Latest version of Zavanti’s Project Software offers unparalleled reporting functionality

Launched in August, the lastest version of Zavanti's leading Project Accounting and Management Software for property developers and building contractors, Zavanti ERP 8.7 delivers a greater level of reporting to our clients.

On just one screen users can see an overview of their projects, including original budget, what has been invoiced, and the expected profit (click on the screenshots below to view a larger image).




Users can further “drill down” on each aspect of the job, from viewing specific cost centre details through to individual invoices received from suppliers or sent to clients.






For more information on the new changes in Version 8.7 please refer to the Release Notes

Alternatively please feel free to contact us directly on +61 2 8080 4800 or email sales@zavanti.com

Zavanti and Masterkey join forces to provide a complete Real Estate Development and Management Solution

Under a new partnership agreement, Zavanti, a leader in the development of comprehensive project accounting and management solutions for property and construction, and Masterkey, the UAE’s primary real estate software provider, will join forces to provide a complete Real Estate Development and Management solution. With unparalleled functionality, this new offering will ensure that developers have total control over their projects, budgets, and finances, as well as sales, clients and ongoing property management.

Masterkey is a pioneering Software as a Service (SaaS) provider, specialising in the development of complete web-based real estate solutions. Incorporating the three fundamental areas of any property business - Sales, Leasing and Property Management, Masterkey allows users to better manage and streamline day-to-day activities and work processes, while administering transactions in real-time.

By integrating the key features of Zavanti’s Property Developer solution set; Development Feasibility, Financial Management, Tendering, and Construction Management, with Masterkey’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Sales Automation, Leasing and Property Management capabilities, both companies will be able to provide current and prospective clients with a revolutionary solution that will create efficiencies and improve the quality and timeliness of reporting at every stage of the property development lifecycle.

“I believe that the addition of Masterkey’s functionality to the Zavanti suite does more than just add features to our current solution set”, said Nick Virr, Zavanti UK Business Development Director. “Masterkey represents the very latest, and by far the most superior online offering for property developers, in servicing their clients and managing their revenue and product streams. By combining the robustness and power of the Zavanti Property Developer suite with Masterkey, we can undoubtedly boast the most comprehensive and integrated solution for developers available on the market today.”

ABOUT MASTERKEY
Masterkey is the UAE's leading provider of dedicated solutions for the real estate sector. The company's web-based software provides Brokers, Developers and Property Managers with a uniquely tailored array of tools and features aimed to advance, improve, and enhance real estate businesses. Masterkey is committed to providing the most comprehensive, on demand service to the global real estate industry. For more information on Masterkey visit www.gomasterkey.com

ABOUT ZAVANTI
Zavanti’s industry leading project solutions provide seamless integration between the key processes associated with project planning, forecasting and accounting. From initial site and concept feasibility and project estimating through to full financial and subcontractor management, and sales, Zavanti helps property developers and construction contractors maintain control over their project finances, information flows and business operations.

For more information contact: Jamie Fitzsimons on +61 2 8080 4816 or jfitzsimons@zavanti.com

Zavanti Property and Construction Software to feature at the Nottinghamshire Construction Symposium

Zavanti have announced their participation at the Nottinghamshire Construction Symposium, which takes place on October 7 at New College Nottingham (NCN). Aimed at a broad range of construction professionals, the Symposium intends to act as a catalyst for improvement in the construction industry.

Click here to read the full press release

The ‘Problem’ with Project Management

In his latest blog post, Jed Simms argues that it is not so much that ‘project management’ is the problem, its just that it is not the solution!

He explains that too often in people’s minds ‘project management’ is seen as the same as ‘project delivery’ — but it is not. ‘Project Management’ is the set of processes that organises, structures and controls project activities and is the equivalent of any other ‘management’ activity.

Simms uses a production line as an example, in that the operators create the goods (the value) and management organises the work, plans the production, pre-empts or deals with problems and so on. Management organises, structures and controls the value generating activities but does not directly generate or deliver the value.

In his view, this is why ‘project management’ has had so much difficulty trying to quantify its value. Project management is not, therefore, part of the value delivery stream (in our six stream model). Project management has to justify its contribution. Few would argue that large, complex programs of work can be effectively delivered without effective project or program organising, structuring and controlling. However, these processes contribute to, rather than directly deliver, value.

Simms advises that before applying project management techniques to projects you need to establish that the time and effort involved in project management will be offset by the value to the project (as opposed to the business).

This value can be in terms of:
Reduced project duration — benefits faster
Reduced wasted effort — less cost
More motivated, focused staff — increased productivity
Increased clarity of what is should be happening — increased (progress, financial, direction) control
Less risk — more certainty
Fewer issues — less unnecessary effort
Increased stakeholder support/comfort — greater business support

To read more or to leave a comment please see the full article at: http://www.valuedeliverymanagement.com/blog/2009/07/the-problem-with-project-management/

Yeah, but what does the software do?

by Jed Simms, July 21, 2009

Two things happened recently on the same day in the same organisation.

The first was I received a copy of a post implementation review report that basically said “We don’t know if we got the benefits from this project as the KPIs and other benefit measures were largely vague, unmeasurable or irrelevant.” Overall, the conclusion was that the project had ‘failed’ to deliver the results and benefits expected.

Not altogether surprising when you have ‘vague, unmeasurable and irrelevant’ goals. As the Cheshire Cat said to Alice in Wonderland, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there!”

As frequent readers of my blog will know if there is one thing I hammer as vital to project success is the need to spend the time clearly and thoroughly define your desired business outcomes in clear, measurable terms; and then focus your whole project on their realisation.

But many people don’t get it.

The second was a workshop with some quite senior management. We’re developing a business case for this client and defining their value proposition in clear, measurable terms. Their reaction was …

“Too many benefits” I wonder how many times they’ve said that of a project!
“Too ambitious” We might actually deal with the root problems if we take this approach. Can’t we just deal with the easy symptoms and look like we’re doing something?
“Yeah, but what does the software do?” Thinking is hard, can’t we just adopt the software?

I was pleased to see that even the software expert said, “If there is anything I’ve learned from installing systems over the past 10 years it is that unless the business knows exactly what it is trying to achieve the software installation will be a failure.”

What this experience makes clear is that software and demos are being used as a replacement for thinking. And this is the nub of the problem — that people need help to think and that so many of the problems we have are as a result of a reluctance or inability to think.

How do you address this problem? Post your comments below.

Related Articles
Benefits focussed projects
Scary Requirements
The Dangers of Automation

Read the original blog post here - - http://www.valuedeliverymanagement.com/blog/2009/07/yeah-but-what-does-the-software-do/

UDIA (Qld) launch the Quarterly Development and Construction Industry Performance Report

The first quarterly Development and Construction Industry Performance Report has been released by the Queensland Urban Development Industry Association (UDIA) today.

The purpose of this new report is to closely monitor building approvals and unemployment in the development industry in these difficult economic times. A further purpose is to compare the performance of the various markets around Australia to more fully understand why some markets have significantly difficult periods and yet others appear to be able to continue functioning at a very successful level.

The report contains some interesting and very perplexing findings, with state government and local authority legislation and policies citied as the major issues causing the significant underbuild and under performance of Queensland development industry today. The complexity of legislation, significant overregulation of the industry, and more complex subdivision and building requirements are adding to the cost of property purchases. The report also discloses that the state is currently building at around half the rate that is required to meet underlying demand.

Housing affordability is another concern, with the same developers in Victoria as those who operate in Queensland delivering the same house in Victoria for $100,000 to $125,000 less. The report also highlights that the continued implementation of user pays charges for head works infrastructure has done little to ease matters. However, some local authorities have taken steps to phase in or restrict the impact of these charges as they are aware that an uncompetitive environment is the enemy of affordability.

In conclusion the report emphasises that the combination of an expensive market, the GFC and increased taxes and charges have already cost 18,800 construction and development employees their livelihoods and asks the question - “Where to from here?”

To read the full report click here

Zavanti have joined the Tweetersphere!

With Twitter all the rage at the moment, Zavanti have decided to take the plunge and start tweeting for ourselves!

Aimed at the Property and Construction Sector, our Zavanti_ERP Twitter will keep you posted on all the action at Zavanti! From news and views, product updates and launches, support issues, and special offers.

Why not Follow us today!