One workflow without repeated data entry
The ideal flow creates the project from the awarded version and keeps every transaction linked to its chapter or item.
- Bid and target budget
- Requirements, comparisons and orders
- Actual labour, materials, plant and subcontract work
- Work completed and valued
- Invoice, payment and final margin
Five figures management needs
Each item must distinguish bid, target, committed, actual and certified figures. Mixing them hides variances until action is expensive.
The ERP must fit the contractor
A small refurbishment company may prioritise estimates and subcontracting; a larger contractor may also need stock, tools, planning, safety and document control.
Define the agreement between systems
Identify which system maintains codes, prices and approved versions. Decide whether exchange is manual, scheduled or uses an available ERP interface. Updating an item, creating a version or requesting review when data changes are business decisions as well as technical ones.
From estimate to purchase: an example
To propose purchases from material resources, map them to internal products, purchasing units and actual needs. Estimated resource quantities are a starting point; stock, waste allowances and existing orders may alter the amount to buy. The integration should make these decisions visible.
What to test in a pilot
Choose a representative project. Compare quantities, prices and links to internal objects. Repeat the import to detect duplication. Test a new version and an invalid file. Accept the pilot when users can explain both its results and its errors.