Challenge
- Managing project tracking through manual spreadsheets, which were complex and prone to error
- Multiple expensive software licenses with a lack of consolidated tools
- Inefficiencies due to managing manual work related to project management, which became a full-time job
- Inability to scale projects using the current management process
Solution
- Conexon brought on Quickbase as a unified platform for project management, safety, fleet management, and more – transitioning multiple siloed tools into one cohesive system
- Conexon transitioned project management to Quickbase, enabling them to support additional project needs, including contractor production tracking, permitting, scheduling, and prioritization
- Replaced a legacy system for collecting field production for the splicing division
- Captured design ticketing with Quickbase instead of the former tool
- Additional safety information captured in a specific Quickbase safety management app
Benefits
- Potential business cost savings in the millions for all these use cases
- Consolidating tools to save more than $100,000 in software expenses and improved productivity by saving users 60 minutes per day
- Enhanced efficiency and data accuracy, fulfilling the needs of multiple departments
- Unified team that fosters better connection between the construction and splicing teams, and better efficiency between design and construction teams
- Reduced errors, streamlined processes, and better allocated resources
Background
Conexon LLC is an industry-leading broadband network design and construction firm working with rural electric cooperatives, communities, and other entities to deploy fiber to homes in rural areas around the country. These nation-spanning projects demand rigorous management and coordination. Initially, Conexon used spreadsheets to track its projects which led to major challenges in trying to access data and scale processes to grow revenue. When Sarah Griffin joined the team as Director, Construction Program Management over 3 ½ years ago, she knew that the project management process was simply not up to the task.
The Solution
Having successfully used Quickbase at a prior company, Sarah brought Quickbase on at Conexon to manage projects. Needing a tool where a lot of people could have the right level of access and the ability to have a centralized view to easily communicate, Conexon tapped Quickbase to handle its project tracking and eliminate the extra human effort required to support the legacy processes. The team chose Quickbase because of its proven effectiveness and its flexible implementation.
Quickbase provided a unified platform for project management, safety, fleet management, and more. Quickbase allowed Conexon to consolidate multiple tools into a cohesive system. Here are some of the applications that Conexon has built:
- Project management: The Project Management app is the one that “started it all” for Conexon, according to Sarah. Instead of an incredibly laborious spreadsheet process, Conexon uses Quickbase to support end-to-end project management, including contractor production tracking, permits, schedules, and project prioritization.
- Construct: Quickbase centralizes the field production information for Conexon, improving communication between construction and splicing teams. It’s also connected directly to the project management application.
- Design: Quickbase is used for design ticketing and can now capture ticketing paths to improve communication between design and construction teams.
- Safety and fleet management: With Quickbase, Conexon can capture vehicle accidents and near misses, track assets, and better communicate fleet and safety-related data.
This has enhanced efficiency and data accuracy with all this data in one central tool instead of multiple systems or an unwieldy spreadsheet. Quickbase has ultimately been able to transform Conexon’s construction operations. “Now [people] realize the value of what we’re doing in our data,” Sarah added.
Benefits
Conexon has seen major financial savings and benefits in operational efficiency with Quickbase. “We went through and calculated the business impact—and we estimate it was potentially in the millions,” Sarah said. With improved communications, the ability to centrally track data, and key processes under control, Conexon can take on more projects with confidence.
Conexon has also reduced the number of IT tools used throughout the organization, saving money on tools that would have repetitive capabilities – without losing productivity. “By working with Quickbase, we’ve been able to save more than $100,000 in additional software,” Sarah laid out. “But we’ve also been able to increase productivity between 6 and 8%, and we’re saving users about an hour a day through using a centralized system."
Ultimately, Quickbase allowed Conexon to reduce errors, streamline processes, and position itself for growth in the future – without losing data. “We can tie our apps together to each other, so we’re not siloed,” she said. “Without the flexibility, we would be crushed.”
