Microsoft is supporting the UK launch of Sage ERP EVision, a construction solution based on the award-winning Microsoft Business Solutions Navision.

Scottish software solutions house and Microsoft Business Solutions provider, Sage Construction (as Tekton), is to expand into the English market with software designed specifically for the construction sector. This will see the company open an office in central England to support sales and implementation of its Sage ERP EVision system and underpin its strategy of taking an increased share of this important market.

Simon Edwards of Microsoft Business Solutions states: "We are making a significant investment in helping partners to deliver key vertical solutions such as Sage ERP EVision from Sage Construction (as Tekton). This is an important part of the way we operate; by providing robust stable technology platforms and strategic guidance, we are able to help our partners develop cutting-edge solutions for specific customer segments." Tom Mill of Sage Construction (as Tekton) said, "Sage ERP EVision is based on the Microsoft Business Solutions Navision platform. It has shown highly impressive results since it was launched to the Scottish construction industry in June 2002, is now a tried and tested solution and, we calculate, is currently running around £1 billion of construction business.

"Sage Construction (as Tekton) has a dedicated development team totally focused on the construction market place. We understand the need for construction companies to deal with increasingly more complex administration, driven by legislative requirements, concurrent with the need for business leaders to have readily available operational and management data.

"Thanks to the stability of the Microsoft Business Solutions platform, and the support we gain from being part of the Microsoft Business Solutions channel, Sage ERP EVision will be the core product underpinning our business solutions provision for the construction market in England and the rest of the UK."

Among the companies already using Sage ERP EVision are Ogilvie Group, Crudens, Muirfield Contracts, Hart Builders, Murdoch Mackenzie, WH Brown, Robison & Davidson, Ritchie Bros., Greystone Plumbing, CHAP Construction, and Northern Timber Products. Now that Sage Construction (as Tekton) is working more closely with Microsoft Business Solutions in this sector, it will be using the experience gained in the past year to provide a range of solutions for construction companies throughout the UK.

Sage ERP EVision is a 32-bit Windows product based on the Microsoft Business Solutions Navision platform with a number of fully integrated application modules designed by Sage Construction (as Tekton): Subcontractors Ledger - geared to handle data including job and fee rates, trade and skill codes and certifications etc; Subcontractors Contract Ledger - this maintains data including schedules of work, payment terms and resources/materials used; Job/Contract Ledger -covers data on multi-level cost structure, duration, financial analysis and other key information; Contract Sales Ledger - used to control payments and maintain budgets, quotations, value of completed work etc; Plant Hire Ledger - which manages individual items of plant and their deployment.