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Did you know the construction industry generates about 30% of global waste, making it one of the most significant contributors to waste streams worldwide? This fact highlights the inefficiencies in construction practices.
Intelligent construction asset management ensures that materials are available in the right amounts and quality at the right time to prevent unnecessary waste and delays in construction. This includes planning for the needed materials, finding sources to buy them at fair prices, storing them properly to prevent damage, and distributing them to where they are required.
For contractors like BuildSourced, manual processes meant lost time, wasted budgets, and chaotic workflows until they implemented construction ERP software designed for their needs.
Construction accounts for 30% of global waste, highlighting the need for better material management.
Key Takeaways
- Focus on having the right materials, at the right time, in the right quantities, at the correct cost, and from the right sources.
- Inaccurate forecasting, cost control, supply chain complexity, quality standards, and storage issues.
- Automation Benefits:
– Real-time tracking cuts search time drastically.
– Centralized supplier management and interactive maps reduce retrieval times.
– Automated alerts prevent overordering, saving around $8K/month.
– Unified tracking of owned and rented equipment minimizes errors. - JetRuby offers MVP development, staff augmentation, and custom ERP solutions to streamline operations further.
When One Doesn’t Have Management Automation: Key Issues
Construction companies face several key challenges with materials management:
Inaccurate Material Forecasting
Poor planning leads to costly imbalances. Overstocking ties up capital while shortages cause delays – problems solved by equipment tracking solution features in modern ERP systems.
Cost Control
Managers must balance project needs with costs. They must keep the right amount of inventory, get the best prices from suppliers, and manage shipping costs well. Modern supplier management platforms help negotiate better pricing, while automated tracking prevents waste— key features of quality construction management software.
Supply Chain Complexity
Managing the supply chain can be difficult. Managers must work with project teams, suppliers, and subcontractors to ensure materials arrive on time, especially when project needs change.
Maintaining Quality Standards
Materials must meet quality requirements. Managers must work closely with suppliers to ensure materials meet the necessary standards. Built-in compliance checks in construction technology solutions ensure materials meet specifications before they reach your site.
Delivery Schedule Alignment
Matching material deliveries with construction schedules is essential. Delays can slow the project, while early deliveries can waste labor time and cause damage.
Improper Storage
Materials that arrive too early may not be stored safely. If exposed to the weather, they can be damaged or stolen.
Data Management
Managers face a major challenge in handling large amounts of data about materials, suppliers, and logistics.
The main objective of materials management is to ensure the availability of the right materials at the right time, in the right quantities, at the right cost, and from the right sources.
Key points include five important R’s:
- The Right Materials: Ensuring the correct specification and quality of construction materials.
- The Right Time: Optimizing lead times and delivery processes to have materials available when needed.
- The Right Quantities: Determining ideal inventory levels to minimize shortages, delays, and storage costs while enhancing efficiency.
- The Right Cost: Negotiating better prices with suppliers and implementing cost-saving measures to reduce waste.
- The Right Sources: Identify reliable suppliers and develop strong relationships to ensure quality and timely materials delivery and reduce the risk of defects and delays.
The fix?
Contractors who automate gain real-time visibility, accurate inventories, and supplier control, turning chaos into predictable profit.
Good material management helps avoid delays, keeps costs down, improves safety on site, and supports the sustainable use of materials.
The struggles of manual material tracking aren’t inevitable; they’re just a problem waiting for the right solution. That’s why we built an intuitive construction ERP system designed for contractors, by contractors.
Our client no longer wastes time chasing paperwork or scrambling for suppliers. Instead, they:
✅ Track every material in real time – no more lost equipment or surprise shortages.
✅ Manage suppliers in one place – with interactive maps and smart search to find the best options instantly.
✅ Slash costs – automated alerts prevent overordering, while data-driven insights lock in better deals.
This wasn’t just a fix, it was a total transformation.
The result? Projects run smoother, budgets stay lean, and teams focus on building—not babysitting spreadsheets.
About BuildSourced
The client, BuildSourced company, tracks mixed fleets on a unified platform, which gives contractors more control over their operations. The platform provides visibility at every level, from individual machines to complete projects and the entire company.
They had a construction-focused total equipment management solution for contractors who own, operate, and maintain a construction equipment fleet.
It tracks heavy machinery and its parts, mid-sized equipment, heavy trucks, fleet vehicles, and smaller items like tools, materials, and consumable inventory.
The client needed to improve its systems for managing construction materials and suppliers.
The goal was to develop a user-friendly interface for the construction materials accounting system. Another request was a new supplier search system to help users quickly find supplier information.
Their goals were clear:
- Replace scattered spreadsheets and paper logs with a single source of truth for inventory, orders, and supplier contacts.
- Enable instant search for materials, tools, and vendors – no more digging through emails or outdated lists.
- Track equipment and stock on a live map to prevent losses and optimize logistics.
- Manage both owned and rented equipment in one system, with clear status updates (e.g., maintenance, availability).
As for the challenges, they were the following:
Big Data Integration
- Consolidation of 12+ legacy data sources with 500,000+ inventory records
- Reconciliation of conflicting data formats from ERP, IoT sensors, and manual logs
User Experience Design
- Development of field-friendly interfaces requiring <3 clicks for critical functions
- Context-aware workflows adapting to user roles (site managers, procurement, foremen)
Asset Lifecycle Management
- Dual tracking systems for owned vs. rented equipment with automated cost allocation
- Maintenance scheduling integrated with lease expiration alerts
JetRuby’s Solution: ERP Software That Works as Hard as Contractors Do
As we’ve helped companies understand the key differences between web apps and websites, we specialize in creating tailored solutions that address specific operational challenges.
We built a web-based ERP platform focusing on speed, visibility, and simplicity.
Here’s how it tackles each challenge:
Full-Text Search: Find Anything in Seconds
- Why? Contractors waste hours searching for part numbers or supplier emails.
- How it works: Type any keyword, such as material name, supplier location, or project ID, and get filtered results instantly.
- Impact: Reduced search time from 15+ minutes to under 10 seconds.
Interactive Maps with Leaflet
- Why Leaflet? Lightweight, customizable, and works offline, critical for remote sites.
- How it works:
– View all equipment, warehouses, and suppliers on a live map.
– Click any pin to see status (e.g., “Excavator #12 – Available at Dock 3”). - Impact: Cut equipment retrieval time by 40% and reduced loss incidents.
Automated Inventory Tracking
- Why? Manual counts led to overordering or last-minute scrambles.
- How it works:
– Barcode/QR scans update stock levels in real time.
– Low-stock alerts trigger automatic reorder emails to pre-approved suppliers. - Impact: Eliminated $8K/month in emergency purchases.
Unified Fleet Management
- Why? Mixing owned and rented gear caused billing errors and downtime.
- How it works:
– Assets tagged as “Owned,” “Rented,” or “In Maintenance” with cost tracking.
– Calendar syncs rental periods and service schedules. - Impact: Reduced rental overages by 22% and improved maintenance planning.
Shared Event Calendar
- Why? Missed deliveries or inspections derailed timelines.
- How it works:
– Color-coded entries for deliveries, inspections, and equipment returns.
– Syncs with team mobile apps for on-site alerts. - Impact: Fewer scheduling conflicts and 95% on-time deliveries.
BuildSourced now confidently tracks every nail, supplier, and excavator. But this isn’t just their story; your team could automate the chaos, too.
Results & Business Impact
After implementing JetRuby’s ERP system, BuildSourced saw immediate, measurable improvements across its workflow.
Here’s what changed:
- Optimized Workflows
– Contractors now spend 80% less time searching for materials and suppliers.
– What used to take 15+ minutes per request now takes under 30 seconds with full-text search and map visualization. - Fewer Errors, More Accuracy
– Automated inventory tracking eliminated manual data entry mistakes.
– Discrepancies in material counts dropped by 95%, reducing costly reorders. - Real-Time Visibility & Control
– Every piece of equipment and material is tracked live on the map.
– Losses due to misplaced or stolen assets decreased by 60%. - Faster Response to Shortages
– Low-stock alerts trigger one-click reorders from pre-approved suppliers.
– Emergency purchases dropped by 75%, saving thousands monthly. - Financial Transparency & Savings
– Precise tracking of owned vs. rented equipment reduced unnecessary rentals by 22%.
– Budget overruns due to poor inventory management vanished entirely.
Building Your Next Product with JetRuby
At JetRuby, we solve real business problems. With 15+ years of experience across industries, we’ve helped startups and enterprises alike create, refine, and scale their digital solutions.
Whether you need to:
- Launch a new product fast with our MVP Development service.
- Scale your team seamlessly with Staff Augmentation.
- Modernize legacy systems for better efficiency.
…we’ve got you covered.
1. MVP Development: Test Your Idea Fast
- What it is: A lean, functional version of your product with only core features.
- Why it matters:
– Validate your idea before making a heavy investment.
– Gather user feedback early to avoid costly pivots later.
– Launch 3–6x faster than traditional development. - Perfect for: Startups and businesses testing new concepts.
2. Staff Augmentation: Flexible, Expert Talent
- What it is: On-demand developers who integrate directly with your team.
- Why it matters:
– Fill skill gaps without long hiring cycles.
– Scale up/down with monthly flexibility.
– Get dedicated, vetted professionals, not freelancers. - Perfect for: Teams needing extra firepower for deadlines or specialized tasks.
3. Custom ERP Software & Business Solutions
- What we do: Build systems that automate chaos, like we did for BuildSourced.
- Why it matters:
– Turn operational pain points into competitive advantages.
– Gain real-time insights to cut costs and boost productivity.
BuildSourced’s transformation is just one example.
Whether you need an MVP, a stronger team, or a full-scale digital overhaul, JetRuby delivers results.
Ready to transform your operations?
Book a consultation or explore more about our approach:
Why Rails is perfect for SaaS
Our hiring process for top talent
The role of a CTO in modern business
