Increase Productivity with Disciplined Workflow Management

Increase Productivity with Disciplined Workflow Management

In the world of engineering, working from home was once considered uncommon practice. Drafting and prototyping often required handling large-format documents that would take up considerable space and require workers to be physically present, especially when collaborating
with managers and other engineers. Now, with advances in technology, combined with the COVID-19 crisis and growing demand for remote employment, companies have been innovating to adapt to the changing work environment.

The Current Landscape

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, roughly 13.4 million workers reported they worked from home in 2010 - growing by more than 4.2 million workers since 1997 and continuing to grow to this day. Much of this growth pertains to the increased accessibility of computer software that came about in the 10 years prior.

While advances in technology have made remote employment more prevalent, there is still a large share of companies that are ill-equipped to handle the high volume of documents, and complex workflows required in completing daily tasks and projects by a virtual workforce. Often, managers find themselves participating in an increasing amount of video calls while conversely using rudimentary software to transfer CAD files and other engineering documents. This works in some industries; however, it’s inefficient for companies that rely on document- centric workflows as video conferencing still creates large amounts of audio and video latency - making it difficult to properly share and edit documents in real-time.

Moreover, much of these workflows need workers to collaborate over key documents and drawings, often hard to do over video calls. But today’s technology can not only support these tasks but can increase their velocity while reducing errors in decision-making.

 

Modern Workflow Management

When it comes to digitally managing your workflows, not all software is created equal. Efficiency is everything, which is why it is so important to make sure that you are using the right tools to get the job done.

A research study conducted by Dr. Richard Felder concluded that approximately 65% of people are “visual learners” – meaning the learner must see the information to fully process it. This study later became the foundation for a standardized test known as the Index of Learning Styles (ILS). Studies like these prove using software that allows users to visualize their workflows and the documents and drawings associated with them can help reduce complexity for both engineers and managers while improving the speed to which decisions are made.

The Discipline of Workflow Schedule Management

Business operations seem more chaotic than ever. The economic swings seem bigger; the labor pool is tighter, more diverse, and more geographically dispersed; the amount of information is enormous; and at the end of the day, management has just become harder. Trying to get your arms around all that’s going on and ensuring the organization is focused on getting the tasks done is now more complex and daunting. Add pandemics, supply chain disruptions, geopolitical uncertainty, and now even historical inflation.

What is a manager to do?

 

Integrating Workflow and Document Management

Some document management software solutions focus on workflow management, while others are specifically designed for the safekeeping and transmittal of documents. Companies benefit the most from all-encompassing, multi-functional workflow and document management software, especially for engineering and technical tasks. Rather than jumping between programs, having a single place for workers to store files and workflows allows users to create a cohesive picture of the process giving managers a clearer picture of progress and when workflows are being bogged down.

 

Working from Home and Productivity

Studies have reported that more than 83% of those who work from home say that they experienced an increase in productivity since deciding to work remotely. For these workers, as well as for the other 17% of employees, it is important to have the proper tools for success. Having proper systems, in turn, not only allows employees to remain productive while at home but also allows managers to increase the level of accountability
among employees.

 

Software Companies and Remote Employment

Many technology firms are now becoming advocates of working from home because it allows them to recruit top talent regardless of their geographic location. This is an especially important practice in industries where employee scarcity is prevalent, such as the software and
engineering services industries.

In 2016, approximately 41% of engineers reported that they worked from home.

Firms have no choice but to offer extremely competitive benefits to attract skilled graduates on the job market, and even seek employees not willing to relocate for their jobs. Technology can now come to the rescue and allow employers to broaden their reach and flexibility.

 

Managing Employees who are Working from Home

While software certainly improves the accessibility of information, it is important to make sure that as a manager, you are taking the necessary measures to ensure communication and collaboration for your team. Creating an effective way to connect with employees is vital to the success of the manager- employee relationship; and subsequently the speed, efficiency, and accuracy of project results. By creating a standard of communication in conjunction with a centralized workflow and document management system you can now create a “digital office.”

You need to find the tools that work best for you and your business. Many of these tools are available only in advanced workflow and document management systems, ones that help managers create an environment that connects engineers with their team members and management; ultimately creating a better and simpler way to manage their workflows.

 

Our EDMS solutions

ImageSite and EngineBox are eQuorum’s robust workflow and document management solutions, created to help workers manage their essential workflows while maintaining complete control over their engineering files and documents.  Not only do they provide a secure collaboration site for workers, but they also help organizations manage document distribution with third parties like vendors, contractors, and customers. Both systems are offered at a competitive price, enabling organizations to get a quick return on their investment by providing the features and functionality needed to help organizations improve efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.  Companies can choose from concurrent user subscriptions or named user subscriptions, ensuring organizations have subscription options that make sense for their business.

Learn more why our solution is trusted by industry leaders.

ImageSite

ImageSite®

Our single source engineering workflow and document management system. Built in HTML5 so there is no software to deploy to client computers or mobile apps to download. Offered as an On-premise or Private Cloud system.

Explore ImageSite® 

 

Our EDMS solutions

 

ImageSite and EngineBox are eQuorum’s robust workflow and document management solutions, created to help workers manage their essential workflows while maintaining complete control over their engineering files and documents.  Not only do they provide a secure collaboration site for workers, but they also help organizations manage document distribution with third parties like vendors, contractors, and customers. Both systems are offered at a competitive price, enabling organizations to get a quick return on their investment by providing the features and functionality needed to help organizations improve efficiency, productivity, and collaboration.  Companies can choose from concurrent user subscriptions or named user subscriptions, ensuring organizations have subscription options that make sense for their business.

Learn more why our solution is trusted by industry leaders.

Engine-Box

EngineBox™

EngineBox is a cloud based workflow and document management version of ImageSite that resides outside the corporate network.

Explore EngineBox™

The eQuorum Customer Promise

 

In 2005, eQuorum developed the first all browser-based EDMS. The system, although for on-premise use, was still created to remove client software and JAVA from user computers and allow users to have a single viewer based on the simple navigation functionality of browsers. Today, eQuorum provides that same application in a private Cloud or a SaaS Cloud option.  We can do this because we are, and have always been, browser-based, understanding the enhanced speed, security, and usability of this technology.

With the abundance of document management systems on the market today, there’s no doubt that choosing the right Cloud document management software can be a difficult decision. eQuorum is here to provide a comprehensive, powerful, and most importantly – affordable Cloud document management solution. We believe in providing real value to our customers by eliminating unnecessary costs, providing industry-leading functionality, and equipping your team with the right tools using cutting edge technology to bring your products to market faster.

Schedule a demo or sign up for a free trial of the software

eQuorum®

We specialize in engineering workflow and document management. Our comprehensive, yet easy-to-use software provides the solution to manage data from design to manufacturing and production, to sales, support and administration.

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