How to choose a Construction ERP system

There are plenty of construction-oriented software systems in the marketplace—some that deliver on their promises and many that don’t. Selecting a complete ERP package to help enhance business performance can be a daunting task, since construction companies require software that can fully manage all moving parts of a construction project, from prospecting, to bidding and estimating, project management, communications management with all stakeholders, progress billings, and more.

There are all the usual requirements of an effective ERP solution—that is, robust functionality, cost-effectiveness, and a user-friendly interface. However, selecting an ERP that can help improve business rather than simply maintain it means that construction companies need to set their sights on a next generation solution, one offering a comprehensive package that not only meets the basic functionality requirements of a construction firm, but that also offers powerful modern additions to help streamline business and boost productivity.

Here’s what to look for in an effective construction ERP:

1. A robust financial offering
2. Full project lifecycle management
   1. Prospecting / CRM
   2. Estimating and quotations
   3. Project costing
   4. Work in progress and direct costing management
   5. Contract and purchase order (PO) management
   6. Progress billings
   7. Centralized or de-centralized services
3. Real-time information exchange
4. Mobile access
   1. Field services – POs, daily logs, project updates
   2. Customers
   3. Suppliers
5. Document management
6. Relationship management (CRM)
7. Embedded analytics and business intelligence
8. Comprehensive security features

The current marketplace for construction ERPs is filled with solutions that offer a specific selection of core features, with each system offering something different. Some systems specialize in accounting and financials but don’t offer mobile field management, while others have robust document management capabilities but cannot support customer relationship management.

With the need for software that can accommodate rapidly expanding construction companies, why not choose an ERP that offers everything? Reflex Construction, for example, is a modern ERP with real-time data updates and full integration amongst all of its parts. As a module-based system, construction companies can choose the modules that best fit the organization from Reflex’s extensive module offering—including a whole package built specifically for the construction industry. Reflex Construction helps organizations control bidding, estimating, project planning, and more with one fully integrated, modern software solution.

With Reflex, construction organizations never have to choose between the features they need in an ERP system because Reflex Construction offers them all. Experience fully integrated data in a single authoritative data repository, ensuring critical business information remains consistent, controlled, accurate, and accessible. In Reflex Construction, security and audit are configured in one place and apply consistently and comprehensively across all modules and functions—never worry about security threats again.

Whether you’re in building construction (commercial, industrial, or residential), general construction, heavy or civil engineering construction, or are a specialty trade contractor, the next generation Reflex Construction package helps reduce project completion time, lowers costs, and automates more business processes than any other ERP system—all at a competitive price and with industry-leading implementation times.

Learn more about Reflex Construction here.

*Originally posted by Ken Ingram on LinkedIn Pulse.