ERP for construction project management

In addition, we analyse the leading solution on the market and explain the features and tools available for construction project management. Find everything you need to know about ERP, SAP Business One and SME management here. Don't miss it!

Why ERP is important in construction project management

Construction projects are complex. Some of the many tasks include staff recruitment, financing, material management and administrative procedures. In large construction companies that have plenty of resources, it is easier to handle the volume of work involved in each project.

However, the reality is that the ecosystem of the construction sector is essentially made up of SME's, small and medium-sized enterprises that find it much harder to develop a project from scratch.

In short, large corporations and SMEs face very similar tasks in the market, but with a significant difference in resources. What can small and medium-sized construction companies do about it?

The answer lies in the acronym ERP. What does it mean? ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning. We are talking about software that can cover each and every process of a business, automating many of them and facilitating the execution of many others.

ERP for construction projects: How does it work?

To find out what ERP is, what it is for, how it works and how it can be applied to this sector, first we need to know what tasks are involved in each construction project.

• Initiation or conception. During this phase, the client's needs are identified, and the scope, objectives, requirements and success criteria of the project are defined. A technical, economic and environmental feasibility study of the project is also conducted.
• Planning. This phase details project activities, resources, timelines, costs, risks and responsibilities. Documents such as the project management plan, budget, timetable, quality plan, communication plan and contracting plan are drawn up.
• Execution. In this phase, the construction works are completed according to the established design and planning. Supervisors coordinate personnel, monitor compliance with safety and quality standards, manage the supply of materials and equipment and resolve problems and unforeseen events that may arise.
• Monitoring and control. In this phase, progress and project performance are contrasted with the initial plan. Periodic measurements, inspections, audits and reports are conducted to verify the status of the project and take corrective actions if necessary.
• Completion or closure. This phase involves delivering the work to the customer and verifying their satisfaction. Final testing is performed, the necessary permits and certificates are obtained, any outstanding contracts and payments are settled, and lessons learned and recommendations for future projects are documented.
• Maintenance or after-sales. In this phase, the customer receives support during the warranty period, and preventive and corrective maintenance activities are conducted as necessary to ensure the new construction operates correctly.

Acciona success story | SAP Business One and Seidor

In all these phases, ERP for construction projects plays a key role. Why? Mainly because it helps to make the right decisions using the best data at hand, expressed simply and clearly.

For example, SAP Business One, the leading ERP software for SMEs, has a CRM management module, which helps customers monitor their needs as soon as possible and find out how to help them in the future. These tools fit perfectly into the maintenance or after-sale, the last phase of the project.

And what about follow-up tasks? Once again, SAP Business One can monitor the status of a project, analyse the data entered by different departments and improve decision-making as construction proceeds. This allows us to discover any anomalies or failures in any of the processes.

Both examples show the potential of integrating SAP Business One into a company dedicated to construction projects.

Build a future for your company with SEIDOR and SAP Business One

Up to this point, we addressed two important aspects related to the topic at hand, i.e., the functionality of ERP software for construction projects.

First, we highlighted the importance of this software. Then we discovered the phases of a construction project and two examples of how SAP Business One, the leading ERP for SMEs, helps to improve processes.

In fact, the benefits of SAP Business One in the construction industry are enormous. And if you don't think so, check out this list:

• Efficiency in operations, with task automation and process simplification.
• Better decision-making, thanks to real-time information from the different divisions of the company.
• Adaptation to any company. SAP Business One is software that offers a customised and flexible solution.
• Scalability for growing companies, implementing a solution that supports business growth without losing quality or efficiency.
• Greater income, by increasing the performance of all departments.

Do you want to enjoy these advantages in your SME? Manage your projects efficiently with SAP Business One. All you need to do is contact SEIDOR. We've been helping small and medium-sized companies become more efficient and profitable with SAP Business One for decades. Contact us now so that we can advise you on the implementation of ERP software for construction projects. Your business has no time to lose!