In today’s construction environment, efficiency is everything. That’s especially true in prefabrication, where coordination between modeling, fabrication and field installation can quickly become a complex puzzle.
At our company, we’ve implemented Stratus, which we’ve found to be a powerful tool that helps simplify and speed up the process.
Stratus is a web-based platform that helps us manage prefab workflows from start to finish. Since we began implementing it in 2021, we’ve found the platform gives all our teams visibility into everything that’s happening across a project, from the earliest stages of design through fabrication and final installation in the field.
One of the biggest benefits has been speed. Stratus has helped our teams move faster and more efficiently through the fabrication process, and it allows anyone with access to the model to help create work packages and spools. The platform saves valuable time in the shop and has improved collaboration across departments by making information more accessible and workflows more connected.
When we have a new Revit model, we publish it directly into Stratus. Once it’s in there, anyone on the team can view it. The platform also integrates with many of the tools in our fab shops. You can generate cut lists directly from the model and send them straight to the shop floor, which reduces time and improves accuracy.
That kind of integration makes a huge difference. Instead of manually measuring and marking pipe, operators can take a digital cut list that already includes hole locations and end preps. All they have to do is confirm the details and send it to the machine. This not only saves time but also eliminates guesswork and reduces the chance for error.
In the field, teams are using tablets to access the model. It’s very helpful for our teams to have access to three-dimensional models of our work on the platform.
Conveniently, every part we’re using on a project has a QR code that can be scanned, bringing up the spool or package details right there on the screen. Field teams can update the status of each part in real time and see exactly where everything fits. That level of visibility helps keep installations accurate and on schedule, and it ensures that everyone is working from the most up-to-date information.
Tracking is where Stratus is extremely useful and has really elevated our workflows. Every item has a status associated with it, and those statuses move with the part through every phase of the project. You can track a pipe from the moment it’s modeled to the moment it’s installed, tested and inspected. That kind of insight is hard to come by with traditional methods, and it makes a big difference when coordinating across large teams.
Stratus has also helped us break work into manageable packages. Each package can have a custom description, a requested-by date and a needed-by date. That creates a high level of communication between the fab shop and the field. Everyone can see where a package is in the process and what’s expected next. This breakdown makes it easier to plan, prioritize and stay on track without having to constantly follow up with the shop.
The ability to filter by work package in the system gives us a more detailed view of a project than we’ve ever had before and has streamlined communication, saving us a lot of time. The dashboard allows us to let other teams know of progress on workflows and be able to track them without having to talk directly to the shop every day.
Stratus has also improved how our VDC and field teams work together. Both groups are able to collaborate more closely and assemble packages faster and with fewer issues. The model also helps the field visualize how things will be built, which increases confidence and minimizes rework.
We’ve started using Power BI for external reporting as well. Stratus is able to generate reports that we can embed in dashboards and share through simple links. This makes it easy to update clients without needing to export data manually or create custom summaries. It adds a layer of professionalism and builds trust through transparency.
While the platform is already making a big impact, we know it still has more potential. Stratus is constantly evolving, and we’re excited to keep exploring what it can do and how it can improve our workflows even further.
For now, it’s helping us stay ahead. By digitizing our prefab workflow, giving our teams better tools and improving communication across the board, Stratus is helping us build smarter and move faster. And in this business, that kind of edge makes all the difference.