The unbeatable power of integral working in the cloud

Cloud-based working in GWW is within reach for everyone. The old way of working, with manually created work orders and Excel lists that need to be maintained, causes -proven- failure costs. Yet companies in our sector are still reluctant to take the final step towards working digitally, in the cloud. "We can now remove that threshold completely," is the opinion of Edward Lammerts, New Business Manager at 4PS. We speak to him and Ruud Mol, Director at Be-Sync, about the power of integral digital collaboration. 

Pooled strength does not hurt the end user

4PS is the company behind the ERP system '4PS Construct', an innovative, integrated software solution that supports all primary business processes. With this, 4PS also offers the GWW sector a total solution based on the platform Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. "From the cloud, this software is available everywhere and to everyone," Edward explains. Be-Sync -since May 2020 part of the 4PS Group- is a specialist in information and document management. Ruud explains, "We ensure that the customer can collaborate integrally and efficiently throughout the chain of construction partners, with the deployment of SharePoint, Teams, Planner, OneDrive and the Power Platform within Microsoft 365, among others. Joining forces between the ERP system of 4PS on the one hand and the information and document management system of Be-Sync on the other, offers many advantages. For example, working fully integrated in the cloud and creating, for example, apps for the construction site employees of all construction and construction-related companies in the Netherlands. That doesn't hurt end users."

Reliable workflow

Edward continues: "4PS is deployed from acquisition through the management phase. By having all project data in the cloud, everyone has access to the right information. By working completely digitally, with data updated in real time, you avoid opportunities for errors and avoid unnecessary administrative work. That results in a very efficient and reliable workflow." Ruud adds: "Document handling is not originally strong in ERP software. That's where Be-Sync comes in. However, if you want to work with it in an advanced way and achieve an optimal integration with the ERP system, it is almost impossible to set it up yourself without help. Be-Sync makes standard, but also customer-specific Apps so that information only has to be entered once. Everything that happens outside can then be communicated inside via the cloud, via the Power Platform. Processes outside through the 4PS ERP system 4PS Construct can also be easily controlled this way."

As an example, Edward mentions the use of SharePoint online: "Integrating documents thus becomes a very natural process. With the ERP system, things like invoicing and accounting for hours take place, fully substantiated for the accountant. But in addition to the ERP system, there are also parts within the business processes that are specific to you as an organization. That's where the Power Platform comes in handy. For example, hiring staff, doing sign-in registrations in places where only a maximum number of people are allowed, and creating new customers. For all the information that is collected/processed outside, we can develop an app where the information can be read over the digital highway into the ERP system. A big advantage is that information can be clearly shared to the outside and supplemented or corrected by people outside. That one document or folder of photos that are important to the customer or employee on the construction site? You now share those easily via SharePoint Online. Be-Sync ensures proper storage and the ability to share and collaborate online/integrated. That makes you as a GWW company enormously valuable to the client, who is always aware of what needs to be communicated. Precisely that synchronization part is not standard in Microsoft 365, but is taken care of to perfection by Be-Sync."

From tender to maintenance phase

Integral digital working in the cloud offers benefits that start as early as the tender phase and continue seamlessly into the maintenance phase. "Once a work is delivered, all relevant information stored in the cloud regarding the project can be used in the maintenance phase," Ruud concludes. "With 4PS and Be-Sync, all chain partners, no one excluded, are served with the right information to achieve an optimal integral construction process."