News & Media Coverage

Today’s construction projects are increasingly more complex and managing them is no easy task. Larger, more ambitious projects, rising material costs, an ongoing skilled labor shortage, and more regulatory and safety compliance scrutiny are among the many things that can keep contractors up at night. Portland, Oregon-based Viewpoint is changing that.

Today's construction projects are increasingly more complex and managing them is no easy task. Larger, more ambitious projects, rising material costs, an ongoing skilled labor shortage, and more regulatory and safety compliance scrutiny are amount the many things that can keep contractors up at night.

Viewpoint, the maker of software for the construction industry has three breakrooms and a game room within its two buildings. Within them are fridges, microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, ice machines, dishwashers and vending machines with assorted snacks, light meals and beverages. They also feature ample seating, a lounge swing, pool table, hockey and ping pong tables, assorted video games and televisions.

When it comes to effectively managing today’s complex construction projects, collaboration is the key to success. With large, multi-faceted projects involving the potential for dozens, even hundreds of subcontractors, keeping track of communications, processing data, tracking job progress and changes and managing compliance issues can be a hefty task for even the most skilled project managers and construction lead teams.

Construction management software provider Viewpoint debuted earlier this month ViewpointOne, a cloud-based platform that aims to eliminate the traditional silos that exist between project management, human resources and financial controls.

From drones and wearable devices to BIM modeling, robotics for design and prefabricated building, it’s clear that the construction industry is no longer content in the shadows as a slow adopter of new technology. Now, as advanced cloud computing infiltrates nearly every aspect of daily life (e.g., Amazon and Netflix), contractors are realizing the potential of web-based software to streamline and simplify processes across their entire operations—from the back office to the field and beyond.

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, design-build contractor Western Allied Mechanical, Inc. has been using Viewpoint software for over a decade. As a result, it has streamlined project management and processes—for example, cutting RFI response time from days to minutes.

With the size and scope of today’s modern construction projects and the need for real-time project data to keep pace with demands, the traditional ways of running construction firms and managing projects are no longer feasible. Traditional, of course, meaning departmental silos within the construction organization, each with disparate software programs and data; manual and paper-heavy processes that are cumbersome and vulnerable to errors or lost data; and email, FTP sites, phone calls and the burden of in-person meetings as the vehicles for sharing information and project collaboration.

Trimble says the purchase of the Portland, Oregon-based firm will complement its e-Builder business and extend its ability to “provide more complete and integrated project, jobsite and business workflows across the construction lifecycle.”

The stark message came as the software giant launched its Viewpoint Team project management package in the UK.