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What best practice looks like with Programa

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Programa
Programa
Updated: 04 June 2024

Welcome to Programa’s comprehensive guide, where we break down the essentials of using our platform to streamline your design workflow. Here, we summarize the key features and benefits of Programa to help you get started and maximize your design practice.

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Introduction to Programa

Programa was launched in 2021 to address the unique workflow challenges faced by interior designers. With a global user base in over 75 countries, our platform is built to support designers in managing their projects more effectively. Our team, based in the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and training.

Getting Started Dashboard

When logging into Programa, you’ll land on the “Getting Started” dashboard. This dashboard is designed to guide you through the initial steps of setting up your account and understanding the platform. Key activities include:

Creating Your First Project: Begin by setting up a demo schedule to familiarize yourself with the interface.

Adding Content: Start specifying products and utilizing the Web Clipper for easy data import.

Utilizing Resources: Explore our detailed guides and help center for a deeper understanding of each feature.

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Programa Schedule

Schedules

Schedules are a core component of Programa, allowing you to centralize all project data. Key benefits include:

  • Flexible Layouts: Customize schedules by category or room.
  • Comprehensive Views: Access summary, financial, and detailed views of your schedules.
  • Procurement Tracking: Monitor logistics, order deadlines, and payment dates.
  • Product Approvals - Reduce all back and forth with clients,
  • PDF and Online Sharing: Export schedules as PDFs or share them via a live web link for real-time updates.

 

 

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Programa Client Dashboard

Client Dashboard

The Client Dashboard provides a centralized location for clients to review project information. Features include:

Branded Experience: Customize the dashboard with your studio’s branding.

Approval and Feedback: Clients can approve items and leave comments directly in the dashboard.

Real-Time Updates: Ensure clients always have access to the most current project details.

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Programa Web Clipper

Web Clipper

The Web Clipper is an essential tool for importing product information directly from supplier websites. Benefits include:

Quick Data Capture: Clip images, product details, and attachments with ease.

Efficiency: Save time by directly importing data without manual entry.

Consistency: Ensure all product details are accurately captured and stored in your schedules.

Pinboards

Pinboards are a simple online presentation tool for collating images and concepts. Benefits include:

Easy Integration: Import content from your image library, web clipper, or direct uploads.

Presentation Modes: View pinboards in detailed or presentation modes for different contexts.

Client Sharing: Share pinboards with clients via a live link or through the client dashboard.

Project Management

Programa’s project management tools help you keep track of tasks and deadlines. Key features include:

Kanban Boards: Use columns for to-do, doing, in review, and done to manage task progress.

Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks directly within the platform.

StudioWhip: Get a universal view of all tasks and deadlines across projects.

Address Book

The Address Book centralizes all your contacts, including suppliers, clients, and other stakeholders. Benefits include:

Organized Contacts: Keep all contact information in one place.

Tagging System: Use tags to categorize contacts for easy filtering and retrieval.

Invoicing

Programa’s invoicing system helps you manage project finances efficiently. Key features include:

Integration with Bookkeeping Software: Programa integrates with Stripe, Xero and QuickBooks.

Creating Invoices: Create invoices by pulling products directly from your schedules and adding time-tracking data.

Customizable Items: Add custom line items to invoices for more detailed billing.

Syncing with Time Entries: Time entries from the time tracking tool can be added to invoices, ensuring accurate billing for hours worked.

By leveraging Programa’s invoicing system, designers can streamline their financial management and ensure accurate, timely billing for their projects.

Have more questions? Signup to our regular Webinars to get your questions answered live.
Table of contents
  1. Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2025
  2. Interior Design Software For Professional Interior Designers
  3. Discover the future of sourcing and specification within Programa
  4. The marketplace made for designers and suppliers
  5. What’s new. Trade Portal 2.0?
    1. Sleek new look and feel
    2. Find exactly what you need
    3. Recommendations, category and brand highlights
    4. Tailored to your needs
  6. Why designers love this
    1. Start using Trade Portal 2.0
      1. Support
      2. Programa Interior Design Software: A Comprehensive Project Management and Collaboration Solution for Architects and Interior Designers
      3. User-friendly Interface and Tools for Seamless Project Management
    2. Interior Design & Architecture Software For Professional Interior Designers & Architects
    3. The Issue - Complex Tax Handling<br />
    4. The Solution - Streamlined Tax Tool
    5. The Result - Enhanced Clarity and Compliance<br />
  7. <strong>Principles for when you use the Services</strong>
  8. <strong>Implications for violating the User Guidelines</strong>
  9. <strong>Dangerous Content</strong>
  10. <strong>Deceptive Content</strong>
  11. <strong>Sensitive Content</strong>
  12. <strong>Illegal Content</strong>
    1. Introduction
    2. Why we have User Guidelines
    3. User Guidelines for what is strictly prohibited
    4. Rules for user-generated content
    5. How can I report an issue or get support?
    6. Studio WIP
    7. What else is new?
    8. What’s coming in February?
    9. Data Encryption in Transit and at Rest
    10. Security Controls
    11. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
    12. Monitoring and Breach Protocols
    13. Your IP is Yours, Forever
  13. Support for ASID (American Society for Interior Design) members
    1. The End of Creative Interruption
    2. Where Inspiration Meets Intelligence
  14. The Dawn of SmartSpec: Your Creative Companion
    1. Creativity Amplified
    2. Beyond Documentation: The Future of Design Workflow
    3. Your Practice, Transformed
    4. Join the Creative Revolution
    5. The Future is Here
    6. Experience the Transformation
  15. Streamlining the A&D industry – it’s about time.
  16. Recognized for Excellence in Design Software.
    1. Why Don’t Spreadsheets Suit The Needs Of Interior Designers?
    2. Enter Programa
    3. Clear and Precise Presentations
    4. Easier Management of Data
    5. Exports That Work The Way You Do
    6. The Issue
    7. The Solution
    8. The Result
    9. Designed for Designers
    10. Dedicated In-House Design Team
    11. A Commitment to Progress and Trust
    12. Discover the New Outdoor Range
    13. Start Sourcing GlobeWest Today
      1. The Challenge of Traditional FF&E Scheduling
      2. Programa’s Specification & FF&E Solution
      3. Step-by-Step: Creating Your First FF&E Schedule
      4. Best Practices for Flawless Specs
      5. Real-World Impact
      6. Next Steps
      7. Why AKI chose Programa
      8. Why the Trade Portal matters
      9. A streamlined process, from inspiration to installation
      10. Start sourcing on the <a href="https://app.programa.design/trade_portal/main" target="_blank">Trade Portal</a>
      11. We interviewed Associates Callie van der Merwe, Calvin Janse van Vuuren & Roberto Zambri from COOOP, about their latest project, the Vogue Cafe.
    14. Introduction to Programa
    15. Getting Started Dashboard
    16. Schedules
    17. Client Dashboard
    18. Web Clipper
    19. Pinboards
    20. Project Management
    21. Address Book
    22. Invoicing
    23. Based in Sydney, YSG is a multi-disciplinary practice trailblazing architectural builds and interior design across the residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. The studio charges spaces with atmospheric potency, staging, and storytelling driving their narrative process. With bold concepts and resourceful details, YSG's projects hopefully stir the soul and spark an emotive drive to feel one's best self within them.
    24. How are you using Programa?
    25. What challenges did the platform help overcome in a recent project?
  17. Interior Design Approvals and Client Communication
    1. The Significance of Client Communication in Interior Design
    2. Key Features of Programa’s Interior Design Approval Tools
    3. Benefits of Using Programa’s Interior Design Approval Tools
    4. Practical Applications of Programa’s Interior Design Approval Tools
    5. Conclusion
      1. Definitions
      2. Details of Processing
      3. European Union and United Kingdom
      4. US Users / Consumers
      5. General
      6. Appendix 1: Details of Processing
    6. Information about the Programa Terms of Service
      1. 1. Account Terms
      2. 2. Account Activation
      3. 3. Programa Rights
      4. 4. Your Responsibilities
      5. 5. Payment of Fees and Taxes
      6. 6. Confidentiality
      7. 7. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
      8. 8. Intellectual Property and Your Materials
      9. 9. Additional Services - Programa In App Communication Tools<br />
      10. 10. Third Party Services and Integrations
      11. 11. Beta Services
      12. 12. Feedback and Reviews
      13. 13. Takedown Procedure
      14. 14. Privacy and Data Protection
      15. 15. Programa Contracting Party
      16. 16. Term and Termination
      17. 17. Modifications
      18. 18. General Conditions
    7. <strong>Contact Support</strong>
  18. Programa Invoices
    1. Information about the Programa Payments Service
    2. The Programa Payments Service
    3. Getting or Activating a Payments Services Account
    4. Processing Transactions and Receiving Your Funds
    5. <strong>Termination and Other General Legal Terms</strong>
    6. Information about how Programa uses Cookies
    7. What are cookies?
    8. How do we use cookies?
    9. Strictly Necessary Cookies
    10. Optional Cookies
    11. Options for managing cookies and interest-based ads
    12. Updates to this Policy
    13. How to contact us
    14. Spreadsheets Weren’t Built for Interior Design
    15. Specification Simplified: Say Goodbye to Arduous Data Entry
    16. Always Up-to-Date: Live Schedules for Real-Time Collaboration
    17. Seamless Sharing and Client Communication
    18. Build Your Own Product Libraries
    19. Eliminate Stress with Real-Time Version Control
    20. Track, Manage, Deliver: Stay On Top of Your Projects
    21. Effortless Integration and Customization
    22. Join Thousands of Designers Transforming Their Workflows with Programa
    23. Key Features:
    24. What We Do
    25. Our Mission
    26. Information about how Programa handles your data
    27. Our Values<br />
    28. Why we process your information
    29. <br />Your rights over your information
    30. Where we transfer your information
    31. How long do we retain your information
    32. Our use of advanced technologies
    33. How we protect your information
    34. How we use “cookies” and other tracking technologies
    35. How you can reach us
    36. Types of data we collect and process
    37. What Personal Data we receive
    38. Retention
    39. Our purpose for using your personal data
    40. Disclosing your personal data<br />
    41. Changes to this Privacy Policy
    42. Additional Privacy Information for Brands & Suppliers<br />
    43. When and why we share your information with others
    44. Your rights over your information
    45. How long we retain your information
    46. Your customers’ information
    47. Additional Information about how we process data globally
    48. Processing data globally to fulfil our service obligations
    49. United States Regional Privacy Notice
    50. What information we collect and share about you
    51. Why we collect and share your Personal Information
    52. Sources of Personal Information
    53. How long we keep your information
    54. Redesigning Industry Workflows
    55. Moving Beyond Spreadsheets
    56. Industry-Specific Features
    57. Better Client Communications
    58. Try Programa Today
Reading: What Best Practice Looks Like with Programa, Demo on Demand
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Join the world’s best studios

Programa offers interior designers a comprehensive platform to streamline their workflows and enhance project management efficiency. With features like customizable schedules, a client dashboard, web clipper for product imports, and real-time collaboration tools, Programa is designed to simplify the design process. The platform also includes tools for task management, invoicing, and client approvals, providing designers with everything they need in one place. From creating your first project to advanced invoicing and time tracking, Programa supports your business at every step. Get started with Programa and maximize the efficiency of your design practice.