Happy New Year and welcome to Jumpstart January—our month-long celebration of fresh starts, big ideas, and actionable insights to kick off 2025 with a bang! As we dive into the new year, let’s take a moment to reflect on the content that inspired and empowered you in 2024.

From blogs and webinars to live events, we’ve compiled the very best of what resonated with you last year. Think of this as your highlight reel, ready to help you jumpstart your goals and make smarter, data-driven decisions in 2025. Let’s jump in!

📝 Most Popular Blog Articles: Mastering the Financial Side of Projects

When it came to blog content, 2024 was all about tightening up your project finances. From mastering write-offs to demystifying work breakdown structures, these posts helped you manage the numbers like a pro:

1. Handling Write-Offs the Right Way
   Writing off expenses doesn't have to feel like guesswork. This article became your guide for tackling write-offs with confidence.
2. What’s New in Vantagepoint 7.0?
   Who doesn’t love new features? This blog spilled all the details on what made Vantagepoint 7.0 the MVP of 2024.
3. Simplifying Project Budgeting in Deltek Vantagepoint
   This fan favorite showed you how to turn project budgeting from a chore into a streamlined process.
4. Understanding the Impact of Work Breakdown Structures
   Structure matters! You loved learning how to set up WBS and OBS to keep projects running smoothly.
5. The Unknown Features of Timesheets in Deltek Vantagepoint
   Timesheets aren’t just for tracking hours. This post revealed hidden features that make them a powerful tool for project success.

🎥 Most Popular Mini-Demos & Webinars: Turning Data into Decisions

Last year, you showed us you’re all about working smarter, not harder. Our mini-demos and webinars brought dashboards, KPIs, and data-driven insights straight to your screen, helping you make informed decisions faster:

1. Webinar: What’s New in Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0
   If you missed this one, it’s worth a watch! Discover the features that made Vantagepoint 7.0 a game-changer.
2. Mini-Demo: Fun with Dashboards
   Dashboards aren’t just functional—they’re fun! This demo helped you visualize your data with style.
3. Mini-Demo: Exploring KPI Dashparts
   Make KPIs your secret weapon. This mini-demo showed you how to track what matters most.
4. Mini-Demo: Deltek Vantagepoint’s New Timesheet Assist
   Timesheet Assist became your new best friend in 2024. Learn how to streamline time tracking and approvals. 
5. Mini-Demo: Ready-to-Use Informer Dashboards
   You asked for ready-made solutions, and we delivered! This demo explored dashboards tailored for project and financial management.

📣 Most Popular Live Events: Learning from Industry Experts

Our live events in 2024 gave you a front-row seat to hear from your peers and industry experts. From marketing tips to project health insights, these events helped you embrace best practices and fresh ideas:

1. Charting a Course for Impactful AEC Marketing Meetings
   Let’s be honest, marketing meetings can feel like a slog. This event gave you strategies to make them effective and engaging.
2. Hear from Your Peers: Monitoring Projects’ Financial Health
   Real-world advice from real-world pros. This event shared practical tips for keeping projects financially healthy.
3. Hear from Your Peers: Embracing Change for Success
   Change is inevitable, but thriving through it is a skill. This session inspired you to adapt and succeed.

Jumpstart Your 2025 with Full Sail Partners

If 2024 was any indication, you’re ready to hit the ground running this year. Use these highlights as your launchpad for tackling challenges, improving processes, and achieving your goals in 2025.

Want to make sure you don’t miss a single update, tip, or event this year? Subscribe to our newsletter today! It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop on all the new content, webinars, and expert insights we’ll be sharing in 2025. Let us help you jumpstart your success and keep the momentum going all year long!

[Subscribe Now] and let’s make 2025 your best year yet! 🚀

In today’s fast-paced business world, efficiency is key. As organizations continue to embrace digital tools to streamline workflows, Deltek has introduced a powerful new assistant: Deltek Dela™. This AI-powered digital assistant, integrated directly into Vantagepoint, allows users to interact with their data using natural language queries. It’s designed to simplify your work by helping you find critical project details, team member information, and even draft written content with ease. One of the most compelling features of Dela is its ability to assist with content creation, and in this blog post, we’ll explore how it can be used to create personalized holiday mailing cards.

What is Deltek Dela™?

Dela, an AI-powered assistant, is designed to make Vantagepoint more intuitive and efficient. By using natural language, users can easily query data from various hubs within Vantagepoint, such as Projects, Employees, Firms, and Contacts. This allows for seamless data analysis and content creation, all in real-time, without the need for complex navigation.

Dela is especially useful for ad-hoc analysis, drafting written content, and summarizing data, making it a versatile tool for both everyday tasks and larger projects. However, while it’s powerful, Dela does have some limitations, including access to only certain types of data and hubs (without user-defined fields and grids). Despite these restrictions, the tool proves to be incredibly effective when paired with free-form text entries, such as those found in the Activities grids.

The Holiday Mailing Card Use Case

One example of how Dela can simplify your workflow is in the creation of personalized holiday cards. Consider a firm that regularly sends out holiday greetings to its clients. While this is a thoughtful gesture, the time it takes to craft individualized messages can be overwhelming—especially when trying to incorporate personal details like special milestones or activities associated with a client.

This is where Dela shines. By querying activity data related to a specific contact, users can easily draft personalized messages in just a few steps. Let's walk through how this process works using Dela’s functionality.

Step 1: Querying Activities

First, users can query Dela for specific activity information tied to a contact. Activities are a crucial part of the Vantagepoint system, allowing users to record detailed notes and interactions with clients. These free-form text entries often include valuable insights like the client's personal interests, upcoming or past milestones, and important life events—perfect for creating personalized content.

Because the Notes section of Activities is free form, it is extremely easy for normal system users to add information. There is no need for them to find a correct dropdown, grid entry, or checkbox in the record. As long as users are trained to use Activities, they can simply add whatever information they deem interesting about the contact.

For instance, let’s say one of the firm’s contacts, Allen, had a meeting with a Project Manager concerning a current project. During that meeting, he mentions that his wife is pregnant. Afterward, the Project Manager adds a note to the Vantagepoint Activity for this meeting:

“Allen mentioned his wife is having a baby in 5 months.”

This Activity is stored in Allen’s profile but locating that detail manually would be time-consuming. Instead, Dela can quickly summarize this information and help users generate a meaningful message.

A simple prompt to Dela could be: “Based on the activities for this contact, create a personalized holiday email for him.”

Step 2: Dela Responds

Once the prompt is entered, Dela quickly processes the data and generates a draft email. Here’s an example of what Dela might provide:

In just a few seconds, Dela has generated a thoughtful, personalized message that acknowledges Allen’s life event—without the user needing to sift through Activity entries and notes or manually write the email.

Step 3: Editing and Sending

Once the message is generated, the user can easily review and edit the content before sending it. With Dela’s integration into Vantagepoint, there’s no need to switch between different platforms or tools. The user can either click a button to send the email directly or copy the content to paste it elsewhere.

Dela offers additional customization options, such as the ability to adjust the tone of the email. For example, users could choose a more formal or informal style depending on the nature of the client relationship. The integration with Vantagepoint also ensures that all the relevant details, such as the firm’s branding and contact information, are included in the email template.

Why Dela’s Capabilities Shine with Activities Data

This holiday email example highlights one of Dela’s most impressive features: its ability to interpret and summarize free-form text entries in the Activities grid. These notes can range from personal milestones (like Allen’s baby news) to project-specific insights. While these activities can be time-consuming to sift through manually, Dela effortlessly distills them into concise summaries.

Furthermore, since Dela retains the context of the conversation, users can easily follow up on previous queries. For example, if the user asked for the activity summary and then wanted to see additional details about Allen’s current project, they could follow up with another simple prompt like, “What is the latest activity recorded for this contact?” This fluid, conversational interaction makes Dela a natural tool for generating content and obtaining real-time data insights.

By leveraging Dela’s capabilities alongside the free-form text in Activities, users can quickly generate meaningful, personalized content for clients, improving both the quality of interactions and overall productivity.

Enhance Workflow and Productivity with Deltek Dela™

Dela exemplifies how AI-driven tools can enhance workflow and productivity, especially when paired with rich, unstructured data-like Activities. The ability to turn detailed, free-form notes into cohesive and personalized messages in mere seconds can save professionals time and effort, while also fostering stronger client relationships. Whether you’re sending out holiday greetings, drafting follow-up emails, or simply summarizing project activity, Dela is a powerful tool for getting the job done quickly and efficiently.

This example of using Dela for personalized holiday messages is just one of many ways this tool can streamline your workflow. By understanding how Dela interacts with the data and hubs within Vantagepoint, users can harness its full potential to make their tasks easier and more effective.

Learn how Deltek is powering the future for project-based companies with a recap from their most recent user-conference, Deltek ProjectCon. Click the image below to learn more.

Deltek ProjectCon 2024 united innovators, leaders, and tech enthusiasts to explore the future of project-based solutions. Our crew was fully engaged in the discussions and demos, discovering Deltek’s latest advancements and their practical applications. Whether you missed the event or just want a recap, here are the highlights that caught our attention.

AR Forecast Collections Dashboard

For finance professionals, staying ahead of cash flow is key. Jenny Labranche, Senior Finance Consultant, shared her enthusiasm for Deltek’s new AR Forecast Collections Dashboard:

Deltek has put together a forecast tool to track your cash coming in because we all know that cash is king in any business.

Expected in the 7.2 or 2025.1 release, this tool promises to streamline cash forecasting and collections, giving firms better control over their financial health.

Clarity Meets Vantagepoint Dashboards

Joel Slater, Client Solutions Manager, was interested in the integration of Deltek Clarity A&E Study benchmarks directly into Vantagepoint dashboards:

Clients can compare their own specific data and results against the greater industry through the Deltek Clarity study.

This feature provides businesses with actionable insights, making it easier to align their performance with industry standards.

Simplifying Billing and Contract Management

Ease of use remains a top priority for Deltek, as highlighted by Lisa Ahearn, Senior Consultant, who had two exciting updates to share.

I learned that they are planning on putting billing terms in a list view, which is awesome for all of our billers. Deltek is also bringing document management to contract management so we can finally attach our contracts to our line items for our contract management.

These enhancements are designed to streamline critical workflows, making it easier for firms to manage billing terms efficiently and improve the organization of contracts.

Flexibility and Adaptability: The Future of Deltek

Sarah Gonnella, VP of Marketing and Sales, praised Deltek’s commitment to adaptability:

Deltek is really focused on flexibility, adapting to how people work, and providing relevant content through AI. Their roadmap through 2026 is full of innovative developments.

The spotlight on tools like Deltek Dela™ and Harmony™ reflects their intent to enhance user experience by integrating platforms like Microsoft Teams and offering personalized, data-driven insights.

Solving Business Challenges with AI Innovations

Jake Lucas, our AI Developer, highlighted the growing potential of artificial intelligence in addressing unique business needs:

A big aha moment has been having conversations with different people and getting a renewed perspective on how AI can solve certain business needs. It’s been fascinating to see the scope of what people are thinking about when it comes to using AI to run their business better.

He emphasized how AI tools like Deltek Dela are meeting immediate challenges while leaving room for future enhancements.

AI and Data Synchronization: Enhancing Business Intelligence and Building Trust

Jake Lucas also presented his session on the transformative role of AI in data processing and real-time synchronization. He noted that as businesses increasingly adopt AI to optimize workflows, real-time insights become essential for tracking performance, forecasting cash flow, and monitoring project progress.

Real-time data synchronization, as demonstrated by our BlackBox Connector integrations, can deliver down-to-the-minute updates that help organizations optimize resource management and make faster decisions. Having immediate access to data enables businesses to react quickly to shifts in project dynamics or staffing needs, driving efficiency and adaptability.

Jake also emphasized the importance of trust and transparency in AI-driven insights, addressing a critical concern for organizations adopting these advanced tools:

A big takeaway was seeing how AI is improving but still needs that critical element of trust from the users. It’s essential to understand the data and processes AI is using to ensure its accuracy.

With AI playing a growing role in complex data processing, ensuring transparency in how insights are generated is vital. Businesses must be able to trace the sources and methodologies behind AI-driven conclusions, fostering confidence and trust in decisions shaped by this technology.

Optimizing Vantagepoint Investments with Terri Agnew

Terri Agnew, Principal Consultant, led a session as well where she explored how a Navigational Analysis can help maximize Deltek Vantagepoint's capabilities to improve performance.

A navigational analysis is like dumping out a puzzle on the table. The process is about putting that puzzle back together—understanding your system, identifying pain points, and finding solutions to streamline processes.

She showcased strategies to leverage Vantagepoint’s data to drive more informed decision-making. Her practical insights demonstrated how to close the gap between data analysis and actionable outcomes, leaving attendees equipped with tools to immediately optimize their processes.

Keeping Up with Deltek

Deltek ProjectCon is a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, innovators, and technology enthusiasts who share a passion for enhancing project-based solutions and we had a great time interacting with everyone who attended! The insights and tools showcased this year—from AI advancements to streamlined workflows—highlight the tremendous potential for businesses to optimize their processes and achieve greater success. Whether you attended or simply followed along with our highlights, the value of being part of this forward-thinking community is undeniable.

If you want to stay up to date on all things Deltek, visit our webinars page to see what’s on the horizon. We’d love for you to join us as we continue exploring the latest innovations and solutions for project-based firms!

Did you know that over 75% of Deltek Vantagepoint customers are in the cloud today? That's right—every day, more Deltek Vantagepoint clients are taking their systems to the cloud. But what exactly makes project-based firms decide to make the move to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud?

Continuous Access to Your Data, Anytime and Anywhere 

Imagine this: you're at the airport, waiting to board a flight to a major work conference, with your presentation materials and agenda in hand but you need to check something really quickly. Or perhaps you're in a quiet coffee shop between client meetings, preparing for your next big pitch and you realize you are missing something that needs to be looked up fast. No matter your location, in the cloud, your data is always at your fingertips, as long as you have secure internet access and a web browser.

The Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud provides the peace of mind that comes with knowing you can safely access, extend, or update your data from any location. With a 99.9% average uptime, you can rely on your data being available whenever you need it. This level of accessibility is a game-changer for businesses that require flexibility and mobility. Whether you're working from home, traveling for business, or simply need to check in on a project while you're away, the cloud ensures that your data is always within reach. No more being tethered to a physical office or worrying about accessing critical information when you need it most. 

Ease Your Growing Pains as You Expand Your Business 

As your business grows, so do your technology needs. Managing hardware can become a significant distraction, especially as the need to upgrade and maintain legacy systems increases. By moving your business to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud, you can leave those growing pains behind. Focus on what matters most, growing your business while enjoying the benefits of no hidden fees. 

The Deltek Cloud offers several tailored options, allowing you to pay a clearly defined annual cost each year, eliminating the surprise costs that can occur with on-premise setups. Plus, you'll have a team of experts managing your cloud infrastructure, including servers, storage, networking, patching, software updates, and hardware procurement.

The scalability of the cloud is another significant advantage. As your business expands, the cloud can easily accommodate increased data storage and processing needs without the hassle of purchasing and installing new hardware. This scalability ensures that your IT infrastructure grows seamlessly with your business, allowing you to focus on strategic initiatives rather than technical challenges.

Know Your Data is Secure in the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud 

Security is a top priority when it comes to your data. The Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud offers features like multifactor authentication, encryption, and monitoring systems to ensure your data is secure. Deltek, a best-in-class service provider for project-based firms, takes security seriously. Their Cloud Security Operations Team and Site Reliability Team provide constant monitoring twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred and sixty-five days a year to protect your firm against any threats. With the cloud, you can have confidence that your data will be safe, no matter the disaster. 

In addition to these security measures, Deltek also complies with industry standards and regulations, providing an extra layer of assurance. Regular security audits and updates ensure that your data is protected against the latest threats. This proactive approach to security means that you can trust Deltek to safeguard your sensitive information, allowing you to focus on your core business activities without worrying about data breaches or cyberattacks. 

Enhance Your Collaboration Capabilities

Furthermore, the cloud offers enhanced collaboration capabilities. Team members can easily share and access documents, collaborate on projects in real-time, and stay connected regardless of their physical location. This improved collaboration can lead to increased productivity and better project outcomes, as everyone has access to the most up-to-date information and the tools they need to succeed. 

The Cloud is Waiting for You 

The benefits of moving to the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud are clear. From continuous access to your data to easing the growing pains of your business, to ensuring your data is secure, the cloud offers a reliable and efficient solution. It is time to join the growing number of project-based firms that have made the switch and experience the advantages for yourself. 

Moreover, the Deltek Vantagepoint Cloud is not just a technological upgrade; it's a strategic move that can transform the way your business operates. By embracing the cloud, you position your firm for greater agility, security, and growth. So why wait? The cloud is waiting for you - are you ready to take your business to new heights?

Data entry can often be a tedious and error-prone task, especially when dealing with large volumes of information. Convincing IT to upload data into software systems can be challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, for users of Deltek Vantagepoint, there's a more efficient solution: Data Imports. This feature, accessible from the Utilities menu, offers an intuitive interface for importing large amounts of Hub or transactional data while adhering to Vantagepoint's business rules for data entry.

Simplified Data Import Process for New Clients

For new Deltek Vantagepoint clients, the Data Import module provides a streamlined method for transferring information from previous systems. Whether you're migrating data from FoxPro, Oracle, or any other system capable of exporting data into an Excel or CSV file, Vantagepoint makes the transition smooth.

For example, if your accounting information resides in one system and project information in another, Vantagepoint's Data Imports are designed to handle this seamlessly. General ledger details and table information are uploaded separately, simplifying the process. With a basic understanding of Vantagepoint’s software configuration, preparing data files for import is straightforward and requires minimal training. This ease of use can significantly reduce the time and effort involved in migrating to a new system.

Enhancing Efficiency for Existing Clients

Existing Deltek Vantagepoint customers can also benefit from the Data Import module by adding new data to their current Vantagepoint instance or modifying existing information. For instance, if a firm is integrating new functionality that was previously unused, existing hub fields can be updated with data from an Excel file. Vantagepoint ensures that the imported data complies with business rules through a validation procedure, preventing any non-compliant data from being uploaded.

Moreover, transactional data can be uploaded into Vantagepoint via the Data Import module. Many clients utilize external applications to gather the information that must be uploaded into Vantagepoint. For example, subconsultants might use different systems to collect time or expense data, which then needs to be integrated into the Vantagepoint system. Instead of manual data entry, a CSV file can be used to upload this information. Vantagepoint verifies that the data adheres to business rules before it is posted in the Transaction Center.

Key Information About Deltek Vantagepoint Data Import

Whether uploading new data or amending existing records, the import process in Vantagepoint follows a consistent procedure. Currently, the data import functionality is split between Vantagepoint’s web app and the desktop app, with plans to eventually consolidate these functions. Users need to know where to go for each type of import. The web app supports importing data for Employees, Employee-related tables, Clients, Contacts, Generic Resources, and lists. Other imports, such as Projects, General Ledger, and transactional data, are handled via the desktop application.

To ensure successful data import, it is crucial to align the import data with Vantagepoint’s data structure. Data mapping should be performed prior to system validation. Once the fields that need to be mapped are identified, they should be matched with corresponding data in the import file. After mapping, selecting “Import” initiates the validation procedure. Any errors will be reported in a file and will not be imported. The import data can be validated multiple times to ensure accuracy before finalizing the import into the Vantagepoint instance.

Modern Advancements in Deltek Vantagepoint

Deltek Vantagepoint continues to evolve, incorporating advanced features to enhance user experience and efficiency. Recent updates include improved integration capabilities with other software systems, advanced analytics for better decision-making, and enhanced user interfaces for a more intuitive experience. Additionally, Vantagepoint's cloud-based platform ensures that users have access to the latest features and updates without the need for extensive IT involvement.

The Data Import module now supports more sophisticated data validation and error-checking mechanisms, reducing the risk of data inconsistencies and ensuring compliance with business rules. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms helps in identifying patterns and anomalies in data, providing users with actionable insights and predictive analytics.

Practical Tips for Mastering Data Imports

Data Import in the Vantagepoint application does not require extensive knowledge of databases or programming. However, practice and perseverance are key to mastering this tool. Full Sail Partners recommends practicing on a test database when learning to use the import feature. This approach allows users to familiarize themselves with the process without the risk of affecting live data.

For additional support, Full Sail Partners offers comprehensive training on the Data Import module. This training covers everything from basic data preparation and mapping to advanced troubleshooting techniques. By leveraging Full Sail Partners’ expertise, users can gain confidence in their ability to efficiently manage data imports, ensuring smooth and accurate data integration.

Data Imports Feature Ensures Efficiency for Vantagepoint Users

Deltek Vantagepoint's Data Import module is a powerful tool that simplifies the process of uploading and managing large volumes of data. Whether you are a new client migrating from a different system or an existing client looking to enhance your data management capabilities, the Data Import module offers a robust solution. With its user-friendly interface, comprehensive validation procedures, and continuous advancements, Vantagepoint ensures that your data entry process is efficient, accurate, and aligned with your business needs.

For more detailed guidance and training on using Deltek Vantagepoint’s Data Import module, consider reaching out to Full Sail Partners. Their team’s expertise can help you maximize the potential of Vantagepoint, enabling you to achieve next-level productivity and efficiency in your data management processes.

The necessity to turn in timesheets every two weeks is never at the forefront of your employees' minds. They are focused on their day-to-day tasks. Some employees stay ahead of the game and create their timesheets as they go. Others are swamped with their workload and struggle to keep them current and completed on time. However, it is essential in nearly every industry to keep the circle of business moving and income coming in. So features are needed to make the timesheet process seamless and most efficient.

Poor timesheet management inherently leads to inefficient processes later. Miscoding timesheets may cause imprecise reports and incorrect invoices. It could also require additional time to correct and transfer time to the proper projects. Most importantly, incorrect timesheet entry affects the cash flow of your company, due to delaying the processing of client invoices.

In Deltek Vantagepoint, the process has been simplified and made more user-friendly for the end user. To start, timesheets should be entered daily and submitted on time. Secondly, project managers must always ensure they are reviewing the timesheets. Timesheets should then be corrected before they are posted to the project.

Features of Timesheets in Deltek Vantagepoint to Improve Efficiency

Accurate and efficient timesheet management policies and procedures are necessary and should be incorporated into your culture. This, along with daily entries and strict deadlines for timesheet submissions. Fortunately, Deltek Vantagepoint has a variety of tools to help assist project managers in this process.

• Floor Checks can help you ensure that your employees complete their timesheet entries on time. You can do a floor check to review the status of time entries for your employees for a specific period or day. This will show the employees’ expected hours versus the actual hours that were entered. Additionally, there is email functionality available, so you can email your employees directly and let them know to complete their timesheets. You can enable notifications within the system or create email templates for the reminders.
• Unposted Labor Report is a standard project report that shows all timesheet data in unposted transaction entry files and all timesheets that are in progress, submitted, or approved but not posted. This enables project managers to see what has been charged to their projects before they are posted. It is preferred to correct the timesheets before they are charged to the projects.
• Project Reports with Unposted Time can be included in project reports by using the unposted time option. Project managers can then see the labor that is charged to their projects throughout the time period.
• Line-item Approval allows project managers to have control over their project labor costs to make sure labor is posted to the correct project. It allows project managers to only see their projects when in the approval stage. Vantagepoint will let you know if only part of the line items subject to line-item approval have been approved, yet others have not been approved or have been rejected.
• Timesheet Audit Trail allows you to see if there has been a change made to the timesheet after it has been saved or submitted. You can make timesheet comments required, or just track the change without additional explanation. Audit trails can be used to track billing transfers. You may find the timesheet audit trail in employee reporting.
• Copy from Prior Timesheet option allows you to copy projects you have previously or frequently charge time to. You can select this option once in your current timesheet. This option saves you from having to create your project list repeatedly for frequent projects. Timesheet comments are also saved in a drop-down box to select from. So, if you have used the same comment previously, you may select that option versus having to write the same thing repeatedly.
• Deltek Time & Expense for Vantagepoint app is now available to access your timesheets when you are on the go. Not in front of your computer? No problem. You can capture expenses from anywhere and upload receipts immediately. Approvers may also approve timesheets and send reminders to employees via the mobile app. Keeping up with your timesheets has never been easier!

Get Your Timesheets Done with Deltek Vantagepoint

With all of these amazing features in Deltek Vantagepoint at your fingertips, timesheet management is within your grasp. Keep the circle of business moving, and that income coming in. Start with daily timesheet reminders, and eventually, you will develop a plan that makes timesheet management best practices part of your firm’s culture.

Approval workflows in Deltek Vantagepoint streamline organizational processes, offering a comprehensive range of features that enhance efficiency and flexibility. From multi-tiered and multi-step approvals to flexible role-based assignments, these workflows cater to complex approval hierarchies and specific organizational needs. Let’s dive into the different features and uses of these workflows and explore how they can make your approval processes smoother and more efficient.

Approval Workflows

Since some readers might be new to approval workflows, let’s review the functions of approval workflows in Vantagepoint.

• Multi-tiered Approvals – Allows approval workflows to have the ability to assign one person or multiple people with approval responsibilities for a specific request.
• Multi-step Approvals – Allows additional steps to be added in an approval workflow.
• Flexible Assignments – Instead of assigning the approval to a person, make the approval assignment to a specific role or function within the organization.
• Reassignments – Quickly reassign an action to add additional approvers or reassign the approval assignment to another person.
• Conditions – Allows for the use condition when approval is required, such as a dollar amount for an expense.
• Actions – Send and receive notifications of an approval request by email or an alert.
• Validations – Allows for notifications when criteria are not met, such as requiring a receipt on an expense report.

Workflow Failure Notifications – Workflows are smart! They will notify the approval administrator if a terminated employee or a role with no employees has been assigned approval responsibilities.

Applications That Have Approval Workflows

Here are some examples of applications that you can apply workflows to:

• Expense Reports
  • Both Line-item approval and Whole Report approval
• Timesheet Approvals
  • Both Line-Item approval and Whole Report approval
• Absence Requests
• AP Invoice Approvals
• Billing Invoice Approvals
• Purchase Requisitions
• Request for Price Quotes
• Purchase Orders (PO’s, Change Orders, and Releases)
• Item Requests

For those of you transitioning from Vision to Vantagepoint and enjoying the flexibility of Expense Report approvals for both line items and the whole reports, you’re in luck because Vantagepoint allows more flexibility in the Timesheet approval process.

Timesheet and Timesheet Line Approval Workflows Overview

In Vantagepoint, with improved Timesheet and Timesheet Line Approval workflows, users can leverage some of the benefits outlined below:

• Approval Workflows that are multi-step and based on specific parameters to align the approval process with your organization’s operations.
• Send approval requests to specific employees or roles within your organization.
• Approve all lines of a timesheet or just approve a specific line.
• Set up notifications to alert people about the status of the approval process and let the approver know a request is pending.  

Are you ready to enable Timesheet and Timesheet Line approvals? If you are not sure, here are some things to think about.

• Does your organization have a defined process for timesheet approvals?
• Which roles and individuals need approval assignments?

Since Deltek has allowed more flexibility in Timesheet and Timesheet Line approvals your firm will benefit from revisiting your current approval process.

Billing Invoice Approvals

Have you evaluated your billing process lately? Are you still printing drafts on paper?

In Vantagepoint, Deltek has introduced a way to process your monthly client invoices through the system including a way to use markup tools on the draft invoice(s).

Starting in Vantagepoint 6.5, you can review multiple drafts up until the final acceptance of the invoice. This “in system” back and forth communication between the finance/billing team and the project manager could help streamline your current process. Reduce back-and-forth emails and get your invoices out faster. Update your approval workflow to send notifications to employees identified on the project records.

Do you need multiple steps in your billing approval process?

While this workflow is not as dynamic as the timesheet and expense workflows there are ways to leverage the comment fields to allow for multiple review steps. For some tips and tricks on this creative solution please contact your Full Sail Consultant.

Enhance Efficiency with Approval Workflows

Vantagepoint's approval workflows provide a comprehensive solution for enhancing efficiency across various organizational tasks. With capabilities like multi-tiered and multi-step approvals, role-based assignments, and real-time notifications, these workflows cater to diverse needs. They are applicable to numerous areas, including expense reports, timesheets, billing invoices, and more, helping streamline processes and improve overall functionality. By implementing these workflows, your organization can achieve smoother operations and better compliance, ultimately boosting productivity and reducing administrative hassle.

Want to see more about approvals? Take a look at our webinar on Deltek Vantagepoint’s Accounts Payable (AP) Invoice Approvals!

With Vantagepoint Multicurrency, transactions like employee expenses or accounts payable vouchers can be entered in any selected currency regardless of the company’s functional currency. Your firm can provide invoices to clients in foreign currencies as well. In a multicompany database, any company in the enterprise can be maintained in any currency. Deltek Vantagepoint holds the key to simplifying this process for your firm.

Vantagepoint Multicurrency allows you to:

• Manage multiple currencies for transactions, accounting, and financial reporting
• Enter and manage exchange rates, which can be done manually or can be automated to update daily exchange rates using an auto-feed subscription provided by XE.com.
• Support daily, period, and period-end exchange rate changes
• Revalue foreign currency accounts and automatically identify realized and unrealized gains or losses due to currency fluctuations

Considerations when Using Deltek Vantagepoint Multicurrency

With any changes to your standard accounting practices, there are always some items that need to be taken into consideration:

Revenue Considerations: Revenue generation will now use the billing currency fields in the project hub.

Project Considerations: Once you set a project’s currency and the project has transactions posted to it, the currency code cannot be changed on the project. It is very important to set the project to the correct currency upon initial setup. All lower levels of the work breakdown structure (WBS) will follow the currency codes set at the project level. A project’s currency can be set up to manage the project in one currency and a different billing currency can be used to invoice your client.

General Ledger Account Considerations: In Vantagepoint Multicurrency accounts can be left without a specific currency or set to a single currency. For example, a company with a functional currency of USD may have a checking account in Canadian dollars (CAD). In this example, the chart of account numbers associated with the Canadian Bank Code would need to be set up with a currency code of CAD. Once an account is set up in a currency that is different than the functional currency of the company, it is then considered a foreign-denominated account and will be included in the revaluation process.

Unit Considerations: You must specify both a project and billing currency.

Vendor Considerations: Vendor records are stored in the functional currency of the active company. There are several details to note for vendor records:

• Functional Currency – the home currency or the currency in which the company operates
• Transactional Currency – the currency in which a transaction is entered into Vantagepoint
• Presentation Currency - used in reporting to generate a report with all amounts expressed in a single currency
• Billing Currency - the currency used to generate invoices and billing reports for specific projects and their WBS
• Project Currency – the currency in which the project is managed which can be different than the functional currency when needed (this currency should be used for all project management purposes including reporting)
• Payment Currency – the currency in which the payments are made
• Consolidated Reporting Currency – only available in a Multicompany environment and is used to create consolidated financial statements for multiple companies that are using different functional currencies currency directly through the account setup of the GL (if you specify an account currency that is different from the company’s functional currency, the account is then considered a foreign-denominated account)
• Account Currencies – each account set for use as a bank account and mapped to a GL code can be set to a specific
• Tax Currency – if tax auditing is enabled then a currency must be set for each tax code (this is generally the currency in which you report and pay the tax amounts to the proper tax authority)

Generally Accepted Accounting Practices in Deltek Vantagepoint Multicurrency

Deltek Vantagepoint Multicurrency complies with the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) sections ASC-830-10-55-10 and 11. In section 55-10, the guideline states that it is acceptable to use averages or other methods of approximation. Accordingly, it is recommended to use a weighted average of the exchange rate for a period rather than applying actual day-to-day fluctuations.

Furthermore, section 55-11 states that the average rates used shall be appropriately weighted by the volume of functional currency transactions occurring during an accounting period. In other words, to translate revenue and expense accounts for an annual period, individual revenue and expense accounts for each quarter or month may be translated at that quarter's or that month's average rate. The translated amounts for each quarter or month should then be combined with the annual totals.

Why Use Multicurrency in Deltek Vantagepoint?

Multicurrency can be used for tracking currency exchange gains and losses. Having foreign-denominated accounts creates the need to track gains and losses based on fluctuating exchange rates. For example, if a European company has a bank account denominated in United States dollars and the value of the euro rises against the United States dollar, the value in euros of that bank account balance drops. This results in an unrealized loss to the European company. Using Multicurrency allows you to use the Gains/Losses and Revaluations process in Vantagepoint to calculate and post these currency exchange gains and losses. As a result, they appear on your financial statements per the generally accepted accounting practices under which you operate.

Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0 is finally here, and it brings a bunch of new features and enhancements aimed at improving automation, efficiency, and the general user experience. With a focus on providing better data visibility, integrating artificial intelligence, and enhancing the overall user interface, this update promises to change the way professional services firms manage their projects, finances, and resources. Let’s look at a brief overview of the things that’ll get you excited to jump into Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0!

Simplify PTO Updates for Plans

This update ensures more accurate project plans by automating absence requests and making staff availability more visible. This automation helps to improve resource management, allowing project managers to anticipate and plan for workload gaps effectively. The result is enhanced project delivery with fewer disruptions and more predictable outcomes.

Streamlined Financial Processes

One of the standout features of Vantagepoint 7.0 is the automation of financial processes. This includes streamlining the procure-to-pay process and automating time-consuming billing processes. By eliminating manual, error-prone tasks, finance teams can focus on more value-adding activities, improving efficiency and accuracy in financial management.

Enhanced User Experience and Adoption

Next up on the list of improvements is the intuitive user interface with enhanced navigation menus, keyboard shortcuts, and fly-out menus. These improvements are designed to boost user adoption by making the platform easier to navigate and use. With features like explicit save in list view and bulk update capabilities, users can perform tasks more efficiently, leading to improved data quality and user satisfaction.

Empowered Business Intelligence and Flexibility

Deltek Vantagepoint now supports stand-alone Analysis Cubes, allowing users to create and utilize multi-dimensional cubes for business intelligence and advanced reporting. This feature provides the power of cubes without the need for visualization tools like Tableau, enabling connections from various BI tools, like Excel. This flexibility empowers users to leverage their data more effectively for strategic decision-making.

Modernized User Interface

The updated user interface maximizes your screen real estate and simplifies navigation. With a redesigned navigation menu, fly-out menus, and an updated color scheme, users can access information quickly and efficiently. The ability to track new records and improve navigation among them will further enhance the user experience.

Advanced Usability Enhancements

Usability improvements include explicit save in list view, bulk update capabilities, and advanced WBS (Work Breakdown Structure) search. These features allow users to update multiple fields for multiple records simultaneously and simplify data imports. Additionally, defined hubs and mobile capabilities for Time & Expense (T&E), absence requests, and CRM touchpoints make the platform more versatile and user-friendly.

Project Smart Summaries™

Leveraging generative AI, new Project Smart Summaries™ transform project information into actionable intelligence. Users can generate concise summaries that highlight project financial health, recent activities, and plan status. This feature reduces the time spent on data review and enhances the ability to make informed decisions quickly.

Timesheet Assist

This feature streamlines timesheet entry by suggesting projects based on user activity and resource assignments. By analyzing past timesheets, project plan assignments, and timesheet reminders, Timesheet Assist helps users complete their timesheets more accurately and efficiently.

Enhanced Accounts Payable Insights

Vantagepoint 7.0 delivers greater visibility into accounts payable (AP) details on dashboards. Finance leaders can quickly identify cash flow requirements, exception reporting, and company purchases. The ability to view details for pay-when-paid (PWP) and outstanding AP balances by the vendor on a single dashboard provides a clear insight into key AP metrics.

Streamlined Billing Terms Creation

New to Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0 is the ability to automate the creation of fee-based phase billing terms, making it easier to establish terms from the project work breakdown structure and compensation values. This automation improves the accuracy and efficiency of billing processes, reducing administrative overhead.

Opt-In Features for Controlled Rollout

Administrators have the option to enable a subset of new features for additional testing before full production deployment. This controlled rollout ensures a smooth transition and allows organizations to adapt to new functionalities at their own pace.

Introducing Dela, Deltek's Digital Assistant

The newest and probably the most anticipated part of the 7.0 release is Deltek Dela – Deltek’s AI-powered Intelligent Business Companion. Dela is allowing those natural language interactions and prompts for users to take those and interrogate that data more intelligently, they can get answers without running reports. They don't have to dig through multiple dashboards, they don't have to open specific records.

You can have a conversation with Dela like you would with other AI software like ChatGPT. But it’s only your data, only your projects, only your clients so this data becomes much more relevant to your users, much easier to access, and gives your users that ability to interrogate and dig a little bit deeper when they just may not know where to go to get that information.

Today the focus of this is projects including project, financial details, employees, firms, contacts, and activities.

What else is new in Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0?

Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0 is set to revolutionize project management and business operations with its comprehensive enhancements and new features. By focusing on automation, efficiency, and improved user experience, this update promises to deliver significant benefits to users. From more accurate project planning and financial processes to advanced business intelligence capabilities and a modernized user interface, Vantagepoint 7.0 is a game-changer for professional services firms looking to enhance their project management and operational efficiency!

Want to see more on this update? We’ve got a webinar all about it! Click below to see What’s New in Deltek Vantagepoint 7.0!

As dedicated navigators in the vast ocean of Deltek Vantagepoint, we, at Full Sail Partners, are helping our seaworthy clients say a proper goodbye to Deltek Vision 7.6 which served us well for many sun cycles. Luckily, you don’t have to go on this journey alone, nor do you have to be a stowaway on someone else’s cruise. We have many flotation devices to help you stay above water and personally assist you on this upcoming adventure as you swiftly make your way to Deltek Vantagepoint.

At the start of your maiden voyage, the critical role Full Sail Partners will play is to amplify Deltek’s open communication, ensuring that you’re well-informed and prepared for any changes so that new users won’t be left adrift at sea. Our mutual crews can work collaboratively to clean up your Vision databases, map out the current ones plus dream up the future of your firm’s Vantagepoint instance. We also ensure confidence in the new data and the way of operating to launch successfully, and you can look forward to smooth sailing.

Maneuver Easily Using Deltek’s Resources

Consider Deltek’s Customer Assistance Program (CAP)

Embarking on the journey of upgrading to Vantagepoint, consider the CAP ready to steer you through the initial tides of the process. Deltek has meticulously mapped out the voyage for the entire year of 2024 presenting a comprehensive four-week program; a program that’s both a breeze and one that is easy to embark upon.

Click here to learn more about CAP. 

Take Advantage of the Readiness Portal and DLZ

As you endeavor to set sail, the Vantagepoint Readiness Portal is available for each Deltek client. This grants you and your crew an expansive view of the forthcoming advancements with Vantagepoint. This portal is brimming with navigational aids to guide you through the upgrade odyssey, spotlighting the innovative features and enhancements that set Vantagepoint apart from Vision. Should you find yourself off-course, and in need of DLZ access to enter your Readiness Portal, fear not. Signal your trusty first mate at Full Sail Partners (your Account Manager) or drop a message in a bottle to DeltekUniversity@dlz.Deltek.com, and they’ll chart a path to clearer waters.

Take Time to View Further Functionality of Vantagepoint

Furthermore, as with viewing a magnificent rainbow over a seashore, you can align with Deltek or Full Sail Partners to witness Vantagepoint in its full splendor. The array of demos, videos, webinars, and additional resources serve as beacons along the coast, casting light on the system’s functionality and benefits. These guiding lights are designed to help you sail through the newly discovered Vantagepoint sea with poise and assurance.

Strategies for Smooth Sailing in Your Vantagepoint Upgrade

Choose Your Crew Wisely and Clearly Communicate

Assembling an appropriate crew for the upgrade voyage to Vantagepoint is akin to gathering a seasoned team of sailors, each skilled in navigating the different bodies of water of Finance, Marketing/Sales, Operations, and Project Management. Such a diverse crew is a necessity for a successful journey, ensuring a well-rounded perspective as you and your mates chart the course ahead. Furthermore, a clear communication plan like a captain’s orders is essential: articulating concerns, spotlighting benefits, and setting expectations to align every member of the crew on the nautical adventure that awaits.

Map Out Your Pre-Upgrade Operations

Before hoisting the sails and embarking on this grand expedition to a new horizon, it’s paramount to chart your current navigational routes. This cartography of your present workflow is the key to understanding the winds and currents that have brought you this far and preparing for the transition to new waters. Even if you’re enlisting the expertise of a consultant, possessing a detailed map of your current operations is like having the stars to guide you: indispensable for steering the upgrade process in the right direction.

Listen to Feedback and Seek Insight

Feedback loops are the compass for your voyage, essential for maintaining the right course by listening to the feedback from throughout your entire organization. Whether it’s through tailored learning adventures, mentorship from seasoned sailors, or gamified training regattas, engaging your crew in creative and immersive ways is crucial to success. These methods are like the constellations in the night sky, guiding you in gathering insights that are needed for a triumphant transition to Vantagepoint.

Ready for Your Journey to Deltek Vantagepoint?

With the maps, guides and compass needed on your voyage to Deltek Vantagepoint, you and your crew are ready to embark. The upgrade from Vision to Vantagepoint process is not merely a passage from one point to another; it’s an opportunity to set forth on a journey of discovery, to explore uncharted territories in the realm of powering project success. The future awaits, and with Vantagepoint, you’re well-equipped. Get started today by requesting a Vantagepoint upgrade consultation. Click the image below to embark.