Bentley ProjectWise vs. Oracle Aconex

If you need something more than just a file server, my advice: try it, if you like it use it, if you find it is slowing you down try ANY of the many other products out there.

It is capable, it is highly developed, it is better than a file server, but it is not streamlined and is in need of a major overhaul for an acceptable 21st century user experience. I personally have threatened to quit my job if we changed from our current document management system to ProjectWise, this is not because ProjectWise is not a good product, it is because I just want to be able to do my job without wasting time fighting the system.

When it comes to budgeting and also tracking of budgeting, and project scheduling, I effectively recommend Oracle Aconex on that. Safety management and the compliance management processes are quite effective using this platform as well as the easy project activities reporting.

Incentivized

• It works for collaboration
• The backend is customisable to do work that other document management systems just cannot do.

• File Sharing - unlimited storage, version control and access control on a neutral host - Aconex is significantly superior to ftp, SharePoint or a contractor hosted platform in that once onboarded, each user organization has equal privileges and can in turn onboard any number of members within the respective organizations.
• Process and Workflow Management - while imperfect, Aconex offers the opportunity to customize process control and enforcement. Our team used these processes for RFI preparation and response, submittal tracking and other custom requirements.
• Neutrality - while mentioned, the neutral host places all project participants on a equal basis. Typically, non-neutral platforms favor in-house participants to the detriment of the project. Until shared, files are 100% private to the respective organizations.
• Mobile interface - good (not perfect) access to unlimited project file information from a mobile device.
• Audit trail - no more "I didn't get that document". File sharing and file opening is tracked by user. Transmittals are a matter of record and there's no 'delete' function.

Incentivized

• many users cannot be in the same file at the same time
• files are not automatically freed upon closure
• copying files to another ProjectWise folder is complicated. There is an option to copy, another to copy to, etc.

• Oracle Aconex has no compliance management
• More so, equipment management and asset valuation is missing.
• The accounting integration lacks on Oracle Aconex.

Incentivized

I think ProjectWise is better for technical users than Dropbox, one drive, or SharePoint. It is less intuitive than any of the others though. It is better for restoring files and creating an audit trail than any of the other programs. It is better for sharing large files in a short period of time than SharePoint or one drive. It is also better for larger teams and larger projects than SharePoint or Dropbox.

Oracle Aconex has numerous tracking capabilities, from the licensing, the insurance part, among the budgetary or costs. More so, Oracle Aconex has the offline access, a form of back up, to ensure that all operations are meet on time. The program increases or improves the skills and the knowledge base of the employees.

Incentivized

• It has saved us time in archiving and versioning documents
• It has saved us effort in backing up files and restoring them when mistakes are made
• It has had an overall positive impact on our bottom line by helping with file sharing and collaboration

• Being able to communicate with a client for document submission.
• Client communication for mail that is traceable.
• Double handling of documents, as we have another internal document control program.

Incentivized