Toronto, Ontario, October 7, 2024 – CMiC, a leading Next Generation Construction ERP provider, recently announced a new partnership with Lott Brothers Construction Company (Lott Brothers), a Texas-based construction firm specializing in hospital, healthcare, commercial, and multi-family projects. Known for delivering complex construction projects with a focus on quality craftsmanship and integrity, Lott Brothers has built a strong reputation over its 35+ year history.
In recent years, the leadership team at Lott Brothers found themselves having to reevaluate their existing technology stack. With their existing software unable to support their growth objectives, the company sought a fully integrated solution that could streamline operations, eliminate data silos, and provide real-time visibility across all project and financial management functions. After a comprehensive evaluation of several industry-leading software providers, Lott Brothers selected CMiC to support their long-term business vision.
Lott Brothers Construction Company: A Legacy of Quality Craftsmanship
Lott Brothers Construction Company was founded by David and Wayne Lott in 1988. The company is known for delivering complex construction projects with a strong focus on quality. The brothers followed the example set by their father, Wayne Sr., who started his career as a commercial contractor in Austin in the 1950s. For over three decades, they have upheld the family tradition of “doing things right the first time.”
Lott Brothers is headquartered in Round Rock, Texas, and specializes in hospital and healthcare construction, commercial development, and multi-family projects. Their portfolio includes projects in healthcare, retail, corporate offices, educational institutions, and industrial facilities. Today, they are a trusted partner for building owners across Texas, delivering every project with attention to detail and a commitment to integrity.
Business Challenges Faced: Fragmented Systems and Non-Optimized Accounting Workflows
Lott Brothers grappled with several challenges stemming from its dependence on disparate software systems and outdated accounting processes. These issues included:
Fragmented Systems and Siloed Information: Lott Brothers relied on a combination of Viewpoint (Trimble Pro Contractor), Autodesk Build, Excel, Microsoft SharePoint, and other solutions to manage various facets of its operations. However, the lack of integration between these platforms resulted in siloed data, manual data entry, and increased administrative overhead, ultimately creating inefficiencies across project management and accounting teams.
Cumbersome Accounting Processes: Their accounting system, operating on a remote desktop setup, further compounded operational inefficiencies. Invoices were received through email, manually stored in SharePoint, and then routed to project managers for coding. After approval, accounting staff would re-enter the data manually into a separate accounting system, using different servers to transfer files — a time-consuming process prone to errors and delays.
Limited Scalability and Remote Accessibility: The reliance on a desktop-based accounting system also restricted the company’s ability to implement streamlined approval workflows and electronic payment processing. This setup was not only cumbersome but also hindered their scalability and the ability to support remote work, which is essential in a rapidly evolving business environment.
Recognizing that their existing setup was no longer sustainable, Lott Brothers sought a cloud-based, fully integrated solution that could consolidate workflows, enhance real-time visibility, and optimize accounting operations.
The Software Evaluation Journey: Overcoming Information Silos and Reducing Administrative Burden
During the evaluation phase, Lott Brothers considered several well-known construction software providers, including Sage, Oracle, and Trimble. However, these options fell short of addressing the core issues of integration and long-term growth. They needed a solution that aligned with their business goals and offered robust scalability to support their ongoing expansion.
Ultimately, Lott Brothers chose CMiC for the following reasons:
Streamlined Communication: CMiC’s single database platform approach enhances communication across departments, reducing the time and effort needed to share vital project and financial data.
Elimination of Data Silos: The integrated system consolidates disparate information sources, providing a unified view that simplifies decision-making and minimizes administrative burdens.
Holistic Data Management: CMiC enables comprehensive visibility into project and financial performance, supporting data-driven decisions at every stage.
Internal Innovation Over Acquisitions: CMiC’s focus on expanding capabilities through organic growth, aligning with their core values of controlled and sustainable development.
Operational Efficiency: By adopting a solution that unifies financial and project management processes, Lott Brothers gains the efficiency needed to support long-term success and growth.
Key CMiC Applications within their Product Roadmap
The CMiC key applications in Lott Brothers’ product roadmap and their corresponding business benefits include:
Financials:
General Ledger
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Project Costing
Project Billing
Asset Management
Opportunity Management
Payroll and Human Capital Management:
Employee Self Serve and eTime
Project Management:
Bid and Procurement
Subcontractor Prequalification and Management
Document and Drawing Management
Change Management
Communication Management
Collaboration Management
Site Management
Mobile
Enterprise Content Management: Outlook, Imaging and Workflow
Integration: Docusign
With a robust implementation and product plan in place, Lott Brothers are poised to effectively manage growth in the long term.
Anticipated Business Outcomes: Streamlining Operations and Enhancing Financial Oversight
Lott Brothers expects significant business improvements through its strategic partnership with CMiC. By consolidating various systems, including Excel spreadsheets, their previous accounting software, and Microsoft SharePoint into CMiC’s platform, the company aims to eliminate silos and create a unified approach to financial and project management. This integration will optimize internal workflows, reduce redundancy, and ensure that key processes are managed within a single system.
One of the most notable outcomes expected is the ability to implement multi-level approvals for invoice management, enhancing quality control and ensuring compliance across projects. By setting thresholds for review, such as requiring additional approvals for invoices over $10,000 or $50,000, As a result, Lott Brothers will be able to exercise tighter financial oversight. Joseph Norrell, Financial Operations Manager at Lott Brothers, expressed confidence in these new capabilities, stating, “The ability to automate approvals and create different workflows will give us stronger internal controls and allow us to maintain a higher level of financial discipline across the board.”
At the highest level, Lott Brothers sees this transition to CMiC as a major step forward in improving organizational efficiency and creating a robust infrastructure to support long-term growth.
For more information about CMiC please click here.