Leveraging Cloud Technology: Innovating Procurement Workflows in the Modern Construction Sector

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Economy and Energy Management, Petroleum University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Industrial Engineering, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to design, develop, and evaluate a cloud-based procurement and purchasing management platform tailored to construction companies with geographically distributed projects and complex supply chains. The study aims to enhance procurement transparency, reduce human errors, accelerate material supply, and lower administrative costs by transitioning from manual, paper-based workflows to a fully digital system.
Methods: A web-based procurement management platform was developed using Google Sheets, SQL, Google App Script, HTML, CSS, and PHP. The system supports end-to-end procurement workflows, including digital purchase request registration, managerial approval, task allocation to procurement officers, delivery tracking, and warehouse confirmation. The platform was deployed and tested within Mehraz Saman Construction Company, and performance data were collected over seven months. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare procurement lead times and error rates before and after implementation.
Results: Implementation results demonstrate a significant improvement in procurement performance. The average procurement lead time was reduced from 11 days to approximately 6 days, and handwritten documentation errors were eliminated. Daily purchase request registrations increased, system availability reached 99.5%, and paper consumption decreased by roughly 1,000 pages annually. Statistical testing confirmed that the reduction in lead time was significant (p < 0.01).
Conclusion: The proposed cloud-based procurement platform provides an effective, low-cost, and scalable alternative to conventional ERP systems for construction companies. By enabling real-time tracking, role-based access, and automated error detection, the system enhances operational efficiency, transparency, and stakeholder coordination. The findings confirm that lightweight, customizable digital procurement solutions can deliver substantial performance and sustainability benefits in the construction sector.

Keywords

References

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Management Science and Information Technology
Volume 2, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 232-246

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