by NATHAN DOUGHTY, ASITE CEO
In every project, there are many moving parts and people to coordinate. The global construction industry is notoriously siloed and is often characterized by its fragmented nature. Digital technologies, including advancements in software, provide organizations with the solutions they need to overcome this fragmentation.
In order for us to reach our full potential, the industry must utilize these technologies together. We need to optimize our digital processes and create a more integrated and collaborative industry. As our industry continues to recover and rebuild in the wake of COVID-19, now is the time to build a digital ecosystem that works for everyone.
Asite aims to do just this. An open platform for digital transformation and collaboration. Asite helps property and real estate projects streamline information management through its open platform for collaboration and digital transformation. Underpinning this are our three product families: Project Portfolio Management (PPM), Supply Chain Management (SCM), Asite Digital Twin: — and our Asite Ecosystem of integrated partners.
The Asite SCM solution allows organizations to create efficient digital supply chains using cloud-
based tools to save time and money, while the Asite PPM solution connects dispersed project teams and systems, streamlining communication across project portfolios..
Helping property and real estate owners connect the physical and digital, the Asite Digital Twin solution provides organizations with the tools to maintain a golden thread of information through complete asset lifecycle management, allowing dynamic data from physical assets to be represented in digital form. Project teams can manage their assets, store as-built information, and raise maintenance forms and work orders from a secure, centralized, cloud-based repository in Asite.
Our most recent developments focus on connecting data across the supply chain. The Asite Platform enables the flow of information between systems through its open API, which allows users’ internal software applications to interact with the platform.
The Asite API is currently being used to build integrations for the Asite Ecosystem. Launched in October 2020, this allows Asite users to expand their capabilities and offerings through system partnerships such as Microsoft Power BI and Autodesk Revit. The Asite Ecosystem embodies our commitment to working together across the industry in an open, transparent way.
Overcoming challenges
While Asite has achieved incredible growth since its inception, becoming a global leader in information management solutions, we have certainly experienced challenges along the way.
One of the greatest challenges has been the construction industry’s relative lack of investment in R&D. Too many organizations have pursued a path of staying wedded to legacy solutions using traditional methods of project management over digital tools, and this has hindered their ability to unlock true digital transformation.
Improving in recent years and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the uptake of digital ways of working has grown as businesses recognize the benefits of embracing digital solutions.
Overall, the pandemic has been a challenge that Asite has faced head on, and I am immensely proud of how our team has handled it.
Our platform continues to operate on a “business as usual” basis, with every function remaining fully operational. We also introduced new communications integrations, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, as part of a new wave of integrations on the Asite Platform to help users remain connected and collaborate while working remotely.
Asite in the Middle East
Asite already has a rich history in the region and has been trusted by market leaders on a number of innovative projects; Asite provided the collaboration solution for the phase two expansion of Dubai International Airport, which ultimately saw the creation of a third terminal.
The Asite Platform was also appointed to assist in the development of the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium in Qatar. Designed for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Asite Common Data Environment (CDE) is providing a central repository for all project information.
More recently, Asite has moved to strengthen its position in the Middle East. Our most recent partnership with Aldar Properties, the leading real estate developer in Abu Dhabi, will use the Asite Platform to streamline project information and enhance collaboration across a multitude of innovative and exciting projects. This encompasses a range of sectors, including Residential, Retail, Commercial, and Hospitality &; Leisure.
Looking Ahead
Asite has been at the forefront of digital transformation globally, becoming a leader in the industry, helping connect the physical, digital, and human. Throughout 2021 we will continue to build on this.
We are excited to help more companies globally on their digital transformation journey, working with forward-thinking organizations across traditional industries to realize their goals. Building our presence in the Middle East is a major focus for Asite, particularly in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We’re looking forward to building relationships and bringing the Asite Platform to new markets.