Interview with Janos Patai, co-founder and technical lead of NEXEN IT, published in Epito Elet magazine
We are proud to share that Janos Patai, co-founder and technical lead of NEXEN IT, was interviewed by the Epito Elet trade magazine. The conversation covered digitalization in the construction industry, the challenges and opportunities of implementing custom ERP systems, and how technology can help make day-to-day operations more efficient.
During the interview, Janos spoke openly about the real problems construction companies face, when it makes sense to start a system implementation, and the role artificial intelligence (AI) can already play in areas like quote preparation and reducing administrative overhead.
Why has digitalization become a key issue in the construction industry?
If you look at the construction industry today, most companies still work with siloed systems: spreadsheets, paper-based documents, orders sent by email, and often parallel data entry across different programs. In day-to-day operations, this consumes an enormous amount of time and energy while increasing the risk of errors.
"The information exists in many places - it just doesn't come together as a whole," as Janos put it. For good decision-making, it is not enough that the data exists - you need to see it in context. This is where NEXEN IT's core belief comes into play: an ERP system tailored to your processes.
Most construction companies have already recognized that digitalization is inevitable - but few have found a practical answer to the question of how. Our experience is that off-the-shelf systems often fail to meet the industry's specific needs. Too often the company has to adapt to the software, not the other way around. Our goal is the exact opposite.
The system should adapt to the business - not the other way around
Janos Patai has been working in software development for over ten years and personally leads the NEXEN IT development and consulting team. In the Epito Elet interview, he emphasized:
"The biggest mistake many companies make is trying to fit their operations to pre-built software. The key to efficiency is the opposite: the system should support existing, proven processes - rather than forcing the organization into an unfamiliar logic."
This philosophy is reflected in how NEXEN IT approaches development projects: we think in modular, step-by-step implementations. You do not have to introduce everything at once. You can start small - one module, one process - and expand as the company matures. This way, change is manageable, the transition is less burdensome, and teams adopt the new system more readily.
AI as a new player in construction industry digitalization
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been coming up more and more frequently in the construction industry. In the interview, Janos explained how AI is not science fiction but a source of concrete, practical help:
"There are monotonous, repetitive tasks that a machine can now do faster and without error - for example, preparing quotes, filling in templates, or automatically compiling data. This way, salespeople can finally focus on what really matters: the customer."
At NEXEN IT, we have already developed several such AI features for our clients. However, the technology only works well when implementation is backed by genuine needs assessment and human collaboration. As Janos put it: "The biggest risk is not in the technology, but in the people. If we don't involve the users early enough, if they don't understand why the change benefits them, then no matter how good a system we build - they won't embrace it."
Funding opportunities to support digitalization
During the conversation, it was also mentioned that NEXEN IT is registered in the "Vallalkozz digitalisan" (Go Digital) program, which means our clients can apply for various IT development grants (e.g. GINOP Plus). This is a significant relief for many companies - digitalization investments are not cheap, but when a portion is covered by government support, adopting new technologies becomes far more accessible.
What does a construction company gain from digitalization?
Perhaps the most important message of the interview is that digitalization is not a luxury but a competitive advantage. Information no longer scatters - it is available in one place, structured and accessible. Thanks to a modular approach, implementation risk is lower and the investment more predictable. AI-based automation takes monotonous tasks off employees' shoulders, so they can spend more time with clients and on developing their projects.
And perhaps most importantly: the system is not cold technology but a tool that helps people. At NEXEN IT, this philosophy drives every project: "Software is only as good as the degree to which it makes people's work easier."
The full interview is available on the Epito Elet website.
Closing thoughts
We are grateful to Epito Elet magazine for the opportunity to share our experience and perspective on digitalization in the construction industry. The conversation reinforced our belief that industry players are open to innovation - they just need the right partner who speaks their language.
Digitalization in the construction industry is not merely a technological shift - it is also a change in mindset. Companies that recognize this in time will not only become faster and more efficient but also create a better workplace for their teams.