In the world of construction, every successful project begins with a good design, and getting that right is often the key to its success. If mistakes are made during this phase of the project, profitability suffers—sometimes drastically if the issue isn’t caught until much later in the construction process.

When it comes to design, many organizations often struggle with aligning their expectations with the actual deliverables. For instance, an American team can struggle when implementing designs due to the lack of alignment between the design process in America vs. the requirements for, say, the APAC. The designs created in America are not tailored for the APAC rollout, causing difficulties for the teams in delivering them successfully.

This issue often stems from the fact that large organizations tend to operate in silos, with different teams and departments working independently and communication and coordination become difficult. There is a lack of awareness and understanding among these teams, leading to a focus solely on their own deliverables rather than collaborating with their peers or other teams. This results in misalignment, and the consequent delivery of spaces does not align with the architect’s requirements.

Collab Advisor, a London-based company, has created CenterPoint, a user-friendly 3D web-based SaaS platform designed to increase productivity across the design and construction of global real estate.

“Our platform serves as a collaborative environment for various spaces, allowing every individual to have control over their data and determine their desired outcomes for the space,” says Rob Brown, director of Collab Advisor.

All the information required by individuals working in various departments in the organization can be consolidated in one central location within the database. This ensures that any updates or changes can be easily identified, as well as the rooms to which these requirements are associated.

Needless to say, it eliminates the need for specialized experience or hardware, allowing users to easily understand design interpretations and access detailed information and downloadable content. By empowering teams with quick-access tools, CenterPoint enables them to become self-reliant, increase productivity, and take proactive measures while increasing the quality and consistency of project installations. Its advanced features ensure that information is seamlessly synchronized across various levels, from global regions to individual products.

CenterPoint also solves the language barrier that can arise when working in various regions. The clients use the platform as it was initially intended - through a visual sign-off method.

Collab Advisor caters to two distinct types of customers. One set of clients mostly comprises large corporations that have a clear understanding of their requirements but face challenges in implementing them worldwide. CenterPoint has the capability to import Revit models and organize all their documentation. Additionally, it provides access permissions at appropriate levels to facilitate smooth functioning.

The permissions matrix (RBAC) is intricate compared to SharePoint. This allows it to assign permissions based on company roles, ensuring that individuals within a company and their respective regions have appropriate access to project information. This enables the efficient intake of all relevant data. Users have the option to either utilize its professional service for swift data assimilation or follow a couple of tutorials to upload the information themselves.

Collab Advisor also specializes in assisting clients that are starting their journey of establishing standards and creating a framework for their operations. The process involves creating design notes inside the platform, with the clients and understanding their specific requirements to create 2D drawings and subsequently develop 3D models based on these specifications. This particular approach is tailored for individuals in small organizations who have to wear multiple hats and take on various roles such as AV, IT, and security.

Many organizations are transitioning from SharePoint to the CenterPoint platform due to its advantages. SharePoint is a cost-effective and widely known system; however, it poses difficulties in managing large amounts of valuable content. The platform struggles to handle the task of transferring and upgrading information over a span of several years, making it unsuitable for creating new standards.

CenterPoint solves this issue as it specializes in managing standards for various construction projects, ranging from offices and hotels to data centers. This expertise extends to unique scenarios, such as construction projects alongside railway stations, efficiently rolling out multiple projects with precision and attention to detail.

Over the past two years, the company has focused on developing self-service capabilities within the platform. Instead of it taking charge, it is now promoting its global partners and the end-users to utilize these features. The company has partners in both the U.S. and APAC regions who are successfully selling the platform and providing support.

Collab Advisor’s clientele includes some of the biggest media, software, and travel companies in the industry. Throughout the journey, it has collaborated closely with their teams to establish and enhance industry standards. Since 2019, it has also been fortunate to expand its opportunities in the APAC region, particularly through partnerships with major banks.

Collab Advisor aims to introduce new features to prioritize a self-service model. Initially focused on providing 3D models for spaces, the platform has now evolved into a document management system with the addition of three-dimensional visuals.

As Collab Advisor continues to lead the industry with these anticipated improvements, it solidifies its reputation as a pioneer in enabling effortless communication, design, and information administration across various institutions.