Projecta is used for project financial management with up to 12 cost heads and 99 cost accounts per cost heading. Database entries are by Budget, Budget Adjustment, Contract Let, Approved Variation, Anticipated Future Variation, or Certified Expenditure. Summary reports identify totals by type plus current adjusted budget, committed cost, forecast completion cost, and variance. It is available for a PC operating Windows 95/98 or for the Macintosh.
When you launch the program, the Menu screen opens. After reading Help, go to Setup screen before entering data in the database. For an explanation of all buttons, see below. In some cases, additional information can be found on layouts (screen views). Use the supplied buttons (many of which run scripts) to navigate and perform tasks.
Your First Project
Note: The released package has a demonstration set of data on the Setup screen, the Cost Accounts screen, the Contracts screen, and in the Database. After you have checked out the capabilities of the application using the demo project, you can replace the Setup data field by field, and remove the Cost Accounts and Database entries by using the button "Delete All" at the bottom of the Menu screen (answer "Yes" to all three questions).
1. Complete the Owner and Project information on the Setup Screen before starting a project. (Enter Cost Heads in the format "01 Tender Management". Make sure you leave a space after the number, and use a leading zero for 1 to 9.) Cost Heads should not be modified after you begin to use the database.
2. Go to Cost Accounts to define your intital set of accounts (sub-headings of the Cost Heads previously defined on the setup screen). You can add to your Cost Accounts as the project proceeds. Click on the New Record button to create your first record. Use appropriate numbering to match the Cost Heads that you have entered below. (eg If your first Cost Head is, say "01 Tender Management", start numbering Cost Accounts 0101, 0102, etc.)
3. Go to the Database to enter data records. Choose New Record to create your first data record. Add a new Cost Account BEFORE you create Database records which specify that Account.
New Projects
Start with a new copy of this program and follow the steps above, or you may wish to preserve Cost Heads and Cost Accounts, and just name a new project:
1. Edit the necessary fields on the Setup screen.
2. Click on the "Delete All" button, answer "Yes" to delete all Database Entries, but "No" to delete all Cost Accounts, and "Yes" to delete all Contracts.
3. Go to Cost Accounts to edit or add as required.
4. Go to the Database and click on New Record to create your first data record for the new project.
Buttons
Help: Goes to the Help screen.
Print: Prints the records in the Found Set in the current screen format.
Menu: Goes to the Menu screen.
Quit: Quits the application.
Back: Returns to the previous screen.
Setup: Goes to the setup screen to enter data relevant to your company/organization, the project and Cost Heads. This data should not be changed after database entry.
Database: Goes to the data entry screen for recording transactions.
Cost Accounts: Goes to the Cost Accounts listing.
Contracts: Goes to the Contracts listing.
Summary Report: Print/View report of Cost Heads or Cost Accounts.
Delete All: This button, found at the bottom of the menu screen, should be used with care. It is not undoable. Use only for deleting all database records and/or cost accounts prior to starting a new project.
Previous: Previous record.
Next: Next record.
New Record: Creates a new record.
Delete Record: Deletes current record.
Find: Switches to the Find mode to choose a set of records to work with (see details on the Find screen). When you do a Find, your records are divided into two sets - a Found Set that matches the criteria you specified, and an Omitted Set. All following actions, such as viewing/printing reports, work only with the Found Set.
Find All: Combines all records into the Found Set.
New Request: Enter additional Find criteria (see the Find screen). Continue: Does the Find based on entered crtieria.
Projecta is Shareware. This software is copyrighted material and therefore you are not allowed to modify this software or its documentation in any way, shape or form, nor can you sell it for your own profit. This demonstration version may be distributed freely, but it must remain in its unmodified entirety. It can be put on disks and CD-ROMs that charge a reasonable fee for the cost of distributing it, provided a copy of any such disks or CD-ROMs is forwarded to Norley Consulting Services. Contact me about the latest version so that only that version is distributed. In using this software, you understand and agree that this software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The entire risk as to the results and performance of using this software lies entirely with you, the user. The author does not make any warranties, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to this software.
The demonstration version will not print or export. This program can be customised for your company/organization, and additional functions can be added on request. If you find it useful, please send the shareware fee of AUS$50, together with the NAME you wish the program to be registered under (not modifiable) to N Braidwood, Norley Consulting Services, 5 Tarago Place, Duffy, ACT 2611, Australia (or norley@ozemail.com.au). A password and registration key will be sent via Email or post to the address you nominate (please specify).
Norman Braidwood
Norley Computing Services
Consultants & Trainers to Government & Industry
Canberra Australia
Postal Address: 5 Tarago Place Duffy ACT 2611
Telephone: 0419 630904
Facsimile: 02 62880485
Outside Australia Phone/Fax: Access Code + 61 2 62880485
