The world is awash in technology. From smartphones and their related applications increasingly consuming our attention, to more recent innovations like generative artificial intelligence on the verge of upending countless industries, technology is constantly at the forefront of our world.
The construction business is no different. Even though the industry has a longstanding reputation as a laggard when it comes to technology adoption, in recent years—especially since the COVID-19 pandemic—construction has made tremendous strides in its embrace of digital tools to get more done with less.
In fact, according to a construction technology report by global real estate services company JLL, the industry managed to jam roughly 36 months of technology adoption into a single year thanks to the pandemic, which spurred a rise in remote work and need for digital communication and collaboration.
Paper Pervades
Despite the accelerated progress, too many construction firms still rely heavily on paper to manage essential workflows. This is especially true of smaller contractors, who often don’t have the dedicated information technology (IT teams and budgets to spearhead new technology implementations, leading them to believe that using today’s cutting-edge digital tools is out of reach.
As of 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, these small to medium-sized construction firms (SMB), which can range in size from one employee to a few hundred, represent about half a million of all total construction businesses in the United States alone. SMB firms represent similar proportions of all construction firms in Europe and the Asia-Pacific Region.
This means a large portion of the industry may be on the outside looking in when it comes to digital technology adoption, at a time when governments around the world are pushing these tools to make construction more efficient and environmentally sustainable.
Thankfully, it has never been easier for SMB construction firms around the world to adopt digital tools. In this article, we outline six reasons why it’s never been a better time for smaller construction firms to embrace the benefits that come with using digital technology.
Reason 1: The Hidden Costs of Paper-Based Workflows
Using paper for many construction processes and workflows may be familiar, but it’s likely eating into SMB owners’ potential efficiency and profits—more than you realize:
Printing costs: The ink and hardware required to print large construction documents isn’t getting cheaper, and tabulating these costs on a per-project basis is labor-intensive.
Potential for errors: Miscommunication is more likely with paper, as varying versions of documents physically travel from location to location with multiple collaborators commenting in potentially illegible handwriting.
Lost jobs: In today’s digital world, more and more general contractors and design firms require project partners to collaborate with digital tools, meaning firms stuck using paper-based workflows might miss out on work.
Reason 2: Evolving Tech Models Make Adoption Widely Accessible for SMBs
While the costs—both hidden and tangible—with using paper continue to climb, adopting digital tools has never been more affordable, even for smaller firms without IT teams and big budgets.
Lower upfront costs: The competitive landscape in construction has created an environment where it’s easy for firms to test new software products for free or with minimal financial commitment.
Lower total costs: Once a new digital solution is implemented, the ongoing costs for use continue to decrease, as most construction technology companies have shifted from expensive perpetual licensing models to monthly Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) subscription offerings. This gives contractors the flexibility to adjust, or even cancel, their plans if needed.
In all, this greater affordability and accessibility means smaller construction firms can vet, train and integrate new digital tools easily without large financial or lengthy time commitment
Reason 3: Efficiencies Gained with Digital Bolster Profitability
Lower total costs, paired with ease of testing and implementation, make embracing digital software tools an easy decision for SMB construction firms. But what makes today’s construction technology even more attractive are the efficiencies gained after putting them to work.
Moreover, as the construction industry continues to deal with a crippling skilled worker shortage amid a tight labor market, all while building and infrastructure demand remains high, construction firms that embrace digital tools can get more done in less time and with fewer workers—resulting in reduced overhead costs and more profits.
The time savings gained by streamlining document transportation and stakeholder collaboration alone are well worth the cost of digital adoption—but the cumulative impact of taking manual workflows digital for smaller construction firms can be life-changing.
Reason 4: Organized, Streamlined Communication and Collaboration
By taking previously paper-based stakeholder document reviews digital, firms can save time (and money) on several fronts:
Eliminating transportation: When various stakeholders need to sign off document reviews, they no longer have to be in the same room. Nor do documents need to physically travel between separate offices.
Minimize errors, potential for re-work: By taking previously manual markups and translating them into a clean digital environment, construction firms can drastically cut down on the possibility that illegible comments lead to jobsite errors, causing costly re-work Moreover, today’s digital collaboration tools automatically generate a detailed record of every comment or markup, eliminating the potential for miscommunication.
Single source of truth: By digitally storing and collaborating on the same documents, small construction firms reduce the risk that multiple versions are being circulated. This ensures that official project documents are being viewed by the right stakeholders with the correct permissions.
Reason 5: Anytime, Anywhere Access
The transient nature of construction means workers may be constantly on the move—from the office to the jobsite and vice versa. This is especially the case with smaller construction firms, whose owners likely spend most of their days traveling from one jobsite to another.
With today’s digital tools, workers can access critical project documents from anywhere on practically any device, whether it’s a laptop in an office or tablet or smartphone while in the field. No need to transport reams of physical copies to store in the back of a truck
By embracing construction-specific technology tools to store project documents, small construction firms can enable a level of security previously unattainable with paper. Most of today’s digital tools come with multiple layers of security, protecting sensitive project documents at a time when the industry is among the top targets of cyber criminals.
What’s more, the storage and backup capabilities embedded with these tools mean SMB owners can rest easy knowing their critical documents and project data are safe and secure.
Finally, at a time when all businesses are looking to reduce their carbon footprints, going digital gives construction a powerful yet simple way to drastically improve its sustainability efforts.
Getting Started on Your Digital Journey
Adopting construction technology tools doesn’t have to be scary. Thanks to the industry’s evolution, today’s digital tools have never been more tailor-made for smaller construction firms.
Ready to learn more? Give Bluebeam a try for free!
This is especially the case with Bluebeam, whose construction industry digital solution has allowed millions of customers around the world to cut down on the costs associated with analog, paper-based workflows in favor of streamlined, secure, and simple digital markup and collaboration tools.
If you have questions or need help upgrading your Bluebeam licenses, feel free to reach out to us at bluebeam@microsolresources.com.
Bluebeam announced that starting June 1, 2024, they are implementing a price increase of approximately 10% of the Suggested Retail Price, which will impact new subscriptions, user additions, and renewals for Bluebeam Basics, Core, and Complete plans. The pricing increase does not affect converted or legacy maintenance pricing.
Along with the price increase, Bluebeam users can look forward to the following upcoming changes:
This is an update to Revu 21 that introduces capabilities like Auto Align in Revu’s Overlay and Compare functions. This innovative feature, driven by AI, promises users up to 80% faster results, building upon the momentum created by the Multiply Markup feature introduced in October 2023 and various other productivity-boosting enhancements already accessible to subscribers.
Bluebeam Cloud users will be able to collaborate in Studio Sessions in a web browser without installing Revu.
As an added bonus, Bluebeam is rolling out new self-service workflows tailored to streamline the configuration of Bluebeam access for users through Single Sign-On (SSO), synchronized with an organization’s active directory. The best part? This valuable addition is part of the subscription package at no extra cost, demonstrating Bluebeam’s commitment to delivering enhanced value to its users.
In essence, while the price adjustment reflects the need for sustained growth, the tangible benefits that accompany it in the form of advanced features and streamlined workflows position Bluebeam users for a more productive and efficient future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will be affected by this change?
This price increase will only affect customers with net new, or ‘pure’, subscriptions to our Basics, Core, and Complete plans.
Will converted Complete plans from Maintenance subscriptions be affected?
Prices do not change on June 1 for converted Complete plan subscriptions that were upgraded from Maintenance. 2024 Pricing for these went into effect Jan 1, 2024, and includes a 10% increase per the terms of the Subscription Upgrade offer.
Can we add co-termed users with this updated pricing on the same subscription?
Yes, co-terming is allowed. Customers can add more users of the same Plan type (at the new price) to an existing subscription (with users at the old price) with the same expiration/renewal date.
Is the price for Multiyear Subscriptions increasing by 10%?
Yes. This increase affects the price of multi-year subscriptions.
When will Bluebeam support SSO for me, I only have (under 1000) users or don’t use MS Azure?
We understand SSO support is a high-importance requirement for many customers. Our team is diligently executing a phased roadmap to help ensure a great experience.
Microsol Resources is your Bluebeam Platinum Partner that helps you get the most out of your software, best-in-class customer service, technical support, and all Bluebeam services, and have the highest level of Bluebeam product knowledge.
“We here at Microsol Resources are excited to partner with Bluebeam to deliver on our shared vision of improving the way we build together,” said Microsol Resources President Emilio Krausz. “We’re especially looking forward to working directly with Bluebeam to develop an entire series of trainings, webinars, and learning opportunities for our customers that specifically address the challenges they face every day. We are looking for the future and desire to grow as we continue to serve the design and construction industry with the latest technology solutions.”
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 field of technology.
Michael is a Certified Bluebeam Sales Professional. He’s working with Bluebeam customers and showing solutions that make construction sites more efficient, connected, and safe, improving the lives of design and construction professionals everywhere.
Mary Ortega is responsible for supporting with subscription renewals of our Bluebeam customers from construction firms to specialty contractors, property owners, and facility managers, architectural design, and engineering firms across the US. Prior to joining Microsol Resources, Mary worked for Silberstang Lasky Architects and Eric J. Smith Architects. She is based in our New York office.
Mary is a Certified Bluebeam Sales Professional.
In addition to John and Mary, David Spergel supports our Bluebeam team for our client technical needs. He is a Bluebeam Customer Success Representative, and a Bluebeam Certified Instructor.
As an Applications Specialist at Microsol Resources, he is responsible for providing training, service, and support for our design and construction clients for various software applications including Bluebeam Revu, McNeel’s Rhino, Chaos Group’s V-Ray, Enscape, and as a 3D printing specialist. David holds a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University. He is based in our New York office.
Bluebeam’saward-winning PDF solutions push the limits of digital collaboration to enable professionals, who work in the most document-intensive industries like architecture, engineering, and construction firms, manufacturers, government agencies, and municipalities to reduce paper usage by more than 85% and to increase productivity by over 60%.
Features the latest informative and technical content provided by our industry experts for designers, engineers, and construction firms and facility owners.
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 field of technology.
