Connected Productivity: How AEC Software can Increase Billable Hours

Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms have to maintain focus on not only winning new business, but also on keeping the clients in there already existing portfolio. Becoming a truly Connected Firm is the solution, however, technology is only half of the equation. In this blog from our Connected Firm series, we will address Connected Productivity.

Across all the firms that we work with, we’ve seen a common denominator when it comes to the issues they face with productivity. This common denominator is that they all have adopted (and are using) inefficient processes in their daily routines. Unfortunately, many AEC ERP software solutions do not “mesh” with the software your employees are already using (Outlook, Excel, Teams, etc.). Connected Productivity creates an environment where these daily applications are compatible with your AEC ERP software.

Connected Productivity Will Save You Money!

From a business standpoint, wasted time equals wasted money. Not just wasted money, but a missed opportunity for a higher production and revenue. Your staff will actively avoid using a system that is not user friendly or efficient, even when it concerns something as pivotal as filling out a timesheet. This is their pay we’re talking about! Implementing Connected Productivity is a must-have, as it prevents many downfalls that can arise in a company…unhappy employees, late project deliveries, and an overall increase of non-billable time.

Help Employees Help Themselves

Our aec360 ERP software was created with Connected Productivity at the forefront of its design. Typically, Outlook is the first application opened in a workday, and is the last application to be closed at the end. It’s probably the most widely and frequently used application, across the board. This is an ideal situation for Connected Productivity to strut its stuff. It can spearhead the way for your staff to collect the data necessary to managing your AEC firm.

Here is a good example…

When an email is opened, aec360 goes to work compiling any and all data about the sender. Their contact records, any new opportunities to pitch, all transactional records, and an overall activity tracker that shows each contact made with this sender’s company. It’s all at your fingertips. No more jumping from system to system, database to database, or any other time wasting activity. This will only get in the way of a productive and pleasant interaction with a customer or client. The most valuable information you'll see is an overall status of standing between your firm and the sender’s company. Generated from “touch points”, aec360 calculates a score based off of past contact made with this particular company. Even down to which of your firm’s employees made the contact. As if it needed to do any more, it also provides an external link to LinkedIn to allow the gathering of any other details or information that could benefit your conversation.

Just think about time saved by providing your staff with a one stop shop for all of this valuable data!

Work Directly with Excel: Management Software…not just a spreadsheet!

Another example of Connected Productivity is demonstrated through how aec360 is integrated with Excel. With one click of a mouse, the entire process of data entry can be moved to Excel. In addition, all of the data entry parameters set by your ERP system are still in effect in Excel. This ensures maintaining the security needed of your firm’s data is always accomplished.

Why Connected Productivity is So Important

Without it, your employees must abandon their familiar systems to fulfill what should be simple processes in your ERP system. Jumping from system to system is wasted billable time. It delays many processes, frustrates your employees, and hinders project collaboration and communication. With aec360’s focus on Connected Productivity, your staff will not only become more efficient at their jobs, but better still, they may actually enjoy using your ERP system!

With aec360, you can have a Connected firm. Let us show you more in our on-demand webinar, How to Achieve a Connected AEC Firm with Dynamics 365 and aec360.

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