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It's What's Underneath That Counts

By Mike Carrozzo, Chief Editor, Constructech

As a fully integrated estimating takeoff, job-cost accounting, project management system, the product can certainly be classified as an "end-to-end" solution for contractors, but the bigger news, in my opinion, is what Maxwell did under the hood to ensure this product will be able to deliver as promised.

Without a doubt, the name Maxwell Systems is a highly recognizable one to anyone in the construction technology space. Through the years, the company has brought forth some strong product lines, both organically with the likes of American Contractor, and via the acquisition route, including the StreetSmarts product from Cheetah and estimating products from Quest Solutions and Estimation. But even with the strong reputation and track record in the construction space, the one "knock" we have heard in recent years about Maxwell was in relation to its underlying technology platform being a bit outdated compared to others on the market.
 
This is where I have to give the team at Maxwell credit on this latest product release. Rather than taking the approach of simply rebranding the current product lines, the company opted instead to go all in, so to speak, and rebuild the system from the ground up.
 
With ProContractorMX, Maxwell addressed the underlying architecture using the latest in Microsoft technology, the Microsoft .NET platform and SQL Server 2008. And these are the pieces that will truly help this product achieve the promise of being able to deliver real-time information across the business. This release also represents the acquisition of Quest Solutions by Maxwell, approximately three years ago, coming full circle, bringing the long-term strategy for that acquisition to fruition.
 
Quite honestly I like what I have been seeing from many technology providers in the space these days. Of course we have those progressive solutions providers that have been ahead of the technology curve for some time now and have been using newer technologies, but we are also starting to see some good things coming to market from the legacy system providers too. Even some of the companies that at one point touted the fact they could provide all things to all people are realizing that integrating isn't all that bad of an option if it means better results for the customer.
 
The theme across the board is that solutions providers are shifting their approach to selling software to contractors from one centered on providing "all the bells and whistles" to one that is instead focused on the concept of lower total cost of ownership. And in order to get contractors on board with technology in this market, those two factors will be the key to survival for many of the solutions providers in the space.
 
Whereas five or 10 years ago when contractors experienced a slowdown and the first thing they looked to cut was the technology, today these same companies are realizing that technology is indeed a powerful tool that can truly help their business grow. And that is why it is so important that the solutions providers make the commitment and invest the resources into making their solutions more flexible and scalable and transforming their software into tools contractors can trust for the long term.
 
Mike Carrozzo
Chief Editor, Constructech
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Sigfusson Northern LTD

Sigfusson Northern LTD uses Maxwell Systems StreetSmarts as its job cost accounting and project management software solution. With StreetSmarts, SNL manages all of the accounting practices and job costs for their seven entities across the U.S. and Canada; maintain information in one place, in one format; manage payroll in-house; track and bill equipment expenses; and streamline workflow between the office and job sites.

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Our Story of Complete Construction Software

Maxwell Systems provides construction software solutions that help contractors to streamline workflow, increase productivity, and improve profitability. Furthermore, we understand that today's contractors must optimize processes across all business areas to gain or maintain an increasingly important competitive edge and ensure a successful business. Critical, to that end, is timely and efficient communication and information access among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management teams.

By using a Maxwell Systems complete construction software solution, you'll be able to better operate your business with increased efficiency and streamlined operations, and confidently increase profitability on every project. You will have the tools you need to accomplish more in less time; taking the guesswork out of reaching true profit potential; and improving financial stability for long-term benefit.

Why Maxwell Systems?

Maxwell Systems is truly unique with its ability to offer contractors a complete, seamless software solution that allows:

  • A new level of continuity and productivity among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management
  • Better insight, analysis, and financial oversight for owners to make informed and timely decisions
  • Improved operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and increased profits

Contractors value having an end-to-end solution from one company:

  • All applications work together seamlessly
  • Efficient access to comprehensive support and services
  • A stable technology partner committed to customer success

How Your Business Benefits

A complete construction software solution from Maxwell Systems provides end-to-end control of your business so you can see a day's profit potential at a glance, identify and prevent potential financial losses, spot discrepancies and errors, and manage projects with accurate information in real-time.

With tailored features designed to fit each member on your team, construction company management software ultimately allows your business to:

  • Attain end-to-end control and increased visibility
  • Achieve easy and accurate reporting with real-time data
  • Optimize project execution for maximum profitability
  • Streamline operations with seamless workflow

The Bid-to-Cash Cycle Explained

Managing each of the key process areas of a construction business – Estimating, Construction Accounting, and Project Management – requires vastly different talents and areas of expertise. The reality is that each of these functional groups is related and dependent on one another.

For your organization to run in an optimal fashion, the groups much work together in an optimal fashion. Together, these functional areas compromise what we describe as the Bid-to-Cash Cycle. And our goal at Maxwell Systems is to provide software for construction so you can bridge the needs of the functional groups, better manage this cycle, and so maximize profitability.

When construction estimating software, construction accounting software, and construction project management software are working together in a seamless system as a complete construction business management software solution, then a contractor is truly poised for optimal profit and productivity.

How does a complete solution fit your part of the cycle? Here are a few examples:

  • Owner: It's all about reducing waste, uncovering lost opportunity, exposing shortcomings, and maximizing resources – all which impact profit and the bottom line. With end-to-end visibility of every project, executives can hone business strategy, improve control of cash flow, and keep financials in the black with accurate ROI.
  • Estimator: Beyond estimating projects, the estimator can access more accurate information in regards to how the project actually performs. This will allow the estimator to improve accuracy on future estimates with actual labor and production rates, updated material prices, and other resource related items.
  • Accounting: Not only a company's construction accounting system, a complete solution helps to streamline the procurement processes for optimal efficiencies and produces more accurate purchasing processes. Additionally, billing processes, inventory issuances, and many other processes are streamlined. Less data entry, better accuracy, and reliable audit trail allow convenience and peace of mind.
  • Project Manager: The seamless workflow from Estimating to Project Tracking allows for a streamlined method of creating the job and then tracking performance against the estimate. Within the complete solution, the construction project management programs also provide the detail required for the Project Manager to understand what the Estimator was thinking when the bid was put together. Plus, by accessing real-time information whether in the office or in the field, the project manager can track progress, be more agile, and better handle all aspects of jobs from beginning to end.

Bottom Line

To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, construction business owners must improve productivity and have end-to-end visibility to see how jobs perform (and turn profit) from start to finish. Maxwell Systems knows construction company software and can be your partner by offering truly unique products (as well as support and services) that address the entire construction project lifecycle – from digital takeoff through final cash payment. Our seamless system provides your company with all the capabilities you need for estimating, job cost accounting, and project management, and ultimately for superior insight and analysis of your business.

Imagine the flexibility and insight by having one solution for estimating projects, for construction accounting programs, and for construction project software! All that and more in one system will help your business be more competitive and profitable.

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Complete Construction Software Solutions
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