The Next Big Thing for the AEC industry

You Are Already Using The Cloud

When we look at a list of the most commonly used software tools in the AEC industry, all of them already use store data on the cloud. Bluebeam Studio allows collaboration between different consultants and agencies by storing pdf files on the cloud. BIM 360 allows different design firms to collaborate on one 3D model that is hosted on the cloud and keeps continuous backups of the model history. And at the most basic level, all communication tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom send and store data on the cloud to allow users to communicate in real time. These technologies have changed the way architects and engineers design buildings and have been instrumental in the advent of the Design Build project delivery method due to the collaboration they allow.

Cloud Storage Is Cheap

During the last decade, cloud computing has come down significantly in price which has allowed all of these services to thrive. In the past, companies needed full IT Teams and complicated internal networks to run their business, but now all of that complexity can be handled by the big tech companies so that you don't have to. After accounting for hardware and IT personnel costs, cloud hosted services are generally cheaper than building and hosting those same services in house.

Improved Data Management

Every new project at a design firm generates a large amount of data and currently all of that data lives in a folder on a file server. Its almost impossible to access in a timely manner given the number of projects average firms do each year. This causes years worth of knowledge to be trapped on file servers where its never revisited. Cloud technology provides a centralized and secure platform for data management, allowing teams to access and share this knowledge more easily. Architects and engineers in different offices can easily search for and access their files because it is all stored in one place. Additionally, the cloud eliminates the need for physical storage, freeing up valuable office space.

Improved Security

Since the start of the pandemic and remote work culture, we have seen a sharp rise in cyber attacks where hackers gain access to a companies servers and lock the users out until a ransom is paid. This risk is greatly reduced when using cloud infrastructure because there is no risk of outdated components or software. Cloud companies keep all their systems up to date and secure to prevent any vulnerabilities that could be exploited. Additionally, cloud technology provides a higher level of disaster recovery and business continuity than traditional on-premise systems because there are continuous backups.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the architecture and engineering industry is rapidly adopting cloud technologies to increase collaboration and data accessibility. Cloud technologies allow design workflows that were not possible a decade ago and this is driving up the quality and speed of construction projects. Internally, cloud computing is providing improved data accessibility and retention. People no longer have to spend hours searching through poorly organized job folders because the data is consolidated into one centralized location for easy retrieval.

Want to learn more about how Pirros utilizes the cloud to give AEC professionals easy access to all of their companies details? Schedule a demo.