CU Nov-Dec 2023
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TECHNOLOGYfocus<br />
labour. On-premise ERP systems can cost<br />
companies over 30% more than cloudbased<br />
systems due to initial<br />
implementation and server costs, as well<br />
as ongoing IT support, maintenance work<br />
and even update implementation.<br />
Whilst historically, compliance with<br />
industry-specific standards and regulations<br />
is facilitated by on-premise solutions,<br />
some cloud-based ERP systems are now<br />
offering this also. This can be a critical<br />
factor for construction businesses bound<br />
by strict regulatory frameworks, such as<br />
the recent Part L regulation updates<br />
requiring more visibility across the<br />
construction industry than ever before.<br />
THE POWER OF CLOUD-BASED<br />
CONSTRUCTION ERPS<br />
The rising star of construction management<br />
software, cloud-based ERP software<br />
revolutionises the way construction<br />
businesses manage their operations,<br />
offering a range of business advantages<br />
that can significantly enhance efficiency<br />
and scalability. Some of today's best cloudbased<br />
ERP systems leverage the power of<br />
leading cloud systems such as Microsoft<br />
Azure to host your company's data and<br />
infrastructure on secure remote servers.<br />
In recent years cloud-based ERP<br />
systems have continued to innovate and<br />
improve, and construction companies all<br />
over the globe have shifted their<br />
construction management software over<br />
to cloud-hosted alternatives.<br />
This begs the question: why should I<br />
host my construction ERP on the cloud?<br />
Research shows that 21% of companies<br />
that implemented cloud ERP technology<br />
saw an improvement in profitability over<br />
a two year period. Meanwhile, only 5.4%<br />
of companies using a traditional onpremise<br />
ERP system reported any<br />
improvement in ROI.<br />
For businesses both new and old, we are<br />
always looking to grow. Cloud-based ERP<br />
systems by design are capable of growing<br />
with the success of your business,<br />
providing unparalleled scalability. Cloudhosted<br />
solutions allow you to<br />
seamlessly expand your business'<br />
resources, accommodating growth<br />
without the need for significant<br />
hardware investments. This<br />
elasticity is particularly advantageous for<br />
construction companies that experience<br />
fluctuating workloads, embark on<br />
ambitious projects, or see regular<br />
expansion through the likes of acquisitions.<br />
For a company's day-to-day, cloudbased<br />
ERP systems can significantly<br />
improve operational efficiencies. Through<br />
accessible remote work capabilities,<br />
teams can securely access critical data<br />
and applications from any location on any<br />
device. All project and company<br />
information is immediately uploaded and<br />
shareable to the wider team, allowing<br />
contractors to share orders, variations and<br />
defect instructions in real-time with<br />
subcontractors. Tmesheet information can<br />
also be accrued automatically and<br />
provided to operatives, site administrators<br />
and back office teams without delay.<br />
By building your business on one singleplatform<br />
you enable a single source of<br />
truth that fosters cross-team collaboration,<br />
enabling all project stakeholders,<br />
irrespective of their physical location, to<br />
work in tandem, ensuring seamless<br />
project progression.<br />
The most important factor for any<br />
business, though, is how cloud-based<br />
ERP systems can unlock revenue to be<br />
redirected to other critical areas of your<br />
business. Traditional on-premise hosting<br />
models often involve significant capital<br />
expenditure on hardware, maintenance,<br />
and IT personnel both at the initial<br />
implementation and ongoing maintenance<br />
of the system.<br />
Cloud-based solutions, on the other hand,<br />
operate on a subscription-based model,<br />
where businesses pay for the resources<br />
they use. This not only reduces upfront<br />
costs but also provides a predictable,<br />
manageable expense structure.<br />
Maintenance and updates are handled<br />
by the cloud service provider, alleviating<br />
the burden on internal IT teams. This<br />
ensures that the ERP system is always upto-date<br />
with the latest features, security<br />
patches, and performance<br />
enhancements, without requiring manual<br />
intervention.<br />
IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT ERP<br />
SOLUTION FOR YOU<br />
It's essential to recognise that one size<br />
does not fit all. Striking the right balance<br />
between these two solutions hinges on a<br />
nuanced understanding of your<br />
organisation's specific requirements and<br />
operational context. For organisations with<br />
a strong emphasis on customisation and<br />
control over their IT infrastructure, onpremise<br />
solutions may hold particular<br />
appeal. They provide the latitude for<br />
tailoring the ERP environment to precise<br />
specifications, aligning seamlessly with<br />
unique operational workflows.<br />
On the other hand, cloud-based<br />
solutions offer unparalleled scalability,<br />
accessibility and even profitability. If your<br />
construction business operates in an<br />
environment characterised by fluctuating<br />
project volumes or relies on a dispersed<br />
workforce, the cloud can provide the<br />
agility necessary to meet these demands.<br />
COINS ERP, THE LEADING CLOUD-<br />
HOSTED ERP SOFTWARE<br />
Built for the construction sector, Access<br />
COINS ERP is the leading end-to-end<br />
business management solution in the UK.<br />
Helping you manage risks, save time and<br />
increase profitability, Access COINS ERP<br />
is built and hosted on Microsoft Azure, the<br />
leading cloud for businesses.<br />
Unlike other ERP systems, The Access<br />
COINS construction cloud is an entirely<br />
construction-specific software built for the<br />
specific operational and regulatory needs<br />
of construction companies.<br />
Ready to transform your construction<br />
business? Arrange a demo with our<br />
specialists today to see the software in<br />
action and learn how Access COINS ERP<br />
can transform your construction business.<br />
Search Access Construction to find<br />
out more.<br />
<strong>Nov</strong>ember/<strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2023</strong> 15