Oracle Aconex Reviews

Pros

The Oracle Aconex collaboration on various Architectural projects and the documentation capability is effective and also i love the compliance easy management through Oracle Aconex.

Cons

Easy management platform and the features access is easy and from my view there is no dislike on Oracle Aconex.

Pros

The project I'm working in is Cinnomon Life. Which us a 1.2Billion USD Multi Purpose Real Estate Project in Sri Lanka.
In this project there are hundreds of Sub-Contractor companies working under the main contractor.
Without Aconext I dont know how we couldve handled all the drawings and Documents.
Its easy to use. Super easy to store and find documents. You can keep track of everything.

Cons

Since its web based. Speed depends in the quality of the internet connection. Takes a bit of time to download larger files

Alternatives Considered

Reasons for Switching to Oracle Aconex

Pros

Aconex’s audit trail and tracking capabilities provide transparency and accountability, which is especially valuable for projects requiring strict compliance and oversight.

Cons

Its function can be improved and api can too

Pros

Record keeping of all historical project communications.

Cons

Platform is dated. Mobile access is bad. Web platform is not responsive and up to modern standards

Pros

the ability to see all previous revisions of documents in an organized manner

Cons

there are some minor bugs when switching between projects and looking into workflows and packages

Pros

We used Oracle in my last position. I have recommended to my new employer and hoping to purchase here too.

Cons

There were some areas that weren't so user friendly, but once you got instructed how to perform the task it was seamless.

Pros

I like the documentation and Construction project Engineers collaboration and easy to share multiple project files and the risk management tools are nice.

Cons

The Oracle platform has the impactful project management functionalities and nothing like dislike for me to say.

Pros

Oracle Aconex is a sophisticated Software platform to communicate and store documents securely for any scale of a project. Large number of users can be added and use it at the same time is one of the major advantages. Inbuilt Aconex email function which can also be linked in to outlook is an added advantage. One other thing I like most is that the user can preview and verify a document before downloading it. Documents in Aconex can be exported into an Excel sheet saves the time. Workflow function in Aconex allows to check the hierarchy of reviewing the documents. It also allows the user to sort the documents according to date, organization and etc. Those are some of the appreciative features I experienced in this software.

Cons

Expensive License is the major drawback I see in this software.

One other thing I noticed is, user has to write the name of the document using exact letters as per the documents’ name, otherwise, it shows “no results found”. Like google it doesn’t suggest the words while typing.

Pros

I like the ability to configure the metadata. I also like the search and retrieve tools. Having the workflow/review document feature built in is also a time saver.

Cons

The review documents tool set needs to include a tool to export comments and save as a file. Currently, this procedure must be done outside of Aconex. Also, the workflow process should allow the administrator to add additional people to the workflow after it starts. This should not be a separate workflow within an active workflow that is tied to an active workflow participant (although when a user needs that feature it is useful but not typical).
The software also needs a better approach to storing the native file and corresponding pdf file together. Using history is not an effective method (and confusing to typical users) and giving either the native file or pdf file the same document number with a suffix (or some other means of numbering) can also be confusing. Both files should have the exact same document number.

Pros

I greatly appreciate Aconex's flexibility to adapt to policies and procedures you may already have. It does not force you into one way of doing things but at the same time doesn't require significant up-front configuration to get started.

I also like that Aconex is always improving and adding significant and useful new features often.

Cons

The only real con I have is one that can be managed but would be nice to have tighter controls on. Aconex does not offer the ability to restrict the permisison to change the document status (approved, approved as noted, rejected, dfrat, etc.) when superceding with a new version. By default it uses the previous version status for the new version status and if you forget to select a new status you could end up with the draft of the next revision of the document showing as approved in the document register. If you use workflows to approve your documents you can always go back and verify if a document was actually approved by the proper people but to do that requires a few extra mouse clicks.

Pros

How easy it was to integrate and how it was a good price for what it does

Cons

I am just a little upset that i didnt find out about it sooner it could have saved us a lot of head ache a long time ago

Pros

Aconex is an incredible cooperation device for work process, report and correspondence the board

Cons

Broad field reports with benefits and hindrances to highlights, ease of use, worth, and client care.

Pros

- Easy to search/find documents especially drawings with the most current versions
- The fact that you can see messages from/to other team members is useful when you have large teams especially if a team member leaves the project
- Documents and mails cannot be deleted for accuracy of project records
- Unlimited project users can be added to use the system once the Organization has registered

Cons

- Expensive
- Not widely used by Subtrades/Owners so there is more training required. Other systems such as Procore are more widely used and don't require as much training
- The fact that messages/notifications can't be grouped as conversations in Outlook makes reading all of the messages very tedious and time consuming
- Tracking & closing of RFI's is difficult due to how the status is recorded ie, if the Engineer responds asking for some additional information on an RFI so that they can respond, the system automatically indicated that the RFI has been responded to; it is not possible to generate report in order to know Organizations the RFIs been distributed to using other mail types
- Tracking and generating report for received and issued drawings and packages is difficult, it is crucial to be able to have accurate transmittal information that can easily be generated on a daily basis for document management / project records without having the need to maintain a manual log especially for Contractors managing upstream and downstream flow of information (documents from which Organization and to which Organizations the documents have been issued to with complete document and transmittal details)

Pros

I like Aconex because it gives a wide range of data management procedures that is user friendly and confidential for the project

Cons

i guess a broader generation of reports i.e. dashboard layout templates

Pros

The UX is better than on some competitor systems that I have used. I find Aconex pretty easy to use, made easier by a slick and impressive onboarding training set. New users get pointed towards a set of tutorial videos that really do get you started pretty well.

Cons

I still find these types of software clunkly. Search functionality could be improved on all of the various competitors, and whilst it is good here, it could be better.

I also find that notification emails are a real nuisance. This is true of other software too, but it still massively detracts from the user experience and the overall effectiveness of the tool.

Pros

This is a Web Based application that can be accessed via any internet connect as well as mobile access. Reports can be set up for individual use or organization use for all users. They are trying to update features in workflows to be closer to Bluebeam. My direct Support contact is very responsive and always willing to help.

Cons

There are several cons, you do not have the ability to do bulk changes to date field and clear the date completely. Workflows does not allow multiple comments per sheets, it bulks them all together as one comment. The comments need to be tracked/closed individually and when its all bulked together that is not possible. There are certain fields that are listed Print Size why can't this be turned off? Mail does not currently have workflows. Mail is hard to run reports, you need to do it from Inbox and sent to get all necessary information. Workflow Comments is only available to vie in workflow, this should be visible in the document registry. Markup tool is not user friendly.

Pros

Aconex is easily to get up and running and is also relatively easy to use. The custom mail form functionality combined with the ability to set automatic distribution lists for different mail types has been a very powerful tool for corresponding on contractual items.

Cons

Aconex is a large company with all users utilizing the same interface. Because of this Aconex is very easy to implement. The down side is that proprietary nomenclature or specific document "Types" may or may not be allowed. In our case, we wanted a general document type for "Meetings" where we use a cascade to further delineate whether the document is a Agenda, Presentation, Handout, Notes etc.. Aconex has a type set up for "Meeting Notes" which we felt was too specific and did not address agendas and other meeting material. Aconex escalated the request to have a Type = Meetings or Meeting Material and our request was denied.

Pros

Export to excel, Aconex is very Friendly software, I have 1 suggestion on this software. To improve the design.

Cons

We can open 4, 5 taps at the same time that's a good feature. bulk uploading of drawings processing is great feature.

Pros

The implementation of using metadata to tag documents, makes searching easy. Searching within the document contents is quite helpful. The new online viewer has made online document reviews a lot easier to process and keep track of. The Mail module is an overlooked plus that assists in keeping all of the project communications in one place. The online training videos have improved a lot and are essential in getting projects up and running.

Cons

The price is high compared to some of the other collaboration solutions and this keeps of from using Aconex more than we do now. Some of the administrative restrictions prevent the organization administrators from being as effective as they need to be (i.e. can't remove users from a project, can't change labels of metadata, can't create and add our own document statuses or document types, dashboard reporting is restrictive and really should offer more). The workflow reporting is limited and doesn't allow much customization. Sometimes our designated Aconex system consultants just quit or disappear and the communication surrounding it all is sometimes non existent.

Pros

Combination of emails & Document Register

I like the multitude of options it provides at a faster speed than most document control software available

Cons

Less options with searching drawings & documents

Keyboard short cuts; if the keyboard short cuts are enabled in this software, it will be benefited by document controllers a lot. Required additional search query options to search documents.

Pros

I like how the mail and documents sections are organized. Its easy to search for certain documents and follow transmittals to se these documents get reviewed.

Cons

Automatic reply E-mails. I'm sure these can be turned off in settings so this isn't an issue. Improvements can be made to the tutorial programs for new users as this program may seem intimidating

Pros

Oracle Aconex features are easy on initial customization and it provides great Engineering and even the best multiple Constructions project management solutions and the easy system to prepare reliable reports.

Its data migration capabilities and excellent documentation functions with Oracle Aconex are beneficial and easy scheduling platform.

Cons

No much issues from the Oracle Aconex features and as well as its interface is very easy to adapt and configure the tools capabilities.

Pros

A lot of simple organizations and as such is easy to use. For example: a basic screen in the form of a table with all the necessary data.

Cons

There is no table listing all design reviews. For instance: the rows would be entered in the codes - the names of all the designs and the column numbers of the revisions. The dates of the revisions would be entered in the fields of their cross-section. Nevertheless, whether the table will be updated automatically (based on the code and the data of the document itself) or the document controller on the project will do so. This would easily and quickly find the required revision of a document that has huge number on large projects.
Second: notes when my tasks are approaching should be on INBOX screen in the form of a light signal - a bright-colored button, because the inbox screen is open for most of the time.

Pros

- Allows everyone to be working from the same revision of documents
- Captures all communications and documents in one single place
- Makes everyone accountable as no information/communications are deleted across the life of the project
- Workflow function allows easy tracking of approval and review processes

Cons

- Uptake by project team can be difficult to push
- Accountability as a result of communications/mails and documents never being deleted leads to a reluctance from some contractors and design team members to use the software even when mandated
- Cost management function in the past has not been on the same level as the document and information management platforms

Pros

Easy to understand and straight forward. Save search helps users to identify easily their documents. Confidentiality of records makes the management feel happy that they can keep the conversation on a level of management.

Cons

Accounts per project location need to be consider. and the Global ID interface must be develop.
some administrators of aconex forgot to match the numbering as per project vs the auto generation of document number. some of the columns has no option to sort.