SAP, Dynamics, KPD, and Odoo, how to connect field hours to your business systems
Construction companies run on two parallel tracks: field operations (where hours are worked) and business systems (where hours become costs, invoices, and compliance records). When these tracks are disconnected, manual data entry fills the gap, slowly, expensively, and with errors.
ERP integration connects your time registration platform directly to your business systems. Hours captured on site flow automatically into project costing, payroll, and compliance reporting. No re-entry. No spreadsheets. No correction cycles.
Why Time Registration Matters in Construction ERP
Labour typically accounts for 30-50% of construction project costs. Without accurate, integrated time data, you’re making decisions on estimates rather than facts.
| Challenge | Impact | ERP Solution |
| Manual data entry | Errors, delays in project costing | Automated sync eliminates re-entry |
| Fragmented systems | Lost visibility, data silos | Single source of truth |
| Compliance gaps | CIAW fines up to €6,000/worker/day | Audit trails and NSSO sync |
| Delayed payroll | Processing takes days, not hours | Real-time hour validation |
| No project visibility | Hidden cost overruns discovered too late | Real-time labour costing per WBS element |
SAP Integration: Enterprise-Scale
SAP S/4HANA is the dominant ERP for enterprise construction. Large contractors managing €50M+ budgets and 500+ workers rely on SAP for project accounting, payroll, and compliance.
How Suivo connects to SAP:
- Project accounting, labour costs allocated to WBS elements automatically. Track project profitability in real time
- Payroll integration, validated hours flow directly into SAP HR. Reduces payroll processing from 3 days to 4 hours
- Compliance reporting, CIAW/CIAO logs automatically available for statutory audits
- APIs, OData REST APIs and SAP BTP middleware for seamless data exchange
⚠️ Chain liability: Belgian contractors using SAP must configure compliance modules for CIAW chain liability. Main contractors are legally responsible for subcontractor time records, requiring transparent audit trails across the entire subcontracting chain.
Microsoft Dynamics: Flexible Mid-Market
Dynamics 365 Project Operations is purpose-built for construction and professional services. Faster to implement than SAP, with native Microsoft 365 integration.
- Mobile time entry, workers submit hours via phone. Entries sync to Dynamics within minutes. Requires WiFi or mobile data for real-time transmission
- Project-based costing, time entries assigned to projects, resource roles, and cost centres. Real-time profitability dashboards
- Resource scheduling, align time data with project resource plans. Identify idle time and reassign resources
- Power Automate workflows, compliance checks built into time approval (flag entries exceeding Belgian daily limits)
Implementation: mid-market construction firms (50-300 employees) typically deploy Dynamics in 4-6 months versus 12-18 months for SAP.
KPD and Odoo: Agile Platforms
KPD
A Belgian-native ERP built for construction standards. CIAW compliance built-in, NSSO reporting templates included. API-first architecture integrates with Suivo and other time registration systems. Implementation: 8-12 weeks for mid-market contractors.
Odoo
Open-source flexibility with pay-per-module pricing. Workers log hours against tasks; labour costs post automatically to project P&Ls. Low capex, fast deployment (6-10 weeks). Best for SMEs (20-150 employees) seeking cost efficiency.
Deployment Comparison
| ERP Platform | Company Size | Implementation | Integration Cost |
| SAP S/4HANA | Enterprise (500+) | 12-18 months | €50K-150K |
| Dynamics 365 | Mid-market (100-500) | 4-6 months | €15K-40K |
| KPD | Mid-market (50-300) | 8-12 weeks | €8K-20K |
| Odoo | SME (20-150) | 6-10 weeks | €3K-12K |
Belgian Compliance: Three Layers
- CIAW (active now), electronic attendance for construction sites with subcontractor thresholds. Fines: €6,000/worker/day
- CIAO (expanding), check-in AND check-out. Active for cleaning since 2024; expanding to more sectors
- 2027 mandate, ALL Belgian employers must have an objective, reliable system for recording daily working hours. ERP integration is the proven method
Compliance checklist for ERP integration:
- Audit trail: ERP logs all time edits with timestamps and user IDs
- Immutable records: approved entries tracked if modified
- Real-time export: CIAW/CIAO reports on demand for NSSO audits
- Subcontractor transparency: main contractor views all subcontractor time data
Implementation Roadmap
- Phase 1, Assessment (weeks 1-3): audit current systems, map ERP data requirements, identify integration points
- Phase 2, Pilot (weeks 4-8): deploy on one site, configure ERP sync with test data, validate compliance exports
- Phase 3, Rollout (weeks 9-16): deploy across all sites, integrate historical data, train all stakeholders
- Phase 4, Optimisation (ongoing): monitor data quality, generate utilisation reports, prepare for 2027 compliance
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ERP integration mandatory for CIAW compliance?
No, CIAW requires electronic registration, not necessarily ERP integration. However, integration eliminates manual data transfer, reduces errors, and ensures audit-ready records. For multi-site contractors with subcontractors, integration is practically essential.
How long does SAP integration take?
Standard time-to-payroll integration: 8-16 weeks. Adding project costing modules extends this to 12-18 weeks. Mid-market platforms like Dynamics or KPD deploy in 4-12 weeks.
Does Suivo integrate with all ERP systems?
Suivo provides APIs and connectors for SAP, Dynamics, KPD, Odoo, and AFAS. Custom integrations are available for legacy systems. Contact our integration team to confirm compatibility.
Does the system require internet connectivity?
Yes. Suivo requires WiFi or mobile data for every time registration. This is a deliberate design choice: real-time transmission ensures data integrity and prevents manipulation of timestamps. For sites with limited connectivity, site terminals with wired connections or vehicle hardware provide alternative registration methods.
Explore Suivo’s time tracking, CIAW solution, and construction solutions. Compare tools in our best time registration tools guide.
Ready to connect time registration to your ERP?
Suivo integrates with SAP, Dynamics, KPD, Odoo, and AFAS.
