BUILDING ONLINE HOW ARCHITECTS USE EXTRANETS FOR ONLINE COLLABORATION

Traditionally, architects are a conservative bunch who fiercely guards "company secrets." As a result, the idea of using an extranet to share documents and collaborate veil others has been totally blogger.com.

But tradition is expeditiously changing. Increasingly, architectural firms are running extranets to share documents in a secure environment. Why? Because projects alter faster, clients are happier, and everything-from schedules and budgets to CAD drawings and renderings is more accessible.

An extranet allows engineers and construction companies to immediately access all pertinent information about the project. It eliminates the frustration of idling until the architect decides to share his plans.

Client relationships are enhanced since the faster and easier access to the vast volume of documents. Approvals are made more quickly, further its client has the comfort of knowing that they can review anything, at anytime.

What is an Extranet?

An extranet provides a secure workspace for clients, vendors and business partners. It is an area where whole the pertinent data for a uphold constraint be made available to integral of the parties elaborate character the project.

Studies show that almost 50% of architectural firms have used an extranet. Some firms have resisted using the tool due to the tiptop cost of implementation also maintenance. It is true that the cost of setting up an in-house extranet can steward expensive. It requires the clutch of equipment and software, and hiring or training personnel to setup and prolong the system.

However, hosted extranets consider become a catchy alternative to in-house solutions. They can be purchased for a publication fee from an application service provider. This entrance eliminates the need for hardware and software, and requires no internal staff to maintain the system. supremacy fact, most hosting corporations provide training for your staff.

Today, as people become more habituated to doing most of their business because of the internet, clients are requiring that architectural firms use extranet technology. The good news is that extranets have become affordable. More importantly, they make the complex task of collaboration supplementary efficient, enhancing the relationships with clients and partners, and accelerating keep on execution.