Designed by Colorado-based architect Doug Porterfield, ProjectNote™ is a computer-based software system that digitally stores, archives and manages project design and construction information. The application allows project teams to manage design elements such as sketches, drawings or graphic files, as well as project emails, correspondence such as RFIs, submittals, closeouts and punch list documentation.
The ProjectNote interface is easy to use and appears to be a "lite" version of Newforma®. ProjectNote, however, reflects a wide variety of work flows, and does accommodate BIM and 3D clash data. The server and workstation syncing and cloud capabilities make it easy to use, although it isn't clear what ProjectNote uses as its search engine and this may affect the software performance.
There are some platform downsides to ProjectNote which consumers should note. It is not capable (at this time) of running on a Macbook® Pro since Microsoft OneNote does not have a OneNote engine for Mac®. According to the designer, there is an app for Mac®, Outline+, that will allow a Mac® user to view any OneNote application. However, it will not allow additions or edits. We've pointed this out to the designer and we believe they are working to find a solution. The OneNote app for iPhone® and iPad® may allow you to open ProjectNote and work within the application using SkyDrive or Sharepoint. The other challenge is that you can't use ProjectNote on older operating systems. It requires Windows Office 2007 or newer, a 500Mhz processor, 256 MB RAM and 2.0GB of disk space. For firms that don't regularly upgrade hardware, this might be a challenge.
All of that said, ProjectNote offers a low-cost solution for digital project management. The base price of ProjectNote A-E and GC is $495.00 for up to three users. ProjectNote FM (which comes with a copy of ProjectNote A-E included) is $695.00 for up to three users. All prices increase proportionately by $200.00 as additional users are added (example: ProjectNote A-E for up to six users costs $695.00 and for 10 users $895.00). Special reduced pricing is available if more than 20 users are needed.
To learn more, go to www.project-note.com
Reviewers:
Rena M. Klein, of RM Klein Consulting and author of Architect's Guide to Small Firm Management (Wiley 2010), rena.m.klein@gmail.com.
Paul Veloz, Director of Technology for HMC Architects, Ontario, California, paul.veloz@hmcarchitects.com.
Rena and Paul: Thanks for the review of ProjectNote. The search engine ProjectNote use is the built-in search engine in MS OneNote which is extremely powerful. You can also use ProjectNote on an iPad via the MS OneNote app linked to Skydrive and it works well.
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