Microsoft Dynamics NAV, out of the box, has a powerful Project/Job Costing model, the key being the ability to perform complex estimating which then flows into the costing stage of the project creating an end-toend solution.

In addition, Liveware Solutions has extensive experience  in job costing manufacturing with substantial, additional IP in the form of a series of product enhancements, including Payroll, which provides turn-key solution for metal fabricators.

What we typically find in Metal Fabrication is:

Fundamental Challenge

Multiple systems; The divide between estimating & costing creates the need for multiple systems where a financial package is performing the costing & invoicing however different systems are in play for:

• Estimating

• Quoting

• Ordering (not always, but often)

• CRM

Problems created include:

• Re-keying of data; the need to re-key data across multiple systems

• Where to locate information; it's impossible for staff to be across all applications; without an adequate understanding of all stages in the administration, information becomes hard to access

• Reduced data integrity; i.e. human error in re-keying data manually, changes in information not always being updated across all systems. Data not being updated to other systems in a timly manner equals delays

Outcomes experienced:

• Reduced Productivity - direct; e.g. the sheer loss of time created by duplication

• Reduced Productivity - indirect; you will never know the true cost but it is there e.g. an unneccessary delay in responding to a customers request for information can cause them to try another provider or a key staff member leaving the organisation out of frustration with internal systems

• Financial; of course a more immediate and often damaging implication is a direct financial implication; e.g. an inaccurate estimate causing an actual project loss

Eradicating what we call 'islands of information" and adopting a single application solution is the outcome we achieve for Project/ Job based administrations.