Tarun Nagar 
Are you looking to build software like Deltek Vision, then keep reading this blog. Building a software system similar to Deltek Vision, a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution for professional services firms, is a substantial undertaking that requires careful consideration of cost and features. Aspiring to develop a software solution with comparable capabilities to Deltek Vision involves a multitude of factors that impact the overall project expenses and outcomes.
In this blog post, we will explore the key considerations for estimating the cost of developing a Deltek Vision-like software system. We’ll delve into the various features and functionalities that should be taken into account, such as project management, resource management, financial management, CRM, and business intelligence.
By understanding the cost implications and essential features, you’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions when embarking on the development of a software solution resembling Deltek Vision.
Q1. What is Deltek Vision?
Deltek Vision is a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution specifically designed for professional services firms such as architecture, engineering, and consulting companies. It was developed by Deltek, a software and information solutions provider for project-based businesses.
Deltek Vision offers a range of modules and features that address various aspects of running a professional services firm, including project management, resource management, financial management, time and expense tracking, client relationship management (CRM), and business intelligence.
It provides a centralized platform to streamline and integrate essential business functions, enabling organizations to optimize their operations and make informed decisions.
With Deltek Vision, firms can efficiently manage projects, track project progress, allocate resources effectively, monitor budgets and profitability, and streamline invoicing and financial processes.
Q2. How Does Deltek Vision Work?
Deltek Vision operates as an integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) system designed for professional services firms. The software works by consolidating and streamlining various essential business functions into a single, cohesive platform.
At its core, Deltek Vision focuses on project management, allowing firms to plan, execute, and monitor projects efficiently. It facilitates project tracking by providing tools for budgeting, resource allocation, task management, and milestone tracking. Users can assign resources to specific projects, track time and expenses, and monitor project progress in real-time.
Additionally, the system has financial management features including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, billing, and revenue recognition. This enables firms to handle invoicing, track project costs, manage financial transactions, and generate financial reports.
Deltek Vision incorporates a client relationship management (CRM) component, empowering organizations to manage client information, track leads and opportunities, and maintain a centralized repository of client interactions. This aids in enhancing customer relationships, improving sales processes, and fostering business growth.
Additionally, Deltek Vision provides reporting and analytics tools to extract valuable insights from project and financial data. Users may track key performance indicators (KPIs), see trends, and make data-driven choices thanks to customizable dashboards and reporting options.
Q3. How to Use Deltek Vision Software?
Using Deltek Vision software typically involves the following steps:
- Installation and Setup:
Begin by installing Deltek Vision on your organization’s servers or cloud-based infrastructure. Set up the necessary configurations, such as defining user roles, permissions, and security settings.
- User Training:
Provide training sessions for employees who will be using Deltek Vision. These training sessions can be conducted by Deltek representatives, internal trainers, or through online resources provided by Deltek.
- Project Setup:
Configure Deltek Vision to align with your organization’s project structure. This includes creating project codes, work breakdown structures (WBS), and defining project stages and milestones. Create project templates to speed up the construction of projects.
- Resource Management:
Define and manage resources within Deltek Vision. This involves creating resource profiles, assigning resources to projects, and tracking resource availability and utilization.
- Time and Expense Tracking:
Use Deltek Vision to track employee time spent on projects and capture expenses. Employees can enter their time and expenses through the Deltek Vision interface, mobile apps, or integrated timesheet systems. Ensure that employees are trained on how to accurately record their time and expenses.
- Project Management:
Utilize Deltek Vision’s project management features to monitor and control project progress. This includes tracking project budgets, monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs), managing project tasks and deliverables, and generating project reports.
- Financial Management:
Leverage Deltek Vision’s financial management capabilities to handle invoicing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger activities. This includes generating invoices, tracking payments, managing project budgets and costs, and generating financial reports.
- Client Relationship Management:
Utilize Deltek Vision’s CRM features to manage client relationships, track leads and opportunities, and manage proposals and contracts. Keep track of client interactions, communications, and sales activities within the system.
- Reporting and Analytics:
Gain insights into project performance, resource utilization, financial indicators, and other important data by using Deltek Vision’s reporting and analytics capabilities. Create personalized dashboards and reports to visualize and analyze data that is pertinent to your company.
- Ongoing Maintenance and Support:
Regularly update Deltek Vision with software patches and updates provided by Deltek. Maintaining user access and permissions, as well as giving users continuous technical help when necessary.
The global ERP software market is expected to reach $101 billion by 2026.
Q4. Why is Deltek Vision so Popular?
Deltek Vision gained popularity among professional services firms for several reasons. First, it offered a comprehensive and integrated solution specifically tailored to the unique needs of project-based businesses. Its modules and features included crucial topics including project management, resource management, financial management, and client relationship management.
Second, Deltek Vision provided scalability, allowing firms of varying sizes to utilize the software effectively. Whether it was a small consultancy or a large architecture firm, Vision could accommodate their requirements and grow alongside their businesses.
Additionally, Vision’s industry-specific capabilities and best practices made it highly attractive. The software was developed with a deep understanding of the challenges and workflows of professional services firms. This specialized approach allowed organizations to streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and improve project delivery.
Moreover, Vision’s reporting and analytics capabilities enabled firms to gain valuable insights into their performance metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making. This feature helped firms optimize resource allocation, identify potential bottlenecks, and enhance profitability.
Lastly, Deltek’s reputation as a trusted provider of software solutions for project-based industries, coupled with its customer support and training offerings, contributed to Vision’s popularity. Firms could rely on Deltek’s expertise and assistance throughout their implementation and usage of the software, ensuring a smooth and successful adoption process.
Q5. What is the Pricing of Deltek Vision?
| Plan Name | Monthly Pricing |
| Front Office Suite | $30.00 per employee |
| Back Office Suite | $30.00 per employee |
| Full Suite | $46.00 per employee |
Q6. What are the Top Competitors of Deltek Vision?
Some of the top competitors of Deltek Vision in the professional services automation (PSA) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) market for professional services firms include:
- Oracle NetSuite:
NetSuite provides a comprehensive cloud-based ERP solution that offers project management, financials, resource management, time and expense tracking, and CRM functionalities. It is known for its scalability and integration capabilities.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365:
Dynamics 365 offers a range of ERP and CRM applications, including Dynamics 365 for Project Service Automation (PSA), which caters to the needs of professional services firms. It provides project management, resource planning, financials, and collaboration tools.
- SAP Business ByDesign:
SAP’s cloud-based ERP solution, Business ByDesign, offers features for project management, financials, resource management, and CRM. It is known for its robust reporting and analytics capabilities.
- FinancialForce PSA:
On the Salesforce platform, FinancialForce PSA is a cloud-based PSA solution. Features including time and expenditure monitoring, resource management, project management, and invoicing are available. Salesforce CRM integration improves teamwork.
- Workday Professional Services Automation:
Workday’s PSA solution provides project management, resource management, time tracking, and financials. It is known for its user-friendly interface and integration with Workday’s broader suite of HR and financial applications.
Q7. How Does Deltek Vision Make Money?
- Software License Sales:
Deltek Vision offers its ERP solution as licensed software, allowing organizations to purchase the software and install it on their own servers or infrastructure. Customers typically pay an upfront fee to acquire software licenses.
- Maintenance and Support:
Deltek Vision offers its clients continuous upkeep and technical support services. These services include software updates, bug fixes, and access to customer support resources. Customers often pay an annual fee or subscription for these services, which may be based on the number of users or the size of the organization.
- Professional Services:
Deltek Vision offers professional services to help customers with implementation, customization, and training. These services are typically provided by Deltek’s consultants or implementation partners and are billed separately.
- Cloud Hosting:
In addition to on-premises deployment, Deltek Vision also offers cloud hosting options. Customers can choose to have their Deltek Vision solution hosted and managed in the cloud by Deltek or a hosting partner. Cloud hosting is typically subscription-based, where customers pay a recurring fee for the hosting services.
- Additional Modules and Add-ons:
Deltek Vision may offer additional modules or add-ons that extend the functionality of the core ERP system. These modules may focus on specific areas such as advanced reporting and analytics, human resources management, or specialized industry features. Customers can purchase these modules as optional extras, providing additional revenue streams for Deltek.
Q8. What Are the Features of Deltek Vision?
- Project Management:
Deltek Vision provides tools for project planning, scheduling, and tracking. It allows you to define project tasks, allocate resources, set budgets, and monitor progress. You can track project milestones, manage dependencies, and view project timelines.
- Resource Management:
You can efficiently manage and distribute resources across projects using Deltek Vision. The system helps you track employee availability, skills, and workload. It enables you to assign the right resources to projects, optimize resource utilization, and avoid overbooking.
- Financial Management:
Deltek Vision offers robust financial management capabilities. It includes features for budgeting, forecasting, and tracking project costs. You can manage project billing and invoicing, track expenses, and generate financial reports. The system integrates with general ledger systems to streamline financial processes.
- Time and Expense Tracking:
Deltek Vision allows employees to enter their time and expenses directly into the system. It supports timesheet management, including approvals and time-off tracking. You can capture billable hours, track reimbursable expenses, and generate accurate client invoices.
- Client Relationship Management (CRM):
The CRM module in Deltek Vision helps you manage client relationships, track opportunities, and manage the sales pipeline. It enables you to store client contact information, track interactions, and manage marketing campaigns. To find prospects for business growth, you may create reports and analyze customer data. Additionally, if you want to develop software like Deltek Vision with CRM integration, you can consult a CRM development company.
- Business Intelligence and Reporting:
Deltek Vision offers reporting and analytics solutions to help you understand how well your business is performing. You can create customized reports, dashboards, and charts to track key metrics, project profitability, resource utilization, and more. The system supports data visualization and drill-down capabilities for in-depth analysis.
Q9. What Are the Benefits of Deltek Vision?
- Comprehensive Project Management:
Deltek Vision provides robust project management capabilities, allowing firms to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects. It offers features such as task management, resource allocation, project scheduling, budgeting, and progress tracking. This enables better project visibility, improved collaboration, and enhanced project delivery.
- Resource Optimization:
With Deltek Vision, firms can optimize their resource allocation by gaining insights into resource availability, skills, and utilization. This helps in assigning the right resources to projects, maximizing productivity, and avoiding resource bottlenecks. Efficient resource management leads to better project outcomes and improved profitability.
- Financial Management:
The financial management features of Deltek Vision streamline financial processes, including budgeting, invoicing, accounts payable/receivable, and general ledger. The system integrates project financials with overall financial management, providing a holistic view of the organization’s financial performance. This enables firms to track project costs, manage cash flow, and ensure accurate billing and revenue recognition.
- Time and Expense Tracking:
Deltek Vision simplifies time and expense tracking for employees, enabling them to accurately record their billable hours and expenses. This data can be seamlessly integrated into project accounting and invoicing, eliminating manual processes and reducing administrative overhead.
- Client Relationship Management (CRM):
The CRM capabilities of Deltek Vision help firms manage client relationships, track opportunities, and improve sales and marketing activities. The system centralizes client information, tracks interactions, and provides a comprehensive view of client history. This facilitates better client communication, enables targeted marketing campaigns, and supports business development efforts.
Q10. What Are the Issues of Deltek Vision?
While Deltek Vision has been widely used and valued by many professional services firms, there have been some common issues reported by users. Here are a few of them:
- User Interface:
One common criticism of Deltek Vision is its user interface, which has been considered outdated and not particularly user-friendly. Some users have found the interface to be cluttered and difficult to navigate, requiring a learning curve for new users.
- Customization and Flexibility:
While Deltek Vision offers a range of features and modules, some users have expressed frustration with the system’s limited customization options. They may encounter difficulties in tailoring the software to their specific business processes or adding custom fields and workflows.
- Performance and Speed:
Depending on the size of the database and the complexity of the system configuration, users have reported instances of slow performance and system lags. This can affect efficiency and productivity, especially when handling massive volumes of data or executing resource-intensive reports.
- Integration Challenges:
Integration with other systems, such as financial software or third-party applications, can sometimes pose challenges. Users may face difficulties in seamlessly exchanging data between Deltek Vision and other tools, which can lead to manual data entry or data synchronization issues.
- Lack of Mobile Capabilities:
Historically, Deltek Vision has had limited mobile functionality, making it challenging for users to access and update information while on the go. However, it’s worth noting that Deltek Vantagepoint, the successor to Vision, introduced improved mobile capabilities to address this concern.
Q11. How Much Does it Cost to Build Software like Deltek Vision?
The cost to build software like Deltek Vision can vary significantly depending on various factors such as scope, complexity, desired features, technology stack, development team size, and location. Developing a comprehensive enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution like Deltek Vision involves substantial effort and investment.
Typically, developing a software system of this magnitude requires a team of experienced developers, project managers, designers, testers, and potentially other specialists. Their salaries, along with the duration of the development process, will contribute to the overall cost. Additionally, costs may include infrastructure setup, software licenses, third-party integrations, quality assurance, ongoing support, and maintenance.
Considering all these factors, developing a software system similar to Deltek Vision can range from $25000-$50000. It’s important to conduct a detailed analysis of your specific requirements and engage with a software development company to obtain accurate cost estimates tailored to your project’s needs.
Moreover, it’s worth noting that alternative approaches such as leveraging existing ERP platforms or customizable solutions may provide more cost-effective options compared to building a system from scratch. Evaluating available off-the-shelf solutions and weighing their features, cost, and customizability can be a strategic approach to minimizing development expenses.
