New digital tool streamlining project delivery at M Squared
Introducing our new resource management system
A unique, new technology is helping us to better price, plan and procure for jobs, using data, automation and AI.
We have developed the new resource management system to streamline and improve the way we work, supported by a team of expert software developers.
The system is highly configurable, helping to assess projects and prepare cost estimates. Using data and learnings from previous projects, it supports in generating realistic estimates on costs and forecasts on timings for new jobs – basing pricing on the actual spend and delivery of similar jobs, rather than pre-project estimates.
Improving accuracy, consistency and collaboration
It replaces the need for multiple systems for estimating, procurement and project scheduling, offering a single point of access for all cost-related information.
Working end-to-end, it takes a project from estimating to procurement and planning through to reporting.
By harnessing M Squared’s data, delivering reports and business insights in real time, it not only supports project planning and cost management, but also identifies productivity imbalances and job profitability, and helps to inform procurement and risk management processes.
“It stores a lot of information and data so, job-by-job, prices can be accurate to the project itself while also reflective of past jobs. In the ‘olden days’ you’d write your pricing down and a few months later, price a similar job using these, but they might not be reflective of the actual delivery of the original project or the time you’re in now. For estimating, there’ll always be labour, plant and material to consider, but locations, access, and commercial elements are essential variables to consider too. The system helps us to look back at past jobs to learn from them for pricing and project planning.”
“It allows us to collaborate better between teams, too. At the click of a button, a contract can go live, and the buying department will have their ‘shopping list’ while the contract manager will have their jobs list.”
Supporting value engineering and cost certainty
The system also allows for numerous quotes to be developed for a client, giving delivery and cost options to work to a budget specification. This offers better value, by offering different cost options and value engineering to help win work, and budget certainty, by using first principles for pricing rather than going rates.
Kerr McEwan, Managing Director of M Squared, added: “We had been using a range of best-in-class systems. However, these didn’t offer connectivity across them, so we started exploring developing a unique, purpose-built system of our own.
“Our new system is highly configurable. Our tenders are accurate, priced up from first principles rather than going rates to offer budget certainty.
“This is making our own business more efficient and scalable, and is helping our clients to win work and get projects over the line, on time and on budget.
“This digital tool is just one of the ways we’re investing in our business and working to modernise and improve our sector.”
The system has been developed in partnership with software developers from Apsis Business Components, whose team have hands-on experience in the construction sector.
Dr Alex Reid, Managing Director of Apsis Business Components said: “Growing companies working in the built environment need to wake up to the current explosion of different technologies or risk being left behind.
“M Squared have recognised how their precious data can work to develop the business. This, combined with the introduction of AI, is undoubtedly going to accelerate their growth and separate them from the competition.”
Get in touch to discover how our technology can empower your estimating team and streamline your project development and delivery.