Localiza is a leader in the car rental market in Latin America and a global reference in the sector. There are already more than 600 agencies spread throughout Brazil and South America, with the expectation of further expanding the number of stores.

To continue growing, the company needs to invest in new agency projects, and this is where common challenges arise for other companies in the expansion process: managing many simultaneous works, spread across different regions, within short deadlines, and with various suppliers involved.

In this blog, therefore, we will discuss some of the main challenges that expanding companies generally face during the management of their rapid works and how technology can be a strong ally for optimizing this process.

To demonstrate how this is possible, we have brought the case of Localiza, which achieved better results in its projects through work management via 360° images. The content was created based on the webinar held with Stefan Zeller, engineering and works manager at Localiza, on our YouTube channel.

5 challenges in expansion project management

When we talk about projects from expanding companies, there are some points that characterize this type of work, such as tight schedules, small engineering teams, a large number of suppliers involved, and the number of works underway at the same time, with standardized items, among others.

These and other specificities make the process of constructing and managing these rapid works even more complex, generating some challenges in the work routine. Check out what they are and how to overcome them.

Short and non-negotiable deadlines

As companies need to open new stores or renovations frequently, deadlines are always tight, and teams must work very efficiently to meet the stipulated dates.

Cost management

Due to the number of suppliers and service providers involved, it's a challenge to control expenses and ensure that the project stays within the established budget. In some situations, unforeseen events and last-minute changes can also result in additional costs.

Travel

As there are many projects underway, generally spread across different regions, a greater number of trips are required to conduct field inspections. This results in unproductive time for engineers and other individuals responsible for in-person visits, in addition to costs for travel and accommodation.

Quality and safety assurance

Companies seek to maintain quality and safety in all processes during the execution of their works. The type of construction and business definitions of these expanding organizations also require that some items be standardized, making it necessary to verify these details and frequently monitor them to keep everything within the required standard and quality.

Lack of communication

Relying on WhatsApp photos or reports sent by contracted companies is also a challenge in managing works from a distance. This is because, in some situations, information can be omitted, and conventional photos, which only show a single angle, often fail to depict the actual state of the construction.

Moreover, the number of suppliers involved demands clear communication so that everyone is aligned and working in the same direction and according to the needs of the company.

The Localiza case in expansion project management

Localiza is an example of an organization that faces challenges similar to those listed earlier. With a strong expansion strategy, involving renovations, extensions, adaptations, and the construction of new stores and distribution centers, its projects are characterized by the time in which they are executed, averaging up to 90 days.

With a lean team to manage a wide variety of projects at the same time, spread across different regions, and with tight delivery deadlines, attention is heightened, and the need for greater agility and productivity is even more pressing.

To handle the large volume of works and ensure deadlines are met, Localiza, in addition to having a competent and structured team, invested in innovation, well-defined workflows, and automated processes. All of this was necessary to be agile and practical in the routine of constructing and managing works.

How 360° remote project management assists Localiza

Among the technologies used by Localiza is Visi by Construct IN, the platform specialized in management and documentation of works through 360° images. The software is utilized to remotely manage all the rapid and complex projects of the company that last between 30 and 90 days.

Through 360° images, it is possible to have complete records of the project, without relying on photos from the same angle or outdated ones sent via messaging apps or included in daily project reports.

The system also enables comparisons between different dates, facilitating the process of measurements, in addition to integrating with BIM model, allowing verification of whether what is being executed aligns with the project.

With Construct IN, in addition to having a 360° view, Localiza can monitor all projects virtually, anytime and anywhere. The company's engineers keep track of the main points from a distance, and all employees have access to the platform.

This way, the tool allows everyone involved in the project to have more transparency about what is happening on the construction site, reducing travel, costs related to rework, and unproductive time for engineers.

According to Stefan Zeller, engineering and works manager at Localiza, the tool impacts compliance with deadlines, the preparation of reports and checklists, relationships with contractors and construction firms, and the evaluation of contractual amendments.

Next, we have separated some testimonials from Stefan in the webinar for you to discover more benefits of the management and documentation platform for 360° works.

Transparency of the construction site

“With Construct IN, there is no way to hide anything because it captures 360°. From the floor to the ceiling, you can see everything. This way, I can have the view and make the decision right there as I’m seeing, I can already open a note or make a call, so the decision is automatic.”

Cost savings on trips

“The greatest gain in hiring Construct IN was the reduction of trips and the speed in decision-making while viewing the 360° photos. You significantly reduce air travel because when you are in the office, instead of spending a day traveling, you take half an hour in front of Construct IN and can get a general overview of the project, analyze what is needed, do what needs to be done, or notify the responsible party. With that, we have already reduced at least one-third of the number of trips.”

Team productivity

“If you have a project in Fortaleza, for example, you waste hours of an engineer's time with travel, in addition to fatigue, and he only focuses on that project and forgets about the others. With Construct IN, instead of using one or two days of an engineer on a project, you spend hours of his time on one project, and he will be more available for others.”

Traceability of information

“Another benefit of using the platform is traceability, having the history of your project for future maintenance or any problems that arise, you can go back in time and find out how it was built and have all the records. In the past, you had to have a million photos and get lost; today, you have a timeline and can capture everything.”