Simpel’s resolution to solve the tedious experience of document management has continued with the launch of a new module that eliminates barriers to drawing collaboration…
The foundation of collaboration starts with centralised data, frictionless access and digitally connected workflows. One of the best measures of a software’s value is the extent to which it can be utilised by everyone in the team for the entire duration of a project—from developers, to external consultants, subcontractors in the field, and the management team.
Peter Ciceran, CTO of Simpel, a leading Australian construction software company, said the industry was rapidly moving towards unified systems for end-to-end project collaboration.
“Organisations still using multiple systems and third-party integrations to manage operations are frustrated with all the baggage that comes with using disparate systems such as numerous logins, higher costs, siloed data and disconnected workflows.
“Processes are not streamlined and collaboration ultimately suffers.”
Simpel’s new Drawing Collaboration module is the latest functionality to land in your digital toolbox. A flexible, all-in-one workspace for drawing navigation, review, markup and collaboration, it is designed for use onsite and in the office and facilitates seamless collaboration between teams across the development and construction phases of a project.
Designed to ensure even the least trained user can identify changes in drawings
As the industry knows all too well, EOT-variations and rework can often be attributed to people building off wrong or outdated drawings.
Drawings are detailed, revised often and there’s lots of them, which means it can be challenging for everyone to get across the latest changes.
Whilst speciality software exists, it’s often on a pay-per-user basis and becomes too costly to roll out across the whole team.
In reality, most people in the team don’t need or would even use all the functionality that specialty drawing software offers, but everyone does need easy access to a core set of tools that facilitates collaboration on drawings, allows them to review changes, plus add and share markups.
Simpel’s drawing comparison tool helps even the most untrained user to identify what has changed between two drawings by highlighting differences in plans, providing instant clarification and allowing them to resume work or consult others if needed.
By making it fast and easy for teams to check drawings, the tool reduces the risk of subcontractors building off old plans, minimising rework and EOT-variations.
Simpel’s unlimited user model also eliminates barriers to drawing collaboration by making it free and easy to add new internal or external users and assign ‘view-only’ or ‘edit’ permissions.
Inviting the project team to markup and collaborate on one system streamlines communication, increases accountability, and speeds up resolution of issues by providing real-time access to view, comment and mark up drawings.
For permissioned users, the module provides visibility of all published drawings saved in the document management system.
This provides greater transparency and ability to track drawing changes and approvals throughout the project lifecycle.
The module also integrates with the EOT-variations register to enable creation of an EOT-variations workflow—connecting drawings with communications, sign-offs and approvals.
Some consultants were still printing off drawings, marking them up by hand, scanning and emailing them back to the developer or contractor, who then transferred the markups into their system, Ciceran said.
“Inefficiencies aside, it surprises me that some companies are still willing to go offline for project-critical documentation—how do they maintain auditable records of these communications?
“The same process is accomplished much faster in Simpel and the entire workflow, all versions, and collaborations remain digital and auditable, ensuring no miscommunication between stakeholders and driving accountability between the entire project team.”
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