CAD and BIM outsourcing is a cost-effective strategy for business owners in a variety of industries . Whether you own a growing architectural design firm and are seeking ways to optimize your bottom line, or the owner of a small startup lacking the resources to handle your mounting CAD and BIM needs, outsourcing can help you achieve your goals. Below is a look at the various industries that can benefit from outsourcing BIM and CAD and key signs that it is time for your organization to consider seeking the services of a cad and bim outsourcing company.
Who Can Benefit from CAD and BIM Outsourcing?
Outsourcing BIM and CAD services is a strategy that is growing in popularity among leading firms in a variety of industries. Outsourcing is most likely to occur when there is an increased demand for CAD and BIM skills but staffing resources are in short supply. However, outsourcing is also increasing in popularity among architectural design and engineering companies wishing to focus their resources on dream projects, diversification of services, or taking their business to the next level. Below are some examples of industries and firms that benefit from CAD and BIM outsourcing:
- Architectural design firms
- Engineering firms
- Design consultants
- General contractors
- Retailers
- Construction companies
- Property developers
Signs That It Time to Outsource Your CAD and BIM Services
The decision to outsource CAD and BIM services is usually made after one of the following situations unfolds: In the first situation, a business owner recognizes that he or she lacks the staff or resources to properly complete CAD and BIM projects. Or, a company may not possess a strategic CAD or BIM action plan. In the second scenario, a business owner wants to decrease the amount of time and resources spent on BIM and CAD to allow for increased attention on growth or expansion of services. Here are a few specific examples of situations that call for BIM and CAD outsourcing:
- You spend so much time on CAD or BIM projects that you have little time to further expand your business
- Your employees are not familiar with government BIM compliance standards in your country
- You are seeking ways to maximize your money and time
- You would like to take your company to the next level of success
- Your staff is lacking expertise on industry best practices
- Your firm is new or not yet proficient in BIM and CAD design
- You do not have sufficient staff to handle your growing BIM and CAD demands
- You are increasingly missing deadlines for CAD and BIM projects
- You have an immediate need for BIM or CAD services due to recent departure of a BIM / CAD manager
Dispelling Some Common Myths About Outsourcing CAD and BIM
While the allure of outsourcing is strong enough to attract a variety of customers, some business owners are reluctant to outsource their CAD and BIM. Below are 5 myths that may preclude businesses from outsourcing their BIM and CAD projects, along with the realities that define a trusted outsourcing firm.
MYTH: “I cannot afford to outsource my CAD and BIM services.”
REALITY: The cost of outsourcing is typically lower than hiring dedicated in-house employees. Outsourcing reduces your total overhead costs. Business owners are often shocked by the affordability of outsourcing their CAD and BIM services – especially when the cost of outsourcing is compared to the cost of additional full-time CAD or BIM project managers.
For instance, you pay for CAD and BIM services as needed instead of paying a full-time salary of a person who automatically receives compensation even when there are no projects to complete. Considering that the average annual BIM Manager salary is $73,000 USD, outsourcing makes a lot of sense – especially for startups. Finally, outsourced engineering companies serve multiple customers and costs are shared among those customers. The result is a surprisingly low outsourcing rate.
MYTH: “An outsourced provider will not be able to provide the accessibility that I need.”
REALITY: Access to service is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Ongoing accessibility to live support and service is a critical in the engineering industry. Top outsourcing firms recognize this need and provide the highest level of ongoing support all day every day. You and your customers are not forced to wait until the next business day to finish an important CAD or BIM project.
MYTH: “Customer satisfaction may suffer if I outsource CAD and BIM services.”
REALITY: Outsourced providers have been trained to delight the most difficult customers. Increased customer satisfaction with CAD and BIM services actually begins with the ongoing access to support that outsourced companies provide. Additionally, outsourced engineering providers tend to provide a higher average level of technical sophistication. They have been trained to handle the most demanding customers.
MYTH: “An outsourced firm will not keep project details secure or confidential.”
REALITY: Industry-leading outsourced firms will respect the privacy of your and your clients. Maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of project details is a top priority for outsourcing firms. They will not share the details of your BIM or CAD projects with other clients or individuals without your explicit permission. Project data is always transferred in a safe and secure format. Any information that you provide about a project is kept strictly confidential.
MYTH: “Outsourced BIM and CAD providers do not have the right tools and resources to complete my projects.”
REALITY: Outsourced companies often use the latest state-of-the-art design tools. The best outsourcing firms typically use the latest software and hardware to complete projects. They participate in continuing education in an effort to track where the industry is headed. Moreover, they ensure that software and tools are regularly updated to maintain outstanding results.
Why Is It Important to Evaluate Outsourcing Companies?
One thing is certain in the world of BIM and CAD outsourcing: Not all outsourcing firms are created equal. Failure to properly evaluate outsourcing companies can have devastating effects on your designs and industry reputation. Before you place your trust in a provider who will handle your CAD and BIM services, you need to assess the company’s scalability and ability to handle your project needs. Here are a few qualities suggestive of a company’s ability to successfully manage your CAD and BIM project needs:
- References illustrating success in a global marketplace
- A project design model with key phases (analysis, pricing, implementation, prototype creation, and acceptance)
- Evidence of sustained focus on accuracy and speed of service
- The ability to offer a comprehensive range of BIM and CAD services
- Use of the latest software such as 3D Studio Max, AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and Revit Architecture
INDBIM: A Complete Solution for Your Outsourcing Needs
Very few outsourcing companies exhibit all of the qualities outlined above. INDBIM has established itself as a global leader in BIM and CAD outsourcing by displaying excellence in all of the categories above. Additionally, INDBIM has elevated itself to a class of its own by illustrating best skills and best practices, along with the following:
- Strict adherence to confidentiality
- Every customer and project is treated as unique
- A superb international track record of success
- Completion of projects on time or in advance of promise dates
- A strong working knowledge of regional industry standards
- A robust quality control process
- Customized projects based upon discipline
- The highest levels of customer satisfaction
Most important, the professionals with INDBIM build trusted relationships with their customers. With over 15 years of industry experience, they always welcome the opportunity to illustrate their quality of BIM and CAD services to new and existing customers across the globe.