12 March, 2009

HOW EFFECTIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT CAN HELP GUIDE THE PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

With uncertain financial times meaning smaller budgets and leaner staff, the property and construction industry is under growing pressure to deliver more with less.

In an attempt to remain competitive, builders and developers are now looking to streamline their project management activities. This can be achieved by replacing multiple disparate software systems and investing in a single, integrated project solution. Such solutions provide users with the ability to effectively manage the complete project lifecycle, from initial feasibility and funding, through acquisition and development, construction, reporting and project sales management.

There is a significant advantage to be gained from consolidating your resource planning and financial information in one database, from cost savings on staff, to more efficient project management and enhanced management agility. In addition, with instant, real-time access to information, organisations can see how the business is performing at any given stage, across all projects. The ability to analyse data on the fly, identify trends and make forecasts is extremely valuable, enabling firms to generate more accurate estimates and to better manage project budgets and timeframes.

Additionally, analysis of finalised projects will enable improved profits and performance going forwards, delivering tangible financial benefits to the enterprise. For example, by exposing and eliminating redundant processes and inefficiencies, significant cost savings can be made on subsequent projects.

Zavanti's Director, Nick Virr adds, "In these challenging times, builders and developers need to analyse the economic viability and profitability of proposed projects, as well as keeping track of project costs and revenue." Nick adds, "It is imperative that project and cost controls are maintained and managed better than ever. Using an integrated system like Zavanti ERP, calculations for rate of return, budget projections, revenue and expense can be generated with a few mouse clicks. In addition authority levels and variation approval processes give you control and visibility of your project budget."

With $1.5 billion in projects completed or commenced,
MAB Corporation, is one of Zavanti's largest Australasian clients. To help plan for and deliver their high quality commercial, residential, and industrial developments, MAB use Zavanti's centralised system for feasibility and forecasting, project financials, job control, subcontractors, and reporting, across all their project teams. The results are evident, as despite the slowing global economy MAB continue to strive, with a AU$60 million retail outlet recently completed and a new AU$185 million residential tower development underway in the Melbourne Docklands precinct.

The efficiencies gained by using an integrated project solution, such as Zavanti ERP, are critical to weathering the storm during this grim economic period. When the economy begins to rise again as trends historically forecast, organisations that have investigated and implemented new efficient methods of doing business will be best placed to take full advantage of emerging opportunities. As such an integrated ERP suite, like Zavanti, should be part of today's strategic planning.

Zavanti ERP will be exhibiting as part of the upcoming
Urban Development Institute of Australia's (UDIA) National Congress from March 30th - April 2nd. This gives property developers, investors and construction organisations the perfect opportunity to see how Zavanti works first hand.

To register to attend the UDIA Congress or for more information please visit:
www.udiacongress.com.au.

11 March, 2009

Ardross Group to use Zavanti Property Developer ERP to deliver their regional development projects

The Ardross Group of Companies (Ardross), one of regional West Australia’s leading property and land developers, have begun implementation of Zavanti’s Property Developer Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application. Zavanti Property Developer was selected by Ardross following an extensive search for a system to better align the financial management of their current and future development projects.

Zavanti Property Developer aims to streamline Ardross’s core project functions such as; forecasting, estimating, project costing and control, subcontractor management and project reporting; providing management with a single repository of real time, mission critical information at every stage of the project lifecycle. By enabling increased employee productivity, reduced costs and improved time management, Zavanti will provide a positive and sustainable return on Ardross’s investment.

“Zavanti is very pleased to welcome Ardross to our growing family of satisfied users of our unique Property Development ERP solution. Due to Ardross’ success over the years, they identified a need for a robust ERP system, and after considerable evaluation selected Zavanti Property Developer to provide greater project financial management capability for their enterprise. Zavanti looks forward to working with and supporting Ardross to achieve even greater success.”

ABOUT ARDROSS
Ardross specialise in creating residential lots of above average sizes in the Regional areas of Western Australia. With land developments in Albany, Cervantes, Bunbury and Jurien Bay, the Group caters for a wide range of lifestyles. The Group's major project is known as the Turquoise Coast Development, which fronts 10kms of the Indian Ocean in Jurien Bay, 200kms north of Perth. Over 525 lots have settled in the first part of the development, Beachridge Estate.
The Estate has been awarded the UDIA WA’s 2006 & 2008 Award for Excellence in the “Water Sensitive Urban Development" category. The award recognises the positive impact the planning approach has on the conservation of scheme water. For further information visit
www.ardross.com

ABOUT ZAVANTI
Zavanti provides specialised software solutions to organisations involved in Property Development, Construction and Engineering. Zavanti’s ERP application is essentially a centralised project financial management tool, used throughout a project’s complete lifecycle; from feasibility and funding, through to complete project accounting, construction, contractor management, and project sales. By pulling traditional banks of information together, Zavanti ERP provides a single point of reference for all project-related documentation, eliminating data double entry, and facilitating better decision-making, and increased operational efficiency.


For further information visit www.zavanti.com or contact:

Jamie Fitzsimons, Marketing Executive
P: 02 8080 4816 E: jfitzsimons@zavanti.com