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Construction ERP & Financial Integrations to Keep Office & Operations Teams Happy

Published Date
Author Justin Dye

Historically, accounting and IT departments have managed enterprise resource planning (ERP) environments and forced project management teams to make these solutions work for operations. ERPs can be configured to meet the needs of accounting teams, and their on-prem deployment allowed IT to control accessibility. These solutions are packed with features that cater to the needs of back-office teams, making their lives a lot easier.  

But what about the operations teams? They are implementing project and field management tasks, document controls, and third-party collaboration to extend beyond the internal focus of an ERP. They require flexible solutions that can keep up and make their lives easier whether they are in the office or at the jobsite.  

Until recently, software applications for managing the finances of construction paid little attention to anyone outside of the back office. As a result, the technology tools available often stifled collaboration between these external stakeholders, who had limited access to key budget and profitability information, which makes it very hard to run a successful business. 

Fortunately, integrations between project management solutions and ERP/financial systems are helping make managing finances, fieldwork, and everything in between much simpler. By combining the power of project management and financial tools, teams can have a solution that meets the requirements of everyone involved in a construction project.  

But what exactly do these solutions look like? 

A brief history of ERPs in construction  

To fully understand the construction ERP and accounting landscape, it helps to take a step back and see how we got here.  

Traditionally, there were two main trends in the world of construction accounting: ERP and project management.  

The first trend was the rise of highly customizable ERPs that offered unique capabilities to each customer. These programs were robust, but they were expensive and usually required a database administrator.  

So, another solution emerged: the native model, which came in the form of an ERP with a project management module embedded inside it. These systems were tailored, had additional features represented by modules, and were less expensive to own and implement. However, they felt very accounting-focused and struggled at tracking field-level activities.  

A shift in the construction software industry 

Software decisions were primarily made by the IT department or back-office staff in the past, but this trend has changed in recent years. Operations teams, who are responsible for managing projects and ensuring profitability, increasingly assert themselves as crucial stakeholders in software procurement and adoption. Additionally, third-party stakeholder collaboration (e.g., GCs, subs, owners, and designers all connected by technology) has gained broader acceptance in construction projects. 

Because of these factors, software providers realized they had to offer better solutions to operations teams. Thus, we saw the growth of web-based collaborative platforms that served the needs of project management and operations.  

The rising power of integrations 

Another contributing factor driving the construction tech landscape is the rise of point-to-point integrations and middleware. Software companies now recognize the need to build integrations rather than trying to provide an all-in-one solution that meets everyone’s needs.  

As such, the number of point solutions and add-ons expanded, and integrations have now become a part of every software decision. Accounting and project management are no exception.  

To achieve better results in construction projects, companies must move away from walled gardens and adopt connected platforms. That way, teams, processes, and technologies can stay aligned, resulting in higher efficiency, smarter decisions, and better project outcomes. 

One example of such a platform is Autodesk Construction Cloud, which offers the core functionalities key stakeholders need while providing a common data environment to facilitate collaboration.  

And thanks to its 185+ integrations, Autodesk Construction Cloud users can extend the platform’s capabilities and connect it to their favorite tools. 

Read on to learn about some of the top ERP, accounting, and financial applications that integrate with Autodesk Construction Cloud—and how to get the most out of them.  

Top ERP and financial integrations   

To get a better sense of how ERP and accounting integrations work with Autodesk, let us take a closer look at some of the leading system integrators and applications you can use with Autodesk Construction Cloud.  

Systems integrator: Morpheus   

Morpheus Technology Group can connect several ERPs to Autodesk Build’s leading budget and cost management solution for a truly integrated financial environment. No more double entry, manual errors or missed information. You gain full transparency from the field to the office on job costs.  

ERP and accounting solution integrations:

  • Viewpoint Vista and Spectrum: With Morpheus’ Viewpoint Vista & Spectrum Integration, construction professionals enjoy automated processes and flexible workflows that grow with their needs. It also offers seamless integration for ERP, projects, HR, and CRM, all from a single platform.  
  • JD Edwards: This integration links projects, accounts, and cost codes between JD Edwards, so you can rest easy knowing that job and job cost data are synced across the board. It also ensures all project dollars are tied together at the project level for more accurate forecasting in Autodesk Construction Cloud. This makes it easier to track budgeted resources, committed funds, and actual money spent. 
  • MS Dynamics: Autodesk Construction Cloud partners have built dynamic integrations between Microsoft Dynamics and Autodesk Build, uniting accounting, project management, and field collaboration. Manage cost-related activities, streamline workflows, and connect data for greater real-time visibility into your project’s financial health. 

Systems integrator: Agave   

With Agave, sharing data across different construction software systems is easy, fast, and secure. Agave’s API consolidates fragmented and legacy systems, facilitating seamless integration. Its well-designed and thoroughly documented API requires minimal dev effort and allows businesses to set up the necessary integrations in hours instead of days or weeks.  

With Agave, you can: 

  • Read data from Autodesk Construction Cloud, including projects, RFIs, companies, users, locations, contracts, and change orders. 
  • Write data to Autodesk Construction Cloud; this includes change orders, observations, and coordination issues. 
  • Implement webhooks and get notifications for any changes in app data. 

Systems Integrator: hh2 

hh2 provides a powerful integration solution for keeping Autodesk Construction Cloud and Sage 300 CRE up to date. It allows you to schedule the frequency of syncs and reduce the risk of data loss while streamlining workflows. Execute projects on time and within budget with encrypted data transfers and reduced IT expertise needed to keep everything running smoothly.  

And with the ability to sync subcontracts and purchase orders into accounting, hh2 creates a bridge between Autodesk Build and Sage 300 CRE, allowing for increased efficiency and improved data accuracy. 

Systems Integrator: ACC Connect 

Autodesk Construction Cloud Connect (ACC Connect) is an iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) solution that allows customers to create flexible integrations without writing code. Powered by Workato, ACC Connect supports integrations for Autodesk Build, BIM 360, BuildingConnected, and PlanGrid. Customers can connect their Autodesk Construction Cloud products to automate continuous or scheduled data flows with a wide range of SaaS (Software as a Service) applications, including Box, Smartsheet, DocuSign, QuickBooks Online, and hundreds more. 

ERP and accounting solution integrations through ACC Connect include:  

  • Acumatica: Acumatica’s integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud streamlines the entire construction process for contractors, home builders, land developers, and subcontractors. Access business management features from anywhere to stay on top of accounting and job costing tasks no matter where the job takes you.  
  • Sage Intacct Construction: This cloud-based construction accounting software is designed to help contractors manage their finances and operations. With features like project accounting, financial management, billing, and invoicing, Sage Intacct Construction streamlines workflows and makes financial management a breeze. 
  • QuickBooks Online (QBO): Reduce the time spent managing business finances by using QBO for tasks like creating estimates and invoices, tracking sales and cash flow, and managing customers and suppliers. This integration pushes Cost pay apps, expenses, and budget pay apps to QBO for easy processing. You can also integrate time keeping to Autodesk Build Performance Tracking to guarantee that the hours spent on the job are logged accurately.  
  • Xero: Xero is a cloud-based accounting software with a range of features to help you stay on top of your books—including invoicing, bank reconciliation, inventory management, payroll, and expense tracking. Xero’s integration with Autodesk Construction Cloud enables you to create custom workflows using Xero triggers that automate tasks and data flow between the two solutions.  

Payments 

Integrating accounting and ERP systems is just one part of managing your project finances. Staying organized and efficient with invoicing and payment management is equally important. Fortunately, Autodesk Construction Cloud has integrations and strategic partnerships with key players in the realm of billing and payments.  

  • GC Pay: We’ve teamed up with GC Pay to make it easier for Autodesk Construction Cloud users to digitize and automate their processes, leading to faster payments and fewer mistakes. The GCPay solution in North America helps GCs manage lien waivers and reduce compliance risk by embedding GC Pay directly in their Autodesk Build Insight or BIM 360 Project Home dashboard.  
  • Handle.com: Handle is construction software that aims to address two key issues in the industry: past due payments and access to capital. Their software automation tools help with manual and repetitive tasks associated with delinquent payments, such as managing timelines and mailing documents. Whether you handle these processes in-house or outsource them to another provider, Handle’s tools can streamline your workflows and improve your cash flow.   
  • Billd: At Autodesk, we are collaborating with financial solutions provider Billd to help subcontractors be more strategic about their cashflow—all while maintaining a strong working capital position during an economic downturn. Billd is offering all Autodesk Construction Cloud subscribers a $7,000 rebate on their first $100,000 of construction materials purchased using Billd’s materials financing. You must redeem the offer within the first six months of enrolling. With this rebate program, you can free up your cash and save thousands on your next project. 
  • Flashtract: Flashtract empowers construction companies to automate payments and compliance processes so they can focus on building, not billing. Now, construction firms can gain greater visibility by embedding Flashtract directly in their Autodesk Build Insight or BIM 360 Project Home dashboard.  

Improve Your ERP and Project Management Workflows Today 

When it comes to construction ERP and accounting software, it is crucial to consider the needs of both accounting and operations teams. The good news? With the rise of integrated platforms such as Autodesk Construction Cloud, it is easier than ever to connect your tools and cater to the needs of all project stakeholders.  

Check out the available integrations and start improving your construction project workflows today.