Technology in Architectural Practice

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The AIA Technology in Architectural Practice Knowledge Community (TAP) serves as a resource for AIA members, the profession, and the public in the deployment of computer technology in the practice of architecture. TAP leaders monitor the development of computer technology and its impact on architecture practice and the entire building life cycle, including design, construction, facility management, and retirement or reuse.

    

  • 1.  Options for Server Solution

    Posted 01-05-2024 11:56 AM

    I am looking for options for file storage for our offices.  We are a team of 13 in two offices.  We currently have a Dell File Server for correspondence and photos, etc. and are using BIM Collaborate for our Revit files.

    Our server is now five years old and I need to look for a replacement solution.  Can anyone share what they are using?



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    John "Jay" Chase AIA
    Chase Marshall, APAC
    Lafayette LA
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  • 2.  RE: Options for Server Solution

    Posted 01-08-2024 08:44 AM

    Our studio has been using Egnyte for the past 5 years and it has been great for us. https://www.egnyte.com/. It is a cloud based server so there is minimal equipment needed to run and maintain, and allows our teams to access the server from anywhere with an internet connection, (no VPN required).  Really saved our butts during covid when everyone needed to work from home.  Our Studio uses Archicad, so I can't comment on how well it will work with Revit files, but there are specific integrations designed for Revit to allow for work sharing.  However, I assume that is what you will be using BIM Collaborate for anyways.
    I would be happy to discuss more with you if you have any questions.



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    Mark Hensler AIA
    Mark Hensler Person
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Options for Server Solution

    Posted 01-09-2024 05:35 PM

    We've had great success with Egnyte and are a similar size firm. Egnyte has become our main file server and has replaced box.com and previous solutions for file sharing. Access is very easy from any type of device. Egnyte has also replaced much of our need to VPN while remote. It doesn't play well with Revit files, but BIM Collaborative can solve that.



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    Brian Meissner AIA
    ECI/Hyer Inc.
    Anchorage AK
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Options for Server Solution

    Posted 01-09-2024 05:59 PM

    It appears that many of us have been going the way of not having a local server.  When we had a "little birdie" tell us at the supermarket that the whole nation was going to be shut down the next day, I did a deep dive into off-site server solutions knowing we would all be working at home.  We landed on Dropbox and as it turns out, it has been a blessing.  We work on both Mac (Vectorworks) and Windows (Revit) platforms and with other teams and remote staff.  Dropbox has been great in that it has been reliable, has built-in backups every 15 minutes (and that came in handy one day when a file is mistakenly deleted and saved us not having to reconstruct 4 hours of work!), and is faster than our office server was, not to mention no longer having to maintain server a static IP for VPN, software and hardware.  With the savings, we upgraded our internet services at work and home to synchronous fiber with an average 1GB up/down throughput.  We also use Dropbox for file access and delivery of large files to consultants and other team members.  4 years running now and haven't looked back.  We don't use it for Revit, as we, too, have BIM Collaborate with our partner firms hosting our shared projects on that platform.

     

     

    Irving

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    A community-based architecture firm designing affordable housing that is accessible! Celebrating 35 years in practice and serving our local communities.

     

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    Irving A. Gonzales, AIA | NOMA – Principal 

    G7A | Gonzales Architects

    email: irving@G7Arch.com

    web: G7Arch.com

     

    2023 | Board of Directors | Chair | Mission Housing Development Corp.

    2015 | AIA San Francisco Chapter President

     

     

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    Original Message