Useful features aren’t the only thing you need to think about when you’re choosing project management software for your construction company. Cost is another important consideration if you expect the software to help you improve your bottom line.
Know Payment Options
Several pricing models are used with project management software:
- Perpetual License: carries the highest upfront costs, but it lets your firm use the software for as long as you want.
- Subscription Service (or SaaS software as a service), requires a monthly fee to use the software online, but you won’t incur the costs involved in an in-house solution.
- Open-source Software: can be downloaded free, but there’s also no customer support center available to help with installation, upgrades, and problems.
The number of people who will be using the software also matters. Some software companies charge per individual user. Others set pricing tiers such as one rate for one to five users, a higher rate for six to 20 users, and so on. Still others charge a flat rate for an unlimited number of users.
Consider The Hidden Costs
Open-source and perpetual license software are installed on your own servers. That means you may need to invest in new hardware and pay IT specialists to install the software, set up terminals or access points, and migrate your data from the software you’re using now. You’ll also incur maintenance and upgrade costs. A perpetual license makes sense if you plan to use the software for many years.
With a subscription service, you won’t need new hardware or software, there are no installation costs, and maintenance and upgrades are taken care of for you. Depending on the provider, however, there may be set-up fees and data migration costs. Overall, this option offers the benefit of low upfront costs and saves you time and hassle, making it a good choice if you’re on a budget.
For further guidance on choosing project management software for your construction company, contact Construction Monitor.