Blog

Disruption Now The Biggest Detractor For Changing Construction Accounting Systems

Whilst the financial investment required by a construction business to change accounting systems remains a key consideration, it’s the perceived disruption caused by the change which is now the largest reason businesses avoid a change to their construction accounting system.

Perhaps not a surprise when you consider that accounts teams’ in the construction industry have been shrunk back to the bare minimum in the past few years, and it is undeniable that changing any business system won’t cause some level of day to day disruption.

Limiting disruption

There are however a number of procedures put in place by construction accounting software providers such as Integrity Software, which help to make this process a lot less scary and disruptive than you’d perhaps imagine.

Thorough implementation planning

Sounds simple, but a planning session with an experienced project manager and key members of staff to map out exactly what will be happening when, and with who at the start of the process goes a long way.

This is a time to plan a realistic go-live date and for the project manager to share the details of key milestones that make your implementation pain-free. Most businesses we talk to use this time to discuss their data migration and the best structure for their new system, alongside deciding when and who will be required for particular training.

Sam Creasey, Professional Services Manager at Integrity Software comments, “Despite the benefits they can foresee in the new system, many construction companies feel anxious initially about the process of changing systems and training staff. However, by the end of the Project Kick-off meeting, they can visualise a very structured and supported road ahead of them”.

Training literature

Easily overlooked but essential to successful implementations is providing users with training documentation. Notes to reference back to in the ‘heat of the moment’ is a perfect way of limiting day to day business disruption to an accounts team. Whether it’s creating a purchase order, raising an invoice or completing month-end procedures, training documentation supported by online resources such as recorded webinars, make a real difference.

Go-Live & Month End hand holding

The training went well, the system appears to be set up and working correctly, but until the first month-end is complete, employees have been paid correctly and the management reports are run, the threat to business disruption is not over. Having someone on-site to support businesses through key milestones such as these provides that extra bit of comfort for the accounts and commercial teams.

Limiting the disruption to your business

It is certainly not uncommon for businesses to research a new system and plan the functionality required alongside new processes, only to stall at the final hurdle when a threat is posed to the business operation as ‘normal’.

However, as a construction accounting software provider the most important thing we can do is to recognise the threat of this disruption and support businesses through a change to ultimately help them experience all the benefits they’ve identified as the reasons for changing systems in the first place. Find out more about our ongoing Support services here.

If you are considering a change of your construction accounting system, put Integrity Software to the test and let us show you how easy we can make the implementation of your new construction accounting system. Contact our team today to organise your complimentary demonstration.