What Is Construction ERP?  

What Is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software? 

 

Enterprise Resource Planning (or ERP) software is a complete system which provides companies with a centralised solution to manage activities such as accounting, procurement, supply chain and day-to-day operations. It is designed to streamline and manage business operations, enabling a seamless flow of data between each area of your organisation.  

Most ERP software on the market today include features to manage your:   

• Financial management 
• Project management   
• Accounting   
• Field service management 
• Risk management   
• Inventory control 
• Regulatory compliance 
• Supply chain management   

ERP consolidates a company’s data and information within one platform, providing mid-to-large-scale businesses with the means to integrate all their departments, teams, and projects into one place.  

 

The holistic approach of an ERP provides companies with better efficiencies, transparency, and collaboration across the organisation. Today, ERP has become a critical part of many businesses of all sizes, becoming an indispensable part of their operations.

What Is Construction ERP Software?  

Construction ERP Software is a sub-category of ERP which has been designed specifically for the needs of the construction sector. 

With processes and features tailored to the project-oriented construction landscape, construction ERP enables the efficient management of employees, labour hire, subcontractors, materials, plant and equipment, and costs across multiple projects and sites.    

Construction projects present several unique challenges to contractors and construction professionals, frequently being spread across multiple sites or states and territories. Construction-specific ERP software builds on the essential modules provided by standard ERPs, tailoring them to the construction sector.   

By choosing construction-specific solutions over generic ERP software, companies within the built environment can better streamline and automate their key processes, enhancing efficiencies and unlocking hidden profitability.

How Is Construction ERP Different To ERP?  

There are a number of key differences between Construction ERP and generic ERP systems. Most importantly, larger ERP systems are more customisable by design and are therefore more adaptable to the needs of a construction company.  

General ERP systems offer a wide variety of features and lend themselves naturally to traditional commercial or manufacturing businesses. 

However, there are several more unique features that make choosing a construction-specific ERP essential for construction companies. We will explore the specific features of construction ERP software a little later, but for now here’s what separates construction ERP from the generic alternatives:   

 

1. Construction ERP is Built for Projects  

The construction industry's project-focused approach to work is a defining characteristic that also sets it apart from other sectors. Most commonly, construction businesses are responsible for managing multiple complex projects simultaneously across multiple sites. This makes project management extremely complex for contractors.  

Construction ERP software streamlines this by providing comprehensive project planning modules enabling you to estimate operational budgets, alongside managing materials and plant, delivery schedules and your workforce.  

With increased workflow visibility, construction ERP software allows all your field-teams and back-office departments to work seamlessly with one another, sharing data in real-time across all stakeholders. 

 

2. CRM Integration 

Some of the leading construction ERP software on the market today provide construction companies with CRM integration. Building and maintaining strong relationships with your clients and customers is essential for any business. By choosing construction-specific software with built-in CRM functionality, companies can track vital activities and communications with their clients, manage both opportunities and project forecasts, and centralise their customer and project data. 

By focusing on solutions that make it easy to enhance customer satisfaction, you can ultimately increase project win-rates and drive acquisitions.

 

3. Helping You Meet Current Regulations 

Operating and growing a successful construction company in today’s environment is a complex undertaking. With shifting regulations from state-to-state, keeping yourself compliant with current regulations can be a challenge. 

With modern construction ERP suites, specifically cloud-based ERP systems, your service package ensures that the platform is consistently updated in line with current regulations.    

Furthermore, leading ERP software provides automated regulatory features, providing you with the right restrictions for your area. With built-in risk management, construction ERP helps to keep your entire organisation compliant and responsible. 

Why Use Construction ERP Software?  

Construction companies require full visibility and control over their plant and equipment, materials, costs and their workforce to efficiently and reliably deliver projects on-time and within budget. 

Construction ERP software is designed as a complete end-to-end solution, purpose-built to manage the full scope of your construction company’s operations.    

To help you decide if Construction ERP Software is the best solution for you, here are some of the main advantages of using a construction-specific ERP: 

• Single Source Of Data: ERP systems provide you with an end-to-end complete system, which centralises your data in one place. Seamlessly share and exchange information in real-time, ensuring clear communication between all your project’s stakeholders whether they’re in the back-office or in the field.  
• Streamlined Workflow: Construction ERP software transforms workflow visibility by providing a real-time shared database accessible anywhere at any time. Manage your workforce and communicate with specialist contractors more effectively, as construction ERP provides real-time solutions to problems as they arise.  
• Margins & Financials: To keep your business profitable, you need to understand your project’s margins and costs at a glance. ERP systems generate accurate project proposals based on current and historical data to help forecast your costings. Accurately track projects, with a platform that re-evaluates costs when any changes are made, helping you monitor your margins.   
• Risk Management: Construction ERP software helps construction companies manage risk by providing best practice solutions for every stage of a project’s lifecycle. With automated regulatory processes and full visibility on your wider business, you are always in control.   

What Are The Key Features Of Construction ERP Software?  

Construction ERP software is a comprehensive suite designed to provide a complete business management system for your business. From daily operations to workforce management and accounting, construction ERP software is a complete tech stack built into one platform.  

Here we will touch on the core modules that can be found in leading construction ERP software today, highlighting the ways in which they differ from regular ERP systems.   

 

Financial Management  

Traditionally a labour-intensive process, managing project margins and project performance reviews are built-in to construction ERP. With automated tools for comparing your baseline with projected costs, project managers can identify discrepancies at a glance and take corrective measures where necessary. 

Moreover, construction ERP provides contractors with powerful tools to track, manage and forecast project earnings, monitor budgets, control progress claims and generate invoices. Supported with company-wide real-time data and being fully integrated with other modules, contractors always have what they need on-hand. 

 

Procurement and Inventory Control   

Construction ERP software automates and streamlines the procurement process, from package bid enquiries to requisition to purchase order creation. With automated functionalities for the most repetitive tasks, construction ERP reduces manual administrative work, minimises errors, and speeds up the overall sourcing process. 

Additionally with real-time inventory management, ERP systems offer full visibility of inventory levels, allowing you to better plan accurate business requirements. With seamless integration into the financial modules, construction ERP software also provides a clear overview of costs at every step of the procurement process, improving the financial health of your projects.   

 

Document and Drawing Management  

Improve document management with Construction ERP, designed to store, track and manage your documents and drawings. The centralised platform organises and monitors access to crucial project files, ensuring they are only available to those that need them.    

With remote-access, relevant members of your team can collaborate and share documents in real-time, supported by a comprehensive audit trail which tracks and reports on any changes.    

The complete and fully integrated nature of ERP software also means that all documents and drawings are accessible between ERP functions, allowing you to pull 2D drawings or 3D models into other modules.    

  

Materials, Plant Management and Equipment Management  

Construction ERP software offers a comprehensive solution for tracking, managing, and optimising the use of materials, plant and equipment. Streamline operations, reduce waste, and enhance project efficiencies with complete visibility across each of your business areas.

With built-in demand forecasting, you can more readily plan the materials required on each of your projects, ensuring that they are adequately supplied and minimising disruptions in the event of a shortage.

Additionally, construction ERP software provides robust tools for monitoring the utilisation and maintenance of your plant and equipment. Track usage patterns and maintenance schedules, to proactively address wear and tear, extending the lifespan of assets and avoiding costly replacements.

This level of control and insight empowers construction companies to maximise the return on their investments in materials, plant and equipment.

  

Labour Management and Payroll  

The construction industry has unique challenges when it comes to managing their workforce. The dependence on outsourced work and third-party contractors, requires businesses to be fully aware of each individuals' skillsets and qualifications while meeting all related payment claim compliance obligations   

Construction-based ERP software provides a centralised platform, tailor-made to the construction sector, designed to efficiently allocate and track labour resources.

The unique scheduling features ensure that the right people are deployed to the right tasks at the right time, based on availability and training and qualifications.   

Additionally, the software automates payroll and award interpretation processes, accurately calculating wages and salaries, deductions, and overtime pay. With a growing number of labour laws and compliance issues being introduced across Australia, it’s even more essential your software supports compliance and regulatory standards.  

 

Supply Chain Management  

Construction-based ERP software offers real-time visibility into the procurement process, enabling accurate demand forecasting and inventory optimisation.

With powerful features to report and track various aspects of the supply chain in real-time, construction ERP helps to ensure everything is running smoothly and identify issues when they occur.

This results in reduced lead times and improved cost control. Additionally, the software automates procurement workflows, streamlining package bid enquiries, purchase requisitions, approvals, and order processing. This not only saves time but also ensures compliance with procurement policies and local regulations.  

Most importantly, construction ERP software enhances communication and collaboration, by ensuring that everybody involved has access to the same information. No matter which point in the supply chain you are in, suppliers and contractors are connected by the same platform.  

This leads to smoother transactions, fewer disputes, and stronger relationships with your suppliers. 

When Should A Construction Business Consider ERP Software? 

For almost every organisation, the implementation of an ERP system is a substantial investment both in terms of cost and labour. That’s why it’s so important to approach it with careful consideration. Because of the tasking nature of implementation, most companies should endeavour to reach a certain level of scale before contemplating the adoption of a comprehensive ERP system.   

For most, this usually involves having the necessary IT infrastructure and staff in place to adopt and maintain the software post-implementation, alongside being able to support the upfront costs.

The costs of construction ERP include the initial set-up, training and ongoing hosting, which can quickly result in a total capital investment that some smaller businesses may not be ready for.

In the end, ERP is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but rather a strategic tool tailored for companies poised for growth and digital transformation.

For construction businesses, the decision to implement ERP should align with their operational scale and aspirations. It's best suited for companies that have already reached a level of maturity, who already have the resources to support and maintain the system. These companies should also be actively seeking to propel their business forward through digital innovation.   

By carefully evaluating your company's size, infrastructure, and growth trajectory, you can determine the optimal time to embark on the journey to ERP system integration. 

Access COINS ERP Is Built For The Construction Sector 

Access COINS is an easy-to use, fully integrated, modern solution that brings your organisation’s data and tools into a complete and powerful single platform. With Access COINS construction businesses can:

• Take control of their construction projects  
• Connect back-office and field teams with cloud-based software and achieve next level of collaboration  
• Boost profitability with accurate real-time financials and forecasting dashboards  

Talk to our construction software specialists today about how Access COINS can transform your construction business.