If you’re new to construction technology, it can seem strange that contractors need both Procore and Sage.
After all, Procore allows teams to manage RFIs, drawings, specifications, submittals, commitments and project financial information. So why would a contractor also need a separate accounting system?
The answer lies in the different roles these platforms perform. While Procore focuses on project delivery and project management, Sage focuses on accounting, financial reporting and company-wide financial control. Together, they help contractors manage both the operational and financial sides of a construction business.
What Is Procore?
Procore is a construction management platform designed to help project teams collaborate and manage project information.
Common uses include:
- RFIs
- Submittals
- Drawings
- Specifications
- Document Control
- Change Events
- Commitments
- Project Financial Management
Procore helps project teams understand what is happening on a project and manage the information needed to deliver it successfully.
Related Reading: 👉 What Is Procore?
What Is Sage?
Sage is an accounting and enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform used by many construction companies.
Typical functions include:
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- Payroll
- General Ledger
- Supplier Management
- Financial Reporting
- Tax Reporting
While project teams may spend most of their time in Procore, finance teams are often working primarily in Sage.
Different Systems, Different Purposes
A useful way to think about the two systems is:
Procore
Focused on:
- Project Delivery
- Collaboration
- Documentation
- Site Activities
- Construction Workflows
Sage
Focused on:
- Accounting
- Financial Control
- Company Reporting
- Payroll
- Regulatory Compliance
Although some information overlaps, both systems serve different business functions.
A Typical Example
Imagine a contractor awards an electrical subcontract worth €150,000.
The Project Manager may create the commitment within Procore.
Related Reading: 👉 What Is a Commitment in Construction?
The finance department may then need information about that commitment within Sage so they can:
- Track liabilities
- Process invoices
- Monitor cash flow
- Produce financial reports
Rather than entering the same information twice, contractors often connect their systems together.
Why Integrate Procore and Sage?
Integrations help eliminate duplicate data entry.
Without integration:
- Commitment created in Procore
- Same information entered into Sage
- Invoice received
- Information updated in both systems
With integration:
- Commitment created in Procore
- Information automatically transferred
- Finance team manages accounting in Sage
- Both systems remain aligned
This can save significant time and reduce errors.
What Information Is Commonly Shared?
Depending on the contractor’s setup, information may include:
- Projects
- Suppliers
- Cost Codes
- Purchase Orders
- Commitments
- Budgets
- Invoices
Many implementations focus on ensuring financial information remains consistent between both systems.
Related Reading: 👉 What Is a Cost Code?
Why Not Just Use One System?
This is a common question.
The reality is that project management and accounting have different requirements.
Project teams need tools for:
- Collaboration
- Drawings
- RFIs
- Submittals
- Document Control
Finance teams need tools for:
- Payroll
- Tax Reporting
- Financial Statements
- Accounts Management
- Regulatory Compliance
Most organisations find that combining specialised construction software with specialist accounting software provides the best overall solution.
The Challenges of Integration
Connecting systems is not always straightforward.
Common challenges include:
- Different terminology
- Cost code mapping
- Data ownership
- User permissions
- Workflow differences
For example, a commitment in Procore may need to correspond to a purchase order or subcontract within Sage.
This is one reason construction technology professionals increasingly need to understand both project management and financial systems.
Key Takeaway
Procore and Sage solve different business problems.
Procore helps project teams manage construction projects, information and collaboration. Sage helps finance teams manage accounting, reporting and financial control.
By integrating the two systems, contractors can improve efficiency, reduce duplicate data entry and gain greater visibility into both project performance and financial performance.
