IT ADVICE
And the hidden benefits...
Following my initial overview of SaaS (Software as a Service) technology and its benefits, in this latest column I will be delving further into the specific savings that can be made by considering collaborative SaaS; examining both the obvious and hidden savings to be made in the development, construction and the ongoing management of assets and infrastructure.
Whilst tangible cost savings are usually at the forefront of every decision currently being made in the industry, particularly in the wake of the Government’s comprehensive spending review announcements, the technology can also assist with savings in other areas, specifically time and carbon emissions.
With anything from 5 to 250 organisations involved in the planning, development, delivery and management of projects within the alternative energy sector, effective collaboration is key. Processes can be complex, time consuming and difficult to control. Communications, stage gate processes, document control, version management and workflows between disparate team members and contractors all need managing.
As companies look to streamline costs it may seem ludicrous to spend money on a new resource to replace existing methods but sticking to traditional techniques such as email or in-house IT created infrastructure, can often be a false economy, incurring hidden costs in terms of both time and money.
There is plenty of talk about looking to the technology sector for ideas, indeed the spending review called on companies to consider IT techniques in order to aid efficiency and cut overheads. As you will be aware successful companies are great at finding and implementing efficiencies while still keeping their core activities going as if they don’t, they fold.
Collaboration software enables different individuals and organizations working on the same project to share, coordinate, automate and control all communications and information in one secure but accessible place. The system allows you to move away from traditional sequential paper-based, manual systems, thereby breaking down barriers to communication and collaboration.
In terms of monetary stats to support the argument for collaboration SaaS, I turn to that old friend, the 2003 Compagnia report. Although written pre-recession the facts and figures continue to ring true, chief among them is that collaboration software has moved beyond its introductory period and now has started to show its value.
SaSa
The correct implementation of collaborative software could save users up to 4.28% per million pounds through more efficient working, 1.28% of this will be in direct costs. These cost savings are made through reduced admin time, printing, travel and courier costs, the list goes on.
Of course the savings in printing, couriers and travel also mean carbon emission savings; ensuring collaborative technology can put a big tick in the ‘green’ box.
Project over-runs, penalties and litigation are not uncommon in the alternate energy sector; however by using an integrated delivery approach, firms can reduce these risks. A transparent audit trail is also an essential tool to mitigate risk in these instances.
Online collaboration tools facilitate projects, ensuring they deliver both to budget and on time. By having a shared collaboration space, users can also reduce the need for disparate team members to get together for meetings. Shared working spaces and discussions enable design reviews without users having to be in the same room. When working on international projects savings can run into the thousands.
42 Wind Energy NETWORK
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