Article
Why modern finance leaders in construction are moving to the cloud
Dec. 5, 2025
Many construction companies are leveraging Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (CRE) as their financial management platform. Historically, this on-premise solution has been a trusted choice in the industry because of its comprehensive features. However, a growing number of construction businesses are beginning to move away from Sage 300 CRE and are turning to cloud-based solutions like Sage Intacct Construction. According to the 2025 AGC and Sage Construction Hiring and Business Outlook, almost half of the construction companies surveyed now use cloud-based software for their accounting [1].
The primary reason for this shift is that the cloud equips finance leaders in construction with powerful tools and capabilities that on-premise solutions just can’t match. Explore why forward-thinking finance leaders are making the leap from on-prem solutions to cloud-based construction accounting solutions, and how this move could better position your business for the future.
The constraints of on-premise systems
On-premise technology offers certain benefits, but it also brings its own set of challenges that are worth considering. For example, on-premise solutions are challenging to update and maintain because they require manual installations and can even lead to system downtime. Additionally, as your business grows, scaling becomes cumbersome due to its scalability limitations. If a company needs to expand, it is required to purchase additional hardware installations, which can be both time-consuming and costly.
On-premise solutions also have accessibility restraints, which limit finance teams' ability to access critical data outside of the office. This significantly reduces finance teams' productivity and can hinder decision-making when accurate data isn’t always available anytime, anywhere.
When these limitations are combined, they make it harder for a growing business to evolve successfully and can slow down evolution. However, with cloud solutions in place, construction companies can gain the flexibility they need to support ever-evolving operations with technology designed to adapt as needed.
Access and agility without limits in the cloud
One of the major benefits of the cloud is the flexibility it provides. With cloud-native technology, businesses don’t have to rely on physical maintenance teams to manage their systems. IT teams have the capability to update cloud solutions remotely, allowing updates, upgrades and patches to be easily implemented with minimal to no downtime.
Cloud platforms also help to reduce costs since they operate as a pay-as-you-go model. Rather than requiring a large upfront investment in hardware, businesses can scale their usage up or down depending on their needs, making it more cost-efficient.
Lastly, the flexibility of the cloud empowers finance teams with remote access to data anytime and anywhere. This is extremely valuable for finance teams because they don’t have to be bound to a physical location to work or pull reports. With real-time dashboards and reporting, they can access accurate and up-to-date information at their fingertips. This improves decision-making by eliminating bottlenecks to access reliable data.
Unify your data and simplify workflows
Cloud technology equips finance teams with real-time, centralized data. Because of the various integrations that cloud technologies support, teams can operate from a singular platform rather than having to switch between systems for information. This is extremely helpful when front and back-office operations need to stay in sync, ensuring everyone has access to the most current information.
Additionally, by eliminating fragmented systems, cloud solutions help reduce data discrepancies and errors because everyone has access to the same information. This also improves collaboration since teams can trust that the data they are working with is current and trustworthy.
Lastly, centralized data also enables the automation of manual and error-prone tasks. Instead of relying on manual spreadsheets, cloud technology can automatically pull data into one place, improving accuracy and decision-making.
Making the switch from on-premises to the cloud
If your construction business is considering transitioning from your on-premise solution, like Sage 300 CRE, to a cloud-based platform, Sage Intacct Construction may be the right fit for you. Sage Intacct Construction empowers construction finance teams with features like remote access, real-time data, customizable dashboards and a wide range of integrations. Baker Tilly has vast experience implementing this software and can assist you in moving the future of cloud technology. To help you prepare for your cloud migration journey and understand what to expect, download our future-ready checklist for a successful transition to the cloud.