 | | A/E Firms Moving Towards Homogenous Information Systems
NATICK, Massachusetts, April 30, 2003 - It's becoming increasingly common for architecture, engineering, planning, and environmental consulting firms to standardize their information systems, show data in a new report. ZweigWhite's 2003 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & E-BUSINESS SURVEY OF A/E/P & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING FIRMS show 45% of firm leaders describe their firm's systems as "extremely homogeneous"--compared with only 36% that said so in 1999. The survey defines extremely homogeneous as having uniform operating systems, uniform network protocols, and standardized applications. David Lacy, an associate with ZweigWhite and leader of the firm's AEC System Solutions group, says there has been a definite trend towards centralized systems over the past few years. "Five years ago, firms had a different system for each office. Each of the offices managed their own systems and little or no work was passed between offices. Since then, there's been a renewed interest in firm-wide systems and applications, allowing project team members to be spread across multiple locations, but still work together easily." One advantage of having centralized systems is giving employees the ability to complete time sheets, expense reports, and project budget reports online. Staff can also share project files online and use electronic, firm-wide marketing databases when information systems are standardized throughout the firm. In fact, the INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & E-BUSINESS SURVEY reports that firms are using online systems for all five of these types of applications more often now than just a couple of years ago. "Having the capability to maintain these types of applications online allows firms to manage employees' time and project budgets and expenses more efficiently," says Lacy. "Instead of taking the time to chase down employees for their time sheets or project reports, accounting staff can now pay more attention to other tasks, such as collecting receivables and improving firm cash flow and profit margins," he adds. The 2003 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & E-BUSINESS SURVEY OF A/E/P & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING FIRMS is available from the publisher for $275, plus $4 shipping and handling. Contact ZweigWhite, P.O. Box 8325, One Apple Hill Drive, Natick, MA 01760, tel: 508-651-1559, fax: 508-653-6522, e-mail mailto:info@zweigwhite.com, or visit our web site at www.zweigwhite.com/store/svinf/. About ZweigWhiteZweigWhite is the leading source of management consulting, information, and education for the design and construction industry. The firm is based in Natick, MA, and has additional offices in San Francisco, CA, and Washington, DC. Related Articles |
