Jackson Ryan Architects: Creativity Sparks Prosperity
“The workflow in architecture is very intricate, and very circular. You have ideas, test them, scrap some, keep others, develop them further, revise materials and budgets, create construction documents, negotiate with contractors, oversee construction. At every step of the way you need to present ideas in a way that’s clear, descriptive, and inspirational.
“So the fluidity of the Mac workflow is a great benefit. We can move files back and forth from VectorWorks to SketchUp to Photoshop and back to VectorWorks. We can save files in several formats and easily integrate the images into other programs. And since VectorWorks will import and export DWG and DXF file formats, we find we have no more difficulty exchanging files with clients and consultants than we did when we used AutoCAD on Windows.
Presentation Powerhouse
“At any point, we can save files to PDF format and easily email them. Or use whatever’s most appropriate and persuasive — videos created with iMovie, tours created with QuickTime VR, booklets created with Adobe InDesign, slideshows in PowerPoint or Keynote. Final, formal presentations can be delivered on paper from our large-format HP plotters, or saved to CD or DVD.
“Because Mac OS X and the software that runs on it are so well integrated, we have a lot of individuals who are skilled at many different pieces of software. There’s just a lot more flexibility with the Mac.”
With well-known architecture programs like Rice University and the University of Houston in their area, Jackson & Ryan frequently hires people fresh out of school. “They’re attuned to the creative process, and often they have a substantial head start on the Mac.” Even if they don’t, Wingfield has found it’s easy to get people up to speed. “In my experience, it used to take 30 to 60 days for folks to become proficient on PCs running AutoCAD. With VectorWorks and the Mac, it takes just two or three weeks.”
Taking Care of Business
Mac technology has even permeated the administrative side of the practice. “We own the Microsoft Office suite, of course, but we also use AppleWorks and Pages for most of our simple word processing and spreadsheet needs. We use Filemaker for everything from timesheets, to transmittal letters, to maintaining the entire office rolodex. We track all our in-house printing, contractor RFIs and change orders, as well as keep a project database online.
Apple’s Xserve is so strong and accessible, it lets me spend most of my time on the big picture. My job here now is to push the envelope, so our firm keeps growing, keeps doing great work for more clients.
“Having our own Apple Xserve has simplified things tremendously, and made us more self-sufficient. Even when our people are traveling, sharing resources and calendars is no problem. The server hardware was priced competitively, and when you factor in that it ships with unlimited user licensing, it’s substantially cheaper than anything running Microsoft server software. What’s more, we knew we could get this server up and running without having to rely on the consultants we’d have needed to install a Windows server.
“Since we brought our own IT in-house, the technical side of things is rarely what occupies my whole day. Apple’s Xserve is so strong and accessible, it lets me spend most of my time on the big picture.
“My job here now is to push the envelope, so our firm keeps growing, keeps doing great work for more clients.”
