Contractors using cloud-based ERP dashboards on site to improve project controls, crew time management and data-driven decisions.
United States, August 28, 2025
New industry studies find construction firms using enterprise resource planning (ERP) software outperform peers relying on spreadsheets or standalone tools. ERP users report stronger data-driven decision-making, tighter project controls and improved crew time management. Key findings include significantly higher satisfaction and effectiveness scores for general contractors and specialty trade contractors, greater integration of external data for real-time insights, and cloud deployments lowering barriers for smaller firms. The research highlights common adoption barriers — integration complexity, training and culture — and recommends phased rollouts, sustained training and executive commitment to realize measurable operational gains.
New research from two industry studies finds that construction firms that use enterprise resource planning systems are consistently outperforming peers that don’t. The most important findings show general contractors using ERP tools are far more likely to be data-driven, and specialty trades that run ERP systems report stronger crew time control than trades using other tools.
The two complementary studies focused on general contractors and specialty trade contractors. Among general contractors, those using ERP software are more than twice as likely to call themselves highly data-driven compared with peers not on ERP. Almost nine out of 10 general contractors with ERP say they are satisfied with their system, while about eight out of 10 specialty trade contractors with ERP report similar satisfaction.
Crew time management is a clear win for ERP users in the trades: 71% of specialty trade contractors on ERP report effective crew time management, compared with 43% of trade firms that rely on alternative tools.
General contractors using ERP rate their project controls as highly effective at a rate of 79%, compared with 38% among GCs that use non-ERP tools. More than twice as many GC ERP users rate their organizations as highly effective at using data analytically versus non-users. A majority of GC ERP users bring external data into their systems, and more than half of trade contractors integrate outside data into ERP for many key functions.
The studies also show maturity matters. More than half of general contractor ERP users have seven or more years of ERP experience, suggesting benefits grow with time and deeper integration. Centralizing and connecting information is cited as a key advantage for more advanced ERP users.
Despite the gains, many construction firms still lean on spreadsheets, manual processes, or a patchwork of third-party tools. Those approaches limit the ability to create fully integrated, real-time workflows and reduce the immediate value of centralized systems.
The wider market data shows the global construction ERP software market was valued at about USD 3.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 7.7% from 2025 through 2034. In 2024 the software portion accounted for over 72% of the market, and cloud-based deployments made up around 62% of sales.
Cloud and subscription models are making ERP more accessible to small and mid-sized firms by lowering up-front cost and enabling remote access. Emerging technologies such as Internet of Things sensors and Building Information Modeling are adding real-time data feeds that can enrich ERP capabilities, while mobile and field-first ERP tools support data capture and communication at the jobsite.
The studies and market research point to three practical factors that shape whether ERP delivers its full value: strong integration of data sources, targeted user training, and organizational commitment to making ERP the central operating system. Firms that take a phased approach, invest in training, and prioritize connecting external data tend to realize faster and larger gains.
For contractors, the message is simple. Firms that centralize schedules, budgets, procurement and field updates into a single platform can reduce time wasted hunting for information, improve communication among stakeholders, and increase the chances of finishing work on time and on budget. As more contractors adopt ERP and cloud tools, those still relying on manual systems risk falling behind on efficiency and decision speed.
The two study reports are available for download from the organization that published the research at construction.com. Market research covering the construction ERP sector provides additional detail on market size, vendor landscape and technology trends for 2024–2034.
Buyers evaluating ERP should focus on a few signature use cases—how the system will handle core financials, job costing, crew time, and project controls—rather than an exhaustive feature checklist. Pilot projects, clear ownership, and a small decision team can shorten the selection process and boost adoption.
The studies compared contractors using ERP systems with those using spreadsheets or other tools on measures such as crew time management, project controls, data-driven decision-making and overall satisfaction.
General contractors using ERP are more than twice as likely to describe themselves as highly data-driven. Project control effectiveness was rated highly by 79% of GC ERP users versus 38% of GCs using other tools. Among specialty trades, 71% of ERP users report effective crew time management compared with 43% for non-ERP users.
Yes. Approximately 90% of general contractors using ERP report overall satisfaction, and about 80% of trade contractors using ERP report the same.
Evidence suggests maturity helps: 53% of GC ERP users have seven or more years of experience with their systems, and longer use correlates with stronger outcomes in project controls and analytics.
Identify key use cases, plan for integrations, prepare targeted training, and secure leadership commitment to use ERP as the firm’s central operating system. Consider phased rollouts and pilot projects to reduce risk.
| Feature | What it does | Data point / source |
|---|---|---|
| Data-driven decision-making | Combines project and financial data to guide choices | GC ERP users are more than twice as likely to be highly data-driven |
| Crew time management | Tracks crew hours, assignments and productivity at the site | 71% of trade ERP users report effective crew time management vs 43% with other tools |
| Project controls | Integrates scheduling, cost, procurement and risk tracking | 79% of GC ERP users rate project controls as highly effective vs 38% for non-ERP |
| Integration of external data | Brings BIM, IoT and third-party feeds into one platform | Majority of GCs and over half of trades integrate external data for many functions |
| Market size and growth | Overall industry value and forecasted growth | Global market ~USD 3.7B in 2024; projected CAGR ~7.7% (2025–2034) |
| Cloud adoption | Delivers remote access, lower infrastructure costs, and elasticity | Cloud made up ~62% of the market in 2024; software >72% share |
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