at a glance
When Usher Group implemented NetSuite, they went from a plethora of spreadsheets to one unified ecosystem to centralise operations and financials across multiple entities.
- Quickbooks
- Excel spreadsheets
the client
About Usher Group
Headquartered on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Usher Group is a multi-service business offering high-quality, innovative trade solutions. Primarily focused on painting and solid plastering rendering, they also provide custom signage solutions, niche custom access solutions, and maintenance services for facilities and public buildings. With a workforce in the hundreds, Usher Group stands as the largest painting contractor in Queensland, maintaining strong relationships with tier 1 builders such as Multiplex, Mirvac, and Hutchinson Builders.
Annexa were the best fit for us out of all the implementing companies we came across. At the start, it was the people at Annexa that really made me feel more comfortable. And then obviously, their brand equity. Everyone talks about them and how good they are.Theodore VairaktarisOwner and Chairman, Usher Group
the challenge
Usher Group’s system roadblocks
Before NetSuite, Usher Group were facing significant operational obstacles. A primary challenge was the lack of visibility across their various entities. Managing a group of companies without a unified system made it difficult to obtain a complete view of the business or delve into specific segments. The existing accounting system – heavily reliant on Excel spreadsheets – was fragmented and inefficient, with up to ten different spreadsheets required for various parts of the business.
Long reporting time was adding to the problem. To make informed decisions, the finance team depended on physical profit and loss reports generated by the accounts department, a process that took days or even weeks. This lag meant the data was often outdated by the time it was reviewed. The heavily manual process also increased the risk of errors, impacting the accuracy and reliability of financial reports. Without real-time data, the teams found it difficult to track project costs, manage budgets effectively, and respond quickly to emerging issues. This lack of immediate insight into financial and project performance further underscored the need for a more integrated and responsive system.
the results
The transformation
Implementing NetSuite was a transformative move for Usher Group. One of the most impactful benefits was the real-time visibility into financial data. With NetSuite, the finance team has access to up-to-the-minute reports, eliminating the delays and inaccuracies associated with manual reporting and multiple spreadsheets.
Both Usher Group’s CEO, Stuart Ryan, and COO & Executive Director, Shane Spano, agree that NetSuite’s visibility has radically changed the way they work.
When asked why Usher Group decided to upgrade their systems, Spano shared “I think the biggest reason we wanted to change systems was visibility. Previously, we had to rely on the accounts department to print out physical copies of profit and loss reports. With NetSuite, we have much greater visibility. We can download reports at any time and see everything in real time.”
Ryan agrees, “originally, we were working off Excel documents, with ten different spreadsheets for every part of the business. So, we really needed to bring everything together into one system. With NetSuite, we can manage the business better because we know what’s going on. We don’t have to wait two months to find out we’ve gone over on this or that. We know straight away.”
The consolidation of various processes into a single system helped to further streamline operations across Usher Group’s multiple entities. Once-fragmented workflows were unified, reducing the complexity and inefficiencies that had been preventing growth. Tasks that previously required extensive manual input and cross-referencing between spreadsheets were automated and centralised, saving the team significant time and frustration.
A standout of Annexa’s NetSuite solution was the integration of NetSuite with Usher Group’s custom software – Paint Projex and Usher Scheduler. This integration created a seamless flow of information, ensuring that project tracking, payroll, and job costing were synchronised with NetSuite. The enhanced accuracy and immediacy of data significantly improved project management, supporting better forecasting, budgeting, and cost control.
Another notable result was the improvement in stakeholder communication. With real-time data at their fingertips, Usher Group could provide clients and partners with accurate and timely updates on project status and financial performance. This transparency strengthened relationships with key stakeholders and served to reinforce Usher Group’s reputation for reliability and quality.
“Having good, clear, concise data is everything. It allows us to know how we are performing on current jobs and make accurate bids for new contracts. Builders always want data to understand if costs will rise or fall. With NetSuite we can provide live cost updates for new products and track if projects take longer or shorter, which helps with costing for future projects.”
Stuart Ryan, CEO, Usher Group
Following the initial implementation, Usher Group are exploring the transformative potential of NetSuite. They have plans to leverage the platforms extensibility by integrating more of the systems and software they use and tweaking and refining processes to ensure all tools work cohesively to support their growth and operational efficiency. On the planning and budgeting side, Usher Group intend to introduce new capabilities to conduct project and group forecasting. That way, management will be able to see where the company is headed in the next month, quarter and rest of the year.
“NetSuite is like a blank canvas. Unlike other software with limited functionalities, NetSuite offers endless potential. We’ve only scratched the surface of what we can achieve with it.”
Stuart Ryan, CEO, Usher Group
Usher Group’s NetSuite implementation revolutionised operations from start to finish. Now fully transitioned to a unified, real-time data system, Usher Group is positioned to capitalise on new opportunities and continue their trajectory of success in the highly competitive construction and services industry.
- From 10 spreadsheets to 1 platform
- Instant financial reports across entities
- Custom software integration
- Accurate project tracking
We are seeing a huge growth stage coming up. So, we really wanted to focus on ourselves, our systems, processes, and people to get ready for that next phase. We've been through growth phases in the past and learned that without proper preparation, pushing the company too hard can lead to bad culture, burnout, and losing good people. We know this growth is coming, so we've been bunkering down, and now we're ready. We wouldn't have been able to do that without NetSuite.Theodore VairaktarisOwner and Chairman, Usher Group