Tackling Data Challenges in the AEC Industry with Egnyte

The need for speed and efficiency in today's business environment has never been more critical. To keep up with project deadlines, Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) firms need reliable solutions that accelerate project delivery and help teams work remotely, even in locations without connectivity or access points — all while maintaining document control and protecting sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands. We’ve partnered with Egnyte to offer our AEC clients solutions to some of their most common data challenges.

Challenge #1: Multi-Cloud Sprawl

As AEC firms adopt cloud solutions like Dropbox, Box, and SharePoint for sharing project files, the burden on project managers to manage and work with multiple clouds for any given project greatly increases. To further complicate matters, a project manager may utilize one solution while project stakeholders like Architects and Engineers utilize different clouds; and consultants use yet another -- inevitably leading to issues with getting a clear picture of project progress. Without careful planning and management of these cloud systems, projects suffer from duplicated efforts, increased costs, and security vulnerabilities.

Solution: Consolidated Data and Documents Across Industry Software Applications

A critical part of any project's success is integrating data from multiple software tools into one unified platform. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page regarding the project's progress, what was accomplished, and what still needs to be completed. Benefits for consolidation include:

• Accurate data collection and reporting
• Quick and easy access to the most up-to-date information for every team member
• Minimize mistakes and rework

Challenge #2: Document Sprawl

As project team members work in different cloud tools, they work with different file types. Across multiple applications and between document versions, revisions, and updates, it can be difficult to keep track of all the critical information related to a project. This not only leads to confusion and delays, but it can also compromise the integrity of the project if important documents go missing or are not properly updated. 

Solution: Streamline Business Practices with a Centralized File Repository

A single platform for accessing and collaborating on documents of various file types is the best way to ensure companywide and project stakeholder visibility. Having a master cloud-based project folder that all stakeholders can securely access eliminates the need for multiple copies of the same project documents, which easily become out of sync. The benefits of a centralized repository include: 

• One place to keep files organized and accessible from multiple devices at any time
• Consistent management of file versions
• Confidence in knowing file collaboration will not result in an overwrite of recent changes

Challenge #3: Poor Job Site Connectivity

Accessing and updating project files remotely can be a huge challenge for job sites with poor internet connectivity. In addition to hindering communication between team members, it also prevents users quick access to important documents such as project drawings and budgets required for team members to do their job. Without timely access, decisions on the job site can be delayed delayed or even incorrect, leading to potential problems down the line.

Solution: Remote Team File Access and Upload of Large Data sets

Quick and easy access to project files from remote project locations often requires hybrid solutions - a combination of on-premise and cloud-based project file storage. With a hybrid solution, team members can store, access, and work on project files locally in areas of low connectivity, and sync in-process files back to the master project folder in the cloud once they regain connectivity. The unique combination of these capabilities provides teams with the best of both worlds, ensuring quick and easy access to project files from remote project locations. The benefits of hybrid architecture include:

•  Faster data retrieval from a centralized location
• Accessibility for stakeholders not located on the jobsite
• Minimizes cost and time to migrate data between sources

When exploring solutions, it is essential to identify your specific business challenges and then define the platform requirements that will support key use cases, whether they are unifying teams and project documents, providing remote teams' easy file access and upload capabilities, maintaining document controls, or ensuring document security. Connect with us to learn how Egnyte can provide your AEC firm with a unified platform to support growth and accelerate project delivery.