Integrator Frequently Asked Questions
General
Is “DataBridge” the same as “Integrator”?
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Yes. Event 1 Integrator is the Meridian Systems authorized
DataBridge between Prolog and Sage Timberline Office. You may hear this product
called “DataBridge”, “The Bridge”, “The Link”, “Adapter” or other names. If you
are looking to link Prolog and Sage Timberline Office, THIS is the product.
Who wrote this product?
- Event 1 Software, Inc., a Portland area based software
company founded in 1998 created this product. We assembled
a “focus group” consisting of interested construction
companies who pre-purchased this solution. Also on our
team were MPS staff and MPS Solution Provider Hard Hat
Technologies.
Do you offer other products?
- Yes! We have a product to do forecasting in Excel called
Event 1 Forecast and a product that links Sage Timberline Office to
Excel called Event 1 Office Connector.
In addition, we wrote the book for learning Sage Timberline Office’s database.
It’s called Quick Aim
How soon after the release of a new version of Sage Timberline Office or Prolog will
Integrator support the new release?
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Because the degree to which Sage Timberline Office or Prolog can be changed, there is no
way to guarantee a time period for a supporting release of Integrator. Event 1
is aware of new releases of Sage Timberline Office and Prolog shortly before they are
available or at least upon their release. If changes are needed, every effort
is made to release a supporting version Integrator in a timely manner. Past
experience is that most changes to Sage Timberline Office and Prolog do not impact
Integrator's ability to function. When they have, Event 1 has released a
supporting version within four to eight weeks.
Once I have the software, how do I become aware of new versions that are
available?
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Integrator includes a web-update feature that can automatically check for new
versions of the software on the Event 1 Website. You will be notified if a new
version is available for download and you will be able to review the release
notes online before downloading it.
Function
What interfaces do you offer?
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We send Vendor information from Sage Timberline Office to Prolog, Company information from
Prolog to Sage Timberline Office, Extra/Cost Code/Category information from Sage Timberline Office to
Prolog, Original Estimates from Sage Timberline Office to Prolog, Contracts from Prolog to
Sage Timberline Office (only of type “commits to budget”) and Subcontract Changes Orders
from Prolog to Sage Timberline Office and finally, cost from Sage Timberline Office to Prolog. For more
specific information see the product brochure.
Will you create interfaces from Sage Timberline Office to other products, or Prolog to
other products?
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Yes, however there are no current plans to do so at this time. Due to a strong
focus on, and expansion of, our core product offering we have not been able to accept as
many custom development and integration projects as in the past. We welcome suggestions
because in the end it is the needs of the users that will help us determine where our core
focus should be. If you have any recommendations, please
click here and set the direction of your comment as General to ensure it is routed properly.
Will you create additional interfaces from Prolog to Sage Timberline Office or Sage Timberline Office
to Prolog?
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Yes! These are available on request. We will interview you and create a Scope
Document. From that we can produce a proposal and create your custom interface.
Can Integrator be run on a scheduled basis (unattended?)
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Yes; Integrator runs on a schedule using Microsoft Task Scheduler, or other
scheduling software. The integration tasks can be executed via command-line or
placed in a batch file. These can be invoked by Microsoft Task Scheduler or
other scheduling software. In this way, you may run any interface you like, as
often as you like, automatically!
Does it handle only new records? What happens when data is exchanged and then
the source data is changed?
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The goal of Integrator is not just to send new information but to keep the two
databases synchronized. Information that exists in both databases (whether
manually entered or exchanged via Integrator) will be compared. If there are
differences, Integrator will determine the changes that are necessary to make
them the same again.
To what level of detail is cost information exchanged?
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Costs tied to commitments are transferred in detail (by invoice and line item).
Costs not tied to commitments (such as payroll, direct cost, equipment cost,
and non-commitment related accounts payable) are transferred in a summary
fashion as general invoices. These costs are summarized by Project, Cost
Period, Sage Timberline Office Application and Budget Code.
How much control do I have over the specific information that is exchanged?
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There are two things that give you control over this. First, each interface
provides a group of settings. In some cases (like contracts and subcontract
change orders) you can identify a condition that must be met for something to
be transferred. Second, you can make use of the "Approve Modifications"
feature. This feature allows you to review a list of proposed records to be
exchanged or modified. You can selectively approve them, discard them, or
postpone them until later. You have complete control!
References
How many customers do you have?
- We have over 25 customers using Integrator ranging in revenues of $20
Million US to over $1 Billion US! To review a list of customers see our
website and the references page.
Who has been your “show case” customer?
- In addition to the Focus Group we assembled, several companies have
been instrumental in seeing us through our growing pains. Rick Norris
of MJ Harris in Alabama has been our most staunch proponent. Rick and
Lamar Phillips of Hard Hat Technologies weathered the early days of Integrator
development and are key reasons why our product is so easy to use, flexible
and well received. Thank you Rick, and thank you Lamar! Rick had the honor
of speaking about Integrator at the 2002 MPS User Conference and is showcased
in a “case study” available from MPS at www.mps.com
Do you have international clients?
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Yes! Not only do we have customers in Canada and Australia, many of our
customers do business in multiple countries. Recently one of our customers
deployed Integrator in Puerto Rico and Nigeria!
Timing
When should we implement Integrator?
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The sooner the better! Don’t take our word for it, ask our customers!
Integrator is not only a software product, it is a process. When you implement
Prolog stand alone, you implement it with the processes that the consultant(s)
working with you feel are best for Prolog. If you implement Sage Timberline Office stand
alone your experience will be the same. If you implement Integrator WITH Prolog
and Sage Timberline Office you will find that you will have to learn processes only once
and you will also benefit from Event 1’s significant experience in Project
Management / Cost control (over 70 years combined Sage Timberline Office/Construction
experience at Event 1!). You will receive a more complete implementation of
Prolog and Sage Timberline Office by adding Event 1 to your team! We can support this claim
with enthusiastic references. Event 1 can turn your Prolog/Sage Timberline Office
experience into a truly formidable Project Controls experience.
If I am using Prolog and Sage Timberline Office now, what will I immediately see upon
acquiring Integrator?
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You will instantly benefit from increased communication and cooperation between
Accounting and Project Controls. You will also find out that it is VERY easy to
integrate these two products with Integrator. After 3 years of experience
integrating these products, we can streamline how they integrate for you. Once
you see Vendors from Sage Timberline Office instantly populate your Prolog database, Cost
Codes and Categories in Sage Timberline Office instantly create Budget Codes in Prolog, and
Budgets and Cost flow through the system you’ll wonder why you didn’t do this
years ago!
Ordering
How do I order Integrator?
- The quickest way is to call us at 360-567-3752, or email
us. You can also review the pricing page
and send us a purchase order to initiate a business relationship. Send
your purchase order to :
Event 1 Software, Inc.
3305 Main St
STE #303
Vancouver, WA 98663
