Top 3 ERPs for the construction industry

The construction industry has changed drastically from the local commercial builders that used to define construction work to the large multi-entity and multi-trade organizations dominating the industry today. As the construction industry has evolved, it has demanded more sophisticated solutions to manage complex projects, streamline operations, and stay competitive in a fast-paced environment. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems serve as one of the most powerful tools to achieve business growth goals. ERPs integrate key business processes, with benefits specific to the construction industry like enhanced project management, financial control, resource allocation, and reporting. Here, we highlight the top 3 ERPs for the construction industry—Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and NetSuite. Each solution offers distinct advantages tailored to the unique needs of construction companies.

Sage Intacct is known for its strong financial management capabilities, making it a popular choice for construction businesses seeking a powerful, cloud-based ERP system. It offers a comprehensive suite of reporting features designed to help companies manage their finances with precision and transparency. With customizable dashboards and real-time reporting, business leaders gain immediate insights into project profitability, cash flow, and resource allocation—empowering smarter, faster decision-making. Overall, Sage Intacct delivers the agility, scalability, and control construction businesses need to thrive in a competitive market.

Key Features for Construction:

• Project Costing & Financial Management: Sage Intacct enables contractors to manage complex projects with a focus on accurate financial tracking. From labor costs to materials, it offers detailed project costing insights and at-the-moment visibility into project performance to help construction project teams stay on budget and on schedule.
• Multi-entity and Multi-currency Support: For construction companies working on multiple projects across different locations or even internationally, Sage Intacct’s multi-entity and multi-currency functionality ensures smooth consolidation and reporting automatically. Not only does this multi-entity reporting feature boost close times, but it also ensures accuracy by cutting manual processing.
• Automation of Routine Processes: Sage Intacct was designed to help organizations boost profitability. Beyond their multi-entity consolidations, Sage Intacct has a host of automation features that reduce the cumbersome administrative burden of financial management. Through automation, Sage Intacct helps construction companies cut manual processing to save time and money to improve overall operational efficiency.

Why Construction Companies Choose Sage Intacct

Sage Intacct is ideal for construction companies that require a robust financial solution that comes with advanced reporting and forecasting capabilities. Plus, it integrates with your existing third-party project management tools avoiding operational hiccups during implementation. Sage Intacct is a top choice for companies that prioritize financial accuracy and want to gain project transparency.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is an integrated ERP solution that offers a comprehensive suite of tools to manage everything from financials to supply chain operations. D365 Business Central is built on a cloud platform and delivers seamless integration with your other Microsoft products, making it particularly appealing for construction companies that already use Microsoft tools. With real-time reporting, customizable workflows, and powerful automation, construction companies can improve productivity, reduce errors, and make informed decisions faster. Business Central’s adaptability and robust functionality make it a smart, future-proof ERP investment for construction firms aiming to stay competitive and efficient.

Key Features for Construction:

• Project Management and Accounting: D365 Business Central provides a full suite of project management tools to track project budgets, manage resources, and monitor team member progress. These features help ensure construction projects stay on track with real-time financial updates, so your decision makers have the data they need to avoid cost overruns.
• Inventory and Supply Chain Management: Construction projects depend heavily on the timely delivery of materials and supplies. Business Central helps streamline the supply and equipment procurement process, accurately manage inventory levels, and track orders, ensuring that construction projects are not delayed due to material shortages or logistical issues.
• Seamless Integration with Microsoft Systems: So many businesses already use Microsoft applications daily. For construction companies currently using tools such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Teams, Business Central integrates seamlessly with these applications, enabling smooth collaboration and faster team utilization because you’re already fully emersed in the Microsoft application ecosystem.

Why Construction Companies Choose Business Central

D365 Business Central is an excellent choice for construction businesses that desire a centralized platform for financial management and supply chain logistics. Plus, its strong integration with other Microsoft tools makes it a popular pick for companies already invested in the Microsoft.

NetSuite by Oracle is another leading cloud-based ERP system built with functionality to serve the unique needs of the construction industry. NetSuite is known for its scalability, flexibility, and robust feature set. With on-the-spot visibility into budgets, costs, and timelines it provides construction firms the ability to make informed decisions and proactively manage projects that stay on schedule and on budget. Furthermore, NetSuite is capable of supporting business growth while providing a comprehensive solution that helps construction finance teams manage complex projects and operations on a global scale.

Key Features for Construction:

• Enhanced Project Management: Beyond its budget and resource tracking capabilities, NetSuite supports job costing, subcontractor management, and billing automation to simplify complex workflows and reduce manual errors. With NetSuite your team can track project related expenses like labor, materials, equipment, and overhead to identify and eliminate waste and control project profitability.
• Financial Management & Reporting: NetSuite offers powerful financial management tools, including advanced billing, financial planning, and real-time reporting. The system also supports complex revenue recognition requirements, which are essential for construction companies dealing with long-term contracts.
• Global Scalability: As construction companies expand globally, NetSuite’s multi-currency and multi-country capabilities ensure that they can manage operations seamlessly across different markets. Its centralized system ensures consistency and reduces the risk of errors in cross-border projects.

Why Construction Companies Choose NetSuite

NetSuite is ideal for growing construction companies that need a flexible, scalable ERP solution that can support both local and international operations. Its deep functionality in project management, finance, and global business management makes it a powerful tool for companies looking to expand their reach while maintaining tight control over their operations.

Our experienced team of technology consultants has over two decades of experience in the implementation and support of ERP systems including Microsoft, Sage, and NetSuite software. With industry specific know-how, our team of experts help our clients in the construction industry optimize their operations by tailoring their preferred ERP solution to fit their specific business needs. A partnership with our team is a partnership for success. With the help of our expert consultants, construction firms can ensure successful ERP implementation and trusted ongoing support. No matter the ERP system you choose, you can rely on our team to help your business improve operations, boost profitability, and optimize your construction project management.

Implementation Services:

• Needs Assessment: We work closely with construction companies to assess their unique needs and guide them through the ERP selection process to find the best fit for their software requirements.
• Customization and Configuration: Our consultants customize and configure our clients’ preferred ERP system to align with their existing workflows and business applications, ensuring seamless integration on day one.
• Training: Our consultants provide custom and comprehensive training on all our applications to help new users maximize their technological investment. We ensure your team is ready for success as they start utilizing their new ERP system, ensuring smooth application adoption.

Support Services:

• Ongoing Support: We offer ongoing support to help our construction clients maintain and troubleshoot their ERP systems, ensuring minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
• System Upgrades: Our consultants assist users with system updates and upgrades to ensure their software remains current with industry standards and evolving business needs.

Choosing the right ERP system is crucial for construction companies looking to improve their financial management, streamline operations, and gain better insights into their project performance. Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, and NetSuite each offer robust features tailored to the construction industry, with unique strengths that help users enhance project accounting, job costing, and so much more.

By partnering with our team at Rand Group you can ensure your ERP project success. Our team’s expertise in deploying and supporting ERP systems can help construction companies leverage the full potential of their technology investment, driving efficiency, profitability, and growth. Connect with a member of our team today to learn how we can help your construction business drive growth with ERP implementation and support.