All companies generate data from their operations. Data is a valuable resource and asset. However many companies do not treat their data accordingly and are not empowered to leverage their data strategically. Outdated modes of data collection and storage can lead to inconsistencies and the fragmentation of data assets. For building product manufacturers, this risks creating data redundancy, inconsistencies, a lack of visibility that impairs decision-making, dissatisfied designers, frustrated contractors, logistical issues, trouble managing inventory, non-compliance with regulations, data errors, compromised data security, limited scalability, and an inability to adapt to quickly changing market conditions. Businesses are increasingly recognizing the importance of maintaining clean data and have made strides in analyzing, organizing, and obtaining value from their data.

When a company’s data assets are dispersed, it is difficult to get a full picture of the available data. The more dispersed and divergent the data, the harder it becomes to reconcile. Data processes slow down when data is fragmented.

Overcoming Fragmentation

Data fragmentation is the main blocker preventing companies from taking full advantage of their data. Data fragmentation occurs when data is distributed in different systems and locations. Over time, ignoring the fragmentation of data causes the problem to grow as data collects in different applications and storage siloes. This causes operational inefficiencies as data needs to be managed and coordinated across multiple systems. As new systems are adopted and more siloes are created over time, the problems compound.

With different locations for data, the need to make copies of data to use in different locations creates the potential for inconsistencies in the data. With no single source of truth, the inconsistencies grow and compromise data quality. The risks associated with sensitive data increase with the fragmentation of data.

The volume of data companies generate is increasing. For companies with fragmented data, the increased volume of data generated daily exacerbates data fragmentation. 

An initial step to grappling with your data is to map all data assets. This is followed by performing various backups, exploration, and archiving. Data can then be put in order and restructured for proper storage on a singular platform. Once data is clean and organized, it will require continued attention to combat data fragmentation. This also opens the door to improved leveraging of data and product information. Leveraging data allows for a digital transformation to improve productivity and provide new insights.

What Product Information Do Design Professionals Need?

The AEC community needs consistent, thorough, and up-to-date product information to specify products. The product information required by architects and design professionals includes design files, specification documents, and verification of attributes through standards, declarations, and certificates.

Design teams work with various design files during the design and planning stages of a construction project. Design files can include CAD drawings, BIM models, and 3D models. Manufacturer-provided design files can help a design team review product attributes, incorporate the product into their plans, and select products best suited for achieving their design vision.

Specification documents including 3-Part Specifications and data sheets allow design teams to quickly review product details and suitability for their design. 3-Part Specifications also save designers time by providing editable specifications that can quickly be adapted for use in a range of projects. 

Design teams require the verification of product performance, sustainability, and safety. They achieve this by requiring products that adhere to specific reference standards, provide product declarations, and provide certification to verify that a product meets the requirements of building codes, authorities having jurisdiction, and project requirements.

Architects and design professionals will often need multiple sources of product information. The information provided must be consistent and accurate. If there is not a single source of truth for building product manufacturers, they risk using product information that is inaccurate or inconsistent.

CADdetails Helps Building Product Manufacturers with Centrally Organized Product Information

Building product manufacturers face an intimidating task when it comes to organizing all of their product information and data. Partnering with CADdetails empowers building product manufacturers to have their design files coordinated and maintained. Our in-house development experts can update all of your design files as your product information evolves. CADdetails also provides actively specifying architects and design professionals access to quality design files and product information, so building product manufacturers have their products exposed to over 680,000 CADdetails users.

If you are a building product manufacturer struggling to maintain your product information, we can help you. We have been helping building product manufacturers with their product information for over 25 years, and architects and designers rely on CADdetails for quality design files. Book a call with us to discuss leveraging your product information today.


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