Case Study:

How mechanical contractor Robertson Group uses FM and Quickbooks Online to simplify procurement

“Field Materials has simplified everything,” says Brandi. “Now, we can just log in and instantly see what POs are still open and which line items are outstanding, rather than sifting through paperwork.”

Brandi Nolan
Financial Controller

Background

Robertson Group Inc., originally a trusted service provider for Toyota Manufacturing in Georgetown (TMMK), had grown its mechanical operations over the years to serve a wide range of clients across the nation. The Kentucky-based company now handles a broad range of services, from mechanical contracting to full-scale project management that includes pipefitting​​​​​​​​​, integration, fabrication, automation, project management, HVAC, general contracting maintenance, and PLC programming and robotics.

“Before, procurement was barely being managed. Now, not only we have a structured process, but we’re actually able to take advantage of the time Field Materials has saved us.”

The Challenge

Robertson Group Inc.’s procurement process was reliant solely on QuickBooks Online for managing finances, but they had no solution for tracking materials, receipts, and invoices. With no centralized system for procurement, it became difficult to verify receipts, track costs accurately, and communicate effectively with vendors.

This absence of a formal process led to employees manually printing purchase orders (POs), tracking deliveries through handwritten notes, and storing paperwork in folders, creating inefficiencies. Purchase orders were marked as “open” in QuickBooks until invoices were received, leaving the team without visibility into deliveries and costs. Employees manually tracked POs, which led to poor visibility and increased risk of misplaced paperwork.

Vendor communication also posed a challenge, as email chains often got lost, causing missed updates and delayed payments. Without a dedicated purchasing system, procurement was difficult to scale, hindering the company’s growth and efficiency.

"With Field Materials in place, Robertson Group Inc. has an automated, efficient procurement system that supports both ongoing operations and long-term growth."

The Solution

To streamline purchasing, enhance vendor communication, and improve financial tracking, Brandi Nolan, Financial Controller, implemented Field Materials. The platform introduced real-time purchase order tracking, eliminating the need for handwritten notes and reducing reliance on printed paperwork. “Field Materials has simplified everything,” says Brandi. “Now, we can just log in and instantly see what POs are still open and which line items are outstanding, rather than sifting through paperwork.”

By enabling employees to upload receipts digitally, the system improved record-keeping accuracy, simplified audits, and enhanced financial transparency. Field Materials also provided a centralized communication platform—something QuickBooks lacked—streamlining vendor interactions and reducing the risk of lost emails and miscommunications. Employees now had full visibility into delivery statuses and could easily track received items, ensuring more timely and accurate vendor coordination. “Before, procurement was barely being managed. Now, not only we have a structured process, but we’re actually able to take advantage of the time Field Materials has saved us.”

“Field Materials has simplified everything,” says Brandi. “Now, we can just log in and instantly see what POs are still open and which line items are outstanding, rather than sifting through paperwork.”

The Results

Time Savings: The shift from manual PO tracking and manual invoice entry to automated processes has significantly reduced administrative time.

Real-Time Cost Visibility: Project managers can now track material costs as they occur, rather than waiting for invoices, ensuring better budget management.

Improved Vendor Relationships: Centralized communication with vendors has minimized errors and reduced payment delays.

Scalability: With Field Materials in place, Robertson Group Inc. has an automated, efficient procurement system that supports both ongoing operations and long-term growth.

Thanks to the seamless integration of Field Materials, Robertson Group Inc. now enjoys an optimized procurement process that eliminates inefficiencies and allows for easier scaling as the company continues to expand.

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