Ferguson
Founded in 1953, Ferguson is a leading distributor in the U.S., offering high-quality residential and commercial plumbing supplies, pipes, valves, and fittings for HVAC, Waterworks, and Residential Construction industries.
Operating with about 36,000 associates across 1,700 locations, the company serves clients throughout the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Managing Data in Construction Projects
In the construction industry, managing data is often as complex as the projects themselves. Employees deal with vast information vital for planning and executing new developments. This data resides in numerous Excel spreadsheets that evolve continually as projects progress.
From site locations to detailed technical specifications, these spreadsheets need regular updates, and sometimes, you have to start them from scratch for each new project. Keeping everything accurate and adaptable to ongoing changes is a substantial challenge.
Streamlining Data Management with Cloud Solutions
The main goal was to streamline the company’s workflow by replacing the cumbersome Excel-based system with a cloud-based app. This new tool, adaptable to any cloud platform, simplifies data management by consolidating information into a single, reliable source.
The cloud application enables seamless tracking of project details, ensuring that the right people answer the right questions at the correct times, speeding up decision-making, and enhancing accountability.
This improvement significantly reduces the inefficient back-and-forth of Excel spreadsheets during the Facilities Project Survey (FPS) stage, boosting productivity across the enterprise.
Key Feature: a Customizable Form
While flexible and capable of supporting complex macros and data entry rules, Excel sheets were cumbersome to maintain simplicity and clarity.
Users often needed help identifying the current spreadsheet version, leading to confusion and errors. Older projects would still contain data entered in previous versions of these spreadsheets, complicating data integrity and version control.
That’s why one of the cornerstone features is a customizable form designed to optimize data collection. By housing data in one authoritative source, Ferguson can mitigate the issues of multiple copies and version discrepancies.
Business Analysis to Execution
The initial business analysis for Ferguson’s project established the scope and evolving requirements. Development began shortly after, with ongoing analysis to fine-tune the project’s details.
As we realized the need for additional data, we gathered requirements from various departments and incorporated them into our iterative process. Starting with basic sketches, we refined the project through multiple iterations, continuously honing the details until we achieved the final product.
Final Stages and Rollout Strategy
Ferguson received a customized solution based on extensive UX research. This setup is designed to enhance Ferguson’s daily workflows and data management significantly.
Currently, we are preparing for deployment and initial employee testing at the client’s site. Our plan involves starting with a small group of users to test the system and provide feedback, ensuring it meets their needs and effectively replaces the old solution.
This feedback will guide any necessary adjustments before we expand the rollout company-wide, aiming for a smooth transition with minimal disruption.
