Simplifying Operations with One Database
June 22, 2010
Do you still have disparate databases for various pieces of project information? These separate systems may require more time to enter data multiple times, more money to keep the system organized, and more effort to find a piece of information. Inevitably this can lead to a number of process inefficiencies.
To help, contractors are looking to technology to provide one database for all project information, in essence combining all data in one system to save time. While this can be an ambitious goal it is one worth tackling in order to remain efficient and effective in this market.
A recent example is W-Industries, www.w-industries.com, Houston, Texas, a project management, design and engineering, construction and commissioning, and training and maintenance firm for the energy industry. W-Industries has experienced growth in recent years and now has more than 450 employees. With this type of expansion, manual data entry into financial and operational systems can consume a lot of time. In addition, this manual entry can cause a lot of errors and omissions.
According to Salil Gopinath, chief operating officer, W-Industries, the firm was looking for a single source of entry for financials and operations to reduce manual inputs and transaction closing time while improving billing cycles. The company was also looking for technology designed specifically for the engineering and construction industry.
W-Industries selected PENTA Software from Penta Technologies, www.penta.com, Brookfield, Wis., to improve efficiencies and simplify the management of operations.
This can be key for some construction companies—putting all data into one system in an effort to eliminate the manual redundancies of entering information multiple times. For companies experiencing growth such as W-Industries this becomes a key component to managing processes efficiently.
Joeris General Contractors, www.joeris.com, San Antonio, Texas, has a similar story. This construction company has a high level of customer satisfaction, which has resulted in a backlog of repeat business. With a steady line of work from repeat clients, Joeris was looking for a solution that would help it standardize construction management processes.
The general contractor compared several systems based on functionality, price, and vendor experience, and also sought a construction-specific application with a centralized system to track project information.
Joeris is now working directly with Project 3 Technologies, www.project3tech.com, Dallas, Texas, a software consulting firm and Meridian Systems, www.meridiansystems.com, Folsom, Calif., reseller to implement Meridian’s Prolog Manager and Prolog Converge.
According to Joeris General Contractors, Prolog gives the company visibility of budgets, costs, forecasts, and risks, as well as integrates accounting, scheduling, and document management. The technology will also help eliminate redundant data entry.
In today’s climate, construction companies are looking to improve efficiencies and increase visibility. With one primary platform for operations and financials, contractors can save time by eliminating redundant data entry and having easier access to important project information.
While this can be an ambitious goal for many organizations—one database to manage all construction processes—a number of construction companies are finding construction-specific software can help provide a system that encompasses many of these processes in one application. As a result, companies are able to reduce the amount of administrative work in the office.