Benefits of Construction Management Software as a Service
When you’re busy running your company, staying up to date on the latest software doesn’t feel like a top priority. Unfortunately, that means your competitors could be making their businesses more efficient and profitable while yours is falling behind.
The good news is that you’re likely already familiar with the technology, if not the latest developments. In this overview, discover the benefits of construction management software as a service and the different types you can use to improve your business.
What is software as a service (SaaS)?
Virtually all contractors today use software in their business, downloading programs to their computers to design projects, generate documents or just create spreadsheets to track costs. With traditional software, the business owner buys licenses for all users and is responsible for installation, maintenance and security.
Software as a service, or SaaS, delivers those applications digitally and makes them accessible from any device with an internet connection. The SaaS provider is responsible for managing security and access, updates and storage, so the business owner is free to focus on their actual contracting work.
But why make the switch from on-premise software to software as a service? Explore how SaaS can make your contracting business more agile.
How construction SaaS benefits your business
For builders and contractors in the professional trades, SaaS can make your business more flexible, efficient and cost-effective while also helping protect data from failures. See the benefits your business could get by taking advantage of current technology.
Cost savings and scalability
Instead of buying all the equipment and maintaining storage space for traditional software, business owners have more flexibility with subscription SaaS. Providers use a range of pricing models, which could be a flat rate, based on usage or active users, tiered pricing that might even have a basic free level, or another type.
With SaaS, smaller companies can take advantage of new technology with lower upfront costs, and larger companies can grant access to as many stakeholders as they need to for different projects.
And businesses of any size can customize the level of service they need without paying for features they won’t use.
Accessibility
With SaaS, your crew can collaborate on projects no matter what operating system they use. For example, after your engineer develops a bill of materials (BOM) on their laptop, the procurement manager can suggest alternates from their phone before creating and distributing a request for proposal (RFP).
Anyone involved in a project can log in to the SaaS from a browser on an internet-connected device, get real-time information and move the project along smoothly. Many solutions can also integrate with other applications your company uses to make collaboration even easier.
Security
While it may feel as if controlling your data and equipment in your office is the best protection, data “in the cloud” can often be more secure.
Because providers are responsible for keeping data from multiple customers safe, they invest in stringent protocols and follow best practices like encryption, backup systems and user authentication.
With SaaS, business owners don’t have to stress about outages at work or damaged tablets on the jobsite—data can be recovered no matter what happens to the physical equipment.
Types of construction management SaaS
There are SaaS platforms that offer project management features specific to the construction industry. These niche solutions are called vertical SaaS. Features can include tools to bid on jobs, collaborate and share documents, complete invoices and payroll, track expenses, plan and schedule projects and more.
Instead of choosing a hefty package that may have features you don’t want, you can mix and match individual tools that would provide the most value to your business.
Perhaps you’re spending too much time on the procurement stage of your projects but you have field service management down to a science. In that case, a simple integration with Ferguson eProcurement services could save time and money.
While there is some overlap between tools, here are a few types of construction management SaaS that could benefit your business:
Field service management SaaS: Many of these solutions can streamline scheduling, managing work orders, allocating resources and more. And with field service apps like Bluon, which supports HVAC technicians in the field, your crew can connect with technical support and local distributors.
Accounting for construction: Financial management such as job costing, invoices, budgeting and payroll can be included in a field management SaaS or stand alone as a separate service. Solutions like Payzerware can integrate with other systems and simplify communication between your crew and the finance office.
Procurement solutions: SaaS solutions can help you with quote comparison, price tracking, inventory management and more. You can also send purchase orders automatically with Ferguson PunchOut technology or remove unnecessary steps with System-to-System ordering.
Building information modeling (BIM) services: Engineers, builders, architects and other stakeholders can collaborate through BIM SaaS, creating not just 3D designs but also BOMs. The BOM can then easily be sent for quotes to inform budget and scheduling.
Construction bid proposal software: SaaS can help with generating construction estimates by tracking all the details of the project, costs for supplies and necessary permits, and labor requirements as well as scheduling. With all the data available to all stakeholders, you can complete bids faster and more accurately.
Construction crew scheduling software: Trim downtime and wasted labor hours with scheduling SaaS that can track progress and help dispatch work to the right crew member. Solutions exist for whatever type of project management tool you prefer, whether that’s a simple calendar overview or an in-depth Gantt chart.
Specialized SaaS: Some solutions focus on critical parts of planning and building across the trades. For example, there’s software that combines BIMs with augmented reality on-site to detect possible errors, as well as software that applies artificial intelligence to identifying lead service lines, monitoring pipe conditions and more, such as VODA.ai®.
Explore construction SaaS available with Ferguson
As a trusted partner to building professionals, we can help you learn more about how you could benefit from construction management software. Contact us to explore SaaS solutions that are right for your business.