Recent trends show that engineering and construction firms are increasingly adopting integrated cloud applications to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and improve customer and employee experiences. A notable player in this shift is the Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite, which prominent companies like Black & Veatch, Mortenson, Pike Corporation, and WSP Global are leveraging to standardize finance, HR, supply chain, and customer experience data on a unified platform.
“Engineering and construction companies need fast, accurate, and touchless processes,” said Rondy Ng, executive vice president of applications development at Oracle. This suite, designed with input from the customer community, equips firms with embedded AI capabilities that connect functions across their business, enhance operational accuracy, and facilitate timely project deliveries that come in under budget.
One of the immediate benefits of this transition is evident in Pike Corporation’s experience. The company, a major provider of energy solutions for electric and gas utilities, faced significant growth challenges. “Our legacy applications could not keep pace with the speed of change,” said Richard Wimmer, Chief Financial Officer at Pike Corporation. With Oracle Fusion Applications, the company streamlined its finance and HR processes, significantly reducing manual tasks and allowing for faster financial operations, ultimately supporting its mission to expand and better serve customers.
Similarly, Black & Veatch has consolidated its finance, planning, and HR systems by utilizing Oracle’s suite. The firm faced limitations with its former on-premises systems, which hindered its ability to adapt swiftly to changes. CFO Michael Williams noted, “We’ve been able to improve efficiency, expand insights, and better address client needs by standardizing business operations on a single platform.” This consolidation has proven vital in a sector that demands agility in a rapidly changing landscape.
Mortenson, a well-known builder and real estate developer, experienced the need for an integrated approach to better facilitate cross-functional collaboration. “Our legacy systems did not effectively connect business processes,” said Lois Martin, the firm’s CFO. The transition to Oracle Fusion Applications allowed Mortenson to rationalize an overwhelming number of applications and integrate various functional areas, improving responsiveness in competitive project bidding.
On a broader scale, WSP Global, a leading engineering and professional services firm, is realizing the benefits of improved visibility and productivity through Oracle’s platform. “The current deployment of the Oracle Applications Suite has already begun to advance our business insights,” stated Chadi Habib, Chief Technology Officer at WSP Global. By aiming for continuous improvements in efficiency, WSP is positioning itself to create lasting impacts on the communities it serves.
For small business owners, these transformations showcase the potential of cloud-based solutions to scale operations effectively. The Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications Suite empowers businesses to consolidate functionality, leverage data-driven insights, and automate manual processes, addressing common pain points like slow operations and high overhead costs.
However, there are challenges that need consideration. Transitioning to a new platform requires investment in training, potential integration issues with legacy systems, and adjustments in workflow management. Small businesses must assess whether the potential for increased efficiency and innovation aligns with their current operational capabilities and resource allocation.
As evidenced by the success stories of these leading firms, strategic investments in integrated cloud applications could be a game-changer for small businesses in the engineering and construction sectors. Implementing such technology could mean delivering projects more efficiently, responding quicker to market demands, and ultimately driving value for customers.
For further information on Oracle Fusion Applications Suite, visit oracle.com/applications.
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