One of my team members is very involved with software vendors in AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction), CAD (Computer Aided Design), BIM (Building Information Management) and PLM (project lifecycle management). He sees collaboration and document management using software-as-a-service (SaaS) and mobile as playing an increasingly important role in these markets. Based on some of our recent projects and a growing number of inquires, I have to agree.
Collaboration, accountabilty & transparency
As with other industries, AEC/CAD/BIM ISVs find their users want to be more collaborative, using SaaS and mobile to connect all project team members and provide greater accountability and transparency in real time to all project participants (including operations, insurance and finance). A well-designed and user-validated collaborative SaaS solution can support digital prototyping, BIM-based project work as well as conventional 2D DWG-based collaboration. Project teams can centralize and securely exchange project-related information, assets and documentation whether in the office or in the field.
User experience defines the success of SaaS
We have worked on many collaboration, visualization and document management solutions delivered as high-performance SaaS for the web, tablets and smartphones. The key is to identify high value user scenarios for each delivery platform and user persona, model the software around well-accepted real-world conceptual models, simplify workflows, and then create fully testable prototypes that can be user-validated and quickly updated. As with any SaaS, it is important to identify and manage the full customer life cycle in software . This will enable automation and self-service for a scalable solution with quick provisioning, customization and deployment to geographically dispersed project supply chains. Teams won't need to worry about installing software, providing training and support, or imposing costs on subcontractors.
Modularity in UI design
Customers come to a SaaS with varying degrees of sophistication and immediate need. If there are pieces of functionality that customers don't want or don't understand, then you don't want them to have to deal with it. Modular, reusable design lets you build a standard SaaS collaboration and workflow solution and then expose additional services add-ons based on identified customer value, authorized role, or need. Modularity also makes it easier and less costly to release regular updates on a 3-6 month cycle.
SaaS UI as the competitive differentiator
Collaboration SaaS and mobile solutions will define the competitive landscape for both the solicitation and operation of AEC/CAD/BIM projects and contracts. The true differentiator and what users are demanding is the ability to get out of software what they need, anywhere, anytime, on any device. ISVs offering innovative, productive and great user experiences on both browser-based and mobile SaaS collaborative solutions will quickly establish the lead in the market.