Aspire deployed a new version of its software on May 28. Major updates in Aspire v5.6 include estimating, scheduling and invoicing enhancements to further expand the functionality of the Master Schedule of Values, streamline scheduling and optimize the invoicing process.
Complete details of all improvements will be provided to Aspire customers in the release notes.
In a recent update, Aspire introduced the concept of Master Schedule of Values for Fixed Price, Open Billing Work Orders, providing users with a centralized schedule of values sheet for each project. With this release, the company improved upon this. Users can now create a negative line item directly inside the Master Schedule of Values (SOV) when they create/win a change order that has a negative value.
Once the Master SOV is ready for invoicing, users will navigate to the Invoicing Assistant and proceed as normal. The negative Master SOV line item will appear along with the positive items.
Work Orders and T&M per Service Invoices
Now users can add a new invoice type to their Fixed Price, Open Billing (FPOB) opportunities on a service. By clicking into the service on the estimate (base estimate or change order), the user can select a new invoice type of “T&M per service”. The service will operate like any other T&M service but now fits into the FPOB workflow. Once a T&M service is complete, it will appear inside the Invoicing Assistant as ready to invoice for the opportunity. Users can invoice these services alongside the Master Schedule of Value line times from the original work order.
Schedule an Event: Opportunity Tag Now Available
Opportunity tags can help sort and organize in Aspire. This data field is now exposed in the “Schedule an Event” grid to help increase accuracy and efficiency when creating a schedule in bulk using this feature.
Auto-Expenses: Additional Invoice Types
Last year, Aspire rolled out a new Auto-Expenses functionality that allows users to create material and hours for their subs that changes based on the agreed-upon price. The new release has expanded this functionality to pull in more invoice types.
Multi-Visit Services Hours and Material Quantities
For multi-visit services, users can now set default values for both the hours and material quantities that appear in the Visit Detail screen as well as the Crew Mobile app. This improvement will eliminate the need to remember specific amounts and reduce time spent on data entry for services that require large material counts upfront for use in smaller quantities over the service's lifecycle.
Attach Proposal to Emailed Invoices
Users can now choose to attach proposals to the same email when sending invoices. The system will use the correct layout, even if multiple exist, or will allow the user to select one if it was never set.
The company also recently released a new logo. The logo is the first of many updates the company is making.
Soon, customers will see other updates the company is making to the Aspire brand, from company marketing materials and support documents to the website. Aspire’s product team is currently designing a new Aspire user interface that will improve user experience while maintaining functionality.
