Case Studies

Herrick Steel and Hensel Phelps at Kaiser Permanente Riverside Hospital Expansion

Versatile — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:22:52 GMT

The Herrick Corporation and Hensel Phelps used Versatile at the Kaiser Permanente Riverside Hospital Expansion project.

Through this project, the team had set a new benchmark for steel beam installations with

Single-Load installation times at 53% faster than the Versatile Steel Performance Index
Two-Load installations at an impressive 55% faster than the Versatile Steel Performance Index

Overall, the Versatile Steel Performance Index noted delivery results of 31% faster than the average!

Red Cedar Steel Leverages Versatile Technology to Innovate

Versatile — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Background

Red Cedar Steel, a trusted steel erector with over 45 years of experience, is committed to becoming the most innovative steel erector in the United States. By partnering with Versatile, Red Cedar aims to integrate cutting-edge technology into its processes, enhancing efficiency and project execution. With a growing geographic footprint and a reputation for excellence, Red Cedar is pushing the boundaries of technology-enabled workflows to optimize every
project outcome.

"Versatile helps us streamline the erection process and improve communication between the office and the field, boosting productivity and capturing extra costs. We want to assure our clients that we can handle any challenge and are willing to think outside the box to deliver results."

Shawn Kittle, Senior Project Manager, Red Cedar Steel

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The Project

The project involved constructing a one-million-square-foot steel structure Amazon distribution center in Otay, CA, just south of San Diego. Red Cedar faced logistical constraints, working within the structure’s footprint on a concrete pad, leaving little space for staging.

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Pioneering a Safer and More Efficient Process

Red Cedar used an innovative, more efficient method of erecting bays on this project. Instead of traditional steel erection, Red Cedar employed a "panelization" method, preassembling roof trusses and decking on-site. Once the columns were placed, the preassembled roof panels were positioned and secured, significantly improving safety and reducing
time on site.

‍With Versatile, Senior Project Manager Shawn Kittle managed the process remotely and tracked key metrics such as daily quantities of columns, girders, and roof panels. This helped Red Cedar Steel gauge production levels and update schedule milestone dates. They also tracked time on the hook for the items mentioned above to provide feedback to their estimating department, helping Red Cedar develop and optimize this new method.

The Challenges

Every steel project presents unique challenges, and this Amazon warehouse was no exception. The main hurdles included:

A tight project timeline
Limited workspace restricted to the building footprint’s concrete slab
Design changes causing fabrication flaws on multiple columns

The Solutions

#1 Saving Time and Solving Problems

"Being able to pull up the model in Versatile and zoom in on exactly where my team is working streamlines the efficiency of creating a solution on the fly. Instead of relying on phone conversations and paging through drawings, I can see exactly what they're talking about. It saves a ton of time and gives
me easy access to the precise information I need to solve the problem.”
Shawn Kittle, Senior Project Manager, Red Cedar Steel

Versatile allowed Kittle to monitor operations remotely in real time. Instead of traveling to the site to diagnose issues, which would have delayed work, he could log in from anywhere, track sequence installation progress on the 3D model and Calendar, and quickly resolve problems. The travel time saved allowed Kittle to more easily juggle the many projects on his plate.‍

#2 Managing Space Constraints Effectively

Red Cedar’s panelization process minimized the need for onsite equipment. With just two lifts and their crews, the team maximized space utilization and accelerated installation by positioning preassembled sections directly onto the columns rather than constructing them piece by piece. By leveraging Versatile, Red Cedar captured the key process metrics to enhance efficiency on this projectand refine future use of the panelization method.

Compared to traditional stick-built construction– where each bay of steel requires completed connections before decking installation–Red Cedar’s panelized approach delivered bays that were 80% complete, including decking, upon erection. This enabled faster turnover of completed steel framing areas. Versatile tracking further streamlined operations, providing actionable insights to drive continuous improvement in panelized construction efficiency.‍

#3 Quickly Discovering Flaws

Versatile flagged and automatically documented when the crane remained idle for a set period, alerting the team to potential issues. In this case, the system helped detect a critical fabrication error—incorrect base plates. By providing clear under-hook visibility, Versatile facilitated quicker issue detection and resolution, ultimately capturing an additional $10,000 in lost time and inefficiencies. Additionally, Red Cedar used Versatile’s precise time-tracking data to document delays and rework
for billing accountability.

#4 User-Friendly System with Reliable Support

Kittle was impressed by Versatile’s intuitive interface—it easily displays the job site on screen—and its ability to track work. Versatile’s support team responded quickly to technical issues, minimizing disruptions and ensuring smooth operations.

The Results

Measuring the performance with Versatile’s unbiased, reliable, and structured data allowed Red Cedar to implement an inventive solution in the field. As Red Cedar’s second project using both the panelization method and Versatile technology, installation efficiency significantly improved compared to the
previous project. With refined metrics and time saved, Red Cedar fulfilled the accelerated schedule on the Amazon distribution center while innovating and staying within budget.

Red Cedar plans to use the Versatile Steel Production Data to improve future estimates and win more work. With access to objective data-based unit rates, Red Cedar can more confidently project the expected output for projects to bid intelligently.

‍Red Cedar continues using Versatile to develop new methodologies and improve upon industry practices. Versatile’s precision reporting ensures that Red Cedar remains at the forefront of the steel subcontracting industry, delivering successful projects with cutting-edge technology.

"Red Cedar and Versatile work well together because we're both pushing the envelope to meet customer needs. Versatile is a great fit for us because we're always seeking the next best thing to be faster, better, and more profitable. Versatile has been an excellent support in achieving these goals."

Shawn Kittle, Senior Project Manager, Red Cedar Steel

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‍Why Choose Versatile?

Steel erection presents a unique set of complex challenges where teams are juggling multiple priorities at once: constant coordination, communicating progress, negotiating changes, controlling schedules, and managing ever-shifting logistics. Versatile addresses each of these challenges by providing timely data, objective insights, and streamlined workflows, helping steel erectors deliver projects better than before.

#1 Simplify Communication and Documentation

Visual Data for All Stakeholders: Translate on-site metrics into clear, actionable reports and 4D visuals for owners, GCs, fabricators, and team members.
Comprehensive Records: Automatically log crane downtime, picks, and rework details—helping you substantiate T&M tickets, change orders, or claims.

#2 Manage Schedules and Production Better Than the Competition

Real-Time Progress Tracking: Stay up to date on the number of columns, girders, beams panels, and elements installed each day.
Dynamic Scheduling: Adjust resources and timelines and see the impact faster than before.

#3 Control Costs and Recover Lost Time

Identify Inefficiencies: Pinpoint where productivity dips and take immediate corrective action.
Boost Profitability: Capture hidden costs from rework or disruptions.

#4 Foster Continuous Improvement

Benchmark for Future Projects: Use historical data to sharpen estimates and optimize planning.
Replicate Success: Implement proven strategies—like panelization—on new projects with confidence.

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By integrating Versatile, steel erectors can better manage complex builds, uphold stringent safety protocols, and consistently deliver top-quality results. With actionable data at your fingertips, you’re empowered to innovate, streamline, build better and win more work—just like Red Cedar Steel.

Turner Construction Company is setting new benchmarks - Aventura

Versatile — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Turner Construction Company is setting new benchmarks on the 3050 Aventura project, and the numbers prove it. Using Versatile to capture actual performance, the results are nothing short of outstanding!

Structural Steel Performance by Banker Steel Highlights:

Steel Beam Installation Speed: 3,129 beams installed - outperforming the industry average by 16%!
Precision Execution: 3,121 beams set without any additional adjustments or double handling.

These stellar results are a testament to the meticulous planning, dedication, and execution the 3050 Aventura team brings every day.

Gilbane Building Company + Versatile - CHOP

Versatile — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Gilbane Building Company is using Versatile to transform project planning and execution. By leveraging their own production data, Gilbane teams drive efficiency, predictability, and safety across their most ambitious builds.
Watch Two Projects' Spotlight:

The Morgan Center for Research and Innovation (Philadelphia): A 17-story, state-of-the-art pediatric research facility that seamlessly integrates wet and dry laboratories for groundbreaking collaboration.
North Market Tower (Columbus): A 32-story mixed-use marvel combining modern amenities and refined industrial design, setting a new benchmark for urban development.

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Real-time data and daily Insights allow teams to track crane pick times, identify trends, and make critical adjustments. This tech is a game-changer that benefits the entire project team, clients, and trade partners. Together, Gilbane and Versatile are making every minute matter!

Turning cranes into smart devices with AI and IoT technology.

Versatile — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The Versatile solution was piloted on Turner’s Manchester Pacific Gateway project in San Diego—a 17-story, 378,000 sq. ft. facility with two tower cranes. The device provided critical insights into crane utilization and productivity and the flow of materials on the jobsite that empowered the team to better plan and sequence construction activities and positively impact schedule and safety. The use of Versatile also resulted in early demobilization of the tower crane.

"We used Versatile to avoid overtime and reduce the peaks and valleys associated with crane utilization to ensure the cranes were operating as efficiently as possible"

Chris Brown
Project Superintendent for Turner

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Partners in Efficiency

Versatile — Fri, 30 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Operating continuously since 1902, today Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc. (Hawaiian Dredging) is Hawaii’s largest and most diversified construction company. With more than 900 employees and five divisions (Building, Commercial, Heavy, Waterfront & Foundation, and Power & Industrial) the company has built many of Hawaii’s iconic structures as well as many of its transportation and utility infrastructural projects.

In spite of its long history of success, Hawaiian Dredging is always looking for ways to operate more safely and efficiently.

With complex jobs involving multiple subcontractors, it was sometimes difficult to have an accurate picture of what was happening on a job and which subcontractors needed to receive feedback or instructions.
With their own data showing that jobsite crane operations cost over $865 per hour, Hawaiian Dredging knows that any crane efficiencies that can be gained can have a substantial impact on the bottom line.
For the well-being of its people, and to avoid costly fines and suspensions, ensuring the safety of the team is always a top priority.

In an effort to further optimize its operations, Hawaiian Dredging turned to Versatile and its CraneView^® IoT platform.

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"Now that our team has seen what CraneView can do they’re going to expect to have it on every new jobsite.”

Chris Baze‍BIM Manager for Hawaiian Dredging

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Download the case study to learn more.

Gilbane Transforms the Ordinary into the Extraordinary.

Versatile — Thu, 22 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Versatile’s CraneView 4.0 is in use on Gilbane’s Department of General Services, General Assembly Building project in Richmond, VA. This new 415,000 SF, 15-story legislative and administrative office tower is the central component of an extensive modernization program for Virginia’s historic capitol square.
Gilbane’s project team maximized the daily data reports to measure, analyze and improve performance on crane utilization, site logistics, operations and safety, yielding higher output and improved schedules, and a safer, more efficient subcontractor workflow.

Running multiple devices on multiple cranes, the project team has been able to identify and mitigate outliers, double handling and inefficiencies to maintain optimal performance. Motionless metrics provided by CraneView allowed for coordinating real-time deliveries as well as managing picks and efficient workflow. To date, the project team has seen up to 90% utilization rate on steel erection and 98% on the facade.

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"Our relationship with Versatile has allowed us to be on the front edge of new technology in the construction market. This technology enables us to analyze our performance on a daily basis, providing a truly unique vantage point to create better outcomes in real-time. We’re looking forward to seeing how this knowledge empowers us in the planning stage of our projects—I believe we’ve only just begun to see the potential.”

Brett Thompson
Senior Project Manager for Gilbane

Building Stronger Relationships Through Greater Transparency

Versatile — Thu, 01 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Founded in 1944 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Sellen Construction builds iconic projects for the region’s tech, science, arts, health care and hospitality leaders. Sellen operates primarily in the Pacific Northwest and offers a wide range of services from preconstruction support, cost estimating and constructability services, to Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), integrated project delivery and sustainability services. Sellen has a Special Projects group that regularly performs smaller, specialty tenant improvements for a variety of nonprofit, office and health care clients. Sellen’s notable projects include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Campus, expansions on the Seattle Children’s Hospital campus, the King Street Station Restoration, and The Spheres.

Cascadian is a Class A, 211,000 square-foot office project in Seattle’s thriving South Lake Union neighborhood. It is planned to be completed in Q3 of 2021. Sellen regularly brings innovative processes and technology to its jobsites, delivering world-class service to its clients. The Cascadian team decided to pilot the CraneView® solution on its project to explore the benefits of using data captured under the hook of the crane to understand and identify opportunities for performance efficiencies.

"CraneView provided more transparency among everyone on the job allowing us to have more productive conversations internally and with our subcontractors.”

Tyler BoydProject Manager for Sellen

Download the case study to learn more.‍

Get Ahead with CraneView

Versatile — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

At Versatile we believe that with the right data construction processes can be controlled in ways that have never been possible. Learn how, with more than half a million crane picks analyzed, CraneView is helping project teams get to the heart of daily precision and predictability.

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Want to learn more? Let’s Talk

Austin Commercial on Delivering Results with Artificial Intelligence in Construction

Versatile — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Austin Commercial, one of the nation’s most diversified builders, automatically collects and analyzes productivity data from construction sites with Versatile’s CraneView®.

The company’s superintendents identified impactful job site patterns to help them streamline their hoisting process by learning from daily performance data and time-on-hook metrics. Data will enable multiple advantages across their projects by capturing actual production data from their sites to automatically measure performance.

Watch the video for examples of how Austin Commercial is gaining data-driven insights with the AI-powered device:‍

“CraneView helped us discern patterns and gave us unique, real-time insights on activities that maximized efficiency in our planning efforts, streamlined our overall hoisting process, and improved our project execution.”

-Todd Harper, Director of Construction Technology, Austin Commercial

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