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ERP
Mar 24 2024
Accounting Software for Builders and Construction Firms: Overcoming Obstacles and Controlling Costs
Effective financial management is key in the construction industry, where complex projects, unpredictable cash flows, and stringent regulations create unique challenges. Builders and construction companies need tools designed to address these complexities, ensuring they can manage project costs, streamline operations, and maintain compliance. This blog explores how accounting software tailored for builders can help construction businesses overcome financial obstacles and gain better control over their costs. Accounting challenges in the construction industry Builders and construction firms face distinct financial challenges that set them apart from other industries. Managing these issues often requires more than spreadsheets or generic accounting software. Key obstacles include: Complexity across projects: Construction companies must track costs, payroll, and vendor payments for multiple projects running simultaneously across different locations. Relying on manual systems can make this process error-prone and time-consuming. Cash flow management: Irregular income streams — often tied to progress payments at project milestones — combined with substantial upfront expenses for materials, labor, and equipment create persistent cash flow challenges for construction firms. This imbalance can make it difficult for builders to maintain liquidity, cover day-to-day operational costs, and invest in new opportunities without risking financial strain. Regulatory compliance: Adhering to tax codes, labor laws, and safety regulations requires extensive documentation, which can burden administrative teams and lead to missed deadlines or penalties. For example, compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act, which mandates paying prevailing wages on federally funded construction projects, necessitates detailed payroll records and certified reporting. Failure to meet these requirements can result in fines, project delays, or even disqualification from future government contracts. Limited visibility: Disconnected systems and manual reporting often result in fragmented data, making it difficult for construction companies to assess profitability or track project performance in real time. Change order tracking: Managing unexpected changes in project scope can disrupt budgets and schedules if not accurately tracked and integrated into financial plans. Communication gaps: Miscommunication between field teams, office staff, and subcontractors can lead to costly errors and delays. For many construction businesses, these challenges stem from outdated technology. Legacy systems and manual processes are not only inefficient but also lack the integration capabilities needed to maintain transparency across projects. Data silos are a particular pain point, preventing teams from accessing accurate insights and making informed decisions. The benefits of accounting software for builders and construction firms According to McKinsey, the construction industry has been among the slowest to digitize. But now, given the above challenges, many are accelerating the transformation process. Per a 2023 survey, the most likely candidates for increased IT spending are document management, project management, and accounting software, with 25% of firms planning to invest in a construction accounting solution.  With a platform tailored to construction company needs, businesses can access the tools to manage their financial operations more efficiently. By automating processes and centralizing data, improve financial management in several key ways: Improved visibility: Enable real-time expense tracking and comparison against budgets, ensuring construction projects stay on track for success.  Enhanced compliance: Simplify audits and stay aligned with local laws using built-in tools for tax reporting and regulatory requirements. Streamlined financial reporting: Automatically generate detailed financial reports, ensuring accuracy and reducing the time spent on manual data collection and document management. Accurate job costing: Allocate costs to specific projects, providing insights into profitability and enabling better bidding strategies for future work. Time savings: Automate repetitive tasks like payroll and invoice processing, freeing up time to focus on growing the business. Construction accounting software: Key features and capabilities Whether you’re a contractor, small business, or large construction company, choosing the right accounting tool is important to your success. However, not all platforms offer the same capabilities.  From accounting features to mobile accessibility, here’s what the best construction accounting software should provide: Real-time job costing Construction accounting software enables you to capture and allocate project costs accurately in real time. This allows firms to assess project profitability as it evolves, making it easier to adjust budgets or refine estimates for future work. By maintaining an up-to-date view of expenses tied to specific jobs, companies can avoid financial surprises and ensure that resources are being used efficiently. Integrated project management A seamless connection between financial data and project timelines is critical for construction firms managing multiple projects simultaneously. Integrated project management tools ensure that all team members — whether in the field or the office — have access to the same data, improving collaboration and decision-making. This integration helps prevent delays, minimizes miscommunication, and keeps projects on schedule and within budget. Payroll management Handling complex payroll structures is a common challenge in construction, especially when dealing with unionized workers, variable wage rates, and certifications. Construction accounting software simplifies these processes, ensuring accurate compensation and compliance with labor laws.  Compliance  Construction accounting software helps firms stay compliant with industry regulations by automating the tracking and management of essential documents, such as lien waivers, insurance certificates, and certified payroll reports. These tools ensure audit readiness and minimize the risk of penalties or project delays by simplifying what would otherwise be labor-intensive processes. Mobile access In construction, much of the work happens on-site, so portable access is essential. Modern accounting software offers mobile capabilities, allowing field teams to update and access project data in real time, regardless of location. This connectivity keeps everyone aligned, improves communication, and ensures that business intelligence is always up to date, even in fast-moving environments. Advanced material management Efficient handling of materials is key to minimizing waste and avoiding delays. Accounting software streamlines procurement and inventory management, ensuring that the right materials are available when needed. By providing insights into usage patterns and costs, these tools help builders optimize processes and maintain tighter control over project expenses. Customer relationship management (CRM) Maintaining strong client relationships is vital in the construction industry. CRM features in construction accounting software provide a comprehensive view of client interactions, from initial quotes to final payments. This functionality helps firms manage expectations, improve customer service, and foster long-term partnerships by keeping client needs and project progress front and center. Seamless integration The ideal platform will work well alongside other business applications. Otherwise, financial data won’t flow smoothly between these solutions, creating silos and visibility gaps.  ​​Take Acumatica Construction Edition, for instance. As a cloud-based solution, Acumatica’s solution integrates with key back-office systems to deliver real-time insights and drive productivity.  How to choose the right construction accounting software provider Selecting the right vendor is critical to ensuring long-term success. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Define your needs: Assess your business workflows and identify the specific challenges you need the software to address. For example, do you need robust project costing tools or enhanced payroll management? Ensure scalability: Choose a solution that can grow with your business, accommodating more projects, employees, or increased complexity. Look for customization: Opt for software that can be tailored to fit your unique processes and industry requirements. Partner with experts: Work with a trusted advisor, like Net at Work, to simplify the selection process and ensure the solution aligns with your business goals. Experienced partners can guide you through implementation and provide ongoing support. Ready to transform your construction business? The construction industry’s financial demands are unique, and effectively managing them requires specialized tools. With a technology partner, builders can confidently implement a solution that meets their needs today and grows with them in the future.  Contact Net at Work to learn how our team can help you transform your construction business with the power of Acumatica Construction Edition.
ERP
Mar 21 2024
How Your Organization can Master its Digital Transformation
Several years ago, UniWell Laboratories engaged an implementation partner to replace its legacy enterprise resource planning (ERP) software with a powerful, next-generation business management solution that was an ideal fit for its needs. But lacking an internal champion and a strategic plan, the implementation didn’t take advantage of the new software’s powerful capabilities. In fact, UniWell’s initiative initially didn’t get off the ground at all.  Why do most technology implementations fail? Recent research conducted by McKinsey shows that approximately 70 percent of business transformations do not reach the goals set by the organization. The research identified several reasons for this phenomenon, including a need for data-based planning, problems in the transformation execution itself, and a lack of relevant internal experience that can be found in an executive such as a seasoned chief information officer (CIO). “The CIO is focused on driving and growing the business through transformation—they’re the transformation executive, essentially. But many mid-market organizations don’t have anyone in that seat,” says Eric Sluss, a Chief Information Officer with Net at Work’s Fractional CIO & Advisory group. “The organizations that succeed in their transformations, those organizations invest in the expertise needed for their transformations —whether full-time or part-time—to help plan and actually bring their organization through the journey.” Defining a fractional Chief Information Officer Sluss and his team provide fractional CIO (fCIO) resources that help organizations plan and execute digital transformations. These fCIOs are change agents focused on aligning technology strategy with business objectives, developing tactical execution plans, and executing the plans. Their services are tailored to the needs of each organization, and can include developing strategic plans, turning around poor performing projects, building the future IT operating model, and providing software and vendor selection services, and more. When UniWell decided to re-implement their new ERP, they brought in a Net at Work CIO to help manage the project from every angle. When completed, the re-implementation helped optimize the company’s manufacturing, supply chain, and financial reporting processes. A shift in focus yields tangible benefits UniWell’s chief financial officer, Bryan Polozola, says that Net at Work has helped UniWell move from being a purely tactical company to a strategic company. “Tactical companies tend to stay focused on fixing the problems that got them in trouble yesterday,” he explains. “Strategic companies focus on predicting tomorrow’s problems and finding ways to prevent them.” The company’s fCIO advisory services from Net at Work were tailored to their needs, and included industry best-practices, change management, and deep operational insights. Today, UniWell is realizing benefits from their transformation, including:  Achieving 14% year-over-year growth Providing nearly instantaneous MRP reporting Leading to better pricing and terms with new supply chain insights. Supporting proactive workflows with automated alerts from their ERP Other benefits of working with an fCIO can include: Increased efficiency: Improve efficiency by streamlining operations and processes. Enhanced security: Manage and improve the organization’s security and compliance to meet best practices, standards, and industry regulations. Better decision-making: Make better decisions by leveraging technology, data analysis, and strategic insights to inform and enhance strategies and operations. Better program and project outcomes: Deliver better employee experiences by creating change management initiatives to guide employees through the transformation’s impacts. Vendor and technology team management: Better manage technology vendors and services along with developing the internal IT organization. UniWell is now poised for continued growth, and Polozola credits their relationship with Net at Work’s Fractional CIO & Advisory group with much of the success. Polozola explains, “[Our new ERP] is capable of so much, but those capabilities are hidden without experts highlighting it and putting it to work. That’s what Net at Work does. Through their understanding of our business…and technology as a whole, our Fractional CIO is definitely delivering a return on our investment.” Contact us and we will have a Fractional CIO reach out, today!
ERP
Mar 06 2024
Streamline Your Construction Estimating Process with Acumatica
In today’s competitive construction landscape, accurate and efficient estimating is essential—not only to secure bids but also to keep projects on time and within budget. If you missed our recent live event on Acumatica Construction Estimating, no worries. The full recording is now available. Discover how Acumatica’s advanced estimating capabilities are reshaping the construction industry. The Importance of Construction Estimating Today Accurate estimates are vital for profitable, successful projects and for maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Without effective tools, estimating can become a time-consuming task prone to costly errors. Acumatica addresses these challenges with a suite of features specifically designed to empower construction companies. What You Will Discover in the Recorded Session This in-depth session delves into how Acumatica’s Construction Edition enhances and simplifies the estimating workflow. Acumatica has a simple interface. It offers integration options and real-time data access. This helps your team create estimates more quickly and accurately. Key points covered include:  Efficient Data Management: Easily organize project details, track labor costs, materials, and manage data flow seamlessly across your team. Enhanced Collaboration: Centralize your project data for easy collaboration among estimators, project managers, and other stakeholders. Real-Time Insights: Access accurate, up-to-date data to make well-informed decisions quickly and effectively. Streamlined Processes: Learn how automated workflows can cut down on manual tasks. This lets your team focus on what really matters—delivering quality projects on time and within budget. Customizable Templates: Discover the different customizable estimating templates you can use. These templates can be adjusted to meet your project needs. This helps ensure your estimates are consistent and accurate. Integration with Other Tools: Discover how Acumatica works well with other software, like accounting and project management tools. This creates a connected system that boosts productivity and lowers errors. Mobile Accessibility: Learn how mobile access helps your team work from anywhere. They can update estimates on the go and stay connected with real-time notifications and updates. Reporting and Analytics: Discover how strong reporting features can help you look at past projects. You can find trends and improve your estimating accuracy for the future. By the end of this session, you will understand how Acumatica’s Construction Edition can improve your estimating workflow. This will make your process more efficient, collaborative, and data-driven. Ready to Transform Your Estimating Process? If you’re a construction manager, estimator, or business owner, this session is designed for you! Gain valuable insights into the latest tools and techniques to elevate your estimating processes. Watch the Recorded Session Today!. Take the first step toward a more efficient, accurate, and profitable estimating process with Acumatica. Don’t miss this chance to transform your project outcomes with the right tools—start your journey toward a more profitable future!
Employee Experience
ERP
Mar 04 2024
Stabilizing Vital Signs of Healthcare Provider Burnout to Realize Opportunities for Operational Efficiency
As healthcare worker shortages continue to plague medical providers and long-term care facilities, the need to develop innovative strategies to identify at-risk employees is critical. Conquering burnout—while helping to increase retention and productivity—enables healthcare organizations to focus on improving quality of care and patient outcomes while optimizing operational efficiency. At the intersection of employee well-being and digital transformation lies an opportunity to enhance employee interaction. In a recent webinar entitled “Stabilizing Vital Signs of Burnout to Realize Opportunities for Operational Efficiency,” a group of healthcare and technology experts examined how successful healthcare organizations can benefit from the application of Forrester Research’s digital operations platform (DOP) concept, designed around next-generation technology. Early Detection through Data While there isn’t a technology system that’s been designed to solely monitor burnout, healthcare organizations do have access to their organizational data, and putting that data to work is the key to early detection of burnout. The challenge is bringing together this data, particularly when it tends to live in disparate systems like EHR, HR or Human Capital Management, accounting and other systems, to reveal the whole picture.  “When you’re able to link important trends from clinical and operational data, like employee surveys and number of patients seen or increased costs in temporary staffing due to absenteeism, then you can begin to uncover otherwise hidden signs of burnout,” explains Tom Thornton, Practice Director with Net at Work. This is where a relatively new concept of technology architecture can prove invaluable. Defining a DOP and its Applications in Healthcare Organizations A digital operations platform, or DOP, is a term that was originally introduced by Forrester Research a few years ago. It’s the next generation of enterprise resource planning, or ERP, in which it’s more adaptive for healthcare organizations’ fast-changing operational needs, such as dealing with the approach of value-based care and new regulatory measures.  DOP is based on AI (Artificial Intelligence) to support operational efficiency and innovation, such as detecting anomalies within the GL as opposed to relying on staff to identify issues manually. And a DOP is accessible beyond the browser, so organizations can effectively streamline the physical and digital experience for patients, payers, clinicians, and government entities. When considering all the other systems that healthcare organizations use in daily operations – patient scheduling, revenue cycle management, accounting, EHR—think about how much data is held in each of those systems. Each one has the ability to generate reports that are critical in decision-making processes, but how many of those systems have the ability communicate that data cross-platform to provide a holistic view of the organization? How many spreadsheets are you creating trying to tie this information together? How long does it take to get the information you need to make critical decisions? Is the data accurate?  These are all questions that healthcare organizations should be considering when thinking about digital transformation. By eliminating the disparate sources of data, they can facilitate faster, more informed decision-making processes that are necessary to thrive in today’s healthcare landscape.  Learn more about how leading healthcare organizations have streamlined accounting, optimized operations, and maintained compliance while using a next-generation, HIPAA-compliant financial hub, in a related webinar, “Next Gen Cloud Financial Management for Healthcare Providers.”
Company
ERP
Feb 16 2024
Sage Transform 2024 Conference Includes Exclusive Learning and Networking Opportunities for Customers
Will We See You There?  Are you a current Sage customer looking for educational opportunities, especially related to maximizing your company’s productivity and technology investment? Sage Transform, the annual Sage Intacct conference which will take place February 26-29 in Las Vegas, will provide one of the most cost-effective training opportunities for Sage customers to sharpen their skills, learn new features, and understand how Sage Intacct will continue to evolve in the future. Here are a few of the highlights scheduled for this year’s event: Net at Work’s CPSO, Natalie Lemke, will serve as a keynote panelist on an in-depth discussion about Sage Intacct. Our Intacct Practice Director, Tom Thornton, will lead a roundtable discussion on how to engage, grow, and empower board members. Net at Work Intacct Consultant Samuel Morris will co-present a session on how Intacct customers can adopt new ways to organize, track, and improve cost management. Sage Transform attendees will gain visibility to the Sage Intacct product roadmap, learn how to extend their Sage solutions through the marketplace expo, and can register for optional pre-conference hands-on classroom training. Still undecided? Visit the Transform website for the complete agenda and session topics. Our team is available to answer any questions, help you plan your agenda, and schedule time with those you would like to meet. If you’ve already registered and are planning to attend, please contact us! We’d love to meet up with you at the event.
Company
Distribution / Manufacturing
eCommerce
ERP
Feb 12 2024
Exciting News and Enhanced Connections at the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors Executive Summit
As distributors navigate a rapidly evolving industry and changing markets, the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) held this year’s Executive Summit in Washington DC to provide specially developed learning opportunities, new communities for connection, and news of an exciting acquisition. Net at Work attendees at this distribution industry event included Eric Sluss, Daniel Edwards, Mark Norwich, and Elizabeth Humphries This year’s Executive Summit celebrated the news that NAW has acquired Modern Distribution Management, which unites two industry-leading organizations to continue to advocate, teach and create resources for distributors throughout the United States.   The event also unveiled two new NAW communities: the Commercial Growth Community emphasizing sales, marketing, business development, and customer experience; and the Operational Excellence Community for distributors with an expressed interest in operations, technology, people services, and finance.  With the title of “Agents of Change,” many speakers and presentations at this year’s Executive Summit focused on how distributors can flourish in a world where changes can be overwhelming and expensive, and the future is uncertain. Related sessions and themes included:  Useable data for decision-making (as it may affect the ability to identify and take action to adapt and preempt necessary change)  Finding needed talent and using AI and Machine Learning to set your workforce up for success  The factors that affect pricing and how to keep up with them as they change   Net at Work is proud to be affiliated with NAW and thrilled to be able to attend this year’s Executive Summit.   To learn more about how your organization can optimize technology to meet your goals, contact us for a complimentary business health assessment. 
ERP
Feb 08 2024
Streamlining Healthcare Accounting With Sage Intacct
Effective financial management is crucial in the healthcare industry, yet fragmented systems often complicate operations. Advanced accounting software, like Sage Intacct, can help organizations overcome the challenges of legacy technologies.  Not only do modern solutions make key financial data more accessible, but they work in tandem with clinical information to drive decision-making and improve cost transparency. With a more cohesive technological ecosystem, providers can exchange information between core platforms for a truly streamlined healthcare accounting workflow.  In this blog, we’ll explore the pressing need for integrated technologies and how Net at Work can help organizations unleash the full power of Sage Intacct.  The growing demand for modern healthcare solutions It’s an open secret that recent times have seen a marked rise in the pace of digital transformation. In fact, per McKinsey, organizations in all industries accelerated their adoption of new digital technologies by several years during the global COVID-19 pandemic.  Of course, the healthcare industry is no different. Many providers have invested heavily in information technologies, like electronic health records (EHRs), and other innovative tools to improve patient care and administrative efficiency.  Yet, some researchers argue that, despite these efforts, healthcare “lags behind many other industries” in its overall digital transformation. Why? According to a study by the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), the primary challenge is a lack of interoperability.  Per the survey of 132 CHIME members: Roughly 60% of respondents use between 50 and 500 point solutions to manage healthcare operations, including finances.  About 25% use at least 151 solutions.  88% say working with that many disparate IT systems and applications complicates their job.  Most respondents acknowledged that compatible solutions would lead to cost savings, reduce burnout, and streamline operations.  In short, many healthcare organizations rely on disparate systems for different functions — patient records, billing, payroll, etc. — which silos data in isolated platforms.  The challenges of isolated information systems Fragmentation prevents a holistic view of the organization’s financial health, making essential accounting processes all the more difficult. Without integrated systems, tracking costs across departments becomes cumbersome, leading to inefficiencies and potential overspending.  For example, disparate technologies can result in duplicated efforts and inconsistencies in billing and collections, delaying revenue recognition and causing cash flow issues.  These challenges grow exponentially for multi-entity businesses. Combining financial data from different systems at numerous locations for reporting and analysis is time-consuming and prone to error. Thus, providers can’t access accurate and timely information, which hinders operational decision-making.  Critically, data silos also inhibit alternative payment models, which require comprehensive data about patient outcomes, costs, and operational efficiency. A lack of visibility can make data collection and analysis complex, complicating the transition to value-based care (VBC).  Why can’t healthcare solutions share patient data? Providers cite interoperability with other solutions as the top pain point of their third-party tech stacks, but EHR integration is a close second. The problem is that many platforms aren’t compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), meaning they aren’t certified to secure protected health information (PHI).  That’s why if healthcare organizations are to continue their digital transformations, they must do so through a HIPAA-compliant and cloud-based solution. Why the cloud? Because legacy on-premise systems demand physical installation and regular maintenance. They don’t update in real time and aren’t scalable for growing operations.  These drawbacks aren’t just costly, they also put PHI at risk. Without automated updates, platforms can miss key security updates that patch vulnerabilities.  The streamlined power of Sage Intacct Fortunately, technologies are available to help organizations bring their digital journey to the next level with customizable, purpose-built capabilities. Take Sage Intacct, for example.  Sage Intacct is the only mid-market healthcare accounting software that’s HIPAA-compliant. In fact, the publisher will demonstrate its commitment to data security by signing a Business Associate Agreement (BAA) with healthcare providers. BAAs put the legal liability of protecting PHI on Sage, but more importantly, they allow the platform to process clinical data.  This capability enables cost tracking and financial performance management. In turn, providers can align costs with the total cost of care delivery, empowering them to monitor financial health more accurately and bill patients more appropriately for the actual care provided. Moreover, instant access to this information means they can quickly make informed decisions in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.  Plus, Sage Intacct automates critical financial management processes such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and cash management. This reduces manual effort, minimizes errors, and ensures timely and accurate financial transactions. Being a cloud-based solution, the platform also offers scalability to accommodate the growing needs of healthcare organizations. It supports multiple entities and locations, making it suitable for both small practices and large healthcare systems. It simplifies multi-entity consolidations, enabling users to generate combined financial statements from one comprehensive interface.  Bottom line: Sage Intacct can yield tangible business results. For instance, when senior care management company Personal Healthcare implemented the platform, it successfully: Reduced monthly close from one week to one day. Saved over 400 person-hours annually. Avoided $80,000 in annual salary costs.  How to simplify your Sage Intacct implementation The healthcare industry desperately needs an integrated technology stack to enhance financial accounting. However, implementing a platform like Sage Intacct can be a difficult task.  From data mapping and validation to user training and platform customization, numerous variables can slow down and complicate the process. Even with in-house IT resources, a successful implementation demands specialized knowledge and niche expertise. That’s why most providers trust Net at Work to simplify the journey from start to finish.  As a dedicated technology advisor, we can understand your organization’s needs from a holistic standpoint. With a range of accounting solutions, we evaluate each system to identify the best fit for your unique business requirements. That way, you won’t be locked into a platform that’s incompatible with the rest of your core technologies.  Ultimately, Sage Intacct is a tool. But Net at Work is a partner that will help you implement that tool to its fullest potential. For more information, explore Sage Intacct for healthcare accounting today.
ERP
Feb 08 2024
Acumatica Summit 2024: Valuable Insights and a Clear Vision
From groundbreaking product announcements to insightful keynotes and networking with industry leaders, Acumatica 2024 was packed with valuable insights and a clear vision on how their technology will help businesses build the future together. Seventeen Net at Work employees and more than 40 current customers met for this year’s event, held in Las Vegas to learn not only about Acumatica’s industry-leading solutions, but also to learn from each other. At Booth #506, they also had opportunities to make and learn from new friends from all over the Acumatica community. Among the highlights of the 2024 Summit was the announcement of the Acumatica 2024 RI release, which is now available in beta to current Acumatica customers. The product’s new features include enhanced AP (Accounts Payable) Bill capabilities, access to distribution requirements planning functionality, the general availability of Amazon entirely in Acumatica, and many more. Another highlight was an award the Show and Sell contest—congratulations to Ralph Ceccarelli and Marshall Beranek (pictured here with Acumatica executives) for their 3rd place finish! “The commitment to customer success and community was palpable, a vision and focus that truly sets Acumatica apart,” says Chris Cleary, Acumatica Practice Director. “Now we’re excited to apply what we’ve learned and continue our partnership with Acumatica to deliver excellence.” Contact us to talk to a technology expert about what Acumatica can do for your business.
Distribution / Manufacturing
ERP
Jan 30 2024
Wholesale Distributor Realizes 25% Efficiency Gain with Move to Acumatica
Wholesale Distributor Realizes 25% Efficiency Gain with Move to Acumatica. Midway Industrial Supply has been a stalwart in the industrial sector for nearly six decades, serving the Mid-Atlantic region through the supply of power transmission and industrial products and repair services. In an industry that’s traditionally slow to embrace change, Midway continually innovates, growing through strategic acquisitions while striving to keep its operations lean and efficient. So when its outdated on-premise ERP began negatively impacting operations, Midway was ready to make a change. The company recognized the timing was right to replace Infor FACTS with a modern, cloud-based ERP — Acumatica Cloud ERP — and turned to its long-time technology partner, Net at Work, to make it happen. Gearing Up for Growth   “We were ready to move the business forward by taking advantage of a next-generation, cloud-based ERP application,” explains Richard Swank, Midway’s CFO. “Infor FACTS had been around for nearly 30 years. We had a lot of performance and network issues that zapped productivity. Also, we wanted a more agile, modern solution that would make it easier to roll out to new entities and provide us with better insights across the organization.” Midway considered other ERP applications before zeroing in on Acumatica. “Net at Work recommended Acumatica as an ideal replacement for FACTS. We’ve trusted Net at Work with our technology for decades, and their recommendation carried weight,” adds Swank. Modifications to Fit, Not Foil, Updates One challenge Midway faced with its previous ERP system was extensive customization, which resulted in challenging — and therefore infrequent — software updates. But Acumatica’s highly configurable platform alleviates this pain point. Midway can make most of the changes and adjustment they want in Acumatica through simple configuration adjustments. Midway also has access to Net at Work’s library of Acumatica enhancements through its Customer Experience Plan. In addition, the Net at Work programming team has built several customizations that add specialized functionality, but none of these modifications impede the company’s ability to update the software. “We update every year without issue,” notes Swank. ROI Powered by Greater Efficiency Since implementing Acumatica, Midway has made three acquisitions and opened three new locations while hiring only one new finance department employee. The efficiencies gained with Acumatica led to substantial growth without increasing overhead costs. “We’re growing bigger but remain lean,” Swank says. “Much of that is because of the efficiencies we’ve gained with Acumatica. We can achieve things with the software we never considered with the older application. With Acumatica, every single process is more efficient. I would estimate that overall, we’re seeing a 25 percent gain in efficiency. That alone helps pay for the software.” Supporting Data-Driven Activity Midway’s remote sales teams have direct access to a customized Acumatica dashboard, providing instant access to key performance indicators, informative graphs, and detailed reports. It’s a simple yet impactful change that allows sales teams to spend more time with customers and less time searching for data. Midway Industrial Supply’s transition to Acumatica Cloud ERP has been a resounding success. The product’s flexibility and strong partnership with Net at Work have empowered the organization to scale efficiently, achieve significant gains in efficiency, and streamline operations across its distributed organization. Download the full Net at Work success story to read more about Midway Industrial Supply’s next-generation transformation.