Successfully Manage Construction Information with OpCenter Build

Technology is at the forefront of the construction industry, with construction professionals leveraging innovative technology like drones, augmented reality, GPS sensors and 3D modeling in the field. Outside of the on-site innovations, information technology is used in various capacities throughout the industry, from project management and materials procurement to computerized drafting. Whether you're an owner, architect, construction manager or general contractor, your construction team needs all of these IT tools readily available and aligned to achieve a successful project. Unfortunately, many companies have yet to leverage cloud technology and software integrations to make the most of their IT resources.

You need collaborative construction software that effectively manages your real-time project-critical information and maximizes your business intelligence. Duncan-Parnell is here to meet your needs with OpCenter Build.

Construction Information Technology Like No Other

OpCenter is a project-oriented cloud-based file sharing SaaS solution built from the ground up to meet the unique needs of the construction industry. Designed by AEC companies by combining over 20 years of industry experience with intelligent IT solutions, OpCenter is the best product available to help meet project goals on time and within budget. OpCenter's construction information technology offers the following functions and benefits:

• FTP replacement: File transfer protocols (FTP) can pose problems in the construction industry, resulting in outdated or inaccessible files scattered throughout a project's communication line. OpCenter eliminates FTP complications by allowing users to upload 3D, BIM or document files, organize content and manage folder permission levels within an easily accessible shared system.
• Permission control: System administrators have full control over document permissions, meaning you can set advanced permission options, assign roles and monitor activity logs across your team or company.
• Project-focused: OpCenter is a project-centered software with real-time project activity tracking and management. Project activity tracking informs you when users download, upload or comment on files. You can also easily invite new members as your project expands, allowing them to view individual folders or entire projects as needed. Your custom dashboard will enable you to manage it all in one easy-to-use platform, maximizing workflow visibility and productivity.
• Easy accessibility: The OpCenter platform is cloud-based and mobile-friendly, so it can go where your project team goes. Using your mobile phone, tablet or laptop, users can easily access the latest documents, updates and conversations at any time from any location.
• Simplified close-out and archiving: OpCenter offers a simple close-out and archiving process. For close-out, export all project data. From there, the OpCenter team will archive the project either online or in an off-line digital folder. The archived version will contain all files, folder structures and tracking history so that you can access the data any time, and it will be exactly as you left it.
• Low learning curve: OpCenter provides a solution with a shallow learning curve, so your team can get started quickly. While other software solutions require you to learn many of the behind-the-scenes software functions, OpCenter is easy to configure with no training, and Duncan-Parnell will support you with configuration support so you can focus on the project-essential management functions. As for your team, they only need to focus on populating OpCenter with project-critical information.
• Cloud security: Your team can share files in the field and across the world safely with OpCenter. With enterprise-class hosting facilities, encrypted data transmission, constant monitoring and data backup protocols, your data is safe with us.
• Partner model: On top of OpCenter's software capabilities, Duncan-Parnell offers additional benefits as a partner to your business. Users of OpCenter have access to one of our construction information managers, or CIMs, who are skilled in document management and OpCenter protocols. Whenever you have a question or need assistance on a project, our CIMs are here to help.

OpCenter delivers all these functions and more, staying on top of the latest trends in construction management technology.

Ahead of the Construction Industry IT Trends

Typical construction IT hardware and applications stand apart from IT in other business sectors because of the focus on collaboration. Success in construction depends on close cooperation between the planning team of architects and engineers and the on-site building team. IT capabilities need to support the sharing of CAD design files, project plans and documents in real-time, while also maintaining security and industry compliance. Despite these needs, many construction companies lack IT resources that could maximize efficiency and communication.

So what does this mean for the construction industry? Essentially, construction companies have limited budgets for IT resources, which has historically limited their ability to take advantage of data integration and sharing capabilities, especially among smaller construction companies. However, with both cloud capabilities becoming more affordable and accessible, more companies are turning toward cloud-based software. This trend is also bolstered by the new generation of builders entering the workforce who are more knowledgeable of IT and eager to see technology and automation streamline communication and project management workflows.

Based on these statistics and trends, what the construction industry needs is a cost-effective, cloud-based solution that meets the need for workflow management, collaboration and security. OpCenter offers all these capabilities and more.

Better Workflow Management

Knowing the status and ownership of project items is essential for keeping projects on schedule. OpCenter Build serves as a shared workspace to organize all of your project information, effectively simplifying submittal and request for information processes. OpCenter accomplishes this through the following functions and capabilities:

• Customizable workflows: OpCenter Build has all the features you need in an easy-to-use, mobile-friendly website, but it also features hidden controls to customize your workflows to meet the unique needs of your team and project. You have full control over project-critical documents and folders, including permission options, role assignments and automated routing.
• Automated approval and review: Streamline the review and approval processes with automated routing processes. You can set up OpCenter to automatically send documents and changes to the right individuals for review and approval, minimizing risk and saving time. You can also set alerts, so all relevant parties are notified of the updates once approved.
• Change tracking and tracing: With OpCenter, there's no second-guessing statuses and ownership. The software keeps a complete record of all changes in a project, including the user, the change and all associated data. This record stays in your project file even after the project is completed so that you can review it from the archive at any time.
• CIM assistance: If you or your team have any questions on how to configure your workflow to meet the needs of your team, your Duncan-Parnell CIM is available to consult on how to modify your OpCenter build to keep your project on track.

On top of these functions, OpCenter is also easy to use with no paper components and a quick learning curve, so your team can get started as soon as possible. All of these functions and capabilities serve to speed up your project workflows, reducing the delivery time to a minimum.

Reliable Cloud Storing

While more construction companies are using cloud-based technology in some capacity, there are still some that don't have any cloud security policies in place — and some aren't even sure whether or not any cloud security policies protected their data. Many cloud platforms do offer some level of security, but with companies sharing more project and business-critical data through cloud platforms, they need to think about the safety of their data and what protocols are in place to secure it.

OpCenter takes the guess-work out of cloud security with a reliable cloud storage solution. Your project-critical data is protected at multiple levels by a variety of security features and protocols, including the following:

• Enterprise-class hosting: OpCenter is hosted at enterprise-class hosting facilities. This off-site, Tier 1 secure environment is the perfect location to secure your data.
• Data encryption: Share your files and data securely using OpCenter's advanced encryption. Data is transmitted using advanced encryption technology, ensuring your data can't be intercepted.
• Data backup: OpCenter automatically backs up all your project data daily using redundant disk arrays, protecting your critical documents in the event of a system failure or natural disaster.
• 24/7 monitoring: Your data is protected with OpCenter's enterprise-level security protocols and monitoring. With physical security, virus protection, firewalls and round-the-clock intrusion monitoring, you can rest easy knowing your data is safe.

In addition to these measures, you have complete control over who can access what data using the permission settings within OpCenter, so individuals only see what you want them to see. With these security measures, you can trust OpCenter to ensure your data is protected from theft, tampering or disasters.

Communicate Effectively

Construction project success relies on collaboration and effective communication, and when communication fails, the costs are massive. One area that is especially affected by poor communication is productivity. When tasks and details are not communicated effectively between entities, it can be difficult for workers to accomplish what they need to do to complete the project. Instead, construction project team members must spend working hours hunting down project data, resolving issues and even repeating tasks in some cases. This hampers productivity and can cost companies more in operational expenses.

When looking into the reasons for these communication failures, much of it comes down to the insufficient use of IT resources. While workers do use mobile devices on the job, many don't use apps besides email, text or phone to collaborate with project managers or access project data.

OpCenter can help improve this area of your team's functionality with a variety of collaborative functions, including the following:

• Real-time updates: Improve collaboration and project success with OpCenter. The platform provides real-time project activity from all project management team members, so all stakeholders have the latest information.
• Automated routing: Streamline communication with automatic routing of submittals and RFIs so that team members can decrease project turnaround times.
• Email notification: OpCenter can be configured to send email notifications to all stakeholders whenever changes occur or an action requires their attention.
• Simple search and access: If you need to find a specific piece of data from a current or former project, OpCenter makes it simple with easy-to-use search options. Browse and download archived documents easily and search through project data to find exactly what you need as quickly as possible.
• Mobile functionality: Your team is already using mobile technology, so use it to your advantage. OpCenter is designed to be mobile-friendly, so it can be accessed from any smart device or laptop from wherever your team is located.

By leveraging OpCenter capabilities, your company can avoid the common communication pitfalls encountered throughout the construction industry.

Successful Projects Start Here

It's clear to see — IT is a resource that the construction industry needs to leverage to streamline their workflows and bolster collaboration. Your company deserves collaborative construction software that can increase your business intelligence, manage project-critical information and automate as much of your workflow as possible. OpCenter is a superior technology to meet these needs, and Duncan-Parnell is here to provide OpCenter software and support.

Duncan-Parnell works as a partner with your company, supporting your OpCenter Build solution with knowledgeable advice and workflow configuration expertise. Essentially, we work with your construction team to configure OpCenter to capture information, so your team can focus on posting information and managing resources.

Since 1946, Duncan-Parnell has been a trusted supplier for the construction industry, offering the best hardware, construction software and services to achieve successful projects. With the most knowledgeable staff in the industry, we can help your company choose the best combination of construction IT solutions to maximize your productivity. We also offer certified trainers and classes, a variety of free documentation, four service centers across four states and a range of rental and loaner equipment to meet any need.

To learn more about OpCenter Build and get a free, no-obligation quote, contact Duncan-Parnell today.