Ezra VeBitzaron redefines construction management with Dynamics 365 Business Central

Ezra VeBitzaron, a subsidiary of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality, has a rich history of managing construction projects. Founded in 1937, it has been the executive body of the municipality in public construction. Ezra VeBitzaron leads urban renewal and various housing and infrastructure initiatives across Tel Aviv and Jaffa.

Aiming for better performance

The organization previously managed projects using an on-premises solution that was soon to be phased out. “Moving forward we would cease to receive security updates, and we were experiencing some problems like lack of time syncing during updates. This caused issues with integration and data flows that interrupted our day-to-day activities,” recalls Yair Magor, Chief Information Officer at Ezra VeBitzaron.

In addition, Ezra VeBitzaron faced issues when coordinating with subcontractors, many of whom were not very familiar with the system. "Every day we had a problem we had to deal with. So, we decided to simplify and opt for a more efficient and secure platform to manage operations,” shares Magor.

Partnering with abra, Ezra VeBitzaron adopted a cloud-based solution—Dynamics 365 Business Central. "abra solved all our problems very quickly and were always available to help," Magor says. “Their expertise ensured a smooth process, allowing us to leverage the full potential of Business Central.”

Deconstructing technical complexity

With Business Central, Ezra VeBitzaron streamlined its process from project initiation to completion. "Everything is in the system from the time the project is entered until the final handover," says Magor. This resulted in a smoother workflow in planning, estimating, and collaborating with contractors on projects.

The organization also gained a more efficient way of managing the bill of materials and project documentation, enhancing overall productivity. Project managers used to manually check progress to approve payments. Now, they get automatic alerts when a subcontractor submits request for payment based on the project milestone. The system helps to monitor when project completion hits a specific percentage based on tasks monitored in the system.

Additionally, Ezra VeBitzaron automated various processes, such as exporting files and reporting. "We now have a document template, and Business Central auto-fills the data from the project", Magor adds. “For example, if we’re renovating the exterior of a building, we need to contact all the people who live there to get approvals, send them documents, and arrange meetings. Business Central helps us to manage all the data and documents for every tenant.”

Transforming collaboration with subcontractors

The solution has also made it easier to cooperate with external contractors and subcontractors. “Previously, every time a new subcontractor joined, we had to install the system on their computers. We spent a lot of time on installations and getting up to speed. Now, they can just focus on one system connection online from everywhere,” shares Magor.

Ezra VeBitzaron combined Dynamics 365 Business Central with Microsoft 365 to give both employees and contractors highly secure access to multiple tools using only one set of credentials. “Once we have a new employee or contractor, we just create their Microsoft 365 account, and using that, they can start working. They immediately have access to Microsoft Outlook and Dynamics 365,” Magor remarks. 

These external team members can access Business Central on various devices, including mobile phones and tablets, even when they’re in the field. Even with more convenient access, Ezra VeBitzaron still maintains a good level of security using the system permission options. “Employees and contractors get individualized access to Business Central—it means they can’t just access everything. So, we’re still protecting confidentiality and sensitive information”, explains Magor. This gives the organization peace of mind especially for the document archive, that is being accessed remotely on the cloud. 

More done in less time, with less cost

Ezra VeBitzaron experienced increased convenience and transparency with Business Central. “We have a clear view of ongoing projects, whether they are renovations or constructions,” shares Eli Ginzberg, Chief Executive Officer at Ezra VeBitzaron. “With more automation, we’ve also spent 75% less time on manual processes.”

Ginzberg, in particular, saves a lot of time for approvals. “I have to sign a lot of bills every day. But thanks to Business Central, I can easily do that on my mobile phone instead of having to come to the office physically,” he shares.

Ezra VeBitzaron's also saw significant improvements in operations. "Business Central responds quicker and requires less work to maintain," Magor highlights. “Thanks to a more efficient way of working, we have seen an 11% reduction in operational costs.”

Another striking benefit for Ezra VeBitzaron has been the reduction in paper usage. "After our move to Business Central, the amount of paper we’re using reduced by 90% or more," Magor reveals. This not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also represents a significant cost-saving for the organization.

Building a bright future

Looking to the future, Ezra VeBitzaron is focused on harnessing the latest advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and business intelligence within Business Central. "Every time there is a new feature in Business Central, like Copilot, the abra team is always there to show and guide us through the new features," Magor says. “AI is certainly in our future.” With a forward-thinking approach, the Ezra VeBitzaron is poised to further enhance its efficiency and impact in urban renewal and construction.