Connecting Standalone Systems to ERP
February 04, 2010
Do you have lofty ideas of integrating standalone applications with ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems in an effort to connect all business process? While a lot of builders may find value in integrating systems, research shows companies are only in the initial stage of making the steps to an integrated environment.
According to a survey of Constructech readers, only 34% of companies have plans to integrate single-purpose, standalone applications into a broader enterprise system. This trend is particularly true in the residential construction industry. However, in some cases, consulting companies and technology providers are taking the steps to integrate standalone applications with enterprise systems.
One example is Cardamel Consulting, www.cardamel.com, Centennial, Colo., and Kova Solutions, www.kovasolutions.com, Woburn, Mass., are working together to fully integrate the Kova Solutions product with Microsoft Dynamics.
This integration will eliminate the amount of time it takes to rekey data as well as improve overall processes for construction companies.
The Kova system allows construction companies to manage sales, design, bidding, purchasing, estimating, scheduling, customer service, warranty, and accounting, among others. The technology also gives builders the ability to create an interactive Web experience for prospective buyers.
Touchstone Homes, www.touchstonehomes.com, Suwanee, Ga., has selected Kova to develop a Web experience, guiding homeowners through product and community options including plotting the home, selecting the site, choosing the color scheme, picking the elevation, and determining options.
Once the contract is signed, this information is transferred into production, bill of material, scheduling, purchase orders, and change orders for the builders to manage construction activities.
With the integration from Kova to Microsoft Dynamics, builders such as Touchstone Homes can improve communication between the field and the office, while also integrating various processes throughout the homebuilding company.
While this is just one example, integrating standalone systems with ERP platforms allows builders to save time and improve efficiencies in the homebuilding process. While only 34% of Constructech readers are planning this type of integration in the near term, builders can also look to this type of integration as a plan for the long term.