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Construction company BATO Innovates with Cloud-Based ERP from VanRoey

Leading family company BATO ran up against the limits of Excel and opted for VanRoey's Dynamics 365 Real Estate module. A cloud solution developed specifically for property developers, based on Microsoft technology. They also went for the construction module to make use of estimation in their projects' budgets.

Challenges in the construction sector

The construction industry faces significant challenges: rising material costs, more complex permitting procedures, and an increasing administrative burden. For construction companies and project developers, it is crucial to overcome these obstacles to remain competitive and grow. VanRoey has focused on developing innovative software solutions to help companies in construction industry, installation and property development help overcome these challenges.

Dynamics 365 Suite for Real Estate

VanRoey introduced Dynamics 365 for Real Estate, a comprehensive software solution that covers the entire project development process. This suite, based on Microsoft technology, offers modules for feasibility studies, budgeting, cash flow, contract management and invoicing under the Breyne Act. Integration with Microsoft SharePoint enables centralised document management, while the Prompto sales tool provides visual support for marketing and sales.

[Also this year (2024), we organised a specific Lunch & Learn for project developers, where we showed in a live environment how it works. Read a full recap here about this event with concrete info about our solution].

"For companies in the construction industry that are ready to make the leap to digitalisation, we offer the tools and expertise to make this transformation successful" says Eric Goris, Dynamics 365 for Real Estate specialist at VanRoey.

Rapid delivery: From Excel to a cloud-based ERP

Construction company BATO, led by co-owner Dirk Evenepoel, was looking for a robust ERP solution to transcend the boundaries of Excel and digitise their processes. "We are a turnkey company and kept everything in-house. Currently, we develop, build and sell between 30 and 40 residential units annually, with plans to increase this number to 50. So the need for a good ERP system was growing," says Dirk.

The implementation process was quick and efficient, everything was achieved in 4 months. Dirk stresses that implementing an ERP system is not without its challenges. "It is important that a company adapts to the ERP system and not the other way around." This ensures a faster start-up and saves not only time but also money. Specific customisation is always possible if needed but as the solution fully covered everything we decided to start up with the standard first. "I was reassured by VanRoey though that if customisation did come up it would be completely unproblematic in new releases as these are always separate extensions (software blocks)."

In fact, the new releases are delivered twice a year by Microsoft itself. VanRoey always checks the new releases and reports what has been changed so that customers can test these adjustments in advance.

Results and technical benefits

Thanks to the implementation of the cloud-based ERP system, based on Microsoft Business Central and Dynamics 365 CRM, BATO can now plan more accurately and make strategic decisions. "Measuring is knowing," says Dirk. "We can now not only look back, but especially look ahead. Forecasting, KPIs and even future AI applications are now at our fingertips."

The choice of a specialised project development software and the ability to link it with construction calculation software makes the system even more powerful and specific to the construction industry. "Project development and contractor software are two different sports in construction. VanRoey has solved this beautifully with two add-ons," Dirk explains.

Dirk also emphasises the importance of internal staff in the success of the implementation. "It is crucial to involve the right internal people with knowledge of both software and their own organisation, such as our Nils and Sofie. This noticeably increases the success rate of an ERP project." Together with VanRoey, Dirk Evenepoel and Nils Van Vaerenbergh were the driving force behind this successful implementation.

Conclusion: VanRoey as expertise partner

VanRoey has proven to be a strategic partner for construction companies and property developers looking to modernise and optimise their processes. With their in-depth knowledge of both technology and the construction industry, they offer solutions that not only meet current requirements, but are also prepared for future challenges. "The team at VanRoey is very professional and well organised," concludes Dirk. "We are very satisfied with the results and look confidently to the future."

With Dynamics 365 for Real Estate and other construction-specific solutions, VanRoey supports companies in the construction industry in their digital transformation, helping them work more efficiently and achieve their business goals. Also know that VanRoey can offer solutions not only for property developers, but also for contractors (Dynamics 365 for Construct) and installation companies (Dynamics 365 for Installation).

 

About BATO

BATO has been active in the construction sector since 1996. Grown from a general construction company with small-scale apartment building, residential construction and renovation, after more than 20 years BATO is one of the leading construction companies in the Pajottenland region. More than a quarter of a century of knowledge, expertise and skills. The company was passed down from father to son and with it its distinctive values. Today, they develop, build and sell between 30 and 40 residential units a year with growth ambitions to fifty.

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"The need for a good ERP system was growing, especially as we were running up against the limits of Excel. The VanRoey cloud-based ERP system, based on Microsoft Business Central and Dynamics 365 CRM, proved to be the perfect match."
Dirk Evenepoel
Co-manager BATO

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