________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
solutions such as cloud-based platforms and collaboration tools have been enabling architects , engineers , and contractors from across sectors to collaborate more effectively , even within distributed teams as more and more people adopt remote working .
However , while technology has the potential to transform the engineering industry , it is not a silver bullet . To truly harness the power of technology , companies need to take a strategic , holistic approach to their digital transformation . This means starting small , with accessible technology that adds the most value for the least money and building incrementally from there .
Start small , with accessibility in mind
Whilst bigger corporations can spend money and resources to experiment with technology and efficiency , smaller firms are not always so lucky .
Many smaller businesses have struggled to embrace true digitalisation in their day-to-day . This is often down to lack of resources , lower digital expertise , and the inability to anticipate the potential impact digital transformation could have on their business . As a result , it has been harder for them to keep up with the bigger players in the industry .
By introducing cloud-based collaboration tools , firms can begin digitising their paperwork and implement better processes for managing projects , in a far more costeffective way . This can free up more time to invest in greater technology training and reduce the time it takes to solve problems . This is especially important , as UK construction workers , for example , spend 91 hours per employee on average , on paperwork - including 15 hours just searching for mislaid documents .
The transition to the cloud and the implementation of incremental changes will significantly enhance collaboration , leading to smarter and more efficient teams .
This approach represents a shift towards an enlightened way of working , ultimately enabling better , faster decision-making and increased creativity and innovation .
Smartening up your approach to data
Being able to gather data from across your business is one of the more significant benefits of embracing technology . However , while many businesses have data , not all of them know how best to handle and utilise it .
With more data generated during projects , the demand for businesses to better manage their data is growing . Many companies today are still storing siloed files of large data in their on-premises servers . This not only makes the data more time-consuming to process but it also creates even greater risk for businesses by increasing the chances of data fragmentation in siloes , and data loss .
To manage data effectively , companies need to use secure technology that allows them to access their files from anywhere , with a centralised process of data management . This can help them to leverage these sorts of assets for data-driven decisions , that can ultimately improve productivity and boost project delivery .
Recent advancements in AI are also enabling businesses to unlock a new level of organisation when it comes to their data and content . For example , AI powered universal search , such as Dropbox Dash , is finally supercharging the ability to find , organise and work on content , by connecting all your tools , files , and apps , together in a single search bar . Businesses that utilise AI technology , to harness and organise their data in this way , will find themselves at a competitive advantage , with more precious time for work that really matters .
Integration for better productivity
The issue for many firms when it comes to technology is that very often , the tools they ’ ve
16