Building and Construction Archives | ERP Today

IOC Construction

Lisa Dodson — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:43:38 +0000

Trying to juggle four instances of QuickBooks to manage its construction, painting, roofing, and handyman service divisions, general contractor IOC Construction struggled to keep up with all its intercompany transfers. When its six data entry employees started diverting miscellaneous expenses into manila folders for later reconciliation, IOC decided it needed a better financial system and improved processes. IOC deployed Acumatica Advanced Construction, which allowed it to consolidate its four entities into one, streamline and automate project management operations, and reduced errors.

KEY RESULTS
• Gained an ERP platform tailored to construction, allowing it to scale
• Acquired a single source of truth for all operations, providing full visibility and transparency
• Consolidated four entities into one while facilitating automatic intercompany transactions
• Provided permission-based access, reducing data entry errors
• Eliminated project paper files, decreasing reliance on paper and physical file storage needs
• Automated processes, streamlining workflows while saving time
• Eliminated six data entry positions, allowing improved utilization of staff
• United siloed applications, creating a single source of data and allowing staff to be
more productive
• Gained AIA invoicing and construction-related project management workflows
• Improved customer service, keeping clients informed about project status and timelines

Challenges

Managing a growing construction firm with QuickBooks and Salesforce can prove a bit tricky, especially when more companies are added over several decades. Typically, siloed applications are adopted and bolted on, and manual data entry balloons to unmanageable levels.

“We started off as a small handyman painting company and over time layered on a roofing company, a siding company, and then we figured out that we needed a company to house all of the corporate employees that oversaw the three companies,” says Joel Sisto, Chief Financial Officer of IOC Construction. “Before we knew it, we had four separate instances of QuickBooks that didn’t talk to each other. And along with that, we used Salesforce to bring all of it together.” But consolidating and reconciling data wasn’t easy.

The Batavia, IL-based company manages commercial construction projects from start to finish, from construction to roofing to painting and maintenance for multi-family, commercial high rise, and industrial complexes. IOC Construction, also offers maintenance services to medical facilities and property management to commercial property owners. “Because our systems didn’t talk to each other, intercompany data was unbelievably difficult to maintain,” Sisto says. “Missing an entry in one company but not another, became a humongous headache for us.”

At quarters and year end, reconciliations were painful. A construction project that included roofing and painting would be represented in three QuickBooks instances, and allocating costs for any one project was error-prone, Sisto says, and “Reconciliation was a nightmare.”

“Salesforce was where we brought it all together,” he continues. “At the end of these projects, we were using Salesforce as a gross income measurement tool, which was a really bad idea because it was all these different systems didn’t talk to each other, and didn’t really reconcile, which created numbers that may or may not be correct.” “It was a mess,” adds Jessica Hill, ERP Manager. “There were six of us who daily entered data into all platforms. Hardly anything ever matched.”

Reconciling multiple credit cards across four companies and allocating various project costs correctly was another headache. The task grew so complicated that employees began placing unreconcilable receipts in paper folders. They managed projects manually with manila folders, which, with 150 or so ongoing projects, and some 300 or more projects a year, making reconciliations was challenging.

“Before you knew it, you got to the end of the year trying to close the books and we had a miscellaneous credit card expense folder that maybe did or didn’t get reconciled, and some miscellaneous expenses never got job costed,” Sisto says. “They’re hard costs, but the real cost is the not knowing just hoping that the number you think you have as your profitability for the job is correct and not knowing if it really is.”

David Benning, Chief Executive Officer, summarizes the challenges: “The complexity of our accounting setup was a black box of unknowns and bad data. We were trying to use various systems not as they were intended but in an overly complex way. We didn’t know how bad the data actually was because the data itself was entered inconsistently.” Add in the fact that QuickBooks lacks user controls and allows anyone to make changes freely, and it’s easy to envision the resulting chaos.

Paper-Processes Hindered Growth

As a very successful company, IOC made do. Until the company’s growth caused havoc. “After 30 years, we were getting to a point where we just needed to consolidate into a single entity,” says Sisto, who joined the company in 2020. “The first step of that is getting your accounting in order.”

ERP Solution

IOC hired a consultant that evaluated several ERPs including Microsoft Dynamics and Sage 300, while also reviewing other applications like the latest version of Salesforce. But once the consultant demoed Acumatica to IOC, executives stopped looking at other options.

Acumatica Advanced Construction Edition is a modern, all-in-one platform that includes robust financials, job cost accounting, project management, payroll, inventory, order management, field service management, equipment management, route optimization, CRM, mobile access, and AIA invoicing.

“It was undeniable that Acumatica was the thing that we needed because it allowed us to do intercompany transfers,” Sisto says. “It allowed us to bring CRM into the same program where the accounting and the projects rested, and it allowed us to maintain a client list all in one place that could then be utilized by all of the different modules in the system.”

Having everything in one system was also more affordable. “Having multiple Salesforce systems was becoming ungodly expensive the way that we were using it,” he adds.

Attended Acumatica Summit Pre-Implementation

A trip to Acumatica’s annual summit before the platform was deployed helped IOC get familiar with the ERP and streamlined its implementation. At the summit, IOC team members talked to Acumatica customers, heard from top Acumatica executives about the platform’s future roadmap, and learned about third-party application developers and their products. They also participated in Acumatica training sessions.

“It was basically a live version of Acumatica University, and what was really cool our consultant attended with us. We gained much more clarity as to what we were doing, why we were doing it, and what downstream effects making certain selections would have on the entire implementation process,” says Sisto. “It was really helpful to plan a full implementation because we could see the third-party applications being offered and visualize the beginning of a vanilla version and then what we could layer on in the future.”

“Then as we were building it, we could make sure that the data that we needed in the future was built into the system,” he continues. “Acumatica had 99% of it already there for us, and it was nice to meet people that were already using applications and ask them, what don’t they like about it? What things are giving you trouble?” Armed with that additional information helped IOC’s planning.

“Those three days of training were really beneficial because it got us using the system so much that by the time we came back and started doing our integration, it felt like we’ve been using it forever.”

Consolidated Customer Data

As part of the implementation, IOC consolidated the number of duplicate or triplicate customer accounts into single contacts with all work in a single customer record, which greatly streamlined several workflows while reducing search time.

“We were entering in client’s information 3, 4, or 5 times. Previously, it was a perfectly reasonable thing for us to have a client that needed a roof, some siding, some maintenance work, and some painting,” Sisto says. “When we were doing our data validation to get into Acumatica, I think we started with – I’ll throw out a number – 10,000 items.” The number of customer accounts was greatly reduced by the time they finished, he says.

Outcome

Improved Visibility into Construction Projects

A large percentage of construction companies don’t understand their financial picture, according to a recent Association of Professional Builders report. But now with the data that Acumatica is providing, IOC isn’t one of them. “Acumatica has been phenomenal,” Benning says. “We have a really strong grasp on our financial picture, our margins, conversion rates – all those metrics through Acumatica and the data is relatively easy to pull.”

“Getting business insights from performance is pretty nice, anything from conversion rates to tracking,” he says, adding executives view the organization in two buckets: pipeline and performance. “We can look at where things are happening inside of the pipeline. We use widgets to look at where a folder is digitally along the journey of our organization. Then we can look at the performance, which is how profitable each customer is, each property management
company, what our margins are and opportunities, and how our sales team is performing.”

IOC employees are much more productive thanks to the many automated workflows they created in Acumatica, which reduced busy-work. For example, executives no longer spend 35 minutes to format an Excel report every time they want to run a report.

“Aside from the business intelligence component, what I really like about Acumatica is the capability for automation,” Benning says. “Through Acumatica’s business event tool, we’ve been able to automate a lot of things, including transactional emails, updating customers on a project’s status or to send notifications of certain activities internally.”

A perfect example is submitting expense receipts. IOC had its finance department manually pull data and then send an email to an employee asking them to send the expense. With Acumatica the system sends an alert when an expense is greater than seven days old to the owner of that expense. “Now we can free up that clerk’s time to do other things that add more value. Being able to automate every single thing that we can in those respects has been really cool,” Benning says.

Another example, Hill adds, is the automatic email reminding customers of past-due invoices.
The finance team no longer has to manually look up past due data and track it separately,
saving time and ensuring more timely payments.

Consolidated Four Entities

IOC employees no longer sign in and out of four different instances of QuickBooks or transfer data between instances, which has freed up a lot of their time.

They also no longer track projects using paper files, a practice that surprised Benning when he joined the company in 2022. He recalls seeing a sea of manila folders when he walked through the production department. “A lot of them were jobs that we had just started. As I was looking around, I was like, are you using manila folders to run your project?” he says. “Before Acumatica, they were physically taking a folder up from sales to estimating, and from estimating to production. You can’t even fathom. Nobody knows how many folders got lost.”

Adds Hill, “With all the non-visible aspects of multiple companies, there was a lot of paper floating around with files everywhere. Having everything in one place allowed us to go paperless, which is a huge benefit.”

“With QuickBooks, it was really, really difficult to figure out what any of these individual entities were really worth because there were so many intercompany transactions,” Sisto says, adding the company handled some 2,500 service orders annually

Mobile Access for All

Because Acumatica is based in the cloud, IOC employees can view project plans and data no matter where they are. The company has also hired several employees who live out of the country, making anywhere cloud access a must-have.

“If a project manager is out in the field, they can pull up a project the same way that someone in the accounting department, the operations department, an estimator or a salesperson, can,” Sisto says. “With Acumatica, we have a unified voice, a single source of truth where no matter who a customer talks to during a project, it’s all going to be the same data.”

Third Party Apps Extend Functionality

IOC executives also like that Acumatica seamlessly connects with third-party applications and recognizes businesses have unique needs. “We integrated early on with a marketing and transactional email third-party program that Acumatica has a native integration with. And that’s been huge. We’ve been using it for a lot of our transactional emails, but we recently started going live with our nurture email campaigns from a digital marketing experience.”

IOC has built beautifully designed emails inside of the SendGrid application, which is a low code tool, and then sends them out to customers using Acumatica.

Acumatica Allows IOC to Grow

IOC now has a platform for growth, Sisto says. “The ability to scale this system is really nice. No matter what walks through the front door, we can handle it.”

That wasn’t the case with QuickBooks, which was holding the company back. “Now we’re at a point where I could see this company growing significantly without needing to add significant investments in our digital architecture,” he says. “If we added a zero tomorrow (to revenue), we would just be adding people. We wouldn’t be adding really a whole lot of technology.”

The ability to pull data from Acumatica allows IOC to understand customer journeys. “Before, if sales or production was getting backlogged, you would just assume we needed to hire more people. But that was really a guess because we didn’t know.”

“Having good data is the ultimate customer service,” Sisto concludes. “The ultimate customer experience is good communication, a project going as it’s supposed to, and being on budget. And if it’s not on the budget, understanding why. And the only way to do that is with good data.”

The post IOC Construction appeared first on ERP Today.

Multiplex gains confidence in the ServiceNow Platform following health check with Inetum UK&I

Lisa Dodson — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:58:11 +0000

The Client

Multiplex is a leading international construction contractor headquartered in Sydney, Australia. Operating in Australia, India, Canada, Europe and the Middle East, it specialises in high rise buildings, stadia, high-end residential, mixed use, education, health and civil infrastructure.

The Challenge

Having used ServiceNow for two years, Multiplex engaged Inetum UK&I to perform an independent health check of its ServiceNow implementation. The aim of the health check was to establish confidence in the technical configuration and process maturity of their ServiceNow platform. This was a key activity for Multiplex, as it was considering substantial investments in other ServiceNow solutions, such as Software Asset Management (SAM) and Event Management, as well as significant enhancements to their Configuration Management Database (CMDB) and the implementation of ServiceNow Discovery.

Multiplex also wanted the ability to identify platform configuration improvements at regular intervals to ensure its business was “on-track” and not driving towards any major issues as future ServiceNow releases were made public.

“We engaged Inetum UK&I to provide confidence that our instance of ServiceNow was steering in the right direction. Without Inetum UK&I’s health check, we would have had a lingering doubt that our platform could run into trouble at the next or any future upgrade.Inetum UK&I listened to our experiences and understood what I was looking for. The configuration review was detailed and straight forward to understand. The recommendations were sound and gave us opportunity to execute improvement activities in the way we wanted to.”

Scott Bailey

Multiplex

The Solution

Deployed over a two-week period, Inetum UK&I’s health check ran a remote scan of Multiplex’s ServiceNow instance, enabling a detailed review of the current state implementation and measured against ServiceNow best practice configuration and coding standards. Inetum UK&I provided Multiplex with:

An assessment of configurations and customisations against best-practice standards
A detailed report of findings with specific consideration given to scalability, manageability, performance and upgradeability of the Multiplex instance
Recommendations to bring the instance back in line with best-practice and ensure performance-impacting issues can be swiftly resolved

The Benefits

Following the assessment, Multiplex were able to amend and reapply several configurations in line with best practice and platform performance – issues that wouldn’t have been picked up without the advice from Inetum UK&I.

Since the instance review, Multiplex have gained confidence in its ServiceNow platform and have begun launching a maturity roadmap building on the core ITSM applications – some of these projects will include an integration to Microsoft SCCM and deployment of ServiceNow Discovery, both significantly enhancing the depth and quality of the CMDB.

Multiplex’s decision-making process for its ServiceNow platform have also changed, becoming more assured with the capabilities of the platform and is confident in its ability to integrate newer technologies going forward.

For instance, performing an Instance zboot (rather than just upgrading) has allowed Multiplex to benefit from newer portal functionality within the platform. By performing a zBoot, Multiplex have been able to move away from some scoped applications which had been causing them some issues.

“I would recommend Inetum UK&I’s ServiceNow Health Check if you have not had your instance analysed for a two-year period; you have primarily supported your instance in-house using a team of administrators; or you have primarily utilised a third- party support provider and your experience has been hot and cold. The Inetum UK&I consultants are extremely professional and no nonsense. I feel a valuable relationship and trusted partnership growing between our organisations.”

Scott Bailey

Multiplex

Why Inetum UK&I

Inetum UK&I’s Health Check is performed independently, with no obligation or reliance on other projects or support activities. The benefits of the Health Check include an honest assessment of internal administration and configuration, and a fresh review of any third-party configurations or development. The outputs of the investigation range from customer to customer and have resulted in significant cost savings for some customers, with increased confidence in their ServiceNow platforms.

The post Multiplex gains confidence in the ServiceNow Platform following health check with Inetum UK&I appeared first on ERP Today.

Building a Global Foundation in Construction ERP

Radhika Ojha — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 17:58:51 +0000

Construction ERP provider Xpedeon has consistently defied conventional wisdom, building a product-centric platform specifically designed for the unique demands of the construction industry. In an interview with ERP Today, Janak Vakharia, CEO of Xpedeon, detailed the company’s evolution from its inception in India to its present global expansion efforts, emphasizing a consistent focus on product development tailored to the specific needs of the construction industry.

From Mumbai Roots to Global Shores

Founded in 1994 in Mumbai, Xpedeon aimed to establish itself as a product-centric organization, a relatively uncommon approach in the Indian IT landscape at the time. “We essentially started out from Mumbai,” Vakharia told ERP Today, “with the vision of being a product company with global ambitions.” The company strategically targeted the construction sector, identifying it as underserved by major ERP vendors.

Early adoption by large Indian construction firms provided a foundation for international expansion, first into the Middle East and later into the United Kingdom in the early 2000s. Despite challenges in the mature UK market, Xpedeon persevered. “We stuck to the plan,” Vakharia recalled regarding their UK entry, “and we finally were able to get this one business… and that got the ball rolling for us in the UK as well.”

A significant turning point occurred in 2006 when Xpedeon decided to completely rebuild its legacy product, leveraging years of accumulated industry knowledge. Vakharia noted, “In 2006, we took a step back and examined our learnings over all these years. We then decided that it was time for a rethink, and that’s when Xpedeon was born.” This ground-up development led to the modern Xpedeon platform.

More recently, Xpedeon has transitioned to a cloud-native SaaS model driven by increasing customer demand within the construction sector. “We took the opportunity to, again, completely re-engineer our product ground up to go cloud native,” Vakharia explained. “We undertook this exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic, and after that, we launched our cloud SaaS offering. This has given us the confidence to say, “Now, let’s take this global, and that’s where we’re at.”

This shift has paved the way for expansion plans into the United States and Asia Pacific.

Addressing the Challenges in Construction ERP

Vakharia also addressed key challenges inherent in construction ERP, including the integration of site operations with back-office functions and the complexities of long-term project management. “The single biggest challenge is the disconnect between operations and finance. We know that the truth is somewhere in between, except that we don’t know what it is,” he noted. Xpedeon’s platform aims to bridge this gap through mobile applications and integrated workflows.

Another area the platform aims to streamline with integrated workflows and communication tools is coordination and communication between the central teams and site operations. These tools are expected to streamline processes, reduce cycle times, and improve procurement, supply chain, and project management coordination.

“Xpedeon is designed to manage financial and non-financial (commercial) information across fiscal periods, providing a holistic view of project performance, enabling better decision-making, and mitigating risks to project margins,” Vakharia explained.

Embracing the Future

Looking to the future, Vakharia outlined Xpedeon’s focus on incorporating emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence, particularly in the analysis of site documentation, is being explored for its potential to generate actionable insights. “Documentation is a major area in construction that can benefit from AI,” Vakharia said. “The construction industry needs a lot of documentation, and AI can play a huge role in capturing all that information and generating actionable insights.”

The company is also examining the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time tracking of equipment and site progress. Sustainability is another key area of development for Xpedeon, with a focus on providing tools for reporting carbon and emissions within the construction industry.

A Unique Global Journey

Xpedeon has had a remarkable journey in a niche market, successfully expanding across diverse global markets. Unlike many regional players, Xpedeon has built a platform adaptable to various geographies’ unique legislative requirements and operational nuances, establishing a strong global presence. “We have been able to build a platform that can go across so many different territories and geographies and create a global story,” Vakharia said.

Looking ahead, Xpedeon is poised for significant growth, driven by its cloud-native platform, focus on emerging technologies, and deep understanding of the construction industry’s specific needs. “I think the next five to seven years would be extremely exciting for us as a business as we scale this out,” Vakharia concluded.

What This Means for ERP Insiders

A vendor-agnostic platform with construction-centric workflows. Xpedeon’s construction ERP platform offers a wide range of out-of-the-box workflows designed for the specific needs of the construction sector, minimizing the need for extensive customization. According to Vakharia, because the platform has been around for so many years, it has matured, so minimal customization is needed.

Utilize a system that works effectively for both the center and the site. ERP users in construction must look at platforms that help people at the office and on the site to use its features effectively. Vakharia indicated that platforms like Xpedeon provide intuitive mobile applications that empower site-based teams to actively participate in ERP processes with minimal complexity.

Choose a platform with features specific to your industry. For example, Xpedeon covers a broad spectrum of construction management needs, from tendering and project execution to finance, procurement, and inventory management. However, while focused on being a one-stop shop, Vakharia noted that his company recognizes the value of partnerships and actively seeks integration with specialized technologies.

The post Building a Global Foundation in Construction ERP appeared first on ERP Today.

Diriyah embraces a Smart City future with IBM Maximo

Radhika Ojha — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 21:09:57 +0000

Diriyah Company, which is developing the $63.2 billion Diriyah Project, a 14-square-kilometer urban development near Riyadh, has selected IBM Maximo Application Suite (MAS) for its asset management. The Diriyah Project is a Public Investment Fund (PIF) Giga project to create a smart city in the country.

IBM Maximo, Big Blue’s enterprise asset management (EAM) solution, will empower Diriyah to optimize asset performance, implement predictive maintenance, and streamline operations. This deployment marks a significant step towards realizing Diriyah’s vision of a technologically advanced and sustainable urban center.

Implementation is already underway. Diriyah is leveraging Maximo’s AI-driven capabilities for real-time asset monitoring, predictive analytics, and condition-based maintenance. This approach minimizes downtime and ensures the long-term sustainability of Diriyah’s infrastructure.

By consolidating critical workloads, including AI-powered asset performance analysis, real-time condition monitoring, and predictive analytics, into a single platform, Diriyah anticipates significant gains in operational reliability and cost efficiency.

“[The collaboration] exemplifies the vital role that efficient asset management plays in striking the right balance to achieve rapid urbanization, sustainable operations, and superior operational standards,” said Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO of Diriyah Company. “It is another important milestone in our accelerating development program to build our vibrant new city on the outskirts of Riyadh.”

The implementation of IBM Maximo aligns with Diriyah’s hybrid cloud strategy. IBM’s flexible deployment model, integrating on-premises infrastructure with cloud environments, facilitates enhanced data-driven decision-making, more efficient asset utilization, and increased resilience. These factors are crucial in Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving urban landscape. This strategic partnership with IBM reinforces Diriyah’s dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology for sustainable urban development and setting new standards for smart city technology.

According to Fahad Alanazi, General Manager, IBM Saudi Arabia, “Through the integration of predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring capabilities within IBM Maximo Application Suite, Diriyah Company stands poised to catapult its asset management practices into unprecedented heights.”

What This Means for ERP Insiders

The right implementation partner streamlines complex projects. Diriyah has chosen eSolutions Saudi Arabia as its partner to implement MAS. According to Ziad Lamaa, General Manager of eSolutions Saudi Arabia, his company will help Diriyah optimize performance, maximize Maximo’s efficiency, and help deploy the EAM smoothly for a smooth and successful rollout. Diriyah’s use case demonstrates the benefits of a centralized approach through an implementation partner for large, complex projects. This is highly relevant for any organization seeking to improve asset lifecycle management and reduce operational costs.

Predictive maintenance reduces downtime. Maximo’s AI-driven predictive analytics enable organizations to proactively anticipate equipment failures and schedule maintenance, minimizing costly downtime and maximizing asset lifespan. Diriyah’s use case demonstrates this as the company’s utilization of MAS will help it predict future infrastructure needs and proactively address them. This applies to any organization with complex equipment, from manufacturing to transportation.

Real-time asset monitoring can optimize performance. Maximo provides real-time visibility into asset performance, allowing organizations to identify and address potential issues before they escalate. Diriyah’s implementation showcases how this can be applied to large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring smooth operations and efficient resource allocation. This is valuable for businesses managing diverse asset portfolios, such as utilities or facility management.

The post Diriyah embraces a Smart City future with IBM Maximo appeared first on ERP Today.

Sage and Tractics partner to deliver cloud solution for heavy civil contractors

Mark Vigoroso — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:36:13 +0000

Sage, software provider for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) in the construction industry, and Tractics, provider of a cloud-native construction management platform for heavy civil contractors, recently announced a partnership that delivers a powerful integration between Sage Intacct Construction and Tractics.

“This partnership brings together Sage’s industry-leading construction financial management solution and decades of innovation in construction technology with Tractics’ expertise in field, fleet, and project operations to deliver the best in accounting and operations software,” said Julie Adams, Senior Vice President, Construction and Real Estate, Sage. “Together, we provide the heavy civil market with a powerful and data-rich platform to seamlessly manage their entire business from the field to the office.”

Sage Intacct Construction focuses on delivering the accounting backbone U.S. businesses need to remain competitive, while Tractics delivers a solution for office, field, fleet, and project operations. The integration includes:

Centralized, wide visibility into construction operations, in a single platform
Field apps for foremen and crew so timesheets are updated in real time
Access to critical data for fleet managers, dispatchers, and back-office staff to simplify operations and keep teams working in sync
Customizable financial reporting and dashboards
Anytime, anywhere access to real-time project data
Dimensional general ledger and multi-entity consolidation
Automated WIP management

“Tractics was created by contractors for contractors. Drawing on years of hands-on field experience, the platform empowers heavy civil contractors with the tools they need to run their businesses more efficiently. This partnership with Sage enables us to offer our customers even more robust cloud solutions,” said Tyler VanWinkle, CEO, Tractics. “By integrating our platforms, we’re helping businesses to streamline their entire operations which also means simplifying their accounting. This helps bridge the gap between technology and everyday construction business needs so that we’re providing solutions to make our contractor’s lives easier.”

What this means for ERP Insiders

Tractics complements Sage Field Operations in the construction market. Tractics and Sage Field Operations are both construction management platforms, each tailored to specific sectors within the construction industry. Tractics specializes in serving heavy civil contractors, offering tools designed to manage the complexities of large-scale infrastructure projects. Whereas Sage Field Operations caters primarily to specialty contractors such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and similar trades, focusing on service management and field operations. Tractics provides tools for managing project costs, documents, and processes from bid to completion, enhancing communication and reducing risk. It also offers mobile and tablet applications for real-time collaboration among crew members, foremen, and supervisors, facilitating efficient task and time entry. And it includes features for scheduling equipment moves, monitoring equipment utilization, and gathering real-time driving insights to optimize resource allocation. On the other hand, Sage Field Operations enables management of work orders, scheduling, and dispatching, with real-time data accessibility to improve service delivery. It provides technicians with mobile access to job details, schedules, and site information, allowing for time tracking, work order management, and on-site data capture. And it seamlessly integrates with Sage’s accounting and construction software, such as Sage 100 Contractor, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate, and Sage Intacct Construction, ensuring consistent data flow between field operations and financial systems.

Heavy civil contracting seeing groundswell of innovation. The construction technology sector is experiencing significant growth, with substantial investments fueling innovation. The median deal size and post-money valuation in the industry have more than doubled since 2017, indicating a robust market expansion. This influx of capital supports the development of advanced tools and platforms tailored to the unique needs of heavy civil construction. There’s a growing demand for interoperable solutions that can seamlessly integrate various aspects of construction management. Companies are seeking platforms that address multiple use cases, reducing the need for disparate systems and fostering a more cohesive operational environment. This trend is leading to the development of comprehensive platforms that cater to diverse project needs. And of course, AI is playing a pivotal role in transforming construction management. AI-powered tools are being utilized for predictive analytics, safety management, and risk assessment. For instance, AI-driven cameras and sensors can detect unsafe behaviors on-site, alerting supervisors in real-time. A notable example includes a large U.S.-based heavy civil contractor that reduced recorded incidents by 28% and cut lost time by 35% using AI technology.

Construction market served well by industry-tailored ERP offerings. The top ten construction ERP providers, including the three noted below, own a combined market share of about 46%. Sage Group is recognized as a major player in the construction ERP software industry, providing solutions that cater to various aspects of construction management. Sage’s construction ERP solutions, such as Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (formerly Timberline), are widely adopted by construction firms to manage project costs, streamline operations, and enhance financial reporting. The software’s features and industry-specific functionalities have solidified Sage’s position as a trusted ERP provider in the construction sector. But Sage is not alone. Oracle is another solid option in the construction management software market, offering ERP solutions that integrate various construction processes. Oracle’s Construction and Engineering Cloud provides comprehensive project lifecycle management solutions, enabling construction companies to plan, build, and operate projects efficiently. The platform’s ability to connect teams and processes through a unified cloud service demonstrates Oracle’s leadership in delivering scalable ERP solutions for the construction industry. And then there’s Procore Technologies, which offers platforms that facilitate project management and collaboration. Procore’s construction management software provides tools for project management, quality and safety, and financials, all within a unified platform. Its user-friendly interface and focus on improving project efficiency have made it a popular choice among construction professionals.

The post Sage and Tractics partner to deliver cloud solution for heavy civil contractors appeared first on ERP Today.

Acumatica expands construction capabilities with JobPlanner and STACK

Radhika Ojha — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 22:58:34 +0000

Acumatica has announced partnerships with JobPlanner and STACK Construction Technologies to integrate their solutions into the Acumatica Construction Edition. The collaboration enhances project lifecycle support for construction companies and aims to boost productivity while helping contractors deliver projects on time and within budget.

Acumatica Construction Edition, a cloud-native platform, is tailored to meet the specific needs of the construction industry, while delivering scalable and user-friendly solutions.

According to Joel Hoffman, Acumatica’s director of product management, the new partnerships underscore the ERP provider’s commitment to delivering comprehensive tools that enhance collaboration, automate workflows, and improve project outcomes.

Under this partnership, JobPlanner, a collaborative project management solution, will integrate job costing, bid management, and expense tracking features and its mobile app and intuitive interface will connect field workers with back-office teams, streamlining workflows. “This integration will help contractors enhance communication and achieve project goals more effectively,” said DeWayne Adamson, CEO of JobPlanner.

STACK Construction Technologies brings advanced preconstruction capabilities to the partnership. They include hyper-accurate takeoffs and customizable estimates. With STACK’s integration, contractors using Acumatica can better calculate labor and material requirements and forecast project costs. STACK president Ray DeZenzo noted, “Our collaboration with Acumatica empowers construction leaders to secure more projects and achieve sustained growth.”

Acumatica is showcasing these integrations at World of Concrete in Las Vegas from January 21-23.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Acumatica customers gain enhanced efficiency with JobPlanner. Acumatica Construction Suite users benefit from a cloud-based solution that reduces costs and drives growth in a competitive construction market with the integration of JobPlanner. This integration utilizes JobPlanner’s features like job costing to help contractors minimize budget overruns, streamlines workflows by eliminating redundant data entry, reduces delays, and optimizes productivity through advanced scheduling tools to allocate labor, equipment and materials effectively.

STACK’s integration with Acumatica streamlines the construction planning process. By combining STACK’s preconstruction expertise with Acumatica’s comprehensive construction management capabilities, customers gain a powerful, unified solution that boosts efficiency, accuracy, and profitability across the entire project lifecycle. STACK provides advanced tools for performing hyper-accurate takeoffs and creating customizable estimates. Moreover, the integration into this cloud-native ERP, eliminates the need for manual data entry and ensures consistency across all project phases. Detailed cost breakdowns and labor forecasting provided by the integration drives profitability by reducing waste and improving margins, while STACK’s collaborative tools make preconstruction processes like estimating and bidding a quick process.

Integration with advanced solutions is a key factor in Acumatica’s growth. Strategic integrations have not only broadened Acumatica’s service offerings since 2021 but also contributed to its sustained growth and strengthened market position. Most recently, the company collaborated with CYBRA to integrate the latter’s RFID and label printing software with Acumatica ERP systems. Acumatica has also spotlighted a transformative trend among businesses shifting from basic accounting software to its cloud-based ERP solutions.

The post Acumatica expands construction capabilities with JobPlanner and STACK appeared first on ERP Today.

Eliminating cloud ERP adoption uncertainty

Radhika Ojha — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 14:58:02 +0000

ERP users today would rather focus on adopting processes rather than adapting to them as public cloud solutions like SAP S/4HANA have changed their mindset towards ERP implementation to one driven by business requirements rather than systems. Today, SAP partners like NTT Data Business Solutions help organizations on this journey. The example of Amber Infrastructure’s journey to adopting SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud edition highlighted this aspect during an ERP Today webinar by NTT Data Business Solutions.

A case of building in the cloud

Amber Infrastructure (Amber) specializes in international infrastructure for both public and private sectors. Over the past 12 years, the company’s workforce has increased from 50 to around 200 employees, and it has expanded geographically to 16 to 17 countries. The company has grown tenfold in this period, which has also resulted in the growth of its finance function.

As the finance function grew, Amber’s biggest frustration revolved around the 550 legal entities in its structure. Due to its global operations, foreign exchange transactions were another pain point as Amber deals in about 20 different currencies. Financial reporting in all its geographies, including the UK and US, and getting one source for all its financial reporting was another challenge.

However, the biggest drawback of their on-premise ERP system was highlighted after a discussion with people across the company’s finance function. The company realized that some of its best resources, its people, were spending too much time on mundane processes in a system that could be easily automated.

With the aim of future growth, the company relooked at its existing ERP system and chose SAP S/4HANA to help Amber resolve its challenges for the finance function and prepare for future growth. The company chose NTT Data Business Solutions as its implementation partner.

Why SAP S/4HANA

The first step was understanding Amber’s business needs and discovering what the system would do for them. SAP helped the organization with these aspects through S/4HANA public cloud’s digital discovery assessment (DDA).

This cloud-based tool enabled NTT Data Business Solutions to go through the process of understanding that discovery from the organization’s perspective. The DDA helped Amber define the system landscape, integrations, processes, and capabilities of their cloud solution in an upfront manner. NTT Data Business Solutions has further templated it according to the industry to serve as a blueprint for the scope of the solution it proposes. This allowed Amber to accelerate effectively through the first stages of their migration journey and deliver the solution quickly.

Once the scope was agreed upon after the DDA, the SAP Cloud Application Lifecycle Manager tool read the scope and pushed it into Amber’s test environment through an automated process, speeding things up. After the system was tested, adoption was accelerated through bite-sized videos that users could easily understand.

Reaping the benefits

On implementing SAP S/4HANA, Amber was no longer looking at on-premise solutions but at SAP, owning the landscape for them and making the solution ready. Some other benefits that it experienced by moving to S/4HANA include:

Best practices processes: The solution is pre-configured and has best practice business processes built into it, which ease the organization’s process, value, and digital transformation journey.

Continuous innovation: S/4HANA drives change improvements, as SAP releases new versions around twice a year, so the user is on the latest version every year. This has helped Amber grow and scale with the latest advances in its business.

Scalable and secure solution: The solution allows the organization to start with a core scope and grow with new functions and features released in the upgrade while adding features and functions that are already available securely.

Ability to integrate: The SAP S/4HANA solution has many APIs and connections that allow the system to be integrated into the organization’s wider landscape.

AI-driven features: The use of AI in the SAP cloud offering has also changed the game. Robotic Process Automation (RPA), predictive analysis, and machine learning assist organizations in setting up and fine-tuning processes, enabling predictive scenarios for better forecasting, and helping users understand historical trends to make informed decisions. SAP’s Gen AI copilot Joule helps users by summarizing data, building reports, and running processes automatically, depending on the user’s query.

The post Eliminating cloud ERP adoption uncertainty appeared first on ERP Today.

Eagle Fence Distributing and Redmond Inc. Streamline Operations and Drive Growth with Acumatica Cloud ERP

Mark Vigoroso — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:30:24 +0000

Amid supply chain disruptions and fluctuating inventories, distributors are increasingly turning to technology to drive growth and boost profits. Acumatica Distribution Edition equips small and mid-sized distributors with comprehensive tools to streamline cash flow, scale operations and navigate uncertainty. By optimizing technology investments, businesses can sell directly to consumers, get paid faster and achieve sustainable growth.

“Distribution companies face unique challenges in today’s rapidly evolving landscape, from managing inventory across multiple locations to scaling operations efficiently,” said Kelly Squizzero, senior product manager at Acumatica. “Acumatica’s Distribution Edition is specifically designed to address these challenges, giving distributors the tools they need to grow, innovate and stay competitive in their markets.”

Companies like Eagle Fence Distributing and Redmond Inc. showcase how Acumatica drives measurable results and long-term success.

Eagle Fence Distributing, a fencing and perimeter security products distribution company, faced significant challenges in managing its expansion across multiple locations. By implementing Acumatica, the company created a streamlined roadmap for new-location rollouts, enabling rapid and efficient growth. With Acumatica Cloud ERP’s easy-to-use interface, unlimited user pricing model and flexibility, the company can now add a warehouse or branch in 30 days or less.

“Acumatica’s consumption-based licensing has been paramount in helping us easily and rapidly add branches to the business,” said Keith Ford, general manager at Eagle Fence Distributing. “Couple the licensing model with having a great implementation partner and being cloud-based, and you’ve got a home run.”

“Acumatica’s cloud-based ERP platform provides the perfect solution for distributors like Eagle Fence Distributing that are navigating today’s complexities to achieve tomorrow’s growth ambitions,” said Kurt Bauer, executive vice president, software division at i-Tech Support, Eagle Fence Distributing’s implementation partner. “From managing inventory to scaling operations, Acumatica gives distributors the tools they need to scale sustainably.”

Redmond Inc., a family-owned company rooted in distributing natural products like salt, agricultural goods and vinyl fence and decking solutions, faced challenges with outdated systems that struggled to scale with their expanding operations. By adopting Acumatica, Redmond streamlined inventory management, optimized order fulfillment and improved visibility across ten business units. These improvements enabled smarter decision-making, boosted efficiency and delivered millions in savings through better inventory control – all while preserving Redmond’s commitment to quality and exceptional customer service.

“With Acumatica at the heart of the business, there isn’t a challenge or technical problem we can’t overcome,” said Aaron Gabrielson, chief technology officer at Redmond Inc.

What this means for ERP Insiders

Acumatica’s Distribution Edition addresses unique requirements of massive industrial distribution market: As of 2024, the global industrial distribution market is valued at approximately US$8.41 trillion and is projected to reach around US$12.39 trillion by 2033. To service this market, Acumatica’s Distribution Edition offers advanced inventory management tools, including real-time stock visibility, automated reordering, and demand forecasting, helping distributors to optimize their inventory levels and reduce stockouts or excess inventory. The fit-for-purpose solution also streamlines order processing by automating workflows and reducing manual interventions, ensuring accurate and timely fulfillment. Tools for managing supplier relationships, purchase orders, and vendor performance help distributors secure better terms and maintain smooth operations. Acumatica’s Distribution Edition connects finance, sales, inventory, and operations into a single platform, enabling seamless information flow across departments. Real-time reporting and dashboards give distributors up-to-date financial insights, ensuring better decision-making and profitability analysis. And for global distributors, Acumatica supports multi-currency and multi-language capabilities, helping businesses manage international operations.

Do you fit the ideal customer profile (ICP) for Acumatica? Acumatica is ideally suited for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with annual revenues ranging from US$5 million to US$500 million and experiencing rapid growth or planning to scale operations. These SMBs often require robust ERP solutions without the complexity or cost of enterprise-level systems. Also, Acumatica has demonstrable expertise in industries such as construction, manufacturing, distribution, retail and e-commerce, and professional services. And Acumatica is cloud-native so it caters to customers that are bought in to a software-as-a-service (SaaS) consumption model. Companies that are operating across multiple locations or managing multiple entities, requiring consolidated reporting and seamless operations, and firms needing an ERP that integrates easily with existing systems, such as CRM, e-commerce, or supply chain platforms would be well-served to look at Acumatica.

Coming soon from Acumatica. Over the next 12 months, we’re likely to see Acumatica continue to focus in the following areas:

AI and ML Innovations: Further integration of AI and ML to provide predictive analytics, intelligent automation, and enhanced decision support systems.

Expanded Industry Solutions: Development of more specialized features to cater to a broader range of industries, ensuring that diverse business needs are met effectively.

Enhanced Integration Capabilities: Improving interoperability with third-party applications and services to provide a more cohesive and flexible ecosystem for users.

User-Centric Design Enhancements: Ongoing refinement of the user interface and experience to boost productivity and user satisfaction.

Strengthening Security and Compliance: Continuous updates to security measures to safeguard data and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements.

The post Eagle Fence Distributing and Redmond Inc. Streamline Operations and Drive Growth with Acumatica Cloud ERP appeared first on ERP Today.

Strategies for SAP system carveouts and M&A

Yoana Cholteeva — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 17:28:57 +0000

As mergers, acquisitions and carveouts are establishing themselves as strategic moves for companies to remain competitive, the complexity of these transactions often revolves around a critical element – SAP system data migration. To make this successful, expert strategies in this area are essential to ensure business continuity, minimized disruption and a seamless transition.

As part of its on-demand webinar Unlocking Success in M&A: Expert Strategies for SAP System Carveouts and Mergers, one of the leading authorities in SAP system carveouts and mergers, SNP Group, shed light on the topic.

SNP’s approach and technology

SNP’s approach is centered on flexibility, speed and precision in tandem with the company’s flagship software, CrystalBridge, which serves as the cornerstone for executing complex M&A transactions.

The CrystalBridge platform assists with automated selection, modeling validation and migration of data to reduce the manual workload and accelerate timelines. SNP’s Table-to-Table migration method allows for near-zero downtime for minimal disruption to ongoing business operations. The company’s expertise in handling cross-border transactions also helps to ensure compliance with local and international data sovereignty regulations, such as GDPR.

As advised by Ibrahim Kanalici, head of M&A at SNP NEMEA, there are three key phases of SAP system carveouts and mergers:

Pre-Deal Phase: This involves due diligence, where both buyers and sellers assess the operational integrity of systems and data. Questions like “Are current ERP systems supporting operations?” and “What are the risks and opportunities?” are addressed. Identifying deal-relevant data and planning for separation are key activities at this stage.

Deal Execution Phase: At this stage, the focus shifts to separating ERP systems and applications. Buyers need assurance that standalone systems can support ongoing business operations. Strategies are developed to share only deal-relevant data while ensuring data privacy and regulatory compliance.

Post-Deal Phase: Once the transaction is complete, sellers provide transitional support to buyers as they establish independent operations. Key considerations include historical data access, data privacy compliance and the seamless exit from Transition Services Agreements (TSAs).

Real-World Example

A noteworthy case involved the carveout of BSW Group, the UK’s largest integrated forestry and timber business, across seeding, harvesting and production. In this case, SNP’s approach enabled BSW to simultaneously migrate and upgrade their system to SAP S/4HANA. The “single-step” migration saved time, reduced costs and avoided a secondary project.

The learnings from this webinar show that the success of SAP system carveouts and mergers depends on expert strategies that prioritize speed, flexibility and precision. Opening up to the expertise of partners like SNP Group that offer targeted solutions and experience to manage the complexities of ERP data migration, can make a wealth of difference. With the right approach and technology, organizations can reduce risk, maintain business continuity and accelerate time-to-value during M&A transactions.

The post Strategies for SAP system carveouts and M&A appeared first on ERP Today.

A Digital Makeover for Manufacturing in the Age of AI

Giacomo Lee & Radhika Ojha — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:13:49 +0000

Digital transformation in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors has been taking place for a while now as these industries leverage digital solutions to drive process automation and shorten lead times. However, the definition of digital transformation is changing with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in automation, shifting the digital needs of these sectors.

So, what do manufacturing and distribution firms require from their ERP systems to join this digital revolution? Today, companies are increasingly leveraging solutions from ERP providers to boost their insights into the automation and supply chain process and move to the cloud.

Rich Murr, Chief Customer Officer and Chief Information Officer of leading ERP vendor Epicor, which provides ERP for manufacturing, distribution, retail, and auto industries says, “We have been an ERP provider for over 50 years, developing a deep expertise in each of these businesses. But increasingly, we have moved from being an on-site provider to a cloud provider based on our customers’ demands.”

Cloud is undoubtedly a focal point at Epicor and the demand is not restricted to the size of a client’s organization. “Cloud is part of the digital transformation effort across all types of companies,” says Murr. “Initially, the adoption of this technology was limited to bigger firms, but today, it spans all companies as they seek to get out of managing additional infrastructure.”

Still, some companies have preferred adopting a hybrid approach when migrating to cloud ERP. Firms that have worked with on-premises systems might want to migrate to the cloud, and they do so with most of their solutions transposed. Yet machines that run the manufacturing business, alongside end-user devices, remain operational through on-premises systems.

Murr highlights the benefits of a cloud ERP through an example of a retail consumer who runs multiple hardware stores on the US East Coast. When one of the premises, which also housed the customer’s computer room, burned to the ground, Epicor’s backup on the cloud restored that location’s data. It also helped other stores that were tied in with the operations of the computer room come back online quickly.

AI on the rise

The extensive demand and adoption of cloud-based ERP have also opened companies’ eyes to the hard work needed to ensure that their data is stable, scalable, and secure. It has also meant that companies already on the cloud are now seeking to scale their ERP needs to include AI.

However, a cloud-based solution remains essential even for customers interested in utilizing AI for their ERP needs. Murr notes that many Epicor customers have moved to the cloud so that they can use its AI for their ERP solutions. The vendor’s offering is an AI-infused ERP system designed to help users improve their customer experience, operational efficiency, forecasting, and decision-making through one solution. It is part of Epicor’s integrated AI and business intelligence (BI) capabilities and comes customized for the manufacturing, distribution, and retail sectors. This system utilizes generative AI, machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analysis, to help drive business value.

“We want to deliver something that is very practical for AI users [in the sectors we serve]. We cover the entire supply chain in detail and then leverage AI on top of that to gain insights not just around a specific vertical but across the supply chain,” says Murr.

The exec also talked to ERP Today about the company’s Epicor Prism solution. The patent-pending generative AI service is embedded across the Epicor Industry ERP Cloud to help workers get “the right insights and context at the right time.”

“ERP is an inherently complex solution, so you can imagine the time a new employee takes to learn even their specific module; We are trying to bring down that time with Epicor Prism,” says Murr.

Security at the center

If technology or digital offerings were stacked up, Epicor’s solutions would sit squarely in the middle. Murr reasons, “Whether it is a manufacturer, a distributor, or a retailer, their data is inside ERP solutions provided by us, making Epicor the heart of their datasets and operations.”

This makes security a central point for all Epicor solutions, and the company has made significant investments in delivering secure and dependable offerings.

For its on-premises customers, the Austin, Texas-headquartered ERP provider offers its Epicor Security Suite, which includes a managed security system and device protection for SMBs that need more expertise to build their security capabilities. The company also provides the option of managing data security at a consumer’s retail location or warehouses.

A team of 20 experts works with Epicor’s cloud customers to ensure that any data that is put on the cloud ERP is secure. “We continue to make significant investments in technology and talent to ensure a robust layer of defense for our customers, especially as we layer AI on [top of] the data they provide,” says Murr, adding that the company invests in training across its team to ensure a security mindset.

Murr gives the example of a distribution customer based in the US Midwest to highlight Epicor’s focus on enforcing its platform’s security. The customer was hit with a ransomware attack, which can potentially damage a business permanently.

“However, this customer had backed up their data on Epicor’s cloud system only a day before the attack,” he notes. So, when the customer called, the firm got them running again using the data on the cloud within 24 hours. The cloud solution also allowed the customer to bypass the ransomed data.

Epicor also partners with Microsoft Azure and AWS to utilize their secure hosting capabilities.

Murr concludes, “At the end of the day, our customers […] want their systems to work and be secure. They would be happy if AI helped them with that effort. At Epicor, we work behind the scenes to ensure that AI is just another interface customers can use to enhance their overall ERP experience.”

The post A Digital Makeover for Manufacturing in the Age of AI appeared first on ERP Today.