Get More Bang For Your Buck and Increased ROI With Cloud-Based Software
Just as constant communication is important within your dealership and with your customers, communication is critical for your customers within their own businesses. Construction projects always involve a lot of players – some in the office, some in the field, and often associated stakeholders such as architects, attorneys, etc. Cloud-based software facilitates communication, and it can deliver increased ROI.
Cloud-based software enables everyone to remain connected, no matter where they are. Collaboration is easy, instead of cumbersome. That can improve jobsite productivity and streamline work across the board. Efficiencies save money. Frustration, too.
What could cloud-based solutions do for you (or your customers)?
The cloud provides a single source for capturing, storing and accessing information. It’s accessible from virtually anywhere. Everyone can easily do their part – entering data, labor and other site costs, event information, uploading documents, etc. And anyone can instantly search for the information they need.
In the old way, a sub has to contact the contractor if they have a question. Then the contractor has to submit a request to the architect, for example, and then wait for a response to send back down the line. This is not only slow, sometimes it’s like the children’s game “telephone.” Transmitted messages can be unrecognizable by the time they reach the final recipient. Information that is garbled or outdated can be a profit-killer.
Big projects involve big data. The more you amass, the harder it is to organize and manage. There’s a reason everyone hates paperwork. You can use technology such as email, FTP file transfers, etc., but it just isn’t enough to stem the tide of documents. Using the cloud, you never have to wrestle paper. Or wonder where it went when you need it. Or make umpteen copies so everyone has their own set. Everything is available 24/7, from the office or a mobile device.
Construction projects are literally a work in progress. They are fluid. Things can change quickly. This can be a tremendous problem when personnel are spread out. Thanks to cloud-based software and the prevalence of mobile devices, everyone is always in the loop – without having to waste time placing calls or waiting around for answers.
It all adds up to increased ROI
Immediate uploading and access to data eliminates delays that can cost jobs time and money. When everyone can see the latest information – all of it — in real time, you can avoid mistakes and misunderstandings that also cost time and money.
It’s easy to track work progress and other time-sensitive details, without having to wade through multiple spreadsheets, Word files, or other documents. Deadlines and deliverables stay front-and-center where they are easy to monitor, eliminating the risk of overlooking something crucial.
Thanks to instant, project-wide communication, work stays on track – the right track – even if something changes. That keeps the job moving forward. That reduces costs and protects profits.
Make the most of your cloud
The ability to access information in real time is valuable only if data and documents are uploaded to your cloud-based software right away. Delays simply short-circuit the communication system. On the other hand, quickly uploading information also specific financial benefits. You can give customers proof of performance sooner, so they can approve change orders and invoices faster. Considering that cash flow is a chronic problem for contractors, shortening the work-to-payment cycle can bring a big lift to overall business operations.
Use reports instead of spreadsheets. Charts and matrices may house a lot of detail, but they are unwieldy so it’s darn hard to quickly grasp the essentials. Your cloud solution enables you to enter data just once, then it can automatically feed into documents and reports as needed. Eliminating repetitive manual entry saves time, and more importantly, it greatly reduces risk of mistakes. Inaccurate data is no help at all. Anything you need to print out for review, no matter how complex, can be quickly assembled into a report.
One-time entry speeds estimating, payroll and other accounting tasks, and overall project management.
Often projects involve proprietary information you don’t want everyone to see. Cloud-based solutions are highly secure, and you can easily configure your software to restrict access as necessary.
For your dealership and your customers, moving to the cloud can streamline operations, improve communications, and get you more bang for your buck.
