Construction Company Addresses Operational Inefficiencies with a Mobile FileMaker Solution

The possibilities for a FileMaker solution are so broad it can be difficult for businesses to visualize how FileMaker can streamline their operations. Understanding how Skeleton Key has already helped organizations address operational inefficiencies with a FileMaker solution may give you a clearer idea of how we can help you next. In this post, we’ll take a look at the benefits Helmkamp Construction experienced after partnering with Skeleton Key for a customized FileMaker solution.

The Problem

Helmkamp Construction’s field superintendents had to spend 30 minutes a day entering each employee’s hours on the job site. Some superintendents used pen and paper to track hours and fax them to the home office, while others entered hours into Excel spreadsheets and emailed them. This approach resulted in numerous delays and inconsistencies.

Additionally, superintendents sometimes would enter the wrong job number, phase number, or employee number. The payroll clerk would then have to call superintendents multiple times each week to verify the information on the time sheets. Once all of this was confirmed, the payroll clerk spent roughly 15 hours a week entering the data into accounting software for 80 to 100 employees. As a result, payroll day became a bottleneck as superintendents rushed to get field times to the office so data could be entered into the system and paychecks delivered.

Helmkamp looked at third-party entry solutions to address these inefficiencies, but they were discouraged by high annual fees for each user. That’s when they turned to Skeleton Key and started exploring a FileMaker solution to address these problems cost-effectively.

The Solution

Skeleton Key built a FileMaker solution to help smooth the process of entering work hours in the field. Superintendents access the FileMaker solution and enter time data on iPads protected by rugged cases and connected by Wi-Fi or cellular networks. The solution then works behind the scenes to convert the data into a format that can be used by the company’s payroll team.

Skeleton Key’s team designed the interface to be as intuitive as possible for individuals in the construction industry who may have varying levels of technology experience. The solution is straightforward enough that users can typically get up and running in half an hour or less. Users also have access to customization and management features that allow them to streamline data entry for frequently used items and notes. At the same time, superintendents can only enter and select valid data because it originates from their accounting system.

The Result

After deploying their FileMaker solution, the team at Helmkamp Construction has been able to transform multiple inefficiencies into growth. The solution has virtually eliminated the need for the payroll clerk to call superintendents for clarity. The company also has optimized billing operations because job time data is available to the billing department in real time.

Helmkamp’s FileMaker solution allows superintendents to enter job data in about half the time it used to take. Saving 15 minutes per day at a rate of $65 an hour for 18 superintendents saves the company $293 a day, which translates to $76,180 in cost savings each year. With a FileMaker solution, superintendents are able to use their time to manage jobs and plan work for the next day instead of being bogged down with entering hours manually.

Data entry time for the payroll clerk has been reduced from 15 hours each week to two hours. Because the clerk only has to review information to upload instead of re-keying, this saves $416 a week or $21,632 each year.

The FileMaker solution has also scaled with Helmkamp’s growth. Since deploying their FileMaker solution, the company’s field-deployed construction staff has more than doubled. Even with that growth, Helmkamp hasn’t had to hire additional payroll staff due to their FileMaker solution.

Compared to the annual fees for comparable field time entry systems, the licensing fees for Helmkamp’s FileMaker solution are about 15% to 20% of the cost. Since product licenses are sold for the number of concurrent users rather than for each user, Helmkamp realizes significant savings.

We’re Ready to Help You Next

Interested in exploring how a FileMaker solution can transform the way your team does business? Contact the FileMaker experts at Skeleton Key today. We’ll work with you to pinpoint inefficiencies and develop a solution that propels growth while preparing your team for tomorrow.