Anyone with experience implementing technology across an entire organization knows that success largely depends on how users adopt the new solution. It doesn't matter how powerful a system is; if your team doesn't embrace it, it won't deliver.
One great example of tech implementation done right comes from Ample Electric. After implementing Autodesk, multiple users and stakeholders actively engaged in the platform and integrated it into their workflows, ensuring that the company could get the most value out of the software.
We recently caught up with Katie Aalerud, Vice President of Operations at Ample Electric, to discuss her and her team's experience implementing Autodesk and leveraging its features. We also discussed her career journey, her proudest moment at Ample Electric (so far), and the firm's plans for the future.
Check out our discussion below.
Ample Electric is an electrical and heavy civil contracting company recently established in Sacramento, CA. We specialize in a wide range of sectors, including commercial, public works, government projects, agriculture, and residential electrification. I joined the Ample Electric team three years ago, primarily to help manage our Federal government portfolio, which aligns closely with my area of expertise.
Over the course of my 22 years in the construction industry, I began my career as a receptionist for a commercial general contractor. From there, I gradually moved into roles such as project coordinator, project manager, superintendent, SSHO, and quality control manager.
Each of these positions gave me valuable insights into different aspects of the business, which has been instrumental in shaping my approach to operations. This broad experience helped me build a comprehensive understanding of how all the pieces fit together, ultimately leading me to my current role as VP of Operations.
We've done a lot, and there's so much to be proud of. In the last three years, we have grown the business by over 150% in sales.
The company was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as number 8 on the list of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Sacramento. Contributing to this achievement has been incredibly rewarding, as it highlights the impact of our collective work and demonstrates the company's growth and success.
The biggest challenge in my role is staying ahead of the rapidly evolving industry. From changes in construction software to updates in safety regulations and the integration of new technologies, staying informed and adaptable is crucial. Technology plays a key role in overcoming this challenge by providing tools for continuous learning, streamlining processes, and ensuring that we stay connected with industry trends and networks. This helps us remain competitive and aligned with the latest best practices.
It's been a hurdle, but we're making our way. Some of the crucial steps we've taken include connecting with Autodesk, understanding the program, and implementing it. It's been very beneficial for us.
We interviewed a few of your competitors and chose Autodesk because it was versatile for both the office and the field.
Autodesk made it easy for us to communicate on the spot and tackle the issues. Tracking was huge for us, and we really liked how data is broadcasted globally so everyone has information at their fingertips.
For example, if we have a foreman calling us saying that he needs an RFI, our coordinator would pull his pictures from Autodesk Construction Cloud, do a quick markup on Sheets, and then they would do the RFI together and send.
Another thing that stood out about Autodesk was its ability to effectively track the entire project lifecycle while providing real-time, accurate information. This has proven invaluable in ensuring seamless communication and up-to-date documentation throughout the project, making it a key tool in our operations.
One of my favorite features of Autodesk Build is its ability to support our team in staying organized and proactive throughout our projects. It enables us to maintain detailed documentation, ensures clear communication between the field and office, and helps protect the integrity of our work.
And I love the as-built function. Our guys can do as-builts digitally with different colors and do it on the day. It's an actual as-built, and you're not waiting until after the job to bring out the red markers and mark up drawings.
We've also been using the forms feature to do our daily reporting. And we're not having to call all the foremen daily asking for reports. They're actually doing it. It's efficient, and they're very detailed. They're linking it to their photos and their issues. That's been really cool too.
Partnering with Autodesk has significantly enhanced the reliability of our information transfer, accelerated communication, and streamlined our task tracking. This collaboration has led to smoother project execution and more efficient management of "to-do" tasks, ultimately contributing to the overall success of our projects.
The onboarding was effortless, which was great. Also, our quality control is just above and beyond what it has been from our paper time sheets, photos, as-builts, and RFIs. Autodesk has been beneficial both in the office and the field.
In the future, my focus will be on improving efficiency within our Estimating group. We plan to explore strategies and methods to better support our Estimating team. With a significant number of projects and information passing through their division, it is imperative that they have tools to support their success. Afterall, their success is directly tied to the overall success of the company.
My advice to the next generation is to focus on networking and surround yourself with a strong group of mentors who can offer guidance when challenges arise. Building these relationships early on can provide invaluable support throughout a person's career.
