Contractors have to manage dozens of jobs—sometimes even hundreds—at any given moment. With so many jobs going on at once, staying on top of all of them can prove to be difficult. Especially with all of the documentation and information that comes with them. There are many benefits to using a Project Management tool to help manage jobs. Most Construction Accounting Software solutions come with a built-in Project Management tool and taking advantage of that can prove worthwhile to construction firms. So, while it is crucial to use a Project Management tool, it is even more crucial that the one used is tied to Construction Accounting Software.
INTEGRATION
There are many standalone Project Management solutions available. The benefits to using a Project Management tool tied to a Construction Accounting Solution are many, but first and foremost innate integration. Having both Project Management and Construction Accounting Software working hand in hand makes everything much easier. Project Managers manage construction projects, and all of the information tied to those projects is easily accessible through construction accounting software. Using a third-party Project Management Solution would require either a custom integration—if one is possible—or having to deal with manually reentering information constantly. By using a Project Management tool within Construction Accounting Software, the innate integration allows the user to hit the ground running. With all of the relevant information already set up and waiting.
CENTRALIZE INFORMATION
One of the toughest parts of managing a project is staying on top of all of the different sources of information and documents. The Project Management tool offered by Construction Accounting Software makes that aspect easy and simple. The Project Management tool serves as a central hub for everything related to a job. Documents can be attached to the job and be accessed from the tool at any point. All purchase orders, subcontracts, and change requests relating to the job can be accessed and tracked through the tool as well. Since the Project Management tool is tied to the Construction Accounting Software, the information is easily accessible. No extra steps are needed to get access them. So, rather than having to look through different places or files for information and documents relating to the same job, everything can be stored in one central location.
STAY ON TOP OF TASKS
Another big part of managing a project is staying on top of tasks. Maybe there’s a weekly check-in with the foreman or each week all Purchase Orders related to the job are reviewed. The Project Management tool can set up tasks in the system to alert the Project Manager when specific tasks are due. The ability to have tasks set up within the Construction Accounting Tool allows the Project manager to further consolidate information and operations within one system.
CUT DOWN ON PAPER
Using a Project Management tool allows for documents and other items to be stored digitally and reduce the amount of physical paperwork needing to be stored. While Construction Accounting Software does a great job of cutting down on the paper needed, Project Managers now can too cut down on their use. RFIs, Pencil Requisitions, Submittals, and Transmittals can all be stored and accessed in the system. So, now the controller is no longer the only person with more desk space.
CONCLUSION
Construction firms have plenty on their plate when it comes to running their businesses. Staying on top of jobs is certainly one of the top tasks on that list. Thus, it is crucial that the right tools are used to handle that critical task. Using a Project Management tool and having it tied to Construction Accounting Software makes that task much easier. Project Managers serve as the backbone of construction firms. So, why not provide that backbone with a little extra support? ν
About the Author:
Eric Goldstein is the president of C/F Data Systems. With more than a quarter of a century of experience in the construction software arena, Eric has led C/F Data’s ongoing development of the company’s flagship solution, STRUCTURE. He began his career at ADP and first joined the C/F Data System sales department in 1985, and was quickly promoted to vice president of sales. After sales positions with Timberline software and Textura, Eric returned as C/F Data’s president in 2009. www.cfdatasystems.com
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Modern Contractor Solutions, December 2017
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