In a recent webinar, George Bains, VP of Customer Success toured OpenAsset’s platform and answered questions on features and functionality. Since the questions were so beneficial to that audience, we wanted to share them with you as well. Now, as you’re considering when and how to use OpenAsset you can utilize these helpful responses.
Question:
Are you able to customize the General Info data? For example, a project may list General Contractor, but we’d probably want to include GC’s contact info. Can we add that in or are we subjected to limitations?
Answer:
You’re able to customize the project-level data to meet your needs. We have clients that store only the GC name and then others that also store the point of contact information for each GC. Tracking contact name, phone number, email address, depth of the relationship, and other useful factors/notes about the relationship.
Question:
For employee profiles, can you also store certification documents and signatures, or just employee photos?
Answer:
You’re able to store certification documents and files that include signatures as well. Here’s a list of our supported file formats: https://success.openasset.com/en/articles/2907886-openasset-supported-file-formats
Question:
When pulling into InDesign or ppt, does the project description come out of OpenAsset too?
Answer:
Yes. If the project description and other information exist in OpenAsset the template can be built to include that information in the custom layout.
Question:
Are the servers hosted in the UK or do you have your data center in the US as well? I’m wondering about the speed of access from the West/East Coast US location.
Answer:
OpenAsset’s primary server location is US East 1. We leverage AWS CloudFront to cache files at regional locations to ensure the fastest times possible for access. We do offer UK and Aus-based hosting – but since your inquiry states you’re in the US, that won’t be relevant here. Speed of access in the US is of the highest quality.
Question:
Do we need to change our file storage methodology, with documents stored on different servers, to a consolidated storage or cloud-based methodology? If documents are stored on local servers, will server pathways be maintained when accessed via a VPN?
Answer:
OpenAsset is a cloud-based software that allows you to store images and documents. Some clients only store images/videos (visual assets) in OpenAsset to tell the project or employee story. Other clients store both imagery and supporting documents for the project or employee experience. If the documents include images/files from OpenAsset that are linked via our InDesign plugin then the links will be maintained, regardless of where they’re located. We can dive into this with you to better understand the question.
Question:
Any integration/collaboration between OpenAssets and Deltek/Ajera?
Answer:
OpenAsset’s Deltek Connector connects with Deltek Vision and Deltek Vantagepoint. If you have Deltek Ajera’s CRM module, we can connect with that as well.
Question:
Can OpenAsset integrate information from our CRM platform so we do not have to manually input new project information once it is entered by our accounting department?
Answer:
Out of the box, we offer integrations (connectors) with Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision, and Unanet CRM. If you are using a custom CRM or other CRM, it can be integrated with OpenAsset via our API. We’ve had a number of clients that have built custom integrations with OpenAsset to push project or employee data into OpenAsset. Alternatively, we have clients that have provided us with exports of data from their CRM to populate information in OpenAsset for projects that are no longer being updated in CRM.
Question:
Will Open Asset recognize Revit, Sketchup, CAD, or other AEC file formats like Rhino or Grasshopper?
Answer:
We do not support Revit, BIM, CAD, or other similar file types. Here’s a list of our supported file formats: https://success.openasset.com/en/articles/2907886-openasset-supported-file-formats. However, we have seen clients store links to the CAD/Revit storage locations on the Project Overview page as a hyperlink, so you can quickly jump from OpenAsset (data, final photography, etc.) into the other platform to view the CAD/Revit/BIM files.
Question:
How is OpenAsset different from Sharepoint?
Answer:
Sharepoint is flat in structure, and not built for the multiple layers involved in every AEC project. We guide users and offer multiple AEC-specific integrations that Sharepoint doesn’t even consider. We’re built for AEC and AEC professionals, whereas Sharepoint is built for IT teams. We also offer a robust taxonomy that we create with you and your team in mind, offer best practices for getting the most out of the tool, and help you launch OpenAsset fully at your organization.
Question:
Does Open Asset offer integrations for AutoCAD and SketchUp as well as the entire Adobe suite?
Answer:
OpenAsset does not support Revit, BIM, CAD, or other similar file types, however, you can verify with our full list of supported file formats. For integrating the systems: we’ve seen clients store links to the CAD/Revit storage locations on the Project overview page as a hyperlink, so you can quickly jump from OpenAsset (data, final photography, etc.) into the other platform to view the CAD/Revit/BIM files. Integrating with the Adobe suite: we currently enable users to launch INDD documents out of OpenAsset, store INDD files in OpenAsset, and leverage our plugin to drag and drop files from OpenAsset into InDesign documents. We’re actively developing additional functionality to allow drag and drop into additional Adobe products.
Question:
Does OpenAsset have a Mobile app?
Answer:
We do! OpenAsset Camera enables you to take photos and videos and upload them directly into your OpenAsset system. You can also upload files already stored on your phone or tablet. Here’s a help site article for the OpenAsset Camera app: https://success.openasset.com/en/articles/3155714-uploading-files-to-openasset-from-your-phone-or-tablet
Question:
Can you integrate with Microsoft Dynamics?
Answer:
Yes. Using our API, we’ve had a number of clients that have built custom integrations with OpenAsset to push project or employee data into OpenAsset. We also have a partnership with AEC360, which is a Microsoft Dynamics-based solution for the AEC industry.
Question:
Are there plans to implement a separate client module similar to the employee module for creating one source of truth for client POC info?
Answer:
This is not currently on our roadmap. However, we have a number of clients that have used the Employee Module to also store client or partner information. We also have clients that store client-level information on projects, listing out the client contacts and other relevant information for each project.
Question:
Are files only kept on Open Asset or are they kept on both platforms, i.e. OpenAsset and Sharepoint? Or do you have to download completed files and save them on Sharepoint?
Answer:
Files can be stored in OpenAsset and Sharepoint – but to ensure the adoption and use of OpenAsset as a single source of truth for imagery, we recommend that you have a single DAM/location for storing content. This allows you to ensure consistent data is captured for assets and projects. We’d be more than happy to dive into this workflow with you!
Question:
Is there a function to implement a safety approval on in-progress construction?
Answer:
Yes. OpenAsset allows for upload approvals, which ensures that as users upload content into OpenAsset the Administrators of the system have the ability to approve or reject the content from being stored in the system.
Contact Us
For additional information or questions on OpenAsset, please reach out to our support team, here. And if you’re new here, welcome! You can get a personalized demo of what OpenAsset can do for your organization, here.
