the allocation of resources across projects and teams. Some users highlight the value of being able to track and forecast resource utilization, aiding in making informed decisions about team workload and hiring needs. However, there are also mentions of areas for improvement, such as the need for enhanced user-friendliness, more intuitive tools for allocation, and better integration between allocation and budgeting features. Despite some drawbacks, users find BQE CORE to be a valuable tool for managing resource allocation effectively within their organizations. (Source Reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
“The ability to check a project’s current status, whose resources are required, how much money is left on a specific phase, all of these items are invaluable.” – Employee in Other, Architecture & Planning, 11-50 employees
“CORE can break down resource allocation across projects, people, or engineering disciplines, and this allows our discipline leads to track and forecast the utilization of their team members across a selected time frame.” – Project Manager in Engineering, Design, 51-200 employees
“The allocation could be better, with functionality such as dependencies between project phases and being able to view multiple projects rolled up or by phase in the Gantt chart, and also a better link between allocation and budgets.” – Manager in Finance and Accounting, Architecture & Planning, 1-10 employees
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