A reader has informed us of a product called ArchiOffice Pro by Orange Loft LLC, of Chicago. The company makes office and project management solutions software for FileMaker Pro environments. We have written about Orange Loft many years before and have decided to bring this company to light again. However, be warned that Orange Loft was an early stage start-up back in 2000 and we have emailed them because their site doesn't appear to have been seriously updated since that time. We are therefore not sure of the status of their products.

ArchiOffice Pro

Orange Loft's flagship product is ArchiOffice Pro, a networkable, multi-user business and project management system directed at architecture offices.

Based on the award-winning FileMaker Pro database line, ArchiOffice Pro is a complete business system for architects. The product includes database systems for Contacts, Project Books, Time & Expense, Reference Library, Invoicing, Personnel Records, Calendar and Brochure.

Based on the screen shots and included descriptions the product is very extensive and well thought out.

Extensive NoteBooks Features

A Notebooks module features areas for Drawing Information and Documentation, Design Correspondence, Bidding, Construction Administration, Construction Correspondence and Design/Build. The Project Book includes Directory, Checklists, Owner/Architect Agreement, Program, Goals, Zoning and Building Code Analysis and other related items.

The features of this program are very extensive and match any system we have seen before. Additionally, Orange Loft says it does custom services for firms on its Web site. Such services include customization of software, integration of database systems with Internet and PDA devices, and hardware, software and LAN services.

As more and more architects tell us they are embracing database systems (especially FileMaker Pro) we will continue to scout out solutions by FileMaker developers and others.

For more information visit them on the Web at: http://www.orangeloft.com

Thanks to Ion Webster for the info!