by by Joe Taylor Jr., Consultant
As dedicated computing platforms for Enterprise Resource Planning emerged in the manufacturing sector, managers grew accustomed to relying on their ERP systems for routine processes. However, as many businesses adapt to the demands of today's marketplace, a growing number of companies expect their ERP systems to change along with them.
Today's most popular integrated solutions include project management modules that help keep track of everything from major initiatives to everyday client requests.
As one of Malaysia's largest engineering and construction companies, Sunway Construction takes on projects of all shapes and sizes. Because every new construction project requires interacting with manufacturing partners, freight companies, and subcontractors, Sunway's leaders wanted to build a single point of entry to track every detail on each of their simultaneous projects.
The Oracle Accelerate solution that Sunway's leaders chose allowed them to bridge the gap between their legacy systems and their desired results without disrupting critical payroll or scheduling processes. Instead of temporarily winding down operations before implementing their project management solution, Sunway actually accelerated work for their clients by leveraging the data created during the phased implementation. As a result, Sunway's leaders have increased productivity on their job sites, while using tracked expenses from previous projects to build more competitive quotes on new jobs.
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Smaller Companies Use ERP Project Management Tools to Compete
Even smaller companies are finding the value in project management solutions within their ERP platforms. In Pasadena, California, experts from Property Condition Assessments provide engineering consulting expertise to real estate investors along the West Coast. Although many of the tasks required during a property assessment are similar, no two of the companies' final products are exactly alike.
By deploying an integrated solution from the Oracle Accelerate family of services, PCA has streamlined the process of collecting raw data from job sites and generating client reports. Project managers can customize templates for new projects, while human resource leaders can review productivity data from previous assignments to better estimate costs and margins.
Until fairly recently, this kind of data transparency frightened some project managers, especially in larger organizations. However, when company leaders foster a culture of innovation and teamwork, ERP software can be used to heighten efficiency instead of to pass blame. In many cases, ERP systems alert project managers to potential problems and bottlenecks earlier in a project's life cycle, helping to avoid major problems later. With new modules that can be deployed in a matter of weeks, analysts expect IT directors to make room in their data centers fro project management tools over the coming years.
Sources
Oracle
Wall Street Journal
ZDNet
As an internal consultant for a Fortune 500 company, Joe Taylor Jr. coaches business owners on technology. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Ithaca College.
