Why BigTime is a One‑Stop Shop for Consulting Firms
BigTime combines professional services automation with robust CRM capabilities, letting consulting firms capture billable hours, generate invoices, and nurture client relationships from a single platform. The integration eliminates duplicate data entry, aligns project financials with sales pipelines, and provides real‑time visibility into profitability.
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Core Time‑Tracking Features
Consultants log work via web, desktop, or mobile apps. The timer can be started with a single click, and entries automatically inherit the project, task, and billing rate set in the system. Key controls include:
- Mandatory approvals for overtime or non‑standard rates
- Customizable rounding rules (e.g., 15‑minute increments)
- Automatic alerts for budget overruns
Because time data feeds directly into the billing engine, there's no need for manual import or spreadsheet reconciliation.
Invoicing That Matches Your Billing Strategy
BigTime supports multiple invoice formats—fixed‑price, time‑and‑materials, retainer, and milestone‑based—so firms can bill exactly how they contract. Invoices pull rates, discounts, and tax rules from the project record, reducing errors. Features include:
- Batch invoicing for dozens of clients at once
- Client‑portal access to view, approve, or dispute charges
- Integration with popular accounting systems (QuickBooks, Xero, Sage)
When a project reaches a predefined profitability threshold, the system can auto‑generate an invoice, ensuring cash flow stays on schedule.
CRM Capabilities Built for Service‑Based Sales
Unlike generic CRMs, BigTime's sales module is tuned to consulting workflows. Leads are captured, qualified, and moved through stages that mirror proposal, contract, and delivery. The CRM tracks:
- Contact histories linked to specific projects
- Opportunity values tied to estimated billable hours
- Win‑loss analysis that feeds back into pricing models
Because the CRM lives on the same database as time‑tracking and invoicing, sales teams see real‑time profit projections when they pitch new work.
Reporting and Dashboards
BigTime's reporting engine lets managers slice data by employee, client, service line, or profitability margin. Pre‑built dashboards show:
| Metric | What It Shows | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Utilization Rate | Billable hours ÷ total hours | Identifies capacity gaps |
| Project Margin | Revenue – costs per project | Highlights profitable work |
| Invoice Aging | Days outstanding per invoice | Improves collections |
Custom reports can be scheduled and emailed, keeping stakeholders informed without manual effort.
Implementation Considerations
Adopting BigTime typically involves three phases: data migration, configuration, and training. Firms with existing time‑sheet or accounting tools should map fields to BigTime's schema to avoid data loss. Because the platform is cloud‑based, rollout can be staged by department, allowing early adopters to refine workflows before enterprise‑wide launch.
Pricing Structure
BigTime offers per‑user, per‑month licensing with tiered discounts for larger teams. Add‑on modules—such as advanced resource planning or API access—are priced separately. Prospective users should compare total cost of ownership against the savings from reduced manual processing and faster invoicing cycles.