Technology Saves AECs Time and Money
In a down economy architects, engineers, and constructors turn to technology to save costs
A recent article in The Epoch Times highlights a new construction software that aims to improve bottom lines in the architecture-engineering-construction (AEC) industry. AECs have been hit especially hard by the downturn in our economy. As stated in the article, “In 2008, the AEC industry accounted for more than $1 trillion in aggregate project costs, or 7.5 percent, of the US GDP, according to the US Census Bureau and the Associated Contractors of America. Revenues from construction this year are expected to fall to $750 billion, a 25 percent decline in 3 years.” Times are tough for AECs.
The downturn in business and the resulting lower revenues have caused AEC firms to tighten their belts—and in many cases lay off staff and increase the workloads of the staff they did keep. New technologies that automate the old manual processes, eliminate redundancy, and improve efficiency are almost required for staff to manage their increased workloads and accomplish tasks on time. The article goes on to describe how more and more AECs are looking to technology to help them improve processes and save money. While AECs have traditionally been slow to change, they are now quickly adopting these new technologies.
e-Plan is one such software. Similar to the software discussed in the article, e-Plan offers software for the AEC industry with built in workflow and sophisticated, yet easy to use, tools that help improve process and speed efficiency—ultimately saving time and money.
e-Plan currently offers two products: e-PlanReview® and e-PlanCheck™; both are focused on design and construction plan review. AECs perform design review, peer review, constructability review, and quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) with e-PlanReview. Municipalities perform plan review (or plan check) to ensure code compliance and approve issuance of the permit for construction with e-PlanCheck.
Unlike some of the other “review” software products on the market, e-Plan is much more than a just mark-up tool or comment spread sheet. e-Plan’s comments are stored in a database that links graphically to the plans, allowing for better organization, management, searching and reporting capabilities. This is a unique and innovative technology that e-Plan recently patented. e-Plan is also web-based, which allows multiple reviewers online access to comment and collaborate simultaneously on the same plans, in real time. As well, e-Plan supports sustainable initiatives by reducing, or eliminating, the need for paper hard copies (and their associated costs). These features and many more, ultimately save reviewers time and money.
e-PlanSoft
