When the time came to replace its outdated database and software, civil and structural engineering consultancy Cameron + Ross knew Deltek’s cloud-based solutions, such as Vantagepoint and Deltek PIM, were a perfect fit, as director Jon Anderson explains
1.Cameron + Ross has been operating for over 30 years. As the business evolved, what challenges did your legacy on-premises systems create, and what made it clear that change was needed?
Our firm went through a change of ownership just over ten years ago, leading to an expansion of our offices and a need to modernise. Our old database was slow to generate reports, prone to failure, and often made it difficult to track costs and manage project timelines accurately.
I remember seemingly straightforward tasks being so convoluted with the old technology. Before, if an engineer issued an invoice, multiple had to manually approve it. It was the same when new enquiries came in – we’d have to go to reception, consult handwritten lists in a lever arch file and ask the receptionist to digitise any contract data manually.
Both of these slowed us right down, and impacted client relationships. Those days are thankfully behind us!
2. What prompted the move to a cloud-based ERP and PIM solution, and why did Deltek Vantagepoint and Deltek PIM stand out compared to other options you considered?
We knew that we needed to move to the cloud to stay competitive and meet the rising demand for remote and collaborate working. What impressed me about Deltek ERP was how clearly it provides a single source of truth, which would be essential for our progression under the new ownership.
Now, every project is stage-connected, secure, and intelligent. We have complete visibility, which helps us to not only better manage our projects and people, but improve our profits and cash flow.
3. You went live with Deltek Vantagepoint and Deltek PIM in March 2020, just as the pandemic hit. How did the move to a cloud-based platform support business continuity when COVID forced the team to work remotely?
The appetite for remote working was already there before COVID, with a small number of our team taking advantage of the perk. But with the pandemic resulting in our entire workforce being away from the office, it was a brilliant time to introduce both Deltek Vantagepoint and Deltek PIM. Our on-premises system was very difficult to access remotely over any kind of VPN, so being able to coordinate projects and make decisions from any location during a very testing time was an essential.
4. How has moving to the cloud changed the way your teams collaborate day to day, particularly with hybrid working, improved visibility across the project lifecycle, and your expansion to a new Edinburgh office?
It’s been brilliant. As mentioned, our on premises database was creaking and inefficient, as well as hard to access remotely. Now, the office is anywhere we want or need it to be.
Take Deltek PIM as an example. Since 2020 we’ve built our IT system around the platform to streamline access to emails and project-related documents. We’ve used its document lifecycle manager to help retire our paper-based folders as part of the move to hybrid, transforming our efficiency and productivity. We’d previously stored our drawings in folders that made tracking revisions extremely difficult. While learning and implementing new processes took time and training, 90% of the firm now uses the document lifecycle manager – and it’s so efficient that we can now afford to work a nine-day fortnight, with half the office alternating to take each Friday off.
5. How has access to real-time data, visual reporting and automation within Deltek Vantagepoint influenced decision-making, accountability and efficiency across the business?
Deltek Vantagepoint has powered an unprecedented level of business intelligence that gives the team everything they need to work more proactively. It gives us a unified view of the end-to-end project lifecycle, including intuitive scheduling, accounting and reporting tools. Now, everyone at the firm can coordinate projects and make decisions from any location.
I love how enthusiastic our engineers are about it, especially the KPI metrics and graphs, which some of the team just can’t stop playing with. Engineers love to visualise data, which has totally changed how they work.
6. How does instant access to accurate, up-to-date project information help Cameron + Ross deliver a more responsive and professional service to clients?
We can access and reference the latest project information instantly, such as on the phone with a client. It helps us field project queries so much faster and provide a much more professional level of service. We’re all more confident as a result, and it’s changed our culture to be more independent and accountable.
Plus, Deltek PIM can filter out non-essential emails in our archive and earmark the most important details – such as confirmed billing details – for faster, easier access.
7. Looking ahead, how do Deltek Vantagepoint and Deltek PIM support your long-term plans for growth and scalability, and what lessons would you share with other engineering consultancies considering a similar move?
The sky really is the limit. We’re more productive and collaborative than ever, which will only help us attract exciting new briefs and a larger roster of clients. We’re a small but mighty team, and I feel like we’ve now got the right foundations in place for growth.
I have two tips for a successful migration. The first is to never underestimate just how disparate project data is, and how time consuming it can be to get it all in order. Ahead of migration, take the time to identify the data tags that’ll help people find relevant information quickly. They need to be intuitive.
Secondly, don’t feel like you need to use everything at once. Everyone needs time to get familiar with a new system. Introduce features organically to avoid overwhelming people. Otherwise, it causes chaos, especially for your most senior employees.
The post ‘The sky really is the limit’ with cloud-based PIM software appeared first on Planning, Building & Construction Today.
