File Server Replacement for Architecture and Engineering Firms
Cloud Data Platform is a large data storage and sharing solution for Architecture, Engineering and Construction companies who seek a balance of features vs. costs.
The Problem
In recent years, more professionals have transitioned to hybrid or remote work environments. While these settings offer notable advantages, they are not without challenges, particularly when shifting from traditional IT systems predominantly around client or server environments. This model is no longer optimal for work requirements, especially when collaborating with people outside your organisation.
Cloud technology has mitigated many challenges, enabling AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) companies to adapt to new working environments seamlessly. However, conventional cloud offerings are often unsuited to specific purposes or exorbitantly priced, as Autodesk’s Collaborate Pro exemplifies.
When evaluating options for data storage and accessibility, it becomes crucial to strike a balance between features and costs. In response to this need, we have developed an ideal solution that adeptly meets these demands.
Common issues
Systems Access & Collaboration
- Remote access is slow.
- Project management is next-to impossible.
- Complaints about collaboration and internal processes relating to documents.
- Wasted time and associated over-staffing needs.
- Ensuring there are no issues with version control or accessing documents.
External Collaboration
- Employees will use whatever they feel is the easiest solution.
- Version conflicts and data duplication.
- Sharing files via email.
- More than one site – how is data accessed from other sites?
Information Security
- Staff leaving with your data.
- Version conflicts and data duplication.
- Ransomware threat / systems breach.
- Business continuity &/or full systems recovery times.
Our Solution: Data Platform
Several approaches can be employed to tackle this challenge. However,
after thoroughly examining all available options, we have devised a solution that amalgamates the advantages of each, rendering them cost-effective –Data Platform.
The options on the left are overly simplistic and pose risks, while those on the right, although more sophisticated, tend to be challenging to oversee or excessively expensive. Essentially, you are presented with a spectrum of choices, ranging from lower to higher costs, moving from left to right.
File Sync
e.g. OneDrive / Dropbox / Box / Google Docs etc.
Store data and sync files to all machines
Cloud Storage
e.g. Azure Files / Amazon EFS
Map a drive directly into the remote storage resource
Servers (hardware)
On-premises physical servers
Map a drive to a local file server
Data Platform
Sophisticated cloud collaboration & governance storage platform
Mix and match options depending on needs; map a drive, cache (not sync) data locally, or directly access data.
Servers (cloud)
Virtual servers in e.g. Azure or AWS
Map a drive & VPN to a remote file server
Virtual Desktops
e.g. Azure Virtual Desktops (AVD) / Inevidesk
Fully remote environment; virtual Windows machines and data storage
3rd Party Services
e.g. Autodesk Collaborate Pro and other solutions such as Newforma or UnionSquare
Varied approaches. Designed for and satisfy very specific requirements. Complex (expensive) solutions.
Benefits of Data Platform
- Very feature-rich file storage platform; sharing & collaboration, lifecycle management, data controls, privacy & compliance, access governance, and threat management.
- Automatic data archiving.
- Huge file paths and storage.
- Multiple ways of accessing data and applications that cannot work with file sync can be used.
- Sophisticated local caching mechanism for very fast data access – not sync.
- Ransomware virus malware protection is built in.
- File versioning & roll back.
