Collaboration is an essential part of any architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) project. Most projects require significant teamwork among a group of diverse professionals and their support staff. With so many information-dense projects, constant — and accurate — communication is a key strategy to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Current trends in the AEC industry point to new technologies being leveraged to help teams collaborate more fully for faster, more successful project resolution. This article explores some of the ways simple, but powerful technologies such as print management, document management, and cloud computing are combining to offer AEC companies and their customers real value.
Tech Tools to Surmount Collaboration Challenges in AEC
Like every other industry, the AEC industry has experienced its fair share of challenges during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, some technologies have advanced fairly rapidly as a response to this restriction, bringing additional functionality and flexibility to the collaborative environment. Trends that are continuing to help AEC firms deal with collaboration challenges include:
Cloud Computing for Virtual Collaboration
The pandemic forced many AEC professionals to work from home, forcing them to use personal desktop or laptop computers on which to model computationally intense projects rather than on high-powered computers that were specifically designed for this type of modeling. In order to adapt, many firms turned to a cloud-based computing environment to allow teams to access critical information and keep workflows organized and running smoothly. Even complex 3D models can be streamed in full detail simply through an internet browser.
Print Management and Document Management for Automated Workflows
Automation is critical in AEC projects where repetitive tasks that take up a lot of personnel hours can be more easily and accurately completed using a software solution. Two solutions, print management and document management can dovetail neatly to help simplify business processes and encourage better communication and collaboration. For example, capturing scans of plans or project sites and organizing them for easy retrieval can be effortless with the right document management solution. And, since printing of plans can be expensive, installing print management software can ensure only authorized team members can have access to printing functions. Furthermore, printing can be tracked and assessed to ensure only project-specific work is being handled by company printers and that cost-saving features are automatically enabled to help save paper, ink, and personnel time.
Version and Revision Control
One important piece of the collaboration management puzzle is appropriate versioning and control of the revision process. The ability to control each process and the content it produces through the use of consistent strategies can reduce the probability of error and ensure miscommunication does not derail project timing or completion.
Using a print management solution can allow you to provide mobile printing capabilities and print trail auditing while a document management system can help manage versioning, provide areas for comments and revisions, and also provide full auditability of the entire project timeline.
Wide Format Printer Innovations
Most AEC companies rely on wide format printers to print plans, drawings, and renderings for use on site and among collaborators. Ensuring that the printed plan set can withstand harsh conditions such as rough handling and inclement weather is a key element of keeping project instructions clearly readable. Advances in wide format printer inks have resulted in UV-cured inks that dry nearly instantly to avoid smudges that can obscure plan details and they are UV-resistant to stand up to daily outdoor use at a project site. In addition, they can be used on a wide variety of media, including uncoated and rigid surfaces to add even more versatility.
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