In the era of expanding digital data stores, the challenges of finding, distributing, and sharing information efficiently become more pronounced. This blog explores potential solutions when your virtual desktop becomes burdened with extensive folder structures and inconsistent manual filing.
Project Extranets: Addressing Project-level Information Management
While project extranets offer a solution for managing information on an individual project level, they often lack a comprehensive, office-wide approach. Moreover, relying on project extranets for long-term archival purposes is not always practical.
The Quest for Uniform Information Management: Newforma Project Centre
In 2003, the Newforma Company embarked on a mission to enhance project-information management in the construction industry. The resulting software, now in its ninth release, has gained traction in the US and is making waves in the UK market.
Large firms like BDP, Foster & Partners, Atkins, and Aedas are leveraging the Newforma Project Centre. However, its benefits extend beyond large corporations to benefit offices of varying sizes.
Key Features of Newforma Project Centre
The strength of the Newforma Project Centre lies in providing an industry-specific information management system that seamlessly integrates with Microsoft's email and file-serving solutions. Some key features include:
- Email and Document Management: A comprehensive solution for managing emails and documents.
- Digital Asset and Content Search: Powerful search capabilities for digital assets and content.
- Data Exchange: Facilitates seamless data exchange.
- Transmittal Logging: Keeps a detailed record of data transmission with third parties.
- Document Markup and Comment Facilities: Built-in tools for document markup and comments.
- Integration with Existing File Server
An essential aspect of Newforma's approach is keeping fundamental data on the existing file server, allowing users to readily see and interact with it. This approach is particularly beneficial for work in progress, ensuring that information management extends to crucial files in progress, not just frozen transmittal documents.
Automated Cataloguing and Implementation
Newforma Project Centre automates the cataloguing of in-situ data, making its implementation on new, in-progress, or archived projects relatively straightforward. Access management seamlessly integrates with existing permissions defined on the file server.
Windows Integration and Web Interface
While Newforma Project Centre is a Windows-only solution within the office environment, its interface with team members outside the office is through a non-browser-specific web interface.
Recent Feature: Newforma Connectivity
The introduction of Newforma Connectivity allows offices sharing the software to create project-specific communication channels with trusted team members, fostering collaborative working.
Considerations for Implementation
The balance of lightness of touch in implementation with potential benefits in use makes Newforma Project Centre a compelling solution for offices of 20 or more users on the Windows platform lacking a comprehensive information/document-management system.
Conclusion: Embracing Comprehensive Information Management
In a world where digital data's complexity continues to grow, adopting solutions like Newforma Project Centre becomes imperative for efficient information management across offices, regardless of project scale or status. Whether handling initial, design-stage, construction, or archival projects, Newforma Project Centre offers a robust and tailored solution.
For more information on securing your data and building a robust defence against cyber threats, contact our cybersecurity team today. Whether aiming for a fully remote setup or incorporating cloud solutions for critical file backup, our expert advisors can guide you through services suitable for your business, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. Act now to fortify your business against evolving cyber threats.
