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Tips for Using Construction Software to Improve Performance

Construction companies upgrade their construction software for lots of reasons. One of the main reasons being to improve, you guessed it, performance. This includes being more profitable and more efficient, both in the field and the office. There are many ways to improve performance working with construction software, including choosing the right software, getting an ERP solution, changing processes, gathering data, and using analytics.

1. Get the right software for your business

One size software does not fit all. Before selecting construction software for your company, you need to do research to make sure you’re selecting the program that is best for your company. Get something too simple, and you’ll quickly outgrow it. Get something too complex, and you’ll never use it properly or understand what the data is trying to tell you.

Start by assessing your current system, even if you’re still using spreadsheets. Determine what’s missing and what information you wish you had. Shop around and look at multiple software options. Don’t rush this process or you’ll quickly be overwhelmed by all the information you receive. Look for software that allows for flexibility and growth in your company and the data you collect. You’ll want to be able to grow into the software and still have it serve you several years down the road.

Choose the software package that best suits your needs and gives you the most options for additional data collection. Some software packages target specific contractor types or are better suited for certain trades. Choose one that fits your company and the work it does, both now and into the future. Choosing the right software lays the groundwork for improving your performance and improving efficiency.

2. Get an ERP

An ERP software program, or enterprise resource planning, offers companies a holistic view of their operations and finances. In the construction world, it combines project management and accounting into one solution that is linked by data. This type of software solves a critical missing link in construction – it links the office to the field. Information entered in one area can be immediately seen by the other, making real-time decision-making possible.

ERPs have several advantages over standalone accounting software, including the ability to see data in real time, integrated data, and a larger view of company performance. All of these allow management to assess and act on trends in the business. They can spot problems both in the field and the office and proactively address them.

3. Don’t be afraid to change

New software often brings new processes. No software program does things the same way as another, and companies need to be flexible in changing their processes. Using the software’s process will improve efficiency and avoid extra work. It can also allow for additional data collection, which can be beneficial in assessing productivity.

New software provides the opportunity to learn more about the company and its processes through the collection of additional data. Even though the company hasn’t collected certain data in the past doesn’t mean you can’t learn from the information.

4. Gather data

Data is key when it comes to improving performance in construction. By being able to gather data from both the field and the office, management can assess performance companywide and make improvements to increase efficiencies and improve performance. Without this data, management must rely on anecdotal evidence and assumptions about what is happening on site.

When companies gather more data, they have an opportunity to learn more about the company. With limited information available, management has to make assumptions to fill in the gaps. But with concrete information coming from the field, management can monitor both growth and performance in real-time, allowing them to make better decisions.

5. Use analytics

Analytics help companies predict future outcomes based on past events. The more data the company has available for analysis, the better the predictions are. Since construction software allows for the collection of data from the field and office, analytics can provide insight for both areas and allow project managers and company management to make better strategic decisions.

Analytics can predict incidents and problems ahead of time, like forecasting the possibility of safety incidents depending on the type of work being performed. This proactive response helps prevent problems and allows companies to improve performance and increase efficiency.

Conclusion

If your company is looking to increase efficiency and improve its performance, construction software is a key part of that journey. Start by making sure you have the right software for your situation by assessing multiple options before deciding. If it makes sense for your company, select an ERP solution that connects the office to the field. Don’t be afraid to change your internal processes to match the software’s procedures. Gather as much data as you can and use analytics to help you predict outcomes for your business. Premier Construction Software has all the tools you need to improve your key performance measurements. Contact us to request a demonstration.

To learn more about how you can improve performance with a construction software, schedule a call with our team for a live demonstration.

Author Biography:

Dawn Killough is a construction writer with over 20 years of experience with construction payments, from the perspectives of subcontractors and general contractors. Dawn has held roles such as a staff accountant, green building advisor, project assistant, and contract administrator.  Her work for general contractors, design firms, and subcontractors has even led to the publication of blogs on several construction tech websites and her book, Green Building Design 101.

 

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Industry Insight Mobile Resources Trends & Technology

Jonas Premier Favored for Contract Management by Capterra

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In a recently published article for Capterra, Content Marketing Analyst, Rachel Burger ranked Jonas Premier in the top 10 best constructions software packages for contract management. Citing Premiers unlimited document storage, ease of use and reputation for customer service excellence as defining features, Burger went on to explain that the criteria used in narrowing down her extensive list of candidates consisted of: Is the software industry-specific? Is it applicable for commercial construction? Are there contract management features, and ease of use.

As a provider of fully integrated Construction Project Management and Accounting Software, Jonas Premier offers cutting edge cloud based software for today’s contractors. With complete access to your data from the office, job site, and even the airport, you can make the right decisions for your business at all times. Good bye Citrix, good bye VPN, and welcome to safer, faster software.

 

About Capterra:

Capterra is a website that offers unbiased third party software advice and reviews, you can check them out here.

Rachel Burger is a Content Marketing Analyst, and you can check out some of her writing here.

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Industry Insight

Why Contractors Should Stick To True Cloud Technology

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cloud software

A true cloud deployment brings contractors and their business a convenient, affordable and on-demand infrastructure. This is an advantageous alternative to having to configure, optimize and back-up software applications. A true cloud platform provides several distinct advantages including smaller expenditures for IT resources, hardware and maintenance.

 

The most powerful benefit of true cloud technology is the “ease of use”, which is often overlooked. A cloud’s true potential should be to provide more than a web-based version of an application – its true potential should have the ability to host all applications and make them as easily accessible to the end users as if they are sitting in the office.

 

Many software vendors operate on a subscription basis where they charge monthly, quarterly or annually for their services, so expenditure on software, hosting and supporting is more predictable. Conversely, traditional desktop software which might require specific equipment, may lead to increased costs investing in additional computers or servers. This in turn not only infringes on a company’s cash reserve, but also eats into their bottom line net income due to the increased depreciation costs of the additional required equipment.

 

True cloud technology allows for increased flexibility on all platforms including training and receiving ongoing support which can be delivered on demand with the only requirement being internet access. With traditional software, often users are required to invest in additional capital outlays for new hardware or software access which is usually via a standard internet browser or through a provider that uses in-house servers and/or gateways such as VPN and Citrix.

 

Another advantage to true cloud technology is the security that comes with it.  Storing sensitive information on a cloud software requires advanced encryption, highly resilient data centers complete with sophisticated backup systems.  This all comes equipped with your cloud software but extremely difficult for traditional software to replicate.

 

Jonas Premier – secured by Microsoft Azure, offers a true cloud format so that users can access the system anytime, anywhere on any device. Take advantage of a true cloud provider that offers a true cloud technology solution and stick with it.

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Trends & Technology

Upcoming IT Trends for 2015

computer

Technology trends are becoming more strategic and are quickly developing. With continuous advancements in smart-phone technology, there is room for an increased emphasis on the needs of the mobile user within diverse environments. Instead of the focus on the device itself, smart-phones and wearable devices are becoming part of a broader computing context. User experience design is the new center of focus.

 

  • IoT – also known as the internet of things, is continuing to expand. Driven by user-oriented computing, the digital business is to be replicated within the industrial and operational context and its main focus will be the product and process within digital business.
  • 3D printing costs are decreasing and will continue over the course of the next couple of years. Due to the decrease, it is leading the market into another direction. This direction would be the rapid growth of these particular low-cost machines. Expansion within the industrial, bio medical and consumer applications are becoming the main highlights of technological trends.
  • Analytics are continuing to advance due to the internet of things and embedded devices. Structured and unstructured data within organizations will continue to generate. Every app will transform into an analytic app.
  • Another trend consists of context-rich systems that are alert and responsive to all surroundings. Context- aware security is an example of an early application trend that will emerge.
  • Mobile computing as well as cloud computing continue to lead to the growth of applications that can be delivered to any device. Cloud computing is the foundation of self-service computing for both external and internal facing applications. Jonas Premier offers an integrated construction software solution is that 100% true cloud. This includes the launch of the Jonas Premier Mobile app that is currently available for Android devices, along with an iOS version set to be released.
  • The digital business requires flexibility in order to develop methods for programming. It can range from infrastructure basics to applications. Software defined networking, data centers and security are maturing, and therefore the demand for computing to move away from static to dynamic models are continuing to rise.
  • The evolution of web-scale IT will result in companies forming their applications and infrastructure similar to Google or Facebook and even Amazon. As cloud-optimized and software-defined methods become mainstream, web-scale IT will evolve as commercial platforms embrace new models.
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Industry Insight Trends & Technology

Document Management – What to Consider

Document Management
Document Management

Picture this – endless piles of paper taking over your office and desk space. Sounds familiar?

If so, then it’s probably time to consider looking at an e-document management system. At a time when there are so many tools available to share and organize data there is huge value in deploying a system that ensures your information is accessible, secure, and easy to find for all its stakeholders.

The way you consume information is a personal preference. To many people, reading from a physical document is much more natural, comfortable and convenient than reading from a screen. To others, reading from the screen is more preferential.

Jonas Premier gives you the opportunity to go completely paperless by storing and transferring all your data digitally. We also make it easy to email and print reports. Part of what makes this possible is the integration with various Microsoft office programs:

Outlook – Automate your emails and send reports directly through Premier for quick and easy communication.

Excel – Generate spreadsheets on a platform that you’re already comfortable with, and see information the way you want to see it. Print, save, or email it.

A centralized, easily accessible location for all of your information will enable your entire team to collaborate on projects and reduce the time it takes to perform tasks. No more searching for missing information or sorting through outdated unorganized data. Companies that don’t require a hard copy of their documents are also at a significant cost advantage. There is less time spent on printing and filing which gives your administrative staff more time to accomplish other important tasks.

Premier’s document management system enables your team quick and easy access to the most current versions of their documents while also keeping an accurate historical audit trail. This reduces the risk of looking at stale information. Premier also designates which revision you are currently looking at as well as when it was created.

Although improving your document management system might not be your top priority, it is fairly easy to do and offers great rewards down the road. Go electronic with your documents and make sure your company is operating at its fullest potential!

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