Win more work with location intelligence
Aug 2024
It’s hard to create proposals that stand out from the competition. Location intelligence gives AEC firms the edge needed to win projects by enhancing every aspect of the proposal process — from data accuracy to design capabilities.
Aug 2024
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The AEC industry is one faced with finding profits while dealing with low margins and high competition. According to Autodesk:
- 80% of projects go over budget;
- 20% of projects miss completion milestones;
- 52% of all projects require rework because of poor data or communications;
- And 35% of projects experience delays and waste resources because of conflicts and rework.
Because of this, many firms are looking to tech to solve their problems. Billions of dollars are flooding into construction technology as the industry forgoes tradition and welcomes a digital transformation.
The future of infrastructure is one of speed, efficiency, and cost savings. This is where construction technology — like location intelligence — can help. Location intelligence (a combination of aerial imagery, 3D models, and AI-derived feature detections) helps firms overcome low margins and high competition. It does this by improving every step of the project lifecycle, starting with the one most important to success: project proposals.
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The challenge of winning projects
Creating compelling project proposals is critical to a firm’s success. But, low proposal win rates are the reality for most construction companies. That’s why caution is key before deciding to respond to an RFP.
Responding to RFPs is complex. Proposals require collecting site data, which means physical visits, manual measurements, and extensive research. Each step can delay the proposal process. Further, inaccuracies in site data can lead to flawed project plans and cost estimates, increasing the likelihood of costly change orders.
With the amount of firms competing for projects, any misstep can result in a losing proposal — making accurate data the key to capitalizing on every opportunity. This is why leading firms are turning to location intelligence.
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Proposed pier against linework
Overcoming challenges with location intelligence
By connecting firms to accurate site data, location intelligence allows teams to boost their proposals with a deep understanding of project requirements, visualizations of their capabilities, and decisions backed by real-time insights. Location intelligence also gives data sharing a needed update and enhances cross-team collaboration by centralizing project information.
Location intelligence also allows AEC firms to remotely analyze various site factors such as traffic patterns, zoning regulations, and environmental conditions that may impact the project’s design and budget. This results in accurate cost estimates and timelines, reducing the risk of unforeseen delays or costs during construction. Location intelligence can also assist in identifying potential risks or opportunities on a project site, allowing for proactive measures to be incorporated into the proposal.
HNTB elevates proposal designs with location intelligence
Using location intelligence, HNTB can leverage photo-realistic, high-resolution visuals and models to impress clients with accurate and engaging proposals. Oblique images are imported into programs like 3ds Max, Map3D, Recap, InfraWorks, and Civil 3D to create a 3D point cloud. The point cloud can then be used to create a 3D mesh. Then, in 3ds Max, HNTB team members can align imagery to 3ds Max origin, trace and texture terrain, curbs, sidewalks, and buildings, and match the lighting and shadows to the exact time of day to create the most realistic rendering possible. When finished, the visualization technician can export it into AutoCAD for other teams to use.
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Integrations
Vertical and 3D textured mesh used in proposed development in ArcGIS Pro
The benefits of location intelligence
Incorporating location intelligence into your project proposals offers several benefits that can significantly impact your success rate.
- Reduce proposal costs: Using location intelligence allows AEC firms to identify potential site challenges early on, leading to more accurate cost estimates and proactive planning. This helps prevent budget overruns and costly delays. Additionally, visualizing projects with aerial imagery and 3D models improves communication with clients, reducing the risk of errors.
- Increase proposal efficiency: Location intelligence allows firms to collect and visualize site data from their desktop. This removes the need for extensive manual research and guesswork, saving valuable time.
- Improve proposal designs: Using location intelligence helps firms create detailed maps and 3D visualizations of potential project sites, incorporating various factors such as topography, land use, and infrastructure. This allows for more accurate and visually appealing proposal designs that effectively communicate the scope and potential of a project. And, location intelligence can analyze data from past projects to identify patterns and trends, helping AEC firms create more efficient and cost-effective designs.
- Automate project insights: With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify patterns, AI can assist in creating more accurate cost estimates and project timelines for proposals. It can also help optimize the use of resources.
- Build immersive bids: 3D models allow for a more realistic representation of a project’s design, making it easier for clients to visualize and understand. Additionally, 3D models can assist in cost estimation and resource management.
- See every detail: High-resolution aerial imagery can provide detailed and accurate representations of potential project sites. This better communicates the site’s topography, vegetation, infrastructure, and other important factors that may influence the design process. Aerial imagery can also assist in identifying potential risks or challenges on a project site, allowing for early mitigation measures to be incorporated into the proposal.
The construction industry is highly competitive, and standing out requires doing more. Leveraging location intelligence can give firms a competitive edge when bidding on projects.
Nearmap location intelligence provides the tools needed to enhance every aspect of the proposal process, from data accuracy to design capabilities. With high-resolution imagery, 3D modeling, and AI-derived feature detections, firms can create better proposals in less time — ultimately driving higher revenue and reducing the risk of rework.
Schedule a demo today and see why 80% of the top 50 U.S. firms rely on Nearmap location intelligence.