Construction Software Companies & Consultants in Woodcliff Lake, NJ

Overview

CEM Business Solutions is a technology consultancy headquartered in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. Since 2003 it has designed, configured and rolled out business applications built on Microsoft Dynamics 365, with most of its clients coming from the construction and manufacturing sectors. The firm holds Microsoft Solutions Partner status and presents itself as a center of excellence for Microsoft business applications.

Its pitch to contractors is simple: bring estimating, field reporting, payroll and accounting into a single Microsoft environment rather than juggling disconnected products.

Construction Software Offerings

For contractors, CEM sets up Dynamics 365 as a combined ERP and CRM platform, then extends it with proprietary add-ons covering needs that standard templates overlook. Its portfolio includes:

• A construction management application that gathers bids, job costs, subcontractor records and change orders together, helping project and finance teams catch budget overruns before a job is finished
• Mobile daily log and attendance tools, allowing crews to report progress, inspections, equipment use, safety items and time from a phone
• Timekeeping and construction payroll that feed straight into job cost
• HR and payroll software supporting union, certified and non-certified wage rules, plus employee self-service
• A payroll tax engine designed for US payroll in Dynamics 365 Finance
• Solutions for specialty and industrial contractors that follow labor, equipment and material costs and report through Power BI

Implementation Approach

CEM deploys Dynamics 365 Project Operations so that contractors can watch performance, variance and the rise or erosion of margin while work is underway. It also configures Finance and Operations for construction use, connecting office accounting to what happens in the field. Its human resources setup keeps workforce records in one place and follows craft labor certifications.

Security rests on Microsoft Azure, using private network connections and identity protection. The company also migrates customers from legacy Microsoft products such as AX, NAV and GP, preserving historical data along the way. It states that it offers continuous support during go-live, followed by optional optimization packages. Under its CEM Core365 model, the presales team remains engaged through delivery and afterward, so customers continue to deal with the people who first defined the scope.

Industries and Clients

The firm works with general contractors, engineering-procurement-construction (EPC) companies and specialty trades. Beyond construction, it supports discrete and process manufacturers, pharmaceutical and life sciences businesses, aerospace and defense organizations, and professional services firms requiring project accounting. Testimonials published by the company come from Granite Construction, Mesa Associates, Wachter, Inc. and Abela & Co. LLC.

Background and Credentials

Co-founder Geetha Ramakrishnan started the company in 2003 and brings over two decades of experience spanning engineering, delivering projects, managing ERP programs and analyzing business requirements. CEM pairs its Dynamics knowledge with civil engineering and construction understanding. It lists affiliations with the Associated General Contractors and the American Payroll Association, as well as Microsoft AppSource and Certified for Microsoft Dynamics badges. It also displays woman-owned and minority business enterprise certifications, including WBENC and MBE.