Construction professionals, do you know that investing in a digital strategy, which includes implementing accounting and construction software within a flexible, integrated Cloud ERP solution, is the wave of the future for the construction industry? It is, and construction businesses that make the investment now will be equipping themselves with the tools they need to remain resilient and ensure business continuity no matter the circumstances. The challenge, of course, is choosing the best accounting and construction software that will meet the unique needs of both the construction industry and of your business.
NexTec has a new and complimentary guide, Construction Management: ERP Selection Guide, that not only acknowledges the challenges businesses face without a comprehensive business management solution, explains exactly what ERP software is and lays out the software’s many benefits, but it also lists the premium features you’ll want—and need—in your construction ERP software.
5 Must-Have Construction ERP Software Features
The process of finding and purchasing construction management ERP software can be compared to finding and purchasing a new car. You don’t go out and purchase the first car that catches your eye. It takes time and effort, perhaps a few test drives, to find the one that has all the features you desire before laying down your hard-earned money. Same goes for researching your construction-specific Cloud ERP software options, except on a much larger scale and for a lot more money.
A perfect example of a company that did their due diligence is Frederick Block, Brick & Stone (FBBS). The Virginia-based construction and masonry supplier ran on a legacy ERP solution for decades. Because it was not based in the Cloud, wasn’t user friendly, couldn’t be accessed remotely, didn’t allow multiple-location financial transactions, required manual importing/exporting of data and lacked integration capabilities, FBBS knew it was time to modernize their construction business with a cloud-based ERP solution.
And they “test drove” 40 ERP systems before picking the winner.
FBBS’ President and CEO Steve Slaughter says of their decision to implement Acumatica Cloud ERP and its Construction Edition, “There are a lot of features and modules available in Acumatica that we haven’t utilized yet. But thinking ahead to where our business may be five years from now, we feel like we have a solution for our business that we can easily add to and grow with over time. With Acumatica, the sky’s the limit.”
FBBS has experienced rock-solid growth, benefitting from the five must-have features you should be looking for when researching your ERP options. NexTec’s guide highlights the features, all of which should be integrated within the solution you choose.
- Accounting: Forecast and manage costs, payroll, profits, cash and taxes and make accurate projections.
- Project Management: Manage projects with real-time data; track all activities, documents and costs from an integrated system; and oversee supply chain and project timelines.
- Field Management: Optimize job sites, work schedules and hiring processes; connect front-and-back-office teams with field employees; and streamline work processes (e.g., ordering, equipment availability, inventory, etc.).
- CRM: Marketing, quoting and sales in one system; manage client data and maintain relationships; and communicate via automated features.
- Mobile Access: Anytime, anywhere access to critical project information and update details while in the field.
There are more advantages and benefits listed in the guide, which also notes, “It’s important to look for ERP software that gives you greater control over all aspects of your business on the executive, operational and project levels. That’s the kind of control that only comes from using cloud-based construction project management software that can deliver real-time information on any web-enabled device.”
Why NexTec Recommends Acumatica Cloud ERP
With so many to choose from, why do we recommend Acumatica’s construction management ERP software to our clients? As a Gold-Certified Acumatica implementation partner, we know the solution inside-and-out and have seen firsthand how Acumatica and Acumatica Construction Edition provide construction businesses with a single, real-time and cloud-based solution that is adaptable, scalable and accessible.
Project data is stored in one place and available in real time to every team member, wherever they are and whenever they need. Users can rely on Acumatica to manage their data security and compliance needs while they focus on completing their construction projects on time and on budget. And because Acumatica rests on an open, modern ERP platform, integrating with third-party applications, such as Smartsheet, Procore, Microsoft Office 365 and more, is seamless.
Acumatica helps construction businesses transform from disconnected and disjointed to connected and ordered. Slaughter of FBBS agrees and says, “Acumatica certainly makes us a better business. It’s been very beneficial to understand and see what’s going on in our business, in real time. Acumatica can be configured to do all the things we needed for our industry, but it also has the flexibility to go above and beyond.”
Download your free copy of Construction Management: ERP Selection Guide to learn more about what features to look for in cloud-based accounting and construction software and to find out why NexTec, a technology advisory company with 26 years of experience, recommends Acumatica Cloud ERP. Get in touch with us today.