Collaborating around the World
All the data associated with a construction project can be difficult to manage. However, with a good collaboration solution, construction teams can easily share information electronically with other project participants across the globe.
As a recent example, Skanska, www.skanska.com, Stockholm, Sweden, decided to implement Revu from Bluebeam Software, www.bluebeam.com, Pasadena, Calif., for PDF-based collaboration, offering the solution to its project teams throughout the world.
The decision to use this technology globally comes after using the system initially on projects in Sweden and the United States, including Skanska’s largest project to date—New Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. On this particular project, which is 3.4 million sq.ft., the team uses the technology to electronically share information among project participants.
Using Revu, project team members can create and annotate PDFs, enabling them to easily share detailed drawings, comments, and questions. Additionally, Skanska is organizing and managing the project information using Links, Revu’s hyperlink manager, to link PDF drawings to additional project data stored in Microsoft SharePoint.
Going forward, Skanska project teams throughout the world will be able to use Revu for digital project communication and collaboration.
The solution allows AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) teams to improve workflows and reduce paper use. With the product, contractors can do 2D and 3D PDF creation and use redlining tools including text, highlights, shapes, clouds, CAD symbols, and measurements. Advanced features include integration with Microsoft SharePoint and ProjectWise from Bentley Systems, www.bentley.com, Exton, Pa., as well as automatic drawing comparisons, hyperlink management, and tablet compatibility.
Bluebeam Software also recently announced Revu now includes an integrated cloud solution, Bluebeam Studio, for storing PDFs in the cloud.
Implementing technology on a global scale can be challenging to say the least. Trying the software on a large-scale project first could be a good preliminary step before entering into a global purchasing agreement.