Architecture and engineering (A&E) firms are entering 2026 with more pressure and more potential than ever before. Growth is within reach, but inefficiencies and disconnected systems keep dragging projects over budget and off schedule. The firms gaining an edge are the ones moving to project-centric ERP, with purpose-built platforms like Deltek Vantagepoint that modernize project management from bid to cash collection.
When bids are built in Excel, time tracking is manual, and project data lives in silos, even the most talented teams struggle with challenges, such as projects going over budget, schedules getting delayed, and profitability suffering.
It all comes back to the root problem: a system that can’t keep up with the complexities of modern business. For A&E and professional services firms, this is more than a nuisance; it’s a growth barrier. That’s why so many are rethinking their tech stack and moving toward project-centric ERP like Vantagepoint, a platform built to eliminate these inefficiencies and provide clarity across the entire project lifecycle.
Let’s start with the harsh truth: disconnected systems are silent profit-killers. The numbers speak volumes:
That’s a whole lot of margin leaking out of your project pipeline.
These issues don’t stem from a lack of skill or effort; they stem from a lack of clarity. And it’s why leading firms are shifting to project-centric ERP systems that provide a centralized, real-time view of their operations. In fact, Deltek’s most recent Clarity Study found that 76% of firms struggle to prioritize relevant technology trends, with nearly 60% citing cost as the main barrier, proof that too many organizations are stuck with disconnected systems that hold them back.
A project-centric ERP isn’t just an accounting tool with some basic visuals, like Gannt and pie charts. It’s purpose-built to manage the full lifecycle of a project, from pursuit and proposal to closeout and cash collection.
For A&E firms, that means:
Solutions like Deltek Vantagepoint take these capabilities a step further by integrating CRM, resource planning, and project accounting into a single platform designed for A&E and professional services firms. It’s not about replacing your team. It’s about freeing them up to focus on the work that drives real value.
Firms can’t afford to wait. Delays in adopting project-centric tech directly impact your ability to compete for the best talent, bid profitably, and scale sustainably.
Nearly 80% of A&E leaders say their future growth depends on investing in digital tools. The gap is no longer in the strategy; it’s in the execution. That’s where Deltek Vantagepoint comes in. Unlike “just okay” platforms that deliver little more than an upgraded spreadsheet, Vantagepoint was designed specifically for project-driven businesses.
Here’s what sets this next generation of ERP apart:
And the payoff? According to Deltek’s 46th Clarity Study, A&E firms saw net revenue per employee rise by 11% year-over-year. And they’re forecasting revenue growth of about 9.6% for 2025, proof that efficiency, automation, and better systems can move the needle fast.
Switching systems isn’t just an IT project. It’s a business transformation. And A&E firms know that successful ERP adoption requires the right implementation partner who understands the industry and can align the tech with how real firms work.
As 2026 unfolds, the firms that will pull ahead aren’t the ones patching spreadsheets or clinging to legacy systems. They’re the ones embracing purpose-built platforms like Vantagepoint—tools designed to deliver transparency, efficiency, and sustainable growth in the year ahead and beyond.
Dave Mullins, Vice President of the Aktion Canadian Division, leads the team responsible for delivering software, support, and services to companies in the Professional Services, Construction, Distribution, and Manufacturing Industries.
