Newforma

Newforma Timeline v. Outlook Calendar

2012-05-16T18:19:41-05:00

We have tried to implement Newforma Timeline three times now and have failed miserably each time. I put together a list of pros and cons and, surprisingly, the staff preference is still Outlook. Thoughts?

Newforma Timeline:
Pros:
Virtually no setup time
Ability to filter or color code based on type
Can include project milestones and phases
Use of journal feature can also link to project activity and items
Can be shared outside of firm
Can be viewed on mobile device or iPad
Cons:
Longer process required to get meetings in, have to file meeting requests
Steeper learning curve
History of bugs
Poor system performance when adding or viewing items
1-hour delay when using subscribed calendars

Outlook Calendar
Pros:
Easy to add items, simply invite calendar as meeting attendee
Cons:
Time consuming setup
Requires Autoaccept rules
Intrafirm sharing only
Cannot be viewed on Mobile Device or Tablet
Meetings/Vacation/Events all overlap… can be confusing when you have larger team with many items

External Team transfers

2011-09-21T08:08:47-05:00

From the standpoint of project based file transfer Newforma works well. However, the only way for us to receive files from others is to first create a contact and assign them to a project and then ensure that they have access to the project’s info exchange site. For many projects this is fine. However there are many times, particularly for marketing efforts, when this is kind of a hassle. In these instances, sending files is not really that big of a deal, as you do not have to create a contact (you do have to have a project say “Business Development”). However, receiving files from others is the issue. We like how Thru’s service works, where you can simple have a link in your email signature to your drop box. So, just how are others using Newforma to perform this task or are they relying on another service?

iPad syncing issues

2012-05-16T14:15:43-05:00

Hi,

I just used the iPad app for the first time this week. It is great and made punchlisting go so much faster. Here’s my issue.

I came to the office and synced it up with the regular newforma. Then, I wanted to change the ID numbers of the items because I have already issued a spreadsheet punchlist with a bunch of items and wanted to start with the next number. So I filtered so that only the items on a particular floor showed up, and clicked “edit in spreadsheet.” I changed the ID numbers in the spreadsheet and then hit “ok” and it synced back to newforma, but it ended up adding new items with those new numbers. No problem, i though, I’ll just delete the old items, which is what I did. Well, now there are rooms that aren’t showing up in newforma on my computer that show up in the iPad, and items are associated with the wrong room!

please help!

Purvi

Unable to Login to Info Exchange Website

2012-05-16T07:37:34-05:00

In our office we do not have a Windows network with a domain. Our computers are linked together peer-to-peer. Therefore, we do not log on to our workstations or to the network. How do we log on to Info Exchange?

Tag Email When Filing to Project

2012-04-17T08:32:48-05:00

It would be very helpful if there was an option in the Outlook “File in Project” dialog to attach tags. Otherwise the use must go into Newforma and tag the email after it is filed, something that is easily forgotten.

Create a Project Item While Filing Email

2012-05-15T09:20:17-05:00

When filing an email from within Outlook, the “File in Project” dialog gives the user an option to file the email to “Another project location” (i.e. an Action Item, Change Order, Meeting, etc.). However, the user can only choose from existing project items. I would like the ability to create an Action Item (or Meeting, or any other project item) from the “Add to Project Item” dialog and then file the email to that item.

How to get a column for the CLOSED RFI /Submittal date

2012-05-11T13:13:54-05:00

I would like to see a column with the date the RFI or submittals was closed? Is this possible. I would prefer that I do not export out the data and the use excel to get me what I need. We don’t want to expand each RFI to see the closed date.

I have also looked at the response date but nothing seems to show up when I test closing an RFI.

Any help on this would be apreciated.

Thanks,
L

Adding Keywords to RFI

2012-05-08T10:35:37-05:00

I might be missing something obvious, but I can’t seem to add new keywords to Newforma Items (like RFIs and Submittals). Instead, I can only select existing keywords. Furthermore, when I go to the Keywords Activity Center, I cannot add keywords there either. It seems like the only place I can only add keywords is under Project Files or Project Email. Very strange.

Welcome to the Newforma Field Topic Discussion Board

2012-05-11T14:14:50-05:00

This is the place to post experiences, questions, comments and suggestions concerning Newforma field and on-site products.

With respect to our Punch List App, please take a minute and tell us a little about your experience.

- Have you tried it? If so, what did you think?

- If you haven’t tried it yet, what’s stopping you?

Did you know Newforma recently released an iPad version of the Punch List Application?

Now that we have version available for both the iPad and Android, which one fits your companies needs best?

Thanks for you time and input. Newforma’s product suite is built on your voice, so let us know what you think.

Newforma Project Center client and Terminal Servers

2012-02-10T10:56:05-05:00

Newforma has noticed an increase in the use of Terminal Servers in our customer base over the last year or two. The use of terminal servers is a great way to provide remote users with a LAN experience as well as reduce I.T. burden of supporting individual laptops in the field. However, because the Terminal Server often serves multiple users in various organizations, each with different software requirements, ALL of the software titles required by the users must be installed on a single server. This fact leads to an increased possibility of conflicts, especially when it comes to program extensions and plug-ins for a common application.

With that said, Newforma would LOVE to hear your experiences with Terminal Servers, including (but not limited to):

• Best Practices
• Known conflicts between other applications and Newforma
(specifically the Newforma plug-in for Outlook)
• Best appliances
• What not to do
• Etc.