Streamlining Construction Workflow Has Never Been Easier with eSUB’s Integration with Autodesk

What does your construction workflow look like? Does it look like a collection of pen and paper and spreadsheets? Perhaps you think you’ve evolved and have incorporated some technology into your construction workflow. But is it a set of disconnected point solutions without a backend home? With the increasing complexity surrounding construction projects, streamlining your construction workflow helps to make complex projects more manageable.

Streamlining Construction Workflow Begins with Design

Construction does not begin when the shovel hits the ground. On the contrary, construction workflow begins in the design phase. Architects and the design team develop working drawings, plans, and specifications for the structure. These provide the detail and visual guide for construction execution.

In order to develop the 2D and 3D drawings, or even BIM for the more advanced firms, the majority of designers in architecture, engineering and construction utilize Autodesk’s AutoCAD and Revit. The design team should collaborate with subcontractors from the skilled trades in order to produce thorough and constructible drawings. When subcontractors are not included in the design phase, this creates many challenges on the construction site. Subcontractors are the subject matter experts in their trade and can provide their perspectives and suggestions in order to meet the owner’s desired end goal. They are the implementers of design so collaborating directly with designers is critical to the construction workflow.

Construction Workflow Software for Subcontractors

Transitioning from design to construction, subcontractors must utilize an operational solution to manage the project. Because subcontractors perform the majority of labor on commercial construction projects, the manner in which subcontractors manage their labor, tasks, and profitability differ drastically from that of general contractors. For this reason, it’s important for subcontractors to utilize an operational solution, like eSUB Construction Software, tailored explicitly for their needs and workflow.

As an operational ERP solution, eSUB delivers the capabilities of multiple point solutions with an integrated backend:

• Time Card Management
• Daily Reports
• Photos
• Issues
• RFIs
• Submittals
• Change Orders
• Meeting Minutes
• Emails
• Cloud-based storage
• Scheduling
• Purchase Orders
• And more!

eSUB delivers a documented workflow for subcontractors. As a result, subcontractors are able to mitigate risk and improve project delivery. Most importantly, accurate documentation elevates the professionalism of subcontractors and empowers them to be more accountable to their general contractors, designers, and owners.

Don’t Forget about Accounting in the Construction Workflow

eSUB as the operational ERP solution integrates seamlessly with your company’s accounting ERP solution. The synchronization of data ensures consistent data between both departments so that everyone stays on the same page. Field activities in construction are critical for billing and accounting. eSUB connects the field and the office, so field information can be used to streamline billing. For example, time cards of field workers are used to process payroll. Additionally, verbal directives and T&M work are billable. eSUB captures that information in the field, and accounting integration ensures that data synchronizes with your accounting system. Data only needs to be entered once, and each team has access to the data they need to do their work.

eSUB +  Autodesk = A Construction Workflow that Works Better Together

With Autodesk as the leader in the design software and eSUB as the leader in the subcontractor operations software, construction workflow is streamlined:

Connecting design and construction: Through Autodesk’s BIM 360 platform, designers and subcontractors collaborate on design. BIM 360 Design allows multidiscipline teams, including subcontractors, to co-author designs and models.

Delivering design to the field: eSUB leverages BIM 360 Docs as its drawing solution to deliver designs to the field. With the eSUB-BIM 360 integration, eSUB users can access the latest 2D and 3D plans directly from eSUB. Users in the field can create and share markups to prevent rework.

Connecting field to office: Subcontractors use eSUB to capture daily jobsite activities, complete time cards, track production and materials installed. Foreman share field-initiated activities in real-time with the office to begin the documentation and billing process. With the integration between eSUB and BIM 360, users can attach any BIM 360 file including markups to any eSUB document.

Most importantly, eSUB and Autodesk combine to close the loop and bring design, operations, and accounting together to eliminate siloes and improve collaboration.