Archetype Software Limited | Management Software for Design Offices

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» Site terms

Welcome to the web site of Archetype Software Limited.

Archetype is a computer system, developed specifically for design offices, that will manage your practice, projects and documents. It provides you with a complete integrated system addressing most of your day to day management tasks including email and drawing management, job costing and fees.

Archetype consists of more than 50 programs including project, email, drawing, document, contact, correspondence, meeting, staff, holiday and resource management all integrated into a single system.

Archetype addresses issues such as Quality Assurance, increasing productivity, information management, presentation and standardisation of documents. It gives you a system of working that simplifies day to day activities and unifies all your work processes.

For more information please see our Introduction to Archetype page and view the details of some of the modules by selecting the links on the left of the screen.

This is the main control panel of Archetype Software
Click the image to enlarge.

There are a variety of control panels to choose from including a customisable option that lets you create your own layout and icons.

Archetype control Panels

Different control panels can be set up for different users e.g. an Administrator panel, a Technical users panel, a senior management panel.

The Archetype control panel lets you access all Archetype's modules. Simply select a project number or reference and Archetype will know which project you want to work with and all the information for that project is automatically used where appropriate and all documents are stored in the correct locations.
For example, when creating an Instruction, Archetype will fill in the project, contractor's and employer's details, assign a sequential instruction number for that project, record the date and who created it, and display the other members of the design team for distribution. All you need to do is enter your instructions. No file name or folder to save into are required.

It is then automatically recorded in the mail book and when it has been processed, the instruction is locked so that it cannot be changed without administrator approval.

As you use Archetype it learns which people in the contacts database are involved in a project. Most of the time that you are sending letters or e-mails, issuing certificates, instructions or drawings, sending minutes or agendas, you can select from a list of contacts that are involved in the project.

• Manage documents
• Increase Productivity
• Manage Information
• Ensure Standardisation
• Simple to use

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery:

To imitate someone is to pay the person a genuine compliment-often an unintended compliment. Archetype is truly living up to its name. One definition of Archetype is 'An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned.' Since Archetype was released 6 years ago, and set the standard, other software companies have tried to copy it. Unfortunately for them, the pages on this web site and the images presented do not nearly indicate the depth that Archetype has in all areas.

Archetype uses one of two different database systems making it suitable for small (we have a number of single man practices), medium and large offices. You can ask our consultants which of these is the most appropriate for your use.

Microsoft SQL Server:
This is Microsoft's SQL server (see www.microsoft.com/sql) Various versions of this may be part of your server operating system or you may have other applications that use it. SQL Server 2005 offers enterprise-class features and functionality to support critical applications with high levels of availability.

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition:
This is a free, easy-to-use, and robust database engine that is ideal for building data-driven applications. It is fully compatible with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 but has a file size limitation of 4GB. It can easily be upgraded to the full Microsoft SQL Server if your practice grows and requires a larger database. See (www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/default.mspx)

Site terms