For architecture, engineering, and environmental consultancy (AEC) firms, profitability hinges on efficient billing. However, even simple projects generate complex invoices that require multi-step approvals, creating delays that impact cash flow. Project managers (PMs), who oversee daily project details, play a critical role in reviewing prebills to ensure accuracy and compliance. However, traditional ERP billing systems present major challenges for PMs that stall invoicing and payment progress.
With the BST11 Billing app, PMs enjoy a web-based experience that is consumer-grade, requires minimal training, and allows PMs to review, approve, and annotate prebills from anywhere. By focusing on ease of use and mobility, the BST11 Billing app accelerates billing cycles, improves cash flow, and reduces Days Sales Outstanding (DSO). For AEC firms, this solution transforms billing from a cumbersome process into a streamlined, efficient workflow that supports profitability and growth.
ERP Billing for AEC Firms
The success of any business centers around profitability, and profitability depends on billing. For architecture, engineering and environmental consultancy (AEC) firms, even the simplest projects generate complex invoices that undergo a multi-step approval process where each step and person involved introduces a potential delay in billing and payment.
Project Manager vs. Prebill
AEC project managers are in the unique position of handling daily project details intrinsically tied to the business’s finance and accounting operations. PMs are a crucial part of the billing process, but they’re also constantly on the move, so they tend to be a bottleneck in that workflow. Some of the biggest roadblocks for PMs when it comes to ERP billing software include:
- Complexity
PMs play a critical role in reviewing prebills (or draft bills) to ensure alignment with the work, contract terms and client requirements. However, project billing software is designed with much more functionality than is necessary to fulfill a PM’s responsibility, so they must navigate a system that largely doesn’t apply to them and that they need to be careful with so as not to “break anything.” - Accessibility
In addition to internet access, most ERP billing systems require users to download a smart client on their computer and connect to the company’s VPN, even for something as simple as reviewing a prebill. PMs who spend much of their time on site with clients delay the billing process when they’re only able to review prebills once they’re back at their desks. - Growth
As firms grow and the AEC industry’s way of working evolves, so do contract types and billing requirements. PMs are juggling more projects than ever before with complex contract terms that generate more prebills than ever before. Paired with a system that’s inconvenient to access, this creates a pileup of prebills awaiting PM review, which slows cash flow.
The BST11 Billing App Solution
While providing the dynamic functionality needed for AEC finance and accounting operations, BST Global’s project intelligence™ solutions also offer a project-focused experience that makes the project manager’s job easier. Based on direct feedback from our clients and users, we developed the BST11 Billing app to streamline the prebill process and facilitate a more efficient PM review, addressing the roadblocks that typically stall the billing process.
Benefits for AEC Firms & PMs
The BST11 Billing app provides a better way for AEC firms to get invoices across the finish line, offering a modern experience that is:
- Consumer Grade
We designed the BST11 Billing app to mimic the intuitive user experience of today’s most familiar apps, requiring minimal training so most PMs can use it after a five-minute walkthrough. We also developed it specifically with PMs in mind and the goal of working within their regular operations rather than adding to them. - Convenient
Because BST11’s Billing app is web based, PMs can access, approve and communicate about prebills with nothing more than a Wi-Fi or mobile network connection. That means PMs can complete prebill reviews from anywhere using a smartphone or tablet. - Dynamic
BST11’s Billing app simplifies communication between the PM and other stakeholders in the billing process. PMs can comment and mark up a prebill directly in the app to indicate necessary edits. The BST11 Billing app also gives teams the option to include an extra workflow step if an additional stakeholder’s input is required.
Streamline Success
By focusing on accessibility and efficiency for the project manager, the BST11 Billing app provides a seamless, consumer-grade experience that simplifies the prebill review process. Streamlining this process saves valuable time and improves cash flow by expediting invoicing and, in turn, reducing DSO.
Using the BST11 Billing app allows AEC firms to enhance their billing process with the following benefits:
- Easier access for PMs on the go, so prebills aren’t delayed waiting for their approval
- Simpler experience for PMs who don’t need all the functionality of the full billing system
- Clearer communication with comments and annotations connected to their respective prebills
- More automated workflow requiring fewer actions to approve a prebill or request changes
Billing doesn’t have to be complicated. For AEC firms, the prebill review process often feels like a bottleneck, being slow, clunky and embedded in traditional billing systems that demand extensive training. The BST11 Billing app enables mobile billing actions, empowering project managers to maintain more efficient billing processes that drive project success and profitability.
The BST Global Difference
After more than 50 years partnering with multinational firms and firms in the ENR Top 500, BST Global is the authority on project billing for AEC projects. Firms all over the world use our award-winning project intelligence™ solutions. Discover the BST Global advantage for yourself by requesting a demo of our flagship ERP solution, BST11, and the Billing app.
