Tackling construction SME print and postage costs

Following the recent rise in postal charges, construction companies are concerned about the negative impact the increases will have on their businesses.

The increase will see first class stamps rise by 30 per cent and second class by 39 per cent, with the cost of sending larger packages rising by as much as 70 per cent.

Sending physical mail still remains central to most businesses for communicating formally with customers, suppliers and employees.

This substantial rise in costs, effective from 30th April 2012, has therefore unsurprisingly seen an increase in construction SME’s analysing their current systems and processes, in an attempt to reduce the negative impact these additional costs will have on their business.

Business experts have been quick to warn companies not to react by cutting physical mail communications.

From a marketing communication perspective direct mail generally remains an effective tool, however there are other areas of the business where reducing the use of physical mail can bring about significant savings.

Since the start of 2012, 90 per cent of construction SME’s have incorporated document management functionality into their selection of a new financial management system, according to stats seen by Integrity Software.

Justin Moule, Managing Director of Construction commented, ’A large majority of construction companies we have been working with this year have included document management functionality in their requirements from a financial management system.

This allows businesses to not only centrally access and share documents produced by the system such as invoices, purchase orders and remittances, but also allows them to email such documents directly to their respective customers, suppliers and subcontractors.

Thus combating the rise in costs associated with printing and postage’.

Integrity Software’s construction specific software packages include a fully integrated document management system.

For more information on Financial and Operational Management Software Systems for the Construction Industry please visit the website or contact Richard Boston on 01628 488900.