Westcon Landscaping Saves $100K and Boosts Productivity with Neo Intelligence Construction Software
Westcon Landscaping Saves $100K and Boosts Productivity with Neo Intelligence Construction Software
Company: Westcon Landscaping
Industry: Landscaping
Industry: Landscaping
Location: NSW, Australia
Published: 8 February, 2024
Published: 8 February, 2024
Revolutionising Operations and Unleashing Productivity: The Westcon Landscaping Journey with Neo Intelligence Construction Software
One of the most important resources a business has is the knowledge and experience of its people – but having inefficient processes can really hamper their effectiveness. For Westcon Landscaping, the solution required not only levelling up to digitised business systems, it required finding a system that would suit the unique needs of a subcontracting business.
Westcon is a full-service landscaping construction business providing commercial hard and soft landscaping services across Sydney, Central Coast and Newcastle markets. The hard-working team have delivered exceptional results for both civil and commercial projects and specialise in retaining wall construction. Among their showcase projects are numerous new housing subdivisions in the competitive Western Sydney growth corridor.
Their expertise encompasses segmental and reinforced masonry walls, Sandstone walls, gabion and sleeper retaining walls for both construct only and full project design, construction and certification.
Hear Brent's story with Neo
The sticking points
One of the most significant challenges for the business was managing scheduling and team communications, according to Westcon General Manager and Director, Brent Hogan. This was hampering the growth of the business and proving a major drain on time and efficiency.
A Google sheet system was being used for scheduling, with text messages by the Operations Manager giving site crews the necessary information for each day’s plans.
“This fragmented approach led to confusion, delays, and inefficiencies in day-to-day operations,” Brent explains. “While it worked, it was not the robust construction scheduling software system we wanted and needed.”
The system also meant there was little flexibility for customising forms or processes to meet the specific needs of a project. The pre-formatted nature of the forms they were using also did not give the management team sufficient control over documentation and were often not entirely fit for purpose.
Then, as often happens in construction, the Operations Manager left. This made it crystal-clear that there was a need to strengthen the foundations of the business, improve project management workflows and establish more efficient systems.
One particular project was the final tipping point. The principal contractor raised a dispute over the work Westcon had completed, but the Westcon team struggled to get together sufficient evidence to prove their side of the story. Being in a weak bargaining position with limited financial means to rectify the situation demonstrated just how essential improving documentation processes would be to risk management, protecting reputation and ensuring growth of the business.
“We realised we could not afford to rely on team members struggling to find photos or incomplete information during vital negotiations,” reflects Brent.
Westcon needed a construction software solution that would enhance quality control, mitigate risk effectively and deliver a solid return on investment by streamlining processes and improving efficiency.
Finding the right construction management software
There’s no shortage of construction scheduling software vendors on the market, and according to Brent, the company road-tested a few of them. “We found that some construction software options were over-complicated and hard to use, some simply were not designed for the needs of a subcontracting business like Westcon, and some were extremely costly while not delivering the benefits the company most needed.”
For example, one construction scheduling software system they tried targeted the domestic residential construction market and included too many unnecessary features and complexities, making it challenging for both office and field teams to adopt and use effectively.
Having a construction software system that would be simple and user-friendly for site staff was a major priority – after all, if it’s not going to work for the workforce, it’s going to be hard yards to get them using it.
The key features they wanted including streamlining scheduling, communication, operations management, the ability to customise forms and the all-important evidence-gathering were all found in Neo Intelligence.
Neo Intelligence enabled Brent and his team to streamline project management and enhance communication and business processes. The platform enables fast and secure access to client information, plans, and site drawings quickly and securely, eliminating the need for maintaining separate Dropbox files, which was both a hassle and prone to errors.
According to Brent, “the user-friendly interface of Neo Intelligence enabled our site supervisors, project labour and office staff to collaborate in real-time and with seamless efficiency, which also resulted in improved efficiency, productivity and labour planning.” Drag and drop scheduling quickly proved invaluable as it became obvious just how much more efficient and simple labour scheduling and project planning became. With just a few clicks, everyone knows where they need to be and what they need to do.
The customisable forms were a real winner too, so documentation and processes could be tailored to specific project requirements. The Neo Intelligence custom form builder meant documents could be created and modified for a specific client, while also enhancing quality control and risk management. In the highly competitive world of Australian construction, documentation is everything because as the saying goes, if wasn’t documented – it didn’t happen.
“Thanks to Neo Intelligence, we are not constrained by pre-formatted form templates anymore. We can customise forms based on the unique requirements of each project, ensuring that the information being asked is always directly relevant. This attention to detail and customisation instils confidence in our team and boosts their productivity."
Things only a subbie understands
Best of all, construction software Neo Intelligence was designed specifically for the needs of a subcontracting business to manage the specific challenges they face. No unnecessary complexity, just an affordable, precisely tailored solution that gave Brent and the team everything they needed to benefit the business and enable it to thrive.
Being built from the ground up by a company founded by an Australian construction industry subcontractor, Neo Intelligence is designed to meet the needs of this sector. That includes both the functional elements and the interface for users. It is practical, authentic and doesn’t distract or waste time with features no-one is ever going to use.
There is nothing more frustrating than a thing that is sold as a time-saver that turns out to be a time-waster! For workers on site, this is particularly important, as it means they can focus on the most essential parts of their job including quality, safety and timely completion of project milestones. The Neo Intelligence construction software also ensures that these three critical aspects of the work are captured properly by functions like the site diary, customised forms and timesheets.
Site staff can access and utilise the system from their smartphones, without needing to use expensive technology like laptops or iPads. All relevant project information including plans, client information and site drawings are available in real-time via the interface, along with any necessary communications, planning or scheduling matters.
“Neo Intelligence has revolutionised our business operations. With their tailored solutions, we have a more solid foundation for growth and have strengthened our processes, reducing risk and ensuring success."
Getting everyone onboard
Onboarding and training in the system was also simple and seamless, due to the intuitive and sensible design of the user interface. This was augmented by the way Neo Intelligence worked with Westcon during the initial discussions to understand exactly what the business needed so the system could be set up as one tailored precisely to their needs – with room to modify if those needs change in future.
Brent says the Westcon team found the adoption process to be extremely straightforward, allowing them to quickly integrate the software into their operations. They were also impressed with the level of support they received from the Ausatralia-based Neo Intelligence Client Success team including four training sessions that gave them the knowledge they needed to hit the ground running.
“Usability is the key factor that sets Neo Intelligence apart. Its intuitive interface and user-friendly features have allowed our team to seamlessly integrate the system into our daily operations, empowering us to work more efficiently and effectively."
“Neo Intelligence’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technology is evident in their solutions. They understand the challenges subcontractors face and have developed a system that simplifies operations, fosters innovation, and promotes collaborative working relationships while also improving productivity and profitability.”
A $100,000 per year payoff
One of the most significant cost-saving benefits that Westcon Landscaping has experienced with Neo Intelligence is improved labor allocation. The drag and drop scheduling feature has allowed them to optimise how resources are being allocated, ensuring that they are not allocating too many staff to each project. This has enabled the company to plan more accurately, saving both money and resources.
Streamlined communication channels and improved team accountability are also paying dividends. The site diary function has removed the need to chase random text messages or email updates from the team about what they have been doing during the day, Brent explains.
“Using the Neo Intelligence site diary feature ensures we capture what we need while eliminating unnecessary communication, and this allows our teams to be more productive with their time."
Plus, with visual evidence of daily progress on each project, Westcon Landscaping has improved team member and supervisor accountability, ensuring everyone is delivering their best work.
The mobile app allows site supervisors to quickly access crucial client information, site plans, and drawings, which they can use to make informed decisions on the spot. This has helped them respond to client queries quickly and accurately, ultimately improving the quality of their work and customer relationships.
“By implementing Neo Intelligence, we have achieved approximately $100,000 in cost savings based on optimised labour allocation, and improved overall productivity. It has transformed how we plan, communicate, and deliver projects, ultimately leading to increased profitability."
“With Neo Intelligence, we have complete control and visibility over our projects. From site diaries to real-time access to client information and drawings, we can make informed decisions on the spot, ensuring high-quality work and satisfied clients.
“Using Neo intelligence, the confidence that we can handle any payment disputes has skyrocketed. We now have the evidence we need to prove our case, significantly improving our bargaining position and strengthening client relationships.”
