Solving the silo problem in AEC firms starts with a connected tech stack that boosts collaboration, efficiency, and profit.
The architecture, engineering, and construction industry is undergoing a digital transformation, yet many firms still struggle with disconnected workflows and information silos. Let’s dig into the challenges AEC firms face in adopting and integrating technology, and how creating a connected tech stack can revolutionize operations.
The challenge: disconnected systems, fragmented teams.
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Data silos. Many AEC firms still operate in isolated structures, where information is trapped within specific teams, departments, or software tools. These data silos lead to incomplete records, inconsistent documentation, and coordination challenges. According to McKinsey, data silos can increase project costs by up to 25 percent and contribute to significant delays.
The root issue is often a lack of interoperability. Tools don’t talk to each other, requiring manual reentry of data or reliance on outdated methods like spreadsheets. As a result, crucial information is either lost or becomes inaccessible at key stages of the project lifecycle. -
Resource constraints. Digital adoption requires more than just tools, it needs people. However, only about 1 percent of architecture firms have dedicated in-house technologists or R&D teams, according to a 2023 report by the AIA and the Center for Architecture Science and Ecology.
Small and mid-sized firms often rely on peer recommendations, junior staff doing occasional research, or informal exploration of tools, a method that is inefficient and prone to bias. With steep learning curves and limited guidance, many firms fail to integrate technology meaningfully into their workflows. -
Limited knowledge-sharing culture. Unlike sectors such as software or aerospace, where open-source collaboration and peer-reviewed research are common, the AEC industry often operates with a “closed” mindset. Sharing project data, processes, or lessons learned is the exception, not the rule.
Innovative exceptions do exist. ELEMENTAL, for instance, has openly published project documentation and design strategies. Similarly, the aec+tech platform offers a community-driven Case Study Library, allowing AEC technology providers and firms to share real-world implementation stories.
But such openness remains rare. The result? Missed opportunities for peer learning, slow innovation, and redundant efforts across firms facing similar challenges.
The impact and cost of data silos in AEC.
The average AEC project involves dozens of stakeholders, from architects and structural engineers to contractors and sustainability consultants, each using different software tools and platforms. This lack of interoperability forces teams to rely on manual data transfers through spreadsheets or emails. Not only is this error-prone, but it also means that crucial insights are often buried or overlooked.
According to McKinsey and other industry analyses, more than 95 percent of data generated in the construction industry goes unused, largely due to fragmentation. This is not just a missed opportunity; it’s a direct hit to productivity and profits.
What does a connected tech stack look like?
A connected tech stack breaks down these silos by integrating tools across the project lifecycle. Rather than relying on legacy systems that don’t communicate, firms now have access to platforms that sync in real-time, automate workflows, and centralize data.
An effective connected tech stack includes:
- Project management platforms that track timelines, budgets, and resources
- Design and modeling software that supports collaborative workflows
- AI engines that analyze and optimize data in real time
- Cloud-based storage and content management for centralized access
- Software platforms that have open APIs that can be used to build integrations
The result? A streamlined ecosystem where everyone, from the intern to the executive, works off the same up-to-date information.
Why now?
The built world is the second least digitized sector globally, according to McKinsey. However, the AEC industry is a significant contributor to the U.S. GDP, with an average annual spending of $1.4 trillion. AEC firms’ spending on technology is increasing, driven by the need to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact (as the AEC industry is a primary contributor to greenhouse gases), and leverage horizontal applications like FinTech, SaaS, Big Data, IoT, AI-ML, and robotics.
Tools leading the integration effort.
In the AEC+Tech community, you’ll find a growing collection of platforms designed specifically to break down silos and encourage connected workflows in AEC firms.
From case studies featured on aecplustech.com, several real-world examples show how integrating the right stack can revolutionize practice. One large engineering firm used Egnyte in conjunction with Autodesk BIM 360 to manage over 20TB of data across 15 global offices. The result? A 40 percent reduction in data retrieval time and better regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. Another startup architecture firm leveraged SWAPP AI to reduce manual drafting time by 60 percent, allowing their designers to spend more time on conceptual work and less on repetitive documentation.
AI and automation: supercharging the stack.
AI is becoming the connective tissue of the modern AEC stack. Whether it’s predictive scheduling, generative design, or automated compliance checks, AI is eliminating friction at every turn.
InspectMind AI, for example, transforms field notes and images into detailed reports automatically, syncing with project records instantly. Tools like this eliminate the need for double-entry or delayed updates from the field to the office. The key advantage? AI can interpret, map, and normalize data across platforms, even when those platforms don’t natively integrate.
Platforms like Arkdesign.ai leverage AI to assist with early-stage design decisions by generating and optimizing floor plan layouts in real-time. Similarly, Qbiq uses data and generative algorithms to automate workplace planning, helping firms produce accurate space plans tailored to specific organizational needs in minutes. Meanwhile, D5 Render uses AI and GPU acceleration to produce photorealistic renderings almost instantly, making visualization an integrated and interactive part of the design process.
Looking Ahead: a blueprint for future-proof firms.
The industry is heading toward interoperability by default. As open standards (like IFC and ISO 19650) become more widely adopted, and tools increasingly offer plug-and-play integrations like those within BQE CORE, the vision of a fully connected AEC stack is becoming more achievable.
To stay competitive, AEC firms should:
- Audit current tools and identify where data silos exist
- Invest in integration-first platforms that align with firm workflows
- Leverage directories like aecplustech.com to explore options and find the best-fit tools
- Train staff to embrace digital processes and build data fluency
- Identify parts of their workflow that could be automated or improved with integrated tools
- Build out the integrations that would give them better insights from their data or save time on their processes
Final thoughts.
Siloed data is no longer just an inconvenience. It’s a liability. With connected platforms, AI integrations, and a culture of collaboration, AEC firms can unlock new levels of productivity, creativity, and profitability. The future is integrated.
Niknaz Aftahi is CEO and co-founder of AEC+Tech. Contact her at niknaz@aecplustech.com.