Posts by Nancy Balois

Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of daily operations in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). New tools appear constantly, promising to automate BIM workflows, improve project coordination, or generate proposals faster. For many small and mid-sized firms, this creates pressure to adopt everything quickly in order to avoid falling behind.  But focusing only on tools often leads…

How AEC Firms Can Build More Valuable, Outcome-Driven Relationships with Their IT and BIM Partners In architecture and engineering, partnerships with technology and BIM consultants are essential—but they are also frequently questioned. Budgets are reviewed, invoices are scrutinized, and a familiar executive question surfaces: “What have you done for me lately?” The answer cannot rely…

AI Is Already in Your Firm—Whether You Planned for It or Not  Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for architecture, engineering, and construction firms. It is already embedded in daily workflows, quietly shaping how proposals are written, meetings are documented, designs are reviewed, and decisions are made. The real challenge for AEC leaders is no…

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at a rapid pace, its influence is being felt across nearly every industry. For architecture, engineering, design, and IT service organizations, AI has become more than a trend—it’s becoming a foundational part of how teams communicate, manage projects, streamline operations, and scale their businesses. What began as curiosity has…

Why Disaster Recovery Planning Matters for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Firms Data has become the core operational asset for modern businesses—particularly for architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms whose work depends on continuous access to large, complex project files. When systems fail, the consequences can cascade into costly delays, missed deadlines, and potential loss of…

The holiday season brings a sense of joy, celebration, and—unfortunately—increased cyber threats. As people become busier with festivities, shopping, and wrapping up work projects, cybercriminals take advantage of lowered vigilance and high activity to launch sophisticated scams.  Why the Holidays Are Prime Time for Cybercrime  Hackers know this time of year means overloaded inboxes and…

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry continues to embrace digital transformation, and one of the most groundbreaking advancements is Scan to BIM technology. What once required days of manual measurement, sketches, and site revisits can now be completed in hours through precision scanning and intelligent modeling. As this technology evolves, it’s reshaping how architects,…

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has seen remarkable shifts in how firms approach technology—particularly with the rise of remote work and cloud-based tools. Among the most transformative innovations is the adoption of Cloud PCs—also referred to as virtual desktops. These environments offer scalable, secure, and flexible computing power without the traditional constraints of…

In the digital age, architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are increasingly relying on cloud-based collaboration tools to manage complex projects. Yet, as these technologies evolve, so do the conversations between Building Information Modeling (BIM) professionals and IT departments. The tension often stems from balancing project efficiency with cybersecurity — a challenge that has become…

As Building Information Modeling (BIM) continues to evolve, Revit users are exploring increasingly sophisticated ways to streamline workflows and improve efficiency. One of the most impactful strategies involves optimizing the use of Revit plugins—small tools and extensions that expand the platform’s capabilities. However, without proper management, these plugins can clutter the workspace and create unexpected…