In unprecedented ways, technology has changed our lives. We already digitized and standardized our work to a degree that we need far less workforce, from sales management applications to accounting applications. The digital age has emerged with technical advancements. All segments of industry benefit from technological advances. It’s a formidable job to be in the construction industry and handle all the organizational difficulties which arrive with a development (Construction) project. But now the construction businesses have begun to use Construction Management Software to plan, organize, and execute the construction projects. It helps to handle RFIs, decision making, report monitoring, task scheduling, progress monitoring, budgeting, market analytics and many more. Nevertheless, numerous construction firms are oblivious to how construction management software greatly manages any component of management and construction projects.
If we talk about construction management software, the big question is:
- Why to invest in Construction management software?
- Or investing in such kind of software is necessary?
According to marketwatch study, in 2018, the worldwide market for construction management software was estimated at 1K million and is forecast to hit 1620 million by the end of year 2024, Which means that the market is becoming more challenging and the specifications for software providers are becoming more rigorous as a result.
We answer all the common questions through this blog, in this blog, we’ll be covering,
- What is construction management software and who can use it?
- Features of construction management software.
- Benefits of construction management software for builders and contractors.
- Potential Issues.
So without any further ado, let’s get started.
What is Construction Management Software?
Construction management software is a multi-faceted software which has integrated management characteristics like schedule management, stock management, client management, project management, cost management, market forecasting, evaluating construction threats and plenty more. It is usually used by practitioners in construction management like companies, managers, building owners, architects, renovators, professional, local, and by industrial contractors.
Selection of right Construction Management Software
It is necessary for you to recognize yourself as being one of those users we have provided below before you begin checking custom construction management software. Much of the users in of these categories are:
Note – We’ll be using CMS instead of “Construction Management Software” below, so don’t get confused.
- CMS for General contractor – This type of user specifically on the attributes that will assist them in project cost control, documentation, and for planning.
- CMS for building owners – These types of users maintain a project implementation portfolio and would like to keep track of the timeline and expense of all projects. They are finding the best solution for both parties to enforce transparency.
- CMS for construction manager – The feature which includes financial planning, costing, and file monitoring would be pursued by this sort of user.
- CMS for subcontractors – The key and significant features that contractors are looking for are preparing to ensure that the appropriate team is at the right moment on the right job, optimizing crew efficiency and minimizing liabilities. They also opt for the functionality of record keeping.
- Web-based CMS – Web and mobile based construction management system that enables contractors to alter designs, adjust ideas, efficiently store data apart from basic functionality such as financial planning, planning, accounting etc.
- CMS with CRM for small construction companies that assists in simple contact, messaging, and reminders for clients.
- CMS with project development, project initiation, visual communication, resource allocation, workforce management etc.
Features of construction management software
In construction management software, several characteristics have indeed been added to make it efficient and peer-working. Below are amongst the most key features that should be included in the construction management system in order to provide a construction firm or business with some of the most comprehensive and total advance features potential for commercial, industrial, and residential construction work.
- Job costing – A construction management software must have to decide uniform prices for the various types of services your company or business provides in the construction domain. Besides that it helps to determine the cost of contractor, manager, supervisor, and for workers.
- Service management – The perfect construction management software must’ve been able to handle and assign assigned tasks, build plans, allocate resources and assets, and schedule employment effectively and efficiently.
- Accounting – It is necessary to carefully monitor the operating expenses and costs of a construction project and certain software for the task would also have to be able to incorporate with several other kinds of business accounting software. A construction accounting software must automate functions including such account receivables, accounts payable, entry of work orders, and payroll. With the ability to change depending on the customer and task.
- Alerts – Holding the CEO, administrators, customers, jobs and subcontracts up-to-date about the project’s recent developments. All the correspondence received or sent is processed by this feature.
- Other imp features –Job scheduling, stock management, bid proposals, purchase orders, equipment management and plenty more.
As of now, we’ve discussed probably everything about construction management software. Now let’s move forward and discuss the main section of this blog, benefits of construction management software for builders and contractors. So without taking much of your time let’s discuss.
Benefits of Construction Management Software
1. Effective Document Management
Construction was and still is a business that is document-heavy. The problem is that the things like documents of shift order that nobody seems to recall are normal to miss. Another significant benefit of construction management software is that it can act as a base for all your documentation, which is important in a regulatory regime such as construction. Retention and maintenance of documentation also helps you to quickly access items such as safety training reports, certifications & licenses, and documents for safety alteration. With a construction management system you could also give such records and documents descriptive labels to make them easily discoverable and accessible, so that you can put your fingers on them at the precise point of time when you require them.
2. Ensure Greater Safety
Everybody understands that construction can be hazardous work, but it will be much better with modern technologies. Wearable sensors can recognize harmful situations and warn a site management to take necessary actions. Wearables could even recognize the movement patterns and heart rate of a worker and start comparing them to a reference point stored in the memory. If there is a difference suggesting exhaustion or disease, the worker may be taken off-site to take rest, rehydrate and can even obtain medical treatment if needed. Construction management software could incorporate data warnings such as these into a project management system which is a part of construction management software that brings the same level of knowledge to managerial departments as a site manager has.
3. Better Budget Management
As we all know, it’s not easy to run a construction business, so the project costs are managed. If the financial planning of the project is not really managed appropriately, then the contractor could undergo a financial meltdown. Construction management software track company accounts and project expenses. This enables the contractor to plan an advance project plan, such as: requirement of materials, requirement of machines, the requirement for workforce, necessary number of machines and plenty more. This would help to reduce the excess of materials and over-budget problems. It’ll also give contractors an understanding of the exact criteria.
4. Exact planning and preparations
Bringing the right staff, supplies, and tools to the construction site on time is among the most problems many construction companies and businesses face every day. But construction management software renders this simple. As once the platform is modified with the name, accessibility knowledge and qualifications of each employee, the system could indeed match that information in order to make a better schedule for you with a list of construction sites and projects. At the perfect time, it can also allocate the correct devices and tools to the right construction site and provide you with the entire schedule in a dashboard that would be as convenient to use as your Smartphone.
5. Improves Customer Experience
After all, whenever a construction company completes their project swiftly and under budget, clients will walk out the door pleased and fulfilled. In the event that they have a similar work in the future, a happy client will possibly deal with you. In order to continue their partnership with their existing and former clients, construction firms and businesses are now using construction management software. It implements fundamental management techniques in order to help a contractor to increase its success rates and delivery performance, meet the goals of its clients and minimize its emphasis.
6. Enhanced & Effective Communication
Communication is often a critical aspect for every business field. Assume, when you’re at the workplace and staff at the construction site require some details from you. Then you should authorize his RFI with construction management software so that only he can acquire the necessary details and move forward with the project. For the success of construction projects, successful communication and transparency are critical. With construction management software, coordination becomes both seamless and simple. The rapid and coherent outflow of information that helps to better prepare and execute a project is encountered by all projects employees.
7. Proper Resource Utilization
The resources could be effectively and potentially used thanks to construction management software. The contractor remains informed about the on-going operations and services which are being used. As fast as a resource becomes unavailable, it can be updated on the application. If that equipment is needed for the next step, it could be allocated for the next function.
8. Better analytics
Each and every information of the construction project is captured by construction management software. For review of the status of the project, the information can be gathered at any point of time. as per the strategy to take urgent actions, the contractor will evaluate the actual project progress with the expected project progress.
Of necessity, for every organization to achieve long-term success, it’s necessary to track the status of the project. Thankfully, dedicated construction management software plays a vital role in tracking staged projects. Project management tools could provide information into the execution of a project on schedule or after the deadline.
Issues with construction management software
The use of construction management software also has its drawbacks, with all its benefits and features. These drawbacks typically affect small construction businesses and are correlated with the price of software. Below are some:
- High Cost – Due to its high cost, small companies might not be able to access such technology. Despite the advantages outweighing the potential of these costs, many alternatives can prove to be very expensive for small contractors.
- Introduction of New software – Organizations are often forced to provide time to train workers and introduce new solutions. But due to the absence of technical expertise of certain workers, it may take valuable time.
- Updates and Costs – Certain solutions can become outdated over time, despite the plethora of updatable and upgradable construction management software will contribute to more investments in new solutions.
But all these issues can be resolved by partnering with the right construction management software development firm.
If you already own a construction company or business and face obstacles as big as your works, then it demands for construction management software. Now would be the right opportunity to bring a brave measure towards this technical method to get the Construction Company or business to levels quickly and efficiently. Although it might be difficult to select and work with software, the benefits you get overweight all the issues we discussed above. Just partner with the leading construction management software development company like us can do wonders in your existing business.
Looking for a professional development firm? Contact us, we’ll be happy to help you.
For further information, visit our website www.matellio.com