For organizations aiming to meet their government contract requirements with the utmost ease, selecting the right enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution is essential. Deltek Costpoint and Unanet are two widely recognized options in this field, and each offers features that can be customized to meet the distinct demands of government contractors.
To help contractors discover the best solution to meet their needs, we’re going to use our experience and insights to compare the two, enabling contractors to make an informed final decision on which to use.
Comparing Deltek Costpoint and Unanet
Deltek Costpoint and Unanet are two prominent ERP platforms designed specifically for the distinct needs of government contractors. A closer comparison of the two reveals which system offers the most complete support for maintaining compliance and achieving operational goals.
Compliance and Audit Readiness
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint stands out for its ability to meet the stringent requirements of FAR, DFARS, and CAS, making it a preferred choice for government contractors managing complex compliance obligations.
Its audit-readiness features include detailed reporting capabilities, secure access controls, and alignment with federal standards such as FedRAMP Moderate.
Unanet
Unanet offers compliance features designed to accommodate smaller organizations or those with less demanding regulatory needs. Its tools address foundational requirements such as timekeeping, billing accuracy, and basic reporting, making it an accessible option for businesses with straightforward operations.
However, as regulatory requirements grow in complexity, Unanet’s scalability can be a notable limitation, particularly for organizations working within more complex compliance frameworks.
Comparison
Deltek Costpoint provides broader capabilities and greater flexibility for contractors managing diverse audit requirements, especially in high-growth or large-scale environments.
For smaller businesses with limited needs, Unanet presents a viable alternative, but it may fall short in supporting the level of detail and assurance required by larger or more regulated contractors.
Technological Innovation and User Experience
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint integrates cutting-edge technology to help improve productivity across the entire project lifecycle. With government contractors as its focus, Costpoint delivers an easy-to-use interface that simplifies even the most complicated workflows.
Purpose-built tools like GovWin IQ further strengthen its capabilities, providing early access to new opportunities, detailed market intelligence, and seamless pipeline management within a single ecosystem.
Unanet
Unanet focuses on simplicity, with a straightforward interface that suits smaller teams or contractors with less intricate operations.
While this approach supports ease of use, the platform’s feature set lacks the depth needed for handling more advanced project requirements. Unanet’s ecosystem is less integrated, which can limit scalability and efficiency as organizations grow or face increasingly complex contracts.
Comparison
Deltek’s innovative features and integrated tools give it an edge for contractors managing multifaceted projects and larger teams looking to grow.
While Unanet serves as an accessible option for simpler needs, its limited scalability and fewer advanced features may hinder productivity for businesses seeking long-term growth or operational sophistication.
Scalability and Industry-Specific Expertise
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint excels in scalability, making it a practical choice for both high-growth small businesses and established enterprises. Its features are designed to adapt to the shifting needs of contractors, whether managing a handful of projects or overseeing large, multi-year contracts.
Unanet
Unanet is well-suited for smaller organizations or niche firms that do not require an expansive feature set. Its simpler structure and accessible interface make it an attractive option for teams with straightforward operations.
However, its capacity to scale and support the demands of larger firms or rapidly growing businesses is more limited compared to Deltek.
Comparison
For organizations anticipating growth or managing complex, multi-year contracts, Deltek offers the flexibility and depth needed to scale effectively. While Unanet may serve smaller contractors well, its limitations become more evident as project scope and operational demands increase.
Security and Data Protection
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint delivers a complete approach to security that’s been designed to meet the stringent demands of government contracting. FedRAMP Moderate readiness and alignment with NIST standards make it a reliable platform for managing sensitive data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Unanet
Unanet offers security features suitable for smaller organizations, covering essential protections for day-to-day operations.
However, it doesn’t meet the same level of certifications or compliance standards as Deltek, which can be a limitation for firms managing higher levels of regulatory oversight or classified information.
Comparison
For contractors prioritizing data security and compliance, Deltek’s certifications and advanced protections are often a deciding factor. Unanet’s simpler features may suit less demanding needs, but gaps in certifications could limit its appeal for those managing more sensitive operations.
Support, Community, and Ecosystem
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint offers extensive customer support and a well-established ecosystem of industry partnerships. The platform features a marketplace of tools that are built to help government contractors optimize their workflows while actively increasing their overall productivity.
Unanet
Unanet provides a more limited support network and fewer integration options compared to Deltek. While its simplicity appeals to smaller organizations, the narrower ecosystem can pose challenges for businesses seeking a broader range of tools or more specialized assistance as they grow.
Comparison
A strong ecosystem and reliable support play a critical role in managing compliance and operational demands. Deltek’s expansive resources offer greater flexibility and adaptability, making it better suited for contractors managing complex environments, while Unanet’s simpler structure may appeal to firms with less intensive needs.
Cost and Investment Value
Deltek Costpoint
Deltek Costpoint represents a larger upfront investment, but its advanced capabilities and scalability provide significant long-term benefits for organizations with complex operational needs.
Features including integrated compliance tools, AI-driven insights, and a strong ecosystem justify the expense, particularly for contractors managing large or multi-year projects.
Unanet
Unanet offers a lower cost of entry, which can be appealing to smaller organizations or those working within tight budgets. While its simplicity and affordability make it accessible, this comes with trade-offs.
Its features are more limited, and the platform may not scale effectively as operational demands increase or projects become more intricate.
Comparison
Balancing immediate affordability with long-term value is an important consideration to make when deciding between the two.
Deltek’s higher investment delivers features and scalability that support sustained growth, while Unanet’s cost-effective approach suits organizations with less complex needs but may fall short over time.
Choosing The Right ERP Solution
Choosing the right ERP system is an important decision for government contractors to make, with Deltek Costpoint and Unanet offering distinct advantages for different operational needs.
Deltek’s scalability, advanced compliance features, and integrated tools make it a top choice for organizations managing complex projects, while Unanet provides accessibility and simplicity for smaller firms. Ultimately, long-term success depends on configuring the platform to align with targeted goals and regulatory requirements.
If you’re ready to begin, the professional team of CPAs at Diener & Associates is ready to provide expert guidance customized to contractors making this important decision. Schedule a consultation online or by calling 1-(703)-386-7864 to look into accounting and consulting services designed to match contractors with the ERP system that best supports their operations and growth.