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Unanet, Dulles, VA: Unanet ERP AE: A Best-in-Class ERP Solution to Help Architecture/Engineering Firms Build and Grow Their Business

Company: Unanet
Nomination Submitted by: Feed Media
Company Description: Unanet is a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions purpose-built for Government Contractors, architecture/engineering/construction, and Professional Services. More than 4,000 organizations depend on Unanet to turn their information into actionable insights, drive better decision-making and accelerate business growth.
Nomination Category: New Product & Service Categories - Business Technology
Nomination Sub Category: ERP Solution
2022 Stevie Winner Nomination Title: Unanet ERP AE

  1. Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the nominated new or new-version product or service, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
    Written answers to the questions
  2. If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
     
  3. If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: If this is a brand-new product, state the date on which it was released. If this is a new version of an existing product, state the date on which the update was released:

    Unanet ERP AE (for architecture and engineering firms) was upgraded via multiple releases throughout 2021, most recently in Q4 (October) 2021.

  4. If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Describe the features, functions, and benefits of the nominated product or service (up to 350 words):

    Total 348 words used.

    A fully integrated SaaS enterprise resource planning solution, Unanet ERP AE is purpose-built for architecture and engineering firms. Purpose-built means it maps directly to the project-based workflows, systems and processes unique to the AE industry. Fully integrated means it combines project management, project accounting, business intelligence, time and expense tracking, financials, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoicing/billing, purchasing, dashboard-based analytics, reporting and prospect-management tools within one seamless, user-friendly environment.

    Unanet ERP AE users benefitted from a steady stream of enhancements and new feature introductions throughout 2021, many of which originated in the direct feedback loop that connects Unanet and its customers. Those included:

    • New enterprise-grade APIs via the Unanet Connect marketplace, where customers can find more than 100 prebuilt application connectors that they can easily incorporate into their operations and their ERP systems, without complex coding. Among the AE-focused integrations added in 2021:  OpenAsset, a project-based asset-management solution for AE, Flowtrac, an inventory and asset-management software, along with UKG, Paycom, Gusto and Paychex, all popular apps for automating payroll processing. These integrations provide the building blocks for an integrated digital ecosystem with Unanet ERP AE at its core.

    • Launch of Project Central Web, giving project managers real-time insights into the status of their projects, with the ability to analyze KPIs across all projects, and easily review billing, invoicing and financial data.

    • Enhanced mobile capabilities through the newest Unanet AE Mobile app unveiled in November. It enables employees to enter and track their time on the go anywhere, anytime.

    • The Unanet First Look Program, which enables customers to participate in and provide input throughout the development process via surveys, interviews, focus groups, design reviews and usability tests. The program formalizes the partnership role customers/users play in that process.

    • The Unanet New Customer Experience Portal, a new forum for customers to share best practices and access learning resources, support tickets and suggestions.

    • Introduction of Unanet Pay. Powered by Stripe, it streamlines invoicing for easier collections, while improving the invoicing experience for customers by enabling them to make payments via ACH and credit card more efficiently.

  5. If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Outline the market performance, critical reception, and customer satisfaction with the product or service to date. State monetary or unit sales figures to date, if possible, and how they compare to expectations or past performance. Provide links to laudatory product or service reviews. Include some customer testimonials, if applicable (up to 350 words):

    Total 342 words used.

    “Because of Unanet AE’s innovative platform, we’re running faster while remaining lean. We’re increasing revenues and providing a better client experience without adding back-office headcount.” Comments like this one from Alec Pfeffer, director of finance and accounting at the multidisciplinary design/engineering firm ISG, come consistently from Unanet ERP AE customers and users.

    In independent ratings of ERP systems based on user reviews, the buyer discovery platform G2 in late 2021 ranked Unanet ERP AE among the best-performing ERP solutions in a range of categories. Unanet ERP AE was the only ERP solution purpose-built for AE firms to crack G2’s Top 10 highest-rated project-based ERP products. Unanet ERP AE had the shortest payback period (ROI) of any ERP in its class: an estimated eight months.

    Among the reviews that users posted to the G2 website in 2021:

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5 stars): “So good...It would be impossible to state one feature or aspect of Unanet AE that I like best; I like it all. What continues to impress me is the companies lack of complacency. Good is not good enough, although not their slogan, seems to be Unanet's motivation to continue to develop and find ways to enhance their AE and other products…I am constantly striving to be more efficient in my processes; I appreciate organizations and software that do the same.” — Pamela J., AE firm accounting and IT manager

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5 stars): “Unanet ERP AE is an outstanding integrated project management/finance software…Unanet ERP AE is particularly user-friendly and intuitive; easy to learn and to teach others; and wonderfully flexible for extracting reports and data.”— Administrator in architecture & planning, AE firm

    Unanet ERP AE posted strong sales in 2021, with a 20% increase in its customer base (# of firms using the solution).

    Another metric that speaks to the positive outcomes and rapid ROI that Unanet ERP AE provides to customers: 40% of firms using the software at least tripled their revenue growth rate within two years of implementing the solution.

  6. You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):

    Total 56 words used.

    Links to details on 2021 product enhancements:

    (https://unanet.com/news/unanet-and-openasset-announce-partnership-for-digital-asset-management)

    (https://unanet.com/news/unanet-flowtrac-partnership)

    (https://unanet.com/news/new_payroll_integrations_bring_efficiencies)

    https://unanet.com/news/enhanced-mobility-project-management-finance-tools-and-user-experience-highlight-latest-unanet-release

    https://unanet.com/blog/unanet-ae-21-3-release

    https://unanet.com/blog/new-erp-features-give-architecture-and-engineering-firms-simplified-project-management-enhanced-payment-options/

    Link to ISG case study:

    https://unanet.com/news/national-design-and-engineering-firm-isg-implements-unanet-erp-in-just-120-days-generating-significant-cash-flow-and-efficiency-gains

    Link to G2 ratings of top project-based ERP products:

    https://www.g2.com/categories/project-based-erp?tab=highest_rated

    Link to G2 customer reviews:

    https://www.g2.com/products/unanet-ae-erp/reviews#reviews

Attachments/Videos/Links:
Unanet ERP AE
URL unanet.com/news/unanet-and-openasset-announce-partnership-for-digital-asset-management