In 2025, tracking the productivity of your labour force isn’t optional—it’s essential. Between rising costs, skilled labour shortages, and high client expectations, every hour on-site needs to count. When productivity data is captured and used well, it can boost profitability across every job.
For many contractors, labour is the biggest cost. That is why so many construction owners devote the time and resources to measure the productivity of every type of labour that goes into a job.
This will enable you to calculate team performance on each task. Having this data will help you in real time (on each current project), and in the future when you bid for and take on new jobs.
On each project, job costing provides visibility into how labour productivity measures up to the estimated budget, and helps you identify areas that need attention. Here’s another real-time bonus to productivity tracking: when an unforeseen event occurs, such as a pandemic or disruptive weather, you have the data you need to make your case for a change order.
Once you have a storehouse of reliable productivity data, that data becomes an asset for every future project you bid on. Your data will inform every facet of your business. It will give you a benchmark for estimating, budgeting, and scheduling, as well as for performance-based bonus programs. Each step in the process relies on the prior one: estimating informs your budgeting, scheduling, and then labour on the job. Your data can make your bids more competitive – and insulate your profits.
An investment in the right construction technology is step one in mastering how to track your labour productivity. If you have just recently started looking at your software options, Sage Intacct Construction software is a flexible financial management solution that adapts to your workflows and reporting requirements. This next-gen cloud platform gives you real-time visibility with built-in and adaptable dashboards, reports, graphs, and charts. Multidimensional reporting and dashboards provide faster and deeper insights into accounts, helping to save hours per month.
You can learn more about how to avoid unexpected cash flow issues by governing your spending against a budget here. Interested in learning more about using data to maximize your profitability, job after job? Take the first step by talking with Aktion Associates to find the best technology solution for your unique needs.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2022 and was updated for accuracy and relevance in June 2025.
The Growing Pains of Distribution
For many distribution companies, growth doesn’t just reveal operational cracks, it widens them. You may recognize the signs: departments relying on their own spreadsheets, customer orders taking too long to process, and team members constantly re-entering the same data into multiple systems. These aren’t just minor inefficiencies but early warnings that your systems aren’t keeping up.
Disconnected systems create delays, duplicate work, and inconsistent data. Your team spends more time chasing information than acting on it. As demands increase, so do the risks.
What Disconnection Really Costs
The impact of fragmented systems goes beyond inconvenience. When your ERP, CRM, and warehouse management tools aren’t integrated, your team is forced into reactive mode.
Manual data entry becomes standard. Sales reps can’t access up-to-date inventory. Customer service is slowed by a lack of visibility into order status. And executives are often making critical decisions with outdated or incomplete data.
These issues slow you down. They affect your bottom line. And worst of all, they limit your ability to deliver the fast, responsive service that today’s customers expect.
Why Integration Is a Game Changer
With an integrated system, the experience is completely different. Information flows seamlessly across departments. When a sales order is placed, it automatically updates inventory, triggers fulfillment, and syncs with finance. Everyone — from the warehouse floor to the leadership team — works from the same accurate, real-time data.
Integrated platforms eliminate redundant tasks, reduce the risk of errors, and free your team to focus on higher-value work. You gain operational clarity, faster processes, and the agility to scale.
This is more than a technology upgrade — it’s a shift in how your business operates.
How Modern Distributors Are Solving It
At Aktion, we work with distribution companies every day who are ready to move past disconnected systems. Our team helps unify operations with tools built specifically for your industry, including Acumatica, a modern cloud ERP designed to bring your finance, inventory, purchasing, and customer data into a single platform.
With a solution like Acumatica in place, you’re no longer patching together reports or second-guessing data. You’re running a smarter, more connected operation built for growth.
For multi-entity construction firms, financial management is rarely simple. Separate systems, overlapping projects, and intercompany transactions add layers of complexity that are tough to untangle.
That’s where Sage Intacct Construction comes in. Purpose-built for the construction and real estate industry, this native cloud platform brings clarity, control, and efficiency to complex financial operations. It offers a unified solution for managing and reporting across multiple entities, helping developers gain real-time insight, reduce manual effort, and stay ahead of the curve.
In this post, we’ll explore seven ways Sage Intacct Construction is reshaping multi-entity financial management and why it’s becoming an essential tool for developers who want to grow with confidence.
Sage Intacct Construction helps bring financial data from across your organization into one system. By working in a single platform instead of multiple disconnected tools, teams can manage finances more easily and keep reporting consistent. With everything in one place, including expenses, revenue, and financials, you get a clear, company-wide view without switching between systems.
Sage Intacct Construction takes the manual work out of intercompany transactions. Tasks like billing between entities, moving funds, making elimination entries, and allocating expenses are handled automatically. This helps reduce errors and gives your team more time to focus on higher-value work.
With all financial data consolidated in one place, Sage Intacct Construction provides real-time visibility into the financial health of the organization. Immediate access to financial information is vital for making timely and informed decisions. Through interactive dashboards, management can quickly evaluate the profitability of different projects or entities, enabling them to allocate financial and people resources more efficiently.
Sage Intacct Construction stays updated with the latest regulatory changes and provides tools to ensure compliance. It facilitates accurate and compliant financial reporting, crucial for multi-entity developers operating under various regulations.
With Sage Intacct Construction, you have the power to tailor your dashboards and analytics to meet your exact requirements. You can effortlessly generate reports and dashboards that are perfectly aligned with your specific needs, unlocking deeper insights into the performance of each entity. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of your business’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Sage Intacct Construction acts as a centralized hub for all communication and data sharing, which is particularly crucial in the construction sector where multiple teams and entities often work in tandem. This centralized approach ensures that all stakeholders, from project managers to finance teams, to subcontractors, to suppliers, have a common platform for collaborating, reducing the likelihood of miscommunication and information silos.
As development companies grow, the complexity and volume of their intercompany transactions also increase. Sage Intacct Construction’s automated systems are scalable, meaning they can handle an increasing number of transactions without a proportional increase in manual work or complexity. This scalability ensures that financial management remains efficient regardless of company growth.
Developers are experiencing a new level of efficiency and gaining valuable insights with Sage Intacct Construction. As a result, they are more confident in addressing their challenges and making strategic decisions, which is leading to unprecedented growth and profitability. Experience the transformative power of Sage Intacct Construction today and unlock a future of unlimited possibilities.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2024 and updated in June 2025 to reflect new features and industry trends.
In the distribution industry, uptime isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. From warehouse automation to connected inventory systems, every second counts. But as technology advances, so do the risks, and many distributors are learning the hard way that cyber insurance doesn’t always cover what they think it does.
In our upcoming Cyber Insurance Readiness Webinar, we explore how your answers on cyber insurance applications can directly impact claim approvals, policy premiums, and even your operational continuity. Here’s what every distribution business needs to know.
Cyberattacks can cripple warehouse operations, delay shipments, and compromise vendor or customer data. And yet, many distributors unknowingly jeopardize their cyber insurance coverage by misrepresenting their network security posture.
For example, saying “yes” to having backup and recovery procedures in place means more than backing up data once a month. In the Distribution Industry, this should include automated and encrypted backups of key operational systems, such as order processing, inventory management, and ERP platforms, with tested restoration protocols to minimize downtime during ransomware or system failure.
Here are the five most common areas where distributors fall short, yet still check “yes” on insurance forms:
During the webinar, we will share how a distributor reported full MFA coverage but had only deployed it for the finance team. A phishing attack targeting their warehouse management system led to data theft and significant delivery delays. Their claim was denied due to misrepresentation.
One Wrong Answer Could Cost You Coverage – Stay protected and insurable.
At Aktion, we specialize in supporting the security needs of ERP-driven distributors. Our cybersecurity risk management services include:
Get Ahead of What You Need to be Prepared:
Join our webinar “Understanding the Questions On Cyber Insurance Forms” – June 18 @ 12:00 pm ET – Register Today
And
Schedule a security consultation with Aktion to strengthen your defenses and protect your coverage. Schedule My Review
The Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) and SL (Solomon) end of life and support is a subject that has gained significant attention in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) industry. This translates to the discontinuation of essential security updates, technical assistance, and bug resolution, leaving your business exposed and impeding its capacity for growth. The pressing issue of transitioning to newer, more agile systems is at the forefront of this support end.
For GP and SL users, this presents a crucial decision: migrate to a new ERP system or risk falling behind. While Microsoft suggests Dynamics 365 Business Central as a replacement, there’s another powerful contender in the arena – Acumatica.
Why Acumatica Shines as the Future-Proof Choice:
The sunsetting of Microsoft Dynamics GP and SL marks a pivotal moment in the ERP landscape. Businesses are increasingly turning to Acumatica for its modern architecture, cloud-native design, and unparalleled flexibility. As companies embark on the journey to digitize and streamline their operations, Acumatica emerges as a robust choice that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of the modern business environment.
If you have questions or want to discuss this transition further, feel free to contact Aktion . We’re here to assist you in making informed decisions for the success of your business.
Many B2B distributors recognize the need for digital transformation but struggle to see tangible benefits. Despite investing in eCommerce platforms and ERP systems, they often face challenges such as:
If these roadblocks sound familiar, you’re not alone. Fortunately, the partnership between Aktion Associates and Unilog offers a powerful solution to help distributors unlock the true potential of digital commerce and drive revenue growth.
How Aktion Associates and Unilog Solve the Digital Commerce Puzzle
One of the biggest hurdles in B2B digital transformation is the lack of integration between eCommerce platforms and ERP systems. Aktion Associates, a leading provider of IT solutions for distributors, partners with Unilog to bridge this gap.
One of the biggest myths in B2B eCommerce is that a digital platform will replace sales reps. In reality, digital commerce empowers sales teams and improves customer relationships.
A major reason why many B2B eCommerce platforms fail is a poor user experience. Unilog solves this by delivering a B2C-like shopping experience tailored for B2B needs:
With Aktion Associates’ expertise and Unilog’s cutting-edge technology, distributors can harness AI and automation to improve efficiency and customer experience.
To ensure digital transformation success, it’s critical to track the right metrics. The Aktion-Unilog partnership helps distributors define and measure key KPIs, including:
Real-World Success: How Distributors Are Winning with Aktion & Unilog
Distributors across industries have transformed their businesses with the Aktion Associates and Unilog partnership. Here are a few examples of real-world impact:
✅ A national industrial supplier increased online sales by 300% within six months after launching a fully integrated eCommerce platform with Unilog and Aktion’s ERP expertise.
✅ A wholesale electrical distributor reduced order processing times by 40% by automating workflows and leveraging AI-powered recommendations.
✅ A building materials distributor improved customer retention by 25% by offering a seamless self-service ordering experience and personalized product suggestions.
The Future of B2B eCommerce is Here—Are You Ready?
Digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. With the right technology, strategy, and support, B2B distributors can successfully transition to a digital-first model without losing the personal touch that sets them apart.
Don’t let outdated systems and fragmented digital strategies hold you back. Contact us today and take the first step toward a smarter, more profitable B2B commerce future!
The distribution industry is evolving rapidly, making eCommerce a necessity for B2B success. Distributors must embrace digital transformation to meet customer expectations and stay competitive. Here are the top trends shaping B2B eCommerce in 2025—and how Aktion Associates and Unilog can help you stay ahead.
Distributors are leveraging platforms like Amazon Business and Alibaba but need to maintain control over pricing and customer data.
B2B buyers expect AI-driven product recommendations and tailored experiences.
Customers engage across multiple channels and expect a frictionless experience.
Buyers prefer self-service over speaking with sales reps.
Automated reordering boosts loyalty and revenue.
Same-day and next-day delivery are becoming standard.
Real-time pricing optimization maximizes profitability.
Flexible payment solutions like BNPL, digital wallets, and ACH improve cash flow.
B2B buyers prioritize eco-friendly and sustainable business practices.
Disconnected systems cause inefficiencies and lost revenue.
Future-Proof Your ECommerce Strategy
ECommerce is essential for distributors aiming to scale and stay competitive. With Unilog’s advanced B2B eCommerce platform and Aktion’s ERP expertise, you can optimize efficiency, improve customer experience, and drive revenue growth.
Boost your eCommerce strategy today. Contact Aktion Associates to learn how Unilog and Infor CloudSuite Distribution can future-proof your business.
The Role of Cloud Hosting in Construction
Accessing data, applications, and resources from anywhere in the construction industry is a game-changer. Cloud hosting provides flexible, scalable, and secure infrastructure tailored to meet the needs of companies that spend most of their time out of the office. With the potential to reduce costs, improve collaboration, and streamline operations, cloud hosting has become a critical tool for businesses looking to stay competitive and agile in a rapidly evolving landscape. Construction companies need reliable access to project data, inventory systems, and team collaboration tools like other industries. Cloud hosting provides a centralized, accessible, and secure data storage and application hosting environment.
Here’s how cloud hosting benefits the construction industry:
1. Centralized Data Access for Seamless Collaboration
One of the biggest challenges construction companies face is managing the vast amounts of data that drive projects, production schedules, inventory, and client orders. Cloud hosting centralizes data, enabling employees to access real-time information from any device, whether in an office or on a construction site. This access keeps everyone on the same page and reduces costly errors, allowing teams to work with the most up-to-date information.
2. Enhanced Collaboration Across Locations
Construction companies often collaborate with multiple stakeholders, from designers and engineers to suppliers and subcontractors. With cloud hosting, teams can instantly access files, share updates, and collaborate in real-time. This seamless collaboration reduces delays, minimizes miscommunication, and enhances team productivity.
3. Scalability to Meet Project and Production Demands
Having scalable infrastructure is essential in industries where project demands can change quickly. Cloud hosting allows construction companies to scale resources up or down based on real-time needs. This may mean adding server space before a major project. This scalability ensures businesses pay only for what they need when they need it, making it a cost-effective solution that adapts to demand fluctuations.
4. Cost Savings with Reduced IT Overhead
Maintaining on-premises servers can be costly, requiring significant upfront investments, ongoing maintenance, and dedicated IT staff. Cloud hosting eliminates these expenses by shifting infrastructure management to the cloud provider. Construction companies benefit from predictable monthly costs, reducing capital expenditure and allocating resources to other business-critical initiatives.
Cloud hosting also reduces the costs associated with physical documentation, paper trails, and file storage, further streamlining operations and freeing up budgets for growth.
5. Built-In Security and Reliable Backup Systems
Data security and integrity are paramount for any company. With sensitive information on projects, client data, and proprietary designs, the construction industry requires robust security protocols. Cloud hosting providers offer built-in security features like encryption, firewalls, and multi-factor authentication, protecting data from unauthorized access. Regular backups ensure that critical information can be recovered in case of a system outage or security breach, supporting compliance and risk management efforts.
6. Remote Monitoring and Smart Operations
Cloud hosting opens the door to advanced technologies like remote monitoring and IoT (Internet of Things) integration, which are highly valuable in running a business. Construction teams can monitor project progress and equipment status. By leveraging IoT and cloud capabilities, companies can make proactive decisions to reduce downtime, increase efficiency, and avoid potential issues before they arise.
Future-Proofing Construction with Cloud Hosting
As the construction industry grows more complex, the technology that supports it must evolve. Cloud hosting enables companies to future-proof their operations, staying agile and adaptable as new challenges arise. By centralizing data, enhancing security, and facilitating seamless collaboration, cloud hosting helps companies in the sector to remain competitive and responsive to changing market demands.
Discover Cloud Hosting Solutions with Aktion Associates
At Aktion Associates, we understand the unique needs of the construction industry and offer cloud-hosting solutions specifically designed to support growth and operational efficiency. Our cloud hosting services provide the flexibility, security, and performance required to keep your business moving forward.
Contact us today to learn more about how cloud hosting can drive your business’s success. Let’s build a brighter future together.
In the complex world of distribution, efficiency and precision are crucial. Companies must keep up with an increasing demand for products, manage vast inventories, and adapt to new market trends—all while maintaining profitability. This is where an industry-specific ERP system becomes a game-changer for distributors. Unlike generic solutions, these tailored systems provide unique capabilities designed to meet the specific needs of the distribution sector.
Understanding Industry-Specific ERP Solutions
Industry-specific ERPs are tailored software solutions that cater specifically to the unique needs of a particular industry. In the context of distribution, these systems come with pre-configured features that address common challenges faced by distributors. They incorporate functionalities that are often absent in generic ERP systems, allowing companies to streamline their operations and improve efficiency.
If you’re looking for a new ERP, you should keep a couple of things in mind, such as:
By investing in a solution designed for their unique needs, distributors can streamline operations, improve efficiency, and achieve long-term success. With the right ERP system, distributors can unlock new possibilities, seize opportunities, and build a future-ready business.
For those ready to take the next step, exploring industry-specific ERP solutions is a critical move towards achieving operational excellence and maintaining a competitive edge.
In today’s fast-paced distribution landscape, staying competitive requires not only meeting customer demands but also doing so with speed, accuracy, and efficiency. The key to achieving this lies in leveraging cutting-edge technology like Infor CloudSuite Distribution and artificial intelligence (AI). Together, these tools are revolutionizing how distributors process orders, reduce errors, and improve customer satisfaction. Here’s how they can make a difference for your business.
1. Automated Order Entry and Processing
Manual order entry is time-consuming and error-prone, often resulting in bottlenecks that slow down fulfillment and increase operational costs. With Infor CloudSuite Distribution, AI-powered automation can streamline this process by capturing data from multiple channels—whether it’s through EDI, email, or web-based portals—and automatically inputting it into the system. AI ensures that orders are categorized, processed, and assigned to the right teams without human intervention, significantly reducing errors and saving valuable time.
2. Improved Demand Forecasting
Distributors often struggle with maintaining the right inventory levels. Stock-outs lead to lost sales, while overstocking ties up capital and storage space. AI integrated into Infor CloudSuite Distribution offers advanced demand forecasting capabilities, analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and customer behavior to predict future demand. This helps distributors maintain optimal inventory levels, ensuring orders are fulfilled on time without overburdening warehouse space or budget.
3. Faster Fulfillment with Optimized Routing
AI can transform the way distributors handle logistics. By analyzing multiple variables such as customer location, order urgency, and shipping costs, AI algorithms within Infor CloudSuite Distribution can recommend the most efficient shipping routes and methods. This leads to faster delivery times, reduced shipping costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
4. Reduced Order Errors
Errors in order fulfillment—whether due to incorrect product selection, quantity mismatch, or wrong shipping addresses—can have costly repercussions. AI-driven quality checks within Infor CloudSuite Distribution help reduce these errors by identifying discrepancies in real-time. These automated checks ensure that orders are accurate before they leave the warehouse, leading to fewer returns, happier customers, and improved profitability.
5. Enhanced Customer Communication
In the age of instant gratification, customers expect real-time updates on their orders. AI-powered systems can automatically send notifications about order status, delays, or issues, ensuring transparency and proactive communication. This not only builds trust with customers but also reduces the workload on customer service teams.
6. Data-Driven Decision Making
Infor CloudSuite Distribution provides distributors with a wealth of data, from sales trends to operational performance. AI enhances this by analyzing large datasets to provide actionable insights, such as identifying inefficiencies in the order processing workflow, predicting future bottlenecks, or highlighting opportunities for improvement. These insights empower distributors to make informed decisions that can streamline operations and improve overall business performance.
7. Scalability and Flexibility
As your distribution business grows, so do the complexities of managing orders. AI within Infor CloudSuite Distribution offers scalable solutions that can handle increasing order volumes without a corresponding increase in manual labor. The flexibility of cloud-based systems also means that you can access and manage your order processing workflows from anywhere, ensuring business continuity in any situation.
Conclusion
Leveraging the powerful combination of Infor CloudSuite Distribution and AI can streamline your order processing from start to finish. By automating routine tasks, improving accuracy, and offering valuable insights, these technologies enable distributors to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. In an industry where margins are tight and customer expectations are high, adopting these tools can provide a significant competitive edge.
Is your distribution business ready to take the next step in operational efficiency? Explore how Infor CloudSuite Distribution and AI can revolutionize your order processing today!
