Streamlining reporting on data center builds with CrewSight

As a US construction company with offices located across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil, Walbridge serves clients in a broad range of markets including automotive, battery manufacturing, industrial process, manufacturing, mission critical, energy and more.

When the firm was awarded the contract to build a large data center in San Antonio for a global tech giant (and later to build a second data center just four miles away), it knew that the latest digital access control and workforce management systems would present the solution to a number of site challenges.

Data center builds are sensitive, complex and large-scale projects, with significant numbers of operatives required on site at any one time, from multiple subcontractors.

These huge facilities are the physical infrastructure behind cloud computing, storing a company’s digital data. Security is critical throughout the building life cycle, and accurate, up-to-the-minute reporting of site operatives is essential.

Walbridge turned to CrewSight’s integrated solution, combining access control hardware and digital entry systems with sophisticated workforce management software. 

Secure site access
Walbridge had used another access control solution on previous projects but felt that the cost wasn’t equal to what it offered. When senior stakeholders started to research alternatives for the first data center build, CrewSight was selected as the most appropriate vendor.

CrewSight worked in collaboration with the Walbridge team, including Senior Safety Engineer Lissa Karch, to develop a tailored solution for the project.

A security turnstile linked to the CrewSight software program enables Walbridge to seamlessly manage all construction personnel. Employees and subcontractors undertake orientation and badging on site, which provides them with secure access to the restricted data center construction area.

Anywhere between 300 and 800 personnel are on site at a time from Walbridge and numerous subcontractors.

Real-time workforce visiblity and reporting
CrewSight’s system combines the latest software and hardware (turnstiles) to provide real-time visibility and reporting.

Using data from the system, the team can see who is on site, what company they work for and how long they have been on site, at the click of a button. Real-time reports can be easily generated to satisfy strict reporting requirements, creating significant time efficiencies for the safety team.

Lissa Karch, Senior Safety Engineer at Walbridge said:
“As soon as I brought CrewSight onboard, the customer service, friendliness and attention to detail has all been outstanding. I have the ability to run reports of individual people or companies, on any day of the week. It’s so functional because I have to report to the client how many people we have on site. Now, at any given time of the day, I can pull up the information on my phone, check the numbers and even say what trades they are. It’s a true timesaver on many aspects of the report that I send to my client.”

After proving its success, CrewSight’s integrated solution was later rolled out at Walbridge’s second data center site, where the turnstile was upgraded to a double arm entry guard shack for enhanced security and control.

Lissa adds:
“When we were awarded the second project two-thirds of the way through the first, we got several quotes just to check the market for value and quality. I didn’t want to take away from the amazing service and support that we got from the CrewSight team, so it was an easy decision to use them again.”