Episode 13: James Simpson of eVOLVE MEP

eSUB Podcast Episode #13 Recap

Episode #13 features James who is the Product Manager for eVOLVE MEP, a design tool that works in construction with BIM software for MEP designs. The eVOLVE MEP software helps Trade Contractors work with native REVIT workflows for production and deliverables it makes life simpler to work in models.
James has been working in the construction trades since he was 16 years old. He has done everything from design work, prefab work and in house integration work with software. He moved up from the field into the office to work on designs using software.

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The Meaning of #PowerToTheTrades
We discussed his thoughts about the many meanings of the word power in regards to the construction industry and specifically to Trade Contractors.
James  “Power to the Trades can really have so many meanings. Just in really in that word power, right? I mean, you know, what does it really symbolizing? It’s really just depending on how you’re looking at it as a power numbers, you know, it’s one of the largest professions and, you know, one that is just relied on so heavily kind of for just like the general, you know, workflow of most things.
Or is it, you know, power as in like strength, right? As in like output and just the ability to, you know, produce over and over again. And, you know, that’s where con tech and a lot of times is helping driving some more of that efficiency, right? And increasing that productivity.”

How has technology has powered the operations of Contractors you have worked with? 

We discussed the impact COVID-19 on the construction industry, how as much as things have changed in regards to working hours and locations, but also the acceleration that occurred in the adoption of certain technology such as web meetings and remote monitoring of jobsites. One area that James believes has had the most significant impact was communication.
James: “So kind of overarching, you know, one and it’s the simplest one but it’s honestly the truest and it’s just communication. Typically, there was this huge divide between the field, BIM department, the shop and then project management, right?
It was just a huge divide and communication to the point where, you know, your superintendent, you know, may get a notification about a pour date, change in, but it just never somehow makes its way back, you know, to the rest of the team, for better or worse, just a lot those kinds of broken channels. COVID and just in general kinds of technology is really pushed to close those gaps and just make that kind of more efficient.”

Wrap up

 This was another excellent discussion about the use case of technology in the construction industry, and how we can improve moving forward this year!
To all the trade contractors out there reading or listening, keep up your incredible work, and thank you for building and servicing the world we live in!
Let’s continue to bring #PowerToTheTrades!