HDR, the architecture, engineering and consulting firm based in Omaha, needed an easy-to-use collaboration environment. The firm was growing quickly through acquisitions and expansion, and the growth demanded consolidation and integration of its information systems, websites, and project delivery tools.
In the end, Angelo Privetera, HDR's chief information officer, determined that the merged companies would benefit from integrated project delivery (IPD) technologies. Privetera began looking for an "integrated collaboration solution that would support our goal of building one great sustainable company."
The environment had to be secure, efficient, and as it grew, bring out the potential of its people, intellectual property, and client relationships. In order to make this a reality, the firm worked with Microsoft to construct an intranet portal with IPD software. The IPD technology was licensed for the firm's entire enterprise, because it would support the firm's workflow and work-sharing processes, while providing key document control features. The main focus of the system was "real-time collaboration," according to HDR.
Other considerations for the IPD system included firm-wide communication as well as security to protect the firm's intellectual property and ensure uninterrupted work operations.
Founded in 1917, HDR employs engineering and architectural specialists for A/E design consultation, and the 6,000-person firm offers a growing selection of services in field such as environmental sciences, design-build, and security systems. HDR has also become active in the global market, having completed projects in 40 countries and throughout the United States. Today, the firm has about 140 offices globally, which has created a new set of collaboration challenges.
Much of that growth has come in the last decade or so, says Privetera, during which the firm has relied increasingly on "work sharing" in order to support collaboration among its geographically spread teams. This has demanded the sharing of files, easier communication, and access to firm systems and resources-from any place in the world.
In choosing to implement a coherent, firm-wide IPD solution, HDR's goal was to "make it easier to find information and access useful materials with fewer clicks, while enhancing security and performance," says Privetera. "We wanted to streamline the flow of information between people, systems, and processes, and transform the way that people use information to drive informed, creative decision making." Specific firm needs identified by Privetera included:
- Eliminating unnecessary large file transfers and paper documentation.
- Supporting workflow and document versioning.
- Enhancing the use and reuse of key project information.
- Providing authorized users with easy, secure access to project documents regardless of where they are stored.
- Maintaining real-time communication and collaboration.
- Organizing information into logical "communities."
According to HDR principals, after the IPD setup was sourced the entire network installation was completed in about four months. The enterprise suite "specifically addresses our needs for business intelligence, collaboration, content management, and security," said Privetera. "The suite reduces immediate costs and the total cost of ownership." Yet HDR will actually build on the IPD system, adding new collaboration tools during system upgrades. The additional functionality will include:
- Unified messaging and compliance.Â
- Web-based forums.
- Information rights management.
- Spreadsheet publishing.
- Client, server, and "edge" security.
- Business data search.
- Web conferencing.
The primary advantage of employing a specific, unified IPD solution throughout the HDR enterprise is that it extends the reach of firm experts. According to Privetera, this "provides the staff with capabilities that will transform our business by eliminating the barriers between organizations, systems, processes, and forms of communication. We can communicate and collaborate instantly with colleagues, customers, and business partners around the world." |
