Leveraging Cloud Storage to Increase Productivity of Engineering Firms

As professionals in the design build industry, sharing large files with team members, subcontractors, and stakeholder tends to be time consuming, which decreases productivity. Cloud storage and file sharing apps that have robust security features streamline file sharing and minimizes the risk of miscommunication.

The very nature of engineering work makes maintaining optimal productivity a challenge for even the most diligent design build professionals. The collaborative nature of construction projects and consultation work requires frequent sharing of project documents, photos, and blueprints. In addition, written communication significantly reduces the likelihood of miscommunication. The size of these files often prohibits sharing via email. Additionally, most engineers do not spend a great deal of time in their offices so they need a file sharing solution to use on a mobile device.

Real Time File Sharing Facilitates Collaboration

A recent article in STRUCTURE magazine discusses the benefits of filing and storing project documents, such as blueprints and images in the cloud. One advantage of using cloud filing sharing apps is that they allow access to files regardless of where you are and many are compatible with mobile devices. Since multiple users can access files simultaneously in real time, team members can review images and plans from different locations, which facilitates troubleshooting and problem solving. When choosing a cloud storage app, verify the product employs robust security features, such as data encryption, identity verification, and two-factor authentication. To avoid problems arising from downtime, ensure the vendor has redundant data centers.