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As Architects, Engineers, and Construction (AEC) professionals, you’re having to find new ways to collaborate, create, and be effective in these changing times.

AEC businesses require greater efficiency in these challenging times

How to increase efficiency through digitization

The need for greater design, innovation, and development speed

Many leading-edge AEC designers and engineers harness digitization to enhance design, development speed, and innovation– using Digital Twin technology or 3D to 7D virtual modeling, for example. From architecture to construction sequencing, these advances are fueling agile creativity and innovation by enabling immersive, cloud-connected collaboration and design.

The rise of Digital Twins
25 billion Internet of Things endpoints will be in use in 2021, linked to Digital Twins in billions of scenarios.ⁱⁱⁱ

Digital Twin versatility
Digital Twins can augment operations and maintenance, help measure performance,iv and improve BIM workflows.^v

Advanced modeling
By using 3D, 4D, 5D, 6D and 7D, virtual modeling enables greater speed and innovation in design and development.^vi

How can digitization give greater development speed and innovation?

The AEC industry is on the cusp of dramatic change. Technologies like artificial intelligence and Machine Learning give AEC professionals like yourself, the chance to find innovative ways to design and build radical new buildings while keeping waste and resources down.

To help achieve greater speed and innovation, you could look at ways to develop and pioneer Digital Twin projects at your firm.
The first step is to imagine and shortlist a set of scenarios that could benefit from having a Digital Twin, then identify the process, and pilot a program.

Alternatively, you could adopt 3D to 7D modeling whereby construction sequencing is mapped against time, costs, sustainability, and management—these are advanced BIM
features that will give your business a competitive edge.

HP large format printing supports in these areas, by helping you to bring your ideas to life. Seeing distances and dimensions in detail helps you to plan more effectively, whether you use a Digital Twin, advanced BIM, or another type of virtual modeling to show plans, drawings, and sequences in unparalleled clarity.
What’s more, crisp and clear plans increase the efficiency of jobs by reducing errors.

AEC professionals are looking for intelligent tools that will save them time

Another way digitization is transforming life is through machine intelligence and data analytics. More intelligent tools that are easy to use and seamlessly integrate with your working life will bring efficiencies and time savings, and offer new design options.

AI and architecture
Artificial intelligence is transforming architecture through parametric designs, data processing efficiencies, and the ability to rapidly create whole buildings.^vii

Analytics and data-driven BIM
One AEC firm achieved an 18% reduction in construction project costs through data-driven BIM with a 12-week reduction in projected completion time.^viii

How to use digitization to make processes more intelligent

Consider how you could add intelligence to your digital processes by incorporating AI-based design. You could also use data-driven insights to create more detailed and sophisticated designs, iterations, and buildings. Also, think about enhancing your designs, workflows, and activities with dashboards, analytics, and data-driven BIM.

HP large format printing technology supports intelligent AEC processes through more efficient printing. Additionally, HP Smart Tracker software, integrated into the printing workflow, provides smart and sophisticated data tracking and reporting for distributed teams.

AEC practices need to better secure and protect their professionals

As more and more AEC professionals work from home, the cybersecurity threat to businesses has risen.
However, digitization can help secure you, your data, and your clients.

Threat to architecture 1 in 6 architecture firms has been a victim of a hacking, phishing, or ransomware cyber-attack.^ix

Construction under attack 1 in 39 construction industry email users getstargeted by spear-phishing.^x

Security technology
Technology is offering ways to improve security and safety through data encryption and user authentication, safety drones, exoskeletons, and wearable sensors.^xi

How can digitization help to mitigate security and safety risks?

You can enhance your office security by increasing your use of encryption, authentication, secure collaboration and endpoint security for mobiles, workstations, printers, and scanners. You can also advance your organization’s, and clients’ safety and security through emerging solutions such as safety exoskeletons and wearable sensors in the construction phase.

In addition, HP plotter technology uses multi-level security to protect ideas and people. Plus, HP Smart Tracker software offers secure print job assignment, with optional password-protected categories that helps to prevent errors.

Seamless, safe, and sustainable

Digitization and advancements in technology offer a multiplicity of ways AEC professionals can become more productive, innovative, and secure in their home offices.

For AEC professionals like you to meet the grandest challenge on the planet—the redesign and rebuild of our built environment —you need the right equipment.

HP large format printers help you maintain productivity by making collaboration with your colleagues and partners easier, safer, and a bit more sustainable.

This is the key to helping you design and re-build the world more sustainably and effectively.

Footnotes

i https://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/technology/why-time-ripe-widespread-bim-adoption
ii https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/4845716/construction-robots-global-market-trajectory
iii https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/3840665/forecast-internet-of-things-endpoints-and-associated-ser
iv https://www.constructionweekonline.com/business/266292-how-the-digital-twin-is-reimaging-the-construction-sector
v https://aecmag.com/component/content/article/59-features/2104-can-digital-twins-improve-bim-workflows
vi https://www.theengineeringdesign.com/facts-about-4d-5d-and-6d-bim-technology-that-are-guaranteed-to-put-a-smileon-any-eac-professional/
vii https://www.lifewire.com/how-ai-is-changing-architecture-5090676
viii https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/how-can-big-data-analytics-add-value-to-bim/
ix https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/aj-survey-one-in-six-practices-affected-by-cyber-attacks
x https://www.enr.com/articles/46832-construction-cybercrime-is-on-the-rise
xi https://www.enr.com/articles/46832-construction-cybercrime-is-on-the-rise