By Ash Simpson, Program Manager at SiteREADY

With all the moving parts involved in a workplace build-out, adding another layer to an already complex process may be the last thing on your mind. In fact, this is exactly why you should consider engaging an “IT Superintendent.”

As workplace technology integration evolves at a rapid pace, having someone to oversee technology vendors and the implementation of solutions can go a long way toward ensuring a smooth, efficient and cost-effective build-out. Why?

1. You’ll Have Eyes (and Boots) on the Ground

An IT Superintendent can be likened to a construction manager—an onsite partner responsible for coordinating among the various vendors involved in the construction phase of a project and notifying you immediately of any issues that may arise. These individuals are able to validate—in real time—whether everything is being implemented in accordance with your construction drawings and established project scope.

Additionally, an IT Superintendent is able to accept onsite deliveries on your behalf, including checking the contents of the order, placing them in a secure storage environment and, ultimately, getting the materials into the hands of the appropriate people for implementation.

2. You’ll Save Time and Money

What we often see when companies neglect to hire an IT Superintendent is that it can take much longer to discover when things are implemented incorrectly, leading to cost-prohibitive delays. By the time the mistake is realized, typically during a later-phase audit or inspection, the time and cost it takes to rectify the issue is generally much more significant than if it had been caught early on—or, better yet, prevented altogether—by an onsite IT Superintendent.

For example, if an AV back box is installed at the incorrect elevation and the error goes unnoticed until all the cabling and drywall has been installed, workers must then open the wall back up, correct the position of the back box and redo all the patching, painting and cabling work (true story). Had someone responsible solely for technology been on site, the issue could have been quickly identified and mitigated before any further work commenced.

3. You’ll Avoid Bureaucratic Obstacles

With an IT Superintendent, you gain the assurance of someone who is able to provide immediate answers to questions that vendors may have, often resolving issues in the field before they have the chance to arise. Without this dedicated point person, questions often have to go through a multi-party RFI process, which can delay this critical feedback from reaching the people who need it to perform their duties. IT Superintendents are pivotal in getting vendors’ questions answered quickly and accurately, so that projects can move forward safely and efficiently.

4. You’ll Have an Expert in Your Corner

Without an IT Superintendent overseeing the various aspects of your build-out, you will be relying on the feedback of a general contractor. Because a general contractor is in charge of overseeing the entire scope of a construction project, the information you receive usually won’t be tailored to your individual needs and, in some cases, may even present a conflict of interest.

An IT Superintendent works for you—funneling communication throughout the entire infrastructure of the project to deliver the information you need, when you need it. Typically, the IT Superintendent will produce a weekly report encompassing the overall project status as well as any issues. And if an issue arises that requires your immediate attention, the IT Superintendent will reach out to you directly to make you aware and develop a plan to work through it.

5. You’ll Gain Peace of Mind

This one may be a little harder to quantify, but there is something to be said for having a qualified professional on site dedicated to maintaining a positive, productive workflow and an industrious relationship with all project stakeholders.

Let SiteREADY be the eyes and ears for your next workplace build-out. Connect with us today to learn more about the process and see how our experienced personnel can save you time, money and headache across the entirety of your project.