Two software vendors have cut a deal that may advance office process integration.

Timberline Software Corp., Beaverton, Ore., will be exclusive distributor of a bid management tool from BuildPoint Corp., Redwood Shores, Calif. Timberline Bid Management will be the new stand-alone module. BuildPoint will host the application and databases with Timberline handling training and customer support. The product should be available early next year at a starting price of $1,500.

Steve Watt, vice president of Timberline, says the idea of adding bid management came from users who gave it "the highest ranking" of desirability.

Timberline launched a project management module in September. It integrates with tools for estimating, job costing and a centralized address book. The bid management module will be linked to the address book.

Timberline will have the exclusive right to sell the bid management solution; BuildPoint will continue to sell it only as part of its comprehensive provider relationship management solution, says Mike Krueger, president and chief operating officer. McGraw-Hill Construction, parent company of ENR, has a minority stake in BuildPoint.