Why Choose A Construction ERP System?
Traditional ERP systems as a general IT solution that can fit into any business. But does their standardized and universal approach make it difficult to adapt the software to construction-specific businesses?
Construction ERP System Vs. Traditional Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Solutions
Traditional enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are comprehensive information technology (IT) solutions that function to simplify operations by bringing all of a company’s business processes together into one platform.
They provide many benefits and great value to a variety of businesses without many complex needs. However, their success in the construction industry has long had mixed reviews.
The construction industry’s high volume of stakeholders and need for complex managements systems that span multiple projects nationally or even globally, have caused issues for the success of traditional ERPs.
In response, construction ERP systems such as Access COINS were engineered by construction experts to combat these issues. These new construction specific ERP systems offer businesses a tailored platform that has been built from the ground up with construction in mind.
Construction ERP systems consider industry particulars and complexities and are built on an architecture that’s designed to flex when projects or priorities evolve.
Construction ERP Systems: A Unique Software For A Unique Sector
ERP systems traditionally integrate and manage a company’s operations, financials, supply chain, reporting, manufacturing, and human resource activities.
When aligned and implemented, these IT solutions promote collaboration across functions, increased visibility, and data-driven decision making. They are lucrative among the manufacturing and service industries, delivering increased compliance, operating efficiency, and consistency across organizations.
In the construction industry however, traditional ERPs often fail to deliver. The main cause for this lies in the complexity of the industry as a whole.
As described by Wood & Gidad (Project Complexity in Construction, 2008) the inherent complexity of construction projects is unique. Complexity is the result of a number of factors, including the interdependency and high degree of interaction between project parts, and the fact that many projects evolve as they progress.
In addition, numerous subsegments and specialties are complicated by varying project conditions and stakeholders.
On site, many professional disciplines must work together. Successful execution requires access to, “a common set of records that describe the project, design drawings, its tasks, the materials to be used, and so forth. If different parties do not share the same information, mistakes are made, resulting in cost over-runs and safety issues.” (Mitchell, David. The Changing IT Needs Of The Construction Industry).
Construction ERP Software Vs. Customized Traditional ERP Systems
With all of these nuances, a holistic IT solution must work with the complexities of the industry’s project management activities, costing, disaggregated supply chain, and contractual relationships.
It must support the management of labor resources throughout different parts of the construction sectors, as well as the various legislative requirements construction firms encounter in different operating environments.
Traditional ERPs built to serve a general market can only meet these requirements with altered functionality or customization. However, construction companies that extensively customize pre-integrated business applications from ERP vendors, often encounter significant challenges in implementing and maintaining these systems, resulting in time delays and cost escalations.
A general ERP that is over-customized is always at risk of not functioning as it was initially designed. A small change here, can cause huge issues over there down the line.
Instead, construction companies are better to invest in a solution that is built on the same principles by people who have lived, worked in, and know the world of construction.
Choosing A Construction ERP System Engineered By Construction Professionals
Efficiency goals can be attained if you focus on clear, quantified business outcomes and trust in a company that leverages decades of industry specific experience to create value-added solutions.
Moving beyond what a traditional ERP offers, construction-specific ERP systems such as Access COINS, provide a single source of truth for executives, managers, construction workers, and supply chain partners throughout the entire construction lifecycle.
Cloud-hosted and fully accessible from anywhere, these construction ERP systems seamlessly unifies all business processes, ensuring information flows between the site and the back-office, and among all stakeholders, both internal and external.
Access COINS, The Construction ERP System
Access COINS comprises a suite of software solutions covering nine functional areas. Each of these areas is served by one or more Access COINS applications that integrates seamlessly with the next to create a tailored solution.
Companies can cherry-pick the applications that are right for them or choose full platform adoption to transform their way of work.
Buying into a solution requires more than a simple IT shift; at Access COINS, we believe operational decisions – even ones that seem solely IT-focused – should be made in concert with business leaders.
Access COINS arms decision-makers with a full-view understanding of what’s happening across their organization, allowing them to make more informed decisions that better align with business priorities.
