The construction business is highly project oriented wherein processes unfold in real time. In the modern day challenges, subcontracting can benefit from visibility that enterprise resource planning software provides. Traditionally, ERP was primarily limited to the manufacturing sector but in present times, it has made inroads into a range of industries including construction, education and healthcare. The subcontracting businesses processes, even a few years ago, relied on some ‘point solutions’ to oversee each part of business processes. Human resource project management, accounting, etc were run in disjointed silos. The modern ERP software for subcontracting are intricately tailored to meet the needs of small, middle and large market contractors.
There have been several factors responsible for the steady growth of ERP software for subcontracting.
Industry consolidation
No other industry sees as many mergers as subcontracting. With design firms, builders and other allied services working together, an enterprise wide system is the only way to ensure that the entity can be run effectively as a single business process. ERP software for subcontracting establishes cross collaboration and company wide visibility. Further, ERP supports automation of intra company transactions.
Cross functional collaborations
While the overall subcontracting business is laying emphasis upon build-design process, it requires a free data sharing among the purchasing, design, construction and other functions. Embedded with an integrated software suite, ERP solutions can open up portals that create a real time collaborative space. All of this eliminates non-values and added workload resulting from missed phone calls and emails.
Moving towards offsite construction
Offsite construction processes require things like prefabrication of panels, mechanical assemblies, transfer of raw materials, registration of arrivals and final installation. This manufacturing functionality demands a strong ERP solution.
Moving towards BIM
Modern project owners are always concerned about job completion reports that include environmental data, performance data, design specifications, warranty information, maintenance requirements and much more. With a single ERP solution in place, all of this information would be easy to organize, aggregate and deliver.
Where to look for the best ERP solution for subcontracting
The obvious question here would be the ways to find out the best ERP solution. There are several ERP software companies in the market that promise highly tailored solutions for the subcontracting businesses. However, it is necessary that you invest in an ERP software company that has a reputation to keep and high end expertise.
