How integrated is integrated?

When people talk about ‘integrated’, what do they really mean? Is it a bunch of systems stitched together that will be high maintenance, fragile and ultimately reliant on a few knowledgeable individuals to maintain it? Or is it seamlessly and effortlessly integrated, one which will be easy to upgrade and support?   

Speak to others in the market who are using the proposed solution to determine if the integration truly is seamless. A platform which integrates finance, procurement and commercial systems is one of the key things you should consider when looking for a good construction ERP system

"A truly integrated system means you can take complete control over how projects are progressing and how your business is performing as you know the data is accurate because you have one single version of the truth."

Wayne Kemp, Principal Solutions Architect, Access COINS

All too easily, a company can be driven to simply replace an aging finance system with just a ‘newer finance system’ or replace a hotch-potch of systems with a new series of systems driven by the same design ethos. 

What are the benefits of the construction ERP software?

Do the provider and the software offer real and proven solutions to the challenges that you face? Will it help you to improve quality of build or quality of business information, or support growth, whilst benefitting from the economies of scale? How can it support your growth ambitions whilst helping to manage and control operating costs?  

Speak to others in the market who are using the proposed solution. Ensure that you and the provider can identify quick wins in terms of better cost control, validation, reporting and analysis, as well as longer term benefits. 

What are the true economies of the construction ERP software?

Can the ERP solution offer true economies in terms of workflows, standardisation of processes and visibility of what’s happening on sites, both right now and in the future? 

Can the software provider demonstrate this using one of your construction projects or sites as an example? This will help to remove the need for imagination in the evaluation process and demonstrate how this can be achieved in your specific business. Make sure that that the ERP solution will enable you to easily access the right data, at the right time, supporting informed and agile business decisions and helping you to use your resources effectively. 

Who will benefit?

Will the benefits be felt by not just your construction business, but also your customers, contractors and supply chain partners?

Review how the construction ERP will help you to make improvements in quality, improvements in timeliness, improvements in accuracy and, for homebuilders, ultimately improvements in the buying experience.

It’s a huge benefit if the platform covers end-to-end processes. For example, civil contractors should look for a system such as COINS ERP+ which covers everything from resource planning, procurement, all elements of the construction process and finance, to plant and asset management and industry compliance.

Does the software provider understand the market you are in?

Does the software vendor really understand what you do? Can they demonstrate this through the answers they provide and the solutions they offer during the software evaluation process? Is there evidence of true understanding? 

Speak to others in the market who are using the solution. References are essential to demonstrate a proven track record of providing solutions to companies of your size and type within your specific sector.

"The Australian construction industry is very large and each sector within it has its own complexities. From civil contractors, to commercial organisations, home builders and developers, to specialty contractors, all have varying processes and business requirements that ERP software should address.”

Jim Farrer, Head of Construction APAC, Access COINS 

Meet the solution provider’s team to ensure they truly understand the specific challenges that you face, and can offer solutions and draw upon their experience in problem solving. 

Ask probing questions to understand how they have implemented solutions in the past. Benefit from their previous industry experience by finding out what challenges were faced and what lessons were learned.  

Selecting a construction-specific ERP partner, such as Access COINS, will help ensure your company benefits from industry best practice, experience and knowledge, helping you to achieve both short and long-term value from your investment.