Three challenges improved ERP can help project-based firms conquer
A survey of Deltek UK and EMEA customers shows project-based businesses are accelerating growth by modernising legacy systems, unifying data, and improving cross-team collaboration. According to the study, half of those polled had accelerated their digital transformations by two years, often by turning to advanced enterprise resource planning tactics.
The fifth annual Deltek Clarity Report has revealed that 56% of UK project-based firms are now at a “Mature” or “Advanced” stage of digital transformation. Rising dramatically from just 32% in 2024, many firms have reached a level of digital maturity they had not expected to achieve until 2027, underscoring the growing urgency to modernise.
“The shift we’re seeing is not just about technology, but about readiness for the future,” said Neil Davidson, group vice president professional services sector at Deltek. “Our customers are looking for innovative solutions, underpinned by the productivity efficiencies and insight AI has to offer, that enables them to provide the best experience for their clients, maintain a competitive advantage, while driving profitability.”
Deltek is a global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, and its own enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are among those helping companies to super-charge their transformation campaigns. Across the UK and EMEA, the firm says it is currently helping project-based firms “overcome long-standing challenges and drive measurable transformation”, with its ERP systems “extending visibility and control to gain real-time insight into project performance and financials, and unifying and modernising systems to replace manual tools with integrated solutions to improve efficiency”.
Davidson added, “Whether it’s cutting reporting time, streamlining cross-border collaboration, or replacing outdated tools, they’re transforming the way they deliver value. In an increasingly complex macroeconomic landscape, by adopting Deltek’s ERP systems, they’re gaining the control, clarity and stability they need to thrive in a fast-evolving, and sometimes uncertain, environment”
As economic and operational pressures mount, Deltek’s research also found three recurring pain points have emerged. Cloud ERP can be instrumental to managing them all, according to the study.
Challenge 1: Navigating complexity
As firms grow, many face operational inefficiencies across global teams and departments. Disparate systems and siloed data made coordination difficult. ERP systems can provide a unified platform, enabling easy collaboration across offices, departments, and geographies.
To Deltek’s end, Devoteam deployed Deltek Maconomy SaaS to Deltek Cloud across four countries in just six months, covering six entities, supporting operational consistency across its global footprint. Meanwhile, Maynard Marks used Deltek Vantagepoint to ensure data consistency and visibility across its multiple service lines.
Challenge 2: Extending visibility & control
Legacy systems have left many firms with limited real-time insight into project and financial performance. ERP solutions provide integrated dashboards, forecasting tools and reporting to support more informed, timely decision-making.
Pointing to examples it has experienced, Deltek noted Søren Jensen’s goal is to cut monthly reporting time by 25%, while boosting financial confidence. At the same time, it cited AlphaPlus having “gained greater project and financial visibility across the UK and international engagements”.
Challenge 3: Unifying and modernising systems
Many organisations had previously relied on spreadsheets, disconnected tools, or outdated manual processes to manage projects, finances, and resources. Although change felt risky for these firms, ERP change has enabled a seamless transition with intuitive interfaces, rapid implementation, and minimal disruption to business as usual.
Deltek pointed to Cameron + Ross in particular, which “streamlined their delivery by managing over 2,000 documents through Deltek PIM, eliminating inefficiencies in document workflows”. Similarly, it said, AlphaPlus centralised operations by shifting from fragmented systems to Deltek Maconomy.
