How ERP, CRM, Data, and AI Come Together in Construction and Building Services Engineering
Construction and installation companies are increasingly faced with more complex projects, tight margins, and high expectations regarding scheduling, quality, and speed. The pressure on scheduling, costs, and resources has increased significantly in recent years, making efficiency and control crucial.
At the same time, digitization is accelerating at a breakneck pace. Companies that continue to rely on standalone tools, Excel files, and fragmented information are losing control and their competitive edge. An integrated technology approach—a single system for ERP, CRM, document management, BI, and AI—is becoming essential for tackling the challenges of today and tomorrow.
During "Think Tech, Speak Human" on May 28 in Ghent we'll focus the session specifically on those challenges: Connected Construction & Installation: How ERP, CRM, Data, and AI Come Together in the Construction and Installation Industries.
The main challenges facing the industry
1. Unpredictable scheduling & fragmented information
Construction projects are characterized by complex schedules, last-minute changes, and countless stakeholders. Anyone who relies on standalone tools, spreadsheets, or emails loses both an overview and the ability to respond quickly.
Alistar describes this as one of the biggest challenges: without centralized data, projects fall behind schedule and the risk of errors increases.
2. Lack of control over costs and margins
From preliminary costing to final costing, financial tracking remains a challenge for many companies. Accurate preliminary costing, proper cost allocation, and thorough final costing are therefore crucial for profitable business operations.
3. Communication between the office and the construction site is not going smoothly
In the field of installation engineering, fragmented information and slow communication often lead to errors and inefficiency. Mobile access to ERP and project data is essential to bridge that gap.
4. Document management remains a mess
From contracts to permits: an integrated DMS is essential for managing documents centrally, securely, and in a structured manner.
Trends That Are Accelerating Digital Transformation
AI is set to be a game-changer
The construction industry is moving toward predictive maintenance, BIM integration, digital twins, and smarter resource planning. The AI market is growing explosively, and those who invest today will reap the rewards tomorrow.
ERP as a Digital Engine
ERP is at the heart of modern construction companies. It brings together planning, budgeting, HR, compliance, and execution on a single platform and enhances this with AI-driven insights.
Cloud & Mobile First
Dispersed teams, subcontractors, and field crews need real-time access to data. Cloud ERP and mobile apps make that possible—with built-in security and access controls.
What will you learn in this session?
In this session, you'll discover how to use a single, integrated Microsoft environment to gain better control over your entire supply chain—from preliminary costing to final costing.
One platform for the entire company
You'll see how ERP, CRM, Modern Work, and Data come together in a single environment:
- Dynamics 365 Business Central (ERP) for project and cost management
- Dynamics 365 (CRM) for customer relationship management, quotes, requests, and complaint follow-up
- Docufly (SharePoint-solution) for streamlined document management
- Power BI for real-time dashboards and insights at every level
This ensures a consistent workflow, without having to switch between tools.
Control over every phase of the project
From estimation and preparation to execution, billing, and post-project analysis: every step is digitized, integrated, and made transparent.
The Role of AI in Practice
The speakers will highlight the areas where AI is already having a real impact today:
- predicting risks
- optimize schedules
- Automate Administrative Tasks
- generate insights to make better decisions
AI is becoming tangible and practical—not just hype, but immediate added value.
Who is this session for?
For construction and installation companies that:
- want to be prepared for the further digitization of their business operations
- want more control over planning, costs, and resources
- want to collaborate more efficiently with internal teams and external partners
Attend this session at Think Tech Speak Human
Would you like to see how you can regain control over all business processes and collaborate more efficiently with customers, suppliers, construction crews, and technicians? Then this ‘Connected Construction & Installation’ session is a must-see at Think Tech, Speak Human.
