Integrated Business Systems
Integrated Technologies for Well-streamlined Construction

In discussion with CIO Applications, Mike Mullin, President of Integrated Business Systems (IBS), notes that Prop Tech has taken center stage in the construction industry, punctuated by more than $50 billion in investment over the past five years. This, in turn, has given rise to new players and new platforms that are helping stakeholders enhance operational excellence across the board. Mike also notes that IBS is particularly well-positioned to accommodate the growing demand for best-in-breed solutions for the construction and development sector – leveraging its 40-year history of developing and supporting technology solutions designed specifically for commercial real estate practitioners. Today IBS offers a cloud-based construction management/accounting platform – built with open API standards – that provides robust functionality and enables seamless integration with a variety of popular applications for customer resource management, property and job management, estimating budgeting, and valuation, document management and more. “Today’s industry-specific construction management/accounting systems help streamline routine business tasks. They greatly increase a user’s ability to gain efficiency and accuracy, improve focus on value-add opportunities, and harness data to improve planning and make confident decisions.”

What are some of the challenges your clients face and how is Integrated Business Systems helping resolve those issues?

Today’s construction space is a highly mobile, with much of an organization’s day-to-day operations taking place at the job site. Project data is being generated in the field. The ability to access real-time updates and make timely informed decisions has become a necessity both in the office and at the building site. As such, using office-centric equipment – think desktops and PCs – as the main tools to record and store data has become inherently inefficient. And a lack of – or delayed – communication between team members in their various locations can lead to the failed exchange of timely, accurate information and project updates.

Further, most construction and development companies have full histories of “siloed” data that is difficult to access and, therefore, provides little value from a business intelligence perspective. IBS helps clients address these issues by leveraging the latest technologies to provide real-time access to information on any device and from any location. Our system integrates disparate data, reducing or eliminating errors, and delays across the entire operational process. We also help transform historical data into valuable insight by offering clients a suite of KPIs and customized reports.

What are some of the solutions you offer to your clients?

One of our key strengths lies in our ability to help clients manage the change from outdated, legacy ERP systems to today’s modern, cloud-based computing platforms. Once an all-or-none proposition, moving to a new system today can be done in stages. Almost like a reverse onion, we start with the formation of a platform that addresses the most painful challenges and then proceeds with the staged implementation of features that continually build upon core competencies and enable ongoing innovations in the field or office.

Successful conversions first involve identifying the existing system’s most significant deficiencies and then layering the introduction of components over a three-, six- or nine-month period. The conversion of historical accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP) information from legacy systems to today’s high-end ERP solutions often offers the ideal launch point since the entire process, including training and validations, can normally be achieved in four to six weeks. We then help them build other systemic layers into the solution over the ensuing months. Additionally, we help clients select and implement best-in-class services and applications from different providers – layering data from multiple, integrated applications that can easily share enterprise data while scaling resources up or down based on growth or changing business needs.

Can you cite a customer story that highlights the success of Integrated Business Systems?

One of our most significant successes involved collaborating with a plumbing contractor who started building homes, apartments, and duplexes. In the process, the company moved from its position as a sub-contractor to a general contractor level. Its legacy ERP system could not keep up with the growth. While the software worked well for the original, straightforward contracting business, it simply did not offer the functionality needed to accommodate a more segmented operation with sub-contractor oversight effectively. The company chose to collaborate with IBS to implement a new system that offered the flexibility, capability, and scalability to “do it all” and evolve along with the organization’s needs. Several key processes were streamlined as a result, with a notable impact on both the sales department as well as back-office operations. For example, change-order processing time was cut by 25%, and the system’s document management capabilities enabled this client to record and store every file related to a project in a single system – a huge time saver over sifting through papers and scattered computer documents to track down information. This customer is now well-positioned for continued growth, with the tools it needs to operate efficiently and profitably.

What are the factors that differentiate Integrated Business Systems from the other competitors in the space?

We take great pride in our team here at IBS. There are young, relative industry newcomers as well as seasoned technology professionals who have been with the company for decades. This loyal, dedicated group understands that quality service is vital to fostering lasting partnerships and that effective support depends on knowledge, problem-solving skills, and communication. From the initial stages of implementation for new customers to the ongoing support of long-term users, IBS is committed to addressing every need in a timely, professional manner. With diversified backgrounds in property management, accounting, and systems, The IBS Professional Services Group works with new customers to teach users how to operate the IBS software. These talented consultants also routinely visit existing customers to participate in the business planning process and to identify areas for better usage. The IBS Software Support Team addresses inquiries related to the functionality of IBS software solutions, including both operational and technical aspects. This includes guidance and assistance in general “how to” type questions, as well as troubleshooting and resolution of technical issues. We strive to work better internally to help clients to swiftly solve their problems, along with continually training our staff, exploring new technologies, and developing cutting-edge solutions.

What does the future hold for Integrated Building Systems?

This is an exciting time in the commercial real estate tech arena. Today’s robust, cloud-based applications are targeting industry-specific needs – bringing mobility and transparency, and easing historic “pain points” like effective office/field communication, project estimating, and time reporting. With the increasing influence of a tech-savvy generation in c-suite decision-making, there exists an extraordinary potential for established companies like IBS. As always, we will continue to strive to provide enhanced technology platforms for our clients – those that leverage innovations to improve toolsets, streamline efficiencies, and bolster profitability. We expect the dramatic advancements for prop-tech to continue, with potentially game-changing developments – like AI and blockchain technology – bringing new and exciting opportunities. And within this ever-changing environment, we will look for the best ways to deliver positive business outcomes for clients by harnessing industry advancements to improve operating results.