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What best practice looks like with Programa

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Programa
Programa
Updated: 16 May 2025

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.

Programa demo

Programa was launched in 2021 to address the unique workflow challenges faced by interior designers. With a global user base in over 85 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.

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.
Programa demo
Programa Schedule

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.
Programa demo
Programa Client Dashboard

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.
Programa demo
Programa Web Clipper

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.
Programa mood board
Programa Pinboards

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.

Programa Project management
Programa Project Management

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.

Programa Invoices
Programa Invoices

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.

Programa Address book
Programa Address book

Trade Portal

The Trade Portal is a curated marketplace for sourcing and specifying products from leading brands - available exclusively to designers in Australia and New Zealand, with a U.S. launch coming soon.

  • Save time: Source and specify products effortlessly with powerful search, preloaded specs, and personalised recommendations.
  • Stay inspired: Browse curated collections, discover trending products, and explore by category - from lighting to furniture, art, and fixtures.
  • Simplify collaboration: Share selections with clients, streamline procurement, and send products directly into your Schedules - no spreadsheets needed
Programa Trade Portal
Programa Trade Portal
Have more questions? Chat with our team to get your questions answered live.
Table of contents
  1. The future of sales and marketing for A&D brands
    1. What sets Programa apart?
  2. What’s in Trade Portal 2.0?
    1. Sleek new interface
    2. Advanced search and filters
    3. Showcase product collections by category
    4. Curated recommendations
    5. What's unique for brands?
      1. Support
    6. Overview of Each Platform
    7. Interior Design Software For Professional Interior Designers
      1. Programa Interior Design Software: A Comprehensive Project Management and Collaboration Solution for Architects and Interior Designers
      2. User-friendly Interface and Tools for Seamless Project Management
    8. Recognized for Excellence in Design Software
    9. Interior Design & Architecture Software For Professional Interior Designers & Architects
  3. Why These Events Matter More Than Ever
  4. Where Innovation Meets Implementation In The States
  5. European Design Destinations: Where Dreams Take Shape
  6. Maximizing Your Event Experience
  7. Making It All Work Together
  8. Offering Virtual Consultations and Collaborating with Others in the Industry
  9. Showcasing a Diverse Portfolio and Staying Ahead with Future Trends in Client Engagement Strategies
  10. Embracing the Evolution of Marketing for Interior Designers in 2025 and Beyond!
    1. Trends You Can’t Ignore in 2025
    2. <strong>How It Works</strong>
    3. <strong>Why It Matters</strong>
    4. <strong>Your New Shortcut for Smart Scheduling</strong>
    5. Tablet-friendly update
      1. Information about how Programa uses Cookies
      2. What are cookies?
      3. How do we use cookies?
      4. Strictly Necessary Cookies
      5. Optional Cookies
      6. Options for managing cookies and interest-based ads
      7. Updates to this Policy
      8. How to contact us
    6. Seamless Integration with Product Library
    7. Tailored PDF Exports
    8. Intuitive Schedule Navigation
    9. The Issue
    10. The Result
    11. The Solution
    12. Get Started Today
  11. Streamlining the A&D industry – it’s about time.
    1. Task Management
    2. Phases
    3. Dynamic Views
    4. Prepare your Studio
    5. Key Changes
    6. Detailed Steps for Current Studio WIP Users
    7. Future Releases
    8. The Complexities of Residential Interior Design
    9. Client Connectivity: Crafting Relationships and Spaces
    10. Project Prowess: Managing the Symphony of Tasks
  12. Materials Mastery: Sourcing, Selection, and Inventory
    1. Pinboards: Your Creative Oasis
    2. Financial Finesse: The Art of Business Management
    3. Embark on Your Programa Journey Today
    4. Board View:
    5. List View:
    6. Timeline View:
    7. Seamless Integration for Holistic Project Management
    8. What’s New?
    9. Why Change?
    10. Key Enhancements
      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
  13. 1. The Importance of a Strong Digital Presence
  14. 2. Leveraging Social Media Engagement
  15. 3. Implementing SEO Optimization Techniques
  16. 4. Offering Virtual Consultations and Collaborating with Others in the Industry
  17. 5. Showcasing a Diverse Portfolio and Staying Ahead with Future Trends in Client Engagement Strategies
    1. With Programa’s Purchase Orders, you can:
    2. Client Dashboards: Connecting Designers and Clients Globally
    3. Product Approvals: Streamlining Feedback and Collaboration
    4. Experience the Future of Design Communication with Programa
    5. Data Encryption in Transit and at Rest
    6. Security Controls
    7. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
    8. Monitoring and Breach Protocols
    9. Your IP is Yours, Forever
    10. Key Benefits:
    11. Studio WIP
    12. What else is new?
    13. What’s coming in February?
    14. Getting Started Dashboard
    15. Schedules
    16. Client Dashboard
    17. Web Clipper
    18. Pinboards
    19. Project Management
    20. Invoicing
    21. Address Book
    22. Trade Portal
Reading: What Best Practice Looks Like with Programa, Demo on Demand
Try Programa for free with a 7 day trial

Try Programa for free with a 7 day trial

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.