Why SaaS Is Essential For The Residential Home Construction Industry
In residential home construction, data from different stages of each project are usually stored in silos — servers or desktops, individual desktops, laptops and smartphones. In addition, several programs are typically used for processes including estimating, document management, scheduling, accounting, human resources, CAD/BIM, materials tracking and more. Even when each piece of software is cloud-based, they don’t always integrate or communicate with each other. The inability to access a holistic view of data often leads to wrong decisions that can delay projects and impact performance and profitability. Due to the high costs of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Home Builders’ low profit margins, an investment in this infrastructure is unaffordable. SaaS technology designed specifically for residential Builders, Suppliers and Contractors is a cost-effective option that offers numerous benefits.
What is SaaS?
SaaS stands for Software-as-a-Service, a subscription-based software solution delivered to users anywhere via the cloud. Instead of installing software on company computers, a centralized third-party software vendor takes care of providing the service and all maintenance, including updates, backup and security.
The Top 9 Benefits of SaaS Solutions
SaaS software makes it easier to manage privileges, monitor data use and ensure everyone has access to the same information in real-time. Builders and Suppliers who use SaaS experience numerous benefits — from collaboration and real-time communication — to business continuation.
1. Collaboration and Real-Time Communication
Cloud-based Enterprise Resource Platforms (ERPs) connect departments together on a common platform, enabling everyone to work together — from accountants and foremen to Suppliers and trade. By leveraging a single collaboration platform and unified repository for documents across multiple locations, SaaS greatly improves productivity and organization. Real-time communication capabilities deliver accurate, up-to-the-minute information, so you won’t have to worry about your team overlooking changes, even when work routines are altered.
2. Cost Savings
Cloud-based SaaS eliminates the significant cost of ICT acquisition, installation and maintenance. Research indicates cloud-based computing not only significantly reduces the initial ICT investment cost, but also reduces operational, data storage and energy consumption costs.
3. Time Savings
For most SaaS solutions, installation only requires an internet connection and a log-in. Since the vendor maintains the solution, this eliminates extra work hours and downtime associated with conventional software.
4. Accessibility and Compatibility
In addition to being costly, licensed software can only be loaded onto a specified number of devices. With cloud-based SaaS, you won’t have to worry about contractors or clients having PCs, tablets or smartphones. Its ubiquitous nature offers accessibility from any device over the internet, any time — from the back-office, home, project sites or elsewhere.
5. Scalability
Every residential construction business and geographic market is different and subject to changes, many of which are influenced by outside factors such as supply chain issues and inflation. All companies have unique metrics, such as the projected and actual number of annual projects and manpower and equipment required to complete them. SaaS created for Builders and Suppliers provides the flexibility to accommodate these differences.
6. Remote Viewing
If you work on a non-SaaS platform, the only way to check on the status of a project or work order is to physically go in and look. This can be time-consuming, and in emergency situations, may become difficult or even impossible. Working on a SaaS platform provides real-time access to every job and contract, anywhere at any time.
7. Limitless Data Storage
Today’s BIM models, CAD drawings and multimedia presentations are huge files. Without the cloud, it can be difficult to pass along or store documents on some devices because they take up too much room. SaaS with cloud storage enables making all important documents available to every authorized user.
8. Security
Cloud security includes encryption, up-to-date security software, security audits and more. The residential construction sector can’t afford or match the level of data security found in SaaS cloud-based solutions in their in-house infrastructures.
9. Business Continuation
A cloud-based ERP that connects all your stakeholders to all the information they need, regardless of their location, can help prevent a prolonged shutdown due to unforeseen circumstances. Even if you can’t continue all your operations, you’ll be able to attend to key aspects of your business, such as bidding, processing orders, scheduling, communicating with your customers, payroll and paying vendors.
Explore the Benefits of SaaS with Hyphen Solutions
Hyphen offers residential construction software that optimizes the way Builders and Suppliers work together. BuildPro is the most powerful, comprehensive new home building SaaS on the market, which is why 21 out of the top 26 Home Builders in America trust it every day. SupplyPro interacts with BuildPro to facilitate real-time communication between Builders, Suppliers and contractors. SupplyPro GM provides general construction trades, contractors and Suppliers with customizable features to fit their unique business needs and execute jobs efficiently.
Learn more about how your company can benefit from integrated, cloud-based business solutions that connect Builders and Suppliers in a unified platform. Contact our experts or schedule a demo today.
