Over our years of working in and providing software solutions for the construction industry, we have seen dramatic shifts in how organizations deploy project management systems and where they store project data. The cloud over the last fifteen years replaced the "old way" of on-premise servers. Now, organizations have another emerging option that combines the best of on-premise and cloud servers. Read on to learn more about the benefits of client tenants and Microsoft 365.
The old way: on-premise deployments
Before the last fifteen years or so, companies deployed their project management systems on client servers behind firewalls to prevent data from being accessible from the internet. While this approach ensured that the project management information systems (PMIS) and data were secure, it had several drawbacks, including:
- extended owner IT approval process for new software
- exorbitant capital costs to spin up and maintain physical servers
- no access for third-party software providers and outside contractors
The new way: embracing the cloud
With the rise of cloud computing over the last fifteen years, many companies moved to externally hosted solutions. The benefits of the cloud appeared to outweigh the security concerns that IT departments had with data residing outside of their firewall. Cost-conscious management pressured IT departments to outsource data hosting and software applications to save money and improve overall efficiency.
However, there are drawbacks to the cloud. Security breaches have become common, and owners have discovered that it is frustratingly difficult to get their data out of externally hosted systems for archiving and reporting. As a result, the pendulum is starting to shift away from externally hosted PMIS solutions and cloud data repositories.
Today's better solution: client tenants and Microsoft 365
With today's cloud computing capabilities, owners can spin up their own data centers in AWS or Azure to manage their company's data. And with the rise of no-code/low-code development, owners have also started building custom solutions in their own Microsoft 365 tenant using the Power Platform and SharePoint. The owners that embrace this model like having their data readily available when and where they need it.
In many ways, this shift marks a return to the "old way" of owners having their systems and data behind their firewall. But instead of maintaining physical servers, they have virtual machines (VMs) in their tenants in the cloud.
Like any other software provider, companies providing construction project management software will have to adjust to this shift to allow owners to decide where their data will ultimately reside.
Today's better solution: client tenants and Microsoft 365
We saw the above shift occurring and developed our Construction Viz solution to be either externally hosted or deployed directly into a client's Microsoft 365. With the latter, now you can have the best of both worlds with your data residing in your Microsoft 365 tenant while the PMIS application runs securely in a Microsoft Azure certified app.
Construction Viz is designed for the future and provides the following benefits for a construction organization:
- Verified Microsoft Azure app. Construction Viz utilizes Microsoft's app security technology. Apps need to be accepted into the tenant to run.
- Data resides in SharePoint. When we deploy our Construction Viz apps, they automatically create associated SharePoint lists and libraries in the Microsoft 365 tenant. As a result, you can access and use the app data across all the Microsoft 365 services such as Power BI and Power Automate.
- No need for Archiving. There is no need for archiving since the project data resides in your SharePoint sites.
- Authentication. The entire solution leverages Microsoft authentication, so no additional login is required.
- Contractor access. With Construction Viz's robust but simple access management controls, contractors can access the project data they need securely.
- Microsoft 365 integrated. Construction Viz deeply integrates into Microsoft 365. That means if the owner wants to build a custom solution, we can easily access it inside Construction Viz.
Get a free demo and consultation
The technology journey, in a way, has come full circle with systems and data once again behind the owner's firewall. Is your PMIS keeping up with the times?
Construction Viz is a powerful and flexible construction project management solution optimized for YOU and your workflow. For maximum flexibility, Construction Viz is available in the cloud, on-premise, or as à la carte apps for Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft 365.
Contact us today to schedule a free demo and consultation.
