Paperless Management

September 18, 2009

Construction Company Goes Green – Launches Paperless Project Management System
Article Source: Product News Hotel Interactive

Paperless project management system, saving hotel developers money and time. Most companies say there is a cost to pursuing green business practices. But ask Englewood Construction, a commercial general contractor based in Schiller Park, Ill., about going green and the firm will say its enjoyed substantial cost savings with its new paperless project management software system.

In fact, since its launch in the spring of 2008, Englewood Construction’s paperless project management system has saved the firm more than $150,000 in printing costs alone — savings the firm has been able to pass along to clients.

According to William Di Santo, president of Englewood Construction, the firm’s increased efforts to be more green could not have come at a better time. As the commercial construction industry began to slow down in 2008, Englewood and its clients felt the need to save more time and money on projects. Englewood’s move to a paperless project management system offered everyone a solution.
 

“We’ve always been supportive of green business practices, especially if they allow us to do our job better or more efficiently,” said Di Santo. “Most people don’t realize how much paper construction companies go through internally and externally with multiple rounds of blueprints, bid requests, change orders, operating manuals, certificates of insurance, etc. – it adds up.”

With Englewood’s new paperless project management system, clients, subcontractors and architects working on the same project have access to all necessary documents in one shared electronic folder hosted on Englewood’s web site. Instead of waiting for documents to be faxed or mailed, which could result in lost time on the job, all parties have instantaneous access to job files and updated construction schedules.

And because project documents no longer need to be mailed or shipped overnight, the paperless project management software system also results in reduced mailing costs for all project members.

However, Di Santo noted there are some documents, such as lien waivers, and those that require a notary, that still call for originals. These need to be sent through the mail, but all other correspondence can be filed online.

He added that the firm’s paperless project management system is also a benefit to its clients as Englewood’s projects are located across the country. “Our clients travel extensively and spend much of their time in airports and hotels,” said Di Santo. “In the past, they would have to carry drawings and a brief case full of files and paperwork. Now, our clients can access their projects 24/7 as long as they have access to the internet.”

Once a project is completed, the job is stored indefinitely on Englewood Construction’s web site so information can be accessed months or years later. This results in storage cost savings for all parties, as job files no longer need to occupy physical space in an office or warehouse. 

 “Adapting to this new paperless management system was definitely a learning curve for some clients. I could relate – I’m an old-school kind of guy. I’m used to looking up documents in file drawers and carrying around a set of blueprints,” said Di Santo. “But I also embrace change when it’s good for business. And this was good business for everyone.”

Di Santo added that it has taken about 1½ years to move all of Englewood Construction’s clients and subcontractors to its new project management software.

“In the beginning, we didn’t realize how much we could save by going paperless,” Di Santo noted. “It solved numerous problems for us and our clients. Going paperless sustained our green initiative, saved us money, allowed us to manage and control a large amount of project documents, and solved our storage problems.”    

In addition to implementing a paperless project management system, Englewood Construction also pursues green business practices by purchasing construction materials local to a job site to save on trucking costs and gas emissions; installing recycling containers at the office and on job sites; and using e-faxes, online banking, programmable thermostats and energy-efficient lighting in its office and warehouse. Englewood Construction is also a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

About Englewood Construction
Englewood Construction, Inc. is a commercial general contractor specializing in the construction of retail, restaurant, shopping center, hotel and office / industrial projects throughout the United States. The firm’s scope of work includes all aspects of commercial construction, including pre-construction services, general contracting and construction management. Established in 2001, Englewood Construction’s executive team has more than 30 years of commercial construction experience, including executive positions with R.A.S. Builders and Capitol Construction. Since its founding, Englewood Construction has managed over 500 projects worth more than $250 million. In 2008, the firm oversaw projects in 22 different states. Englewood Construction’s national qualified subcontractor base exceeds 20,000 subcontractors and suppliers. For more information, visit Englewood Construction