Freeman Clarke unveils Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Knowledge Centre
Freeman Clarke has today released their Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Knowledge Centre, and is now giving access free-of-charge here through Highways Today.
This is a comprehensive library of content about effective use of systems, digital and tech for the sector. Widely reviewed by industry experts the feedback has been very positive.
AEC companies using IT effectively steal a march on their competitors, no question. And this gap is widening as new technologies are gaining traction.
Streamlining systems
Firstly, project work is very pressured and can verge on chaotic when projects are running at full tilt. Everyone, from contractors, architects and engineers, to suppliers and fabricators are wasting huge amounts of time and energy making sense of paperwork.
All anyone wants is to raise their invoices and receive their funds owing as efficiently as possible, but systems and processes need to make this work.
Project, cost planning and tracking is at the heart of this business and if you get it right you have significant advantages.
Getting onsite IT right
Secondly, onsite work can be physically and logistically challenging.
Many staff are temporary or self-employed and people are consistently under pressure to deliver on budget and on time. In addition to this many sites can be remote, which can pose an additional challenge when dealing with large files, large printers and poor connectivity.
Commercially, the industry is organised around capital spends whereas many IT providers want to move to opex models.
You need IT leaders who understand how to make all this work.
BIM
Thirdly, new BIM standards are creating opportunities for companies willing to adopt and adapt, but placing additional pressures on people and businesses who are not ready.
Just as CAD rapidly replaced paper and pen, BIM will sweep through the industry.
Talent and leadership
Fourthly, many AEC companies do not have a proper CIO or IT Director but instead have a fairly operational IT leader who doesn’t necessarily see the strategic opportunities.
Martin Reid – Group CFO at GRS Roadstone Group, commented: “Having an experienced IT Director on board, with previous experience in the sector, has given management the confidence to make significant investments in systems which have put GRS at the leading edge within the construction industry…” Read more here.
Next generation technology
Finally, new generations of tech such as the Internet of Things, drones, augmented reality, new surveying tech and fabrication technology will transform activities. This has only just begun to gain momentum in the sector.
Freeman Clarke
Freeman Clarke are the UK’s largest and most experienced team of part-time (they say ‘fractional’) CIOs, CTOs and IT Directors. They work with lots of AEC clients in diverse areas as a businesses strategic technology leader. They focus on getting the basics right, solving systems and process problems, and getting you ready to adopt the radical new tech that’s now available.
