We live in an era when companies can not exclude technology from their lives anymore. Technology is part of our progress nowadays and we need to make sure we keep up with it.
Dead time brought by manual processes can be a real productivity killer, leading to lower efficiency and higher costs, especially in the AEC sector.
We all had to deal with it at a certain point, or maybe we’re facing it on a daily basis. One thing is for sure: dead time must be reduced or eliminated.
Innovative AEC digital solutions will reduce the time allocated for manual processes by up to 70% – sometimes even more.
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Leaders in the AEC industry are constantly looking for new ways to increase productivity, and efficiency and reduce costs.
For example, the 2019 BILT Europe edition hosted in Edinburgh was centred around adopting the right mindset and embracing technology in construction. The UK was among the first countries to benefit from the technology in construction due to the government’s BIM (Building Information Modelling) mandates.
AEC companies that adopt the BIM model federation (combined BIM modelling compiled from several BIM models from different disciplines into one) tend to improve productivity and stay on top of their niche.
Architectural projects are pushing the limits of imagination today and designing an impressive building project in a matter of days is becoming the norm.
Automation solutions support architects and engineers in their day-to-day job, by minimizing their dead time and increasing productivity.
Here is how:
Formwork Automation Reduces Time and Increases Competitive Advantage
A major time-killer in the AEC industry is the process of manually panelling aluminium formwork Revit models of large buildings.
A designer can spend weeks manually adding these aluminium panels in Revit, following the same static design rules.
With the help of a custom-made Revit plug-in, the time for this process can be reduced by up to 70%.
Even though the automation took a large amount of work off architects’ shoulders, they still have the freedom to manually adjust any custom panelling the building needs.
Hence, companies that apply future and strategic thinking by applying these technologies to their processes, gain a competitive advantage over other industry businesses.
Handy Revit Enhancements Increase Functionality in the AEC Sector
Another great example is how a London-based architecture company chose to use automation to develop an insightful briefing tool.
We developed a web app that serves as a virtual assistant when it comes to generating briefs easily and with an appealing layout.
The briefing tool compares, analyses, and generates briefs based on historical project data. Developing this tool significantly improved customer satisfaction due to process and speed improvement.
Sometimes, a small Revit improvement, such as customisation and a shareable toolbar manager can save a lot of time for a large architectural company.
With this functionality, architects can add and share an in-house built Revit functionality with their colleagues. Updating the Revit toolbar for the entire team is done by pressing a button, eliminating the need for a designated person to manually update each computer with the new functionalities.
Data Analytics and Visualisation Tools Drive Better Business Decisions
Another improvement a digital transformation solution can bring to AEC companies is the ability to connect Revit models with powerful visualization tools like PowerBi or Kibana and ElasticSearch.
Errors, bottlenecks, and productivity can be evaluated at a glimpse through beautiful and comprehensive reports.
By implementing AEC Digital Solutions, project managers can take better business decisions and even reimagine processes according to the data insights.
Custom-made Automation Increases Customer Satisfaction
Time Is Your Most Valuable Asset. Custom-made Revit enhancements and automation help companies gain a significant competitive advantage and save more time and money, which ultimately leads to happier customers and more efficient employees.
And in the end, that is what each company dreams about, right?
In summary, digital transformation brings massive benefits to the AEC industry and it is here to stay. Companies that want to become leaders in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry can use the help of digital solutions to adapt their businesses and create a more sustainable future.
Let’s discuss this further!
We helped big architecture practices build smart, sustainable, and efficient buildings, thanks to the web apps we developed together.
We’d love to help you too!