Optimizing Your Architectural Firm’s Productivity through Innovative IT Solutions
Architectural firms learn the benefits of several innovative technologies designed to improve business productivity and bring life to old techniques and habits.
There are many technologies designed to help businesses optimize their productivity and improve their competitive advantage in the market. This is true not only for every type of industry but for those architectural firms operating in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. It is important as an architect firm to learn what these technologies are and how important they are for your business. This knowledge helps you not only understand the available technologies specific for your business needs but can aid immensely in the optimization of productivity and an increase in business opportunities.
Some of the solutions being employed among architecture firms in BC include:
- The use of video gaming and virtual reality (VR) technology to envision new designs
- Incorporating mixed reality (MR) technology to reimagine existing spaces
- Marrying augmented reality (AR) with mobile devices
- Machine learning through artificial intelligence (AI)
These solutions are driving productivity and profitability at many of your peer companies in Vancouver and Lower Mainland area. Understanding how these technologies are being employed should provide insight on which IT solution is best suited for your business.
Virtual Reality (VR)
Architecture is a discipline that is led by design. For many architects, this design occurs in 2D and even 3D representations which show some depth of scale. The traditional design methods, however, fail to bring to life the true scope and scale of a design and its potential to capture the imagination and win bids. Here is where virtual reality or VR technology is coming to the rescue. VR moves a design from paper and pencil and brings it to life. Its ability to immerse current and potential clients and give them a view that is like what is experienced by first-person gamers.
Mixed Reality (MR)
Where VR adds depth to architectural design and a view not seen before when using traditional tools and drawing methods, mixed reality goes a step further. MR is VR on steroids, a truly immersive experience tool, moves VR from a specifically designed headset to any fixed surface. This is accomplished using holograms, projecting an image onto a plane without the need for equipment. The result is a true imagining of your architectural design, which can be rendered, viewed, discussed, and used as a point of further or beginning a client engagement toward their desired construction project.
Augmented Reality (AR)
Augmented reality or AR performs much in the same way VR and MR does, bringing depth and clarity to an architectural vision. Its introduction to architecture for modeling and designing as well as building is changing how structures are being designed and built. It differs from VR, which creates new environments or MR that moves a conception on to a viewing surface, AR adds the conceptual to reality. It overlays your architectural plan in an existing environment using mobile devices. This benefits not only your firm and team of architects, but also engineers, project managers, construction workers, engineers, and all involved in breathing life into a design.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Machine learning through artificial intelligence helps cut down on many of the rote processes associated with architectural design. AI returns architects to the creative aspect of design by taking over those tasks which would take more time for a human to perform. Warehouses of building data taken from the cloud can be easily synthesized and used to build foundations, plan the construction of a building, and perform cost estimating. AI doesn’t replace the talents of an architect; it compliments those for the benefit of the client.
These are some of the technological solutions architectural firms like yours are discovering. Working with a Vancouver-based IT solution provider such as Compunet Infotech, whose work with architects and other types of businesses helps improve productivity, helps you see what is truly available to you in the marketplace.
