Data Doesn’t Lie—3 Ways Cloud-based Solutions Improve Construction Project Supply Chain Management

Our needs grow over time, so technology must be adapted to make our lives easier. Whether it is finding a quick ride or checking real-time traffic updates, companies are making daily tasks faster and easier with the help of technology. This is where Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) comes in, and providers like Google and Dropbox are already changing the way people do business.

Cloud-based technology refers to the storage and usage of apps or information on the internet, rather than on your computer. E.g. when you use Amazon Web Services to compute information, and AWS does the processing work instead of your computer.

SaaS, on the other hand, refers to a cloud-based service where instead of downloading the app to the computer or device to run, you access the app using the browser. For example, Gmail is a full SaaS, and Microsoft Outlook still has a downloadable app.

1. Reduce Paper-Heavy Operations

Despite prevalent technological disruption elsewhere, the construction industry relies heavily on paper to manage its supply chain, believing they are better off without technology.

Many rely on manual operations by placing orders for building materials via phone call or email, printing out material requests and keeping hard copies of purchase orders or delivery notes. In most cases, the extent of technological savviness for these companies is likely just tracking budgets with spreadsheets. Overall, manual and paper-reliant processes are not ideal for companies looking forward to thriving in the future.

In order to optimise and standardise your supply chain management, it is recommended to transform your processes digitally. This means moving your data storage to the cloud, and using SaaS in order to manage your operations. The workflow will be smoother—the team can update the budget, order materials and update delivery information into one centralised platform.

You can access your data via your mobile devices wherever and whenever you need it. Don’t waste time rummaging through physical files—use your time for more value-added activities.

2. Simplify and Enhance Management

Material management is a complex and intricate task that can make or break a construction company. With effective supply management, work is completed on time, profits are boosted, and cash flow is positive. Yet, there are many who still manually perform data entry tasks, which can be riddled with human errors, considering the vast amount of data they have to handle.

Manual data entry also reflects an incomplete digital transformation, which will not do any favours for your company. In fact, it will seem as if using data is slowing down your management and does not bring any benefit to your operations.

To gain the full benefit and to thrive in a technology-driven world, construction companies must start considering mobile-friendly SaaS that connects the project site and office. Data will be stored online and accessible anywhere. When a change is made to the system at a project site, the changes are communicated in real time to the office and vice versa. This ensures your information is always accurate and up-to-date.

Data can be a powerful tool, but only if it is effectively tracked.

3. Maintain and Ensure Inventory Accuracy

Accuracy and precision are tricky goals to achieve in supply chain management, especially if companies are not fully adopting technological advancements.

Many contractors run into issues with inaccurate material management information. The main contributing factor to this inaccurate information is that data is updated in a timely manner and sometimes not updated at all.

This is easily preventable and optimisable with SaaS. Data entry becomes part of your project team’s workflow, with no additional workload necessary. It is automated, thus ensuring consistency across all data sources. Furthermore, SaaS allows real-time updates, which means changes are reflected immediately, so you never have to worry about using outdated information.

Finding a good software-as-a-service can be challenging, but highly rewarding. Users of Speedbrick COMPOSE have reported positive results within a short span of time using it.

Speedbrick COMPOSE?is a cloud-based SaaS that empowers you to monitor the most crucial part of your operation: procurement. Its features include, but are not limited to:

• Available historical price trends
• Automatic monthly material report generation
• Seamless accounting software integration
• Overbudget alerts

With Speedbrick COMPOSE, your supply chain management will be enhanced as the software:

• Provides real-time actionable insights
• Increases visibility and accountability across the board, managing stakeholders efficiently
• Allows convenient and efficient procurement, also eliminating duplicate efforts