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Work Anywhere with Bluebeam Revu

By Michael Schmidt | Data Management

Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) are fast-moving industries. An era of rapid digitalization is upon us, and it’s more important than ever in this globalized economy to leverage that technology toward smarter, easier collaboration. Here are some tips to get the most out of collaboration and communication so you can work anywhere with Bluebeam Revu and be more efficient and productive—allowing you to focus on what really matters: getting the job done.

A blueprint for better collaboration

Bluebeam - Communication

90% of construction professionals surveyed say it’s important to collaborate digitally.

Collaboration can be an intimidating word. But really, it all boils down to communication. The construction industry is changing at a rapid pace and, along with it, the technology we use to build our world. But don’t let the abundance of options out there bog you down. What you really need are tools that make communication easier. That’s especially true in a global economy, where architects, engineers, and builders often work together on one project across continents and time zones.

It’s sometimes impossible to have all the stakeholders sitting down in the same room, which is why it’s critical to take advantage of benefits like the Studio capabilities in Bluebeam® Revu®. Studio allows collaborators across the world to “sit down” in a meeting and talk with each other. All while looking at the very same document on their computer screens, in real-time.

A recent survey by Construction Manager Magazine of nearly 200 AEC professionals found that fewer than 20% of respondents were confident in their company’s ability to collaborate throughout the BIM process. Yet, 90% of the professionals said it’s highly important to collaborate digitally. Studio in Revu helps bridge the gap, allowing firms to enhance project collaboration. Give your people the tools they need to succeed.

Bluebeam - Access Anywhere Anytime

95% of respondents in the Construction Manager survey says it’s important to be able to work whenever, wherever.

It’s vital that team members can access the most accurate data, anywhere, anytime. From the office to the airport, the job site to the hotel room, 95% of construction professionals surveyed in Construction Manager said they need access that fits their schedule, so they and their teams can be efficient and effective. This can be especially important to the new generation of workers, which has grown up surrounded by mobile technology. With the US construction industry facing serious labor shortages, you’ll need to do everything you can to attract the right talent.

Revu makes drawings, documents, and data accessible anywhere, anytime, on tablet or laptop, in the field, or on the fly. Plus, you save money on printing and shipping costs and don’t have to worry about where to store unwieldy drawings or reading an elevation beneath layers of grime, coffee stains, and pencil edits. Being able to work on the go often shaves weeks and even months off of project schedules. One US firm saved 2-3 weeks of design reviews using Bluebeam Studio Sessions, which allowed simultaneous drafting and designing. Using Bluebeam profiles, markups, toolsets, dashboards, and Studio Sessions, the company also provided a much better end
product for owners.

Bluebeam - Single Source of Truth

Rework, on average, accounts for 9% of total construction costs. On a $5 million project, that’s $450,000.

Working from a single, reliable data source means that everybody on your project can access the most current, up-to-date information. Let’s face it: though it’s often a messy process, we’re all used to emailing important information back and forth—whether that’s
project updates or the latest version of a drawing. But it’s all too easy to lose track of things, and that leads to confusion, lost time and, in some cases, rework.

Having a single source of truth, such as a document set edited in Revu where all changes are tracked and logged, means that project partners can access the most up-to-date information without having to fish through long email threads. Building projects that cost millions of dollars are simply too valuable to risk having people on the wrong page, making changes to a floorplan, or estimating takeoffs from an out-of-date document.

Whether you’ve got a staff of two or 200, you know how miscommunication can throw a wrench into schedules and budgets. A Navigant Construction Forum research perspective entitled “The Impact of Rework on Construction & Some Practical Remedies” showed that rework, on average, accounts for 9% of total construction costs. On a $5 million project, that’s $450,000 that didn’t have to be spent. Having a single source of truth helps you find errors before they become costly.

Taking the next step

If you’ve made it this far, you’re on the right track. The future is clear: firms that collaborate effectively will prosper. Those that maintain data siloes will face increasingly smaller profit margins and uncertainty. According to the McKinsey Global Institute Digitization Index, only agriculture and hunting are less digitized than the construction sector, which means digital collaboration in AEC is lagging behind too.

While there’s a lot of room for improvement in the way the AEC industry collaborates, there’s also reason to be optimistic. After all, now you know these essentials for improving collaboration within your organization:

⸺ Access anywhere, anytime
⸺ Single source of truth
⸺ Communication

You also understand that better collaboration can lead to faster project delivery times, reduced rework, and great profits. Are you ready to take the next steps? Revu is the leading technology solution that sets the standard for project efficiency and
collaboration for AEC professionals worldwide.

Bluebeam Revu - Desktop

Revu offers:

  • An effective solution bridging the gap
    between the job site and the office.
  • Best-in-class markup and editing capabilities.
    Bluebeam Studio for document management
    and real-time collaboration anywhere.
  • Repeatable, customizable processes that make you more efficient.
Go to bluebeam.com/trial/microsolresources to download a free trial today.

 

INDUSTRIES: Architecture, Buildings, Civil Engineering, Civil Infrastructure, Construction, MEP Engineering, Structural Engineering

Published on July 24, 2020 in Data Management.

About the Author

Michael Schmidt is an Account Executive responsible for supporting our Bluebeam customers from construction firms to architects, engineering, and facility managers across the U.S. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, with a Bachelors Degree in Economics and a Minor in Finance. Michael is eager to gain knowledge in the fields of technology. He's working with Bluebeam customers and show solutions that make construction sites more efficient, connected, and safe, improving the lives of design and construction professionals everywhere.

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