Contractors who have a substantial amount of equipment for their operation will often purchase construction software without proper regard for the capabilities of the equipment application.
They will just assume, and the salesman will assure them, that the construction software system will allow them to cost equipment usage to jobs and log miscellaneous information associated with the equipment. But they forget about looking into how well the equipment application is integrated to job costing and financial accounting. This can mean double entry of information may be necessary.
Other overlooked issues are comprehensive service maintenance record keeping and reminders, as well as depreciation accounting. For contractors with a substantial amount of equipment these are extremely important. If the construction software purchased is weak in this area, many contractors try to find a replacement add-on solution, which has to somehow be integrated with their financial system. This will be a challenge since few construction software vendors offer a stand-alone equipment application.
Lesson learned: Check out equipment application requirements carefully before you buy new construction software.
Have a question about construction software equipment applications? Talk to the expert: Sheldon Needle.
