In the dynamic construction sector, efficiency and visibility are paramount for success. Shly Deck & Fence, a leading deck and fence construction company, faced significant challenges due to disconnected systems and manual processes. To overcome these hurdles, LATO AI collaborated with Shly to design and implement a custom AI-powered construction project management platform.
The Challenge: Overcoming Obstacles in Construction Project Management
Before LATO AI's intervention, Shly Deck & Fence, like many companies in the construction sector, grappled with a series of operational challenges that directly impacted their productivity and profitability. These obstacles are common in construction project management and highlight the critical need for advanced technological solutions:
Disconnected Systems and Information Silos
The lack of integration among various tools and platforms led to fragmented workflows and an incomplete view of project statuses. This hindered agile and accurate decision-making, creating bottlenecks in the project lifecycle. Many construction firms struggle with disparate systems that prevent a holistic overview of their operations.
Inefficient Coordination and Scheduling
Manual management of scheduling and coordination with vendors, clients, and internal teams consumed an excessive amount of time and resources, often resulting in delays and errors. This is a common pain point, as effective construction schedule optimization is crucial for timely project delivery.
Intensive Manual Processes
Reliance on manual processes for repetitive tasks not only increased the risk of human errors but also diverted personnel from higher-value strategic activities. Automating these processes is a key area for improvement in construction process automation.
Limited Visibility and Lack of Financial Control
The absence of clear, real-time insights into project status and financial performance prevented proactive cost management and resource optimization. This lack of transparency can significantly impact profitability in complex construction projects.
Lack of Scalable and Customized Technology
The market lacked project management software solutions that were flexible and customizable enough to meet the specific needs of a specialized construction company like Shly, limiting their capacity for growth and adaptation to new demands. Generic solutions often fail to address the unique requirements of the construction industry.
These challenges underscore the importance of a robust and tailored construction project management platform capable of centralizing information, automating processes, and providing actionable insights for more efficient and profitable operations.
Our Mission: Empowering Healthcare with Secure, AI-Driven Solutions
Given the identified challenges, the primary objective of the collaboration between LATO AI and Shly Deck & Fence was to develop a construction project management software solution that not only addressed existing deficiencies but also laid the groundwork for sustainable growth and enhanced operational efficiency. The pillars of this ambitious goal included:
Scalability for Sustained Growth
Designing a platform that could seamlessly grow and adapt as Shly expanded its operations and took on a larger volume of projects. This entailed a flexible and modular architecture, capable of integrating new functionalities and users without compromising performance. Scalability is a key consideration for any growing construction business.
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
Ensuring that the new platform communicated fluidly with Shly's existing tools and systems, minimizing disruptions and maximizing the efficiency of the transition. Interoperability was crucial to avoid creating new information silos. Effective integration can significantly improve overall project efficiency.
Cost Reduction and Administrative Workload
Automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows to free up human and financial resources, allowing Shly's team to focus on higher-value strategic activities. This would translate into a significant reduction in operational and administrative expenses. AI-powered automation is increasingly being used to achieve these efficiencies in construction.
Substantial Improvement in Client Communication
Implementing transparent and efficient communication channels that kept clients informed in real-time about their project progress, fostering trust and satisfaction. An intuitive client portal was a central piece of this strategy. Enhanced client communication leads to higher satisfaction and repeat business.
Real-time Financial and Operational Insights
Providing Shly's management with comprehensive and up-to-date visibility into the financial and operational performance of each project. This included the development of customizable dashboards and predictive analytics capabilities, essential for strategic decision-making and profitability optimization. Real-time data is vital for informed decision-making in complex projects.
In summary, the goal was to create an AI construction project management platform that not only solved current problems but also positioned Shly Deck & Fence at the forefront of innovation in the sector, driving efficiency, transparency, and long-term growth.
At a Glance: The AI-Powered Construction Project Management Solution
The Shly Project Management Platform, custom-built by LATO AI, represents a cutting-edge, AI-powered construction project management system designed to centralize all operations. This innovative solution addresses the core needs of construction businesses, offering a suite of features that enhance efficiency, transparency, and control. The platform is a prime example of how AI tools for construction can revolutionize traditional workflows.
How the AI-Powered Platform Works: Streamlining Construction Workflows
Admin Portal: Centralized Control for Project Managers
The Admin Portal serves as the central hub for all project management activities, offering a comprehensive suite of tools for efficient oversight and control. This portal is instrumental in enhancing construction project management efficiency.
Global View Dashboard: Project managers gain a holistic overview of all clients and a summarized snapshot of ongoing projects. This dashboard provides critical insights at a glance, enabling quick assessments of project health and resource allocation.
Client and Project Management: Admins and project managers can easily add new clients, each capable of managing multiple projects. This hierarchical structure ensures organized data management and simplifies the tracking of diverse project portfolios.
Stage-Based Checklists: Each project stage incorporates a detailed checklist, ensuring that all tasks are meticulously completed before advancing to the next phase. This feature promotes adherence to best practices and minimizes oversight, crucial for maintaining project quality and timelines.
Centralized File Management: Project managers and clients can upload required files at every step of the project lifecycle, creating a centralized and organized repository of all critical documents. This eliminates the need for disparate storage solutions and ensures easy access to information, a key aspect of effective construction document control.
Automated Notifications for File Uploads: The system automatically dispatches notifications to clients for pending file uploads, ensuring timely submission of necessary documentation and preventing delays caused by missing information.
Color-Coded Status Tracking: An intuitive color-coded status system allows both admins and clients to quickly track project progress, providing immediate visual cues on the status of each task and overall project health. This enhances transparency and facilitates proactive management.
Client Portal: Empowering Clients with Real-time Access
The Client Portal is designed to empower Shly Deck & Fence clients by providing them with direct, real-time access to their project information, fostering transparency and improving communication. This feature is a testament to the platform's focus on client engagement in construction.
Secure Registration and Access: Clients receive an email invitation to register, granting them secure access to their personalized portal where they can track the status of their projects. This self-service model enhances client satisfaction and reduces administrative burden.
Easy Access to Centralized Files: All project-related files are centralized and easily accessible through the client portal, ensuring that clients have immediate access to agreements, approvals, invoices, and other relevant documents.
SMS/Email Notifications: Clients receive automated notifications via SMS and email for critical updates, ensuring they are always informed about their project's progress. These notifications cover:
Project status updates.
Scheduled dates and appointments.
Reminders to upload required files.
Payment due reminders.
This comprehensive notification system significantly improves communication efficiency and client satisfaction, a vital component of modern construction client management.
Special Features: Enhancing Functionality and User Experience
Direct Client Support within the Platform: Administrators can provide direct support to clients through the platform itself, handling inquiries, rescheduling appointments, and troubleshooting issues seamlessly. This integrated support system streamlines communication and improves response times, leading to higher client satisfaction.
Integrated Financial Management: Admins have the capability to create, track, and schedule payments directly within the platform. Furthermore, they can upload invoices and receipts for easy record-keeping, ensuring comprehensive financial oversight and simplifying accounting processes. This integrated approach to financial management is a key differentiator for AI construction software.
Kanban View: Agile Project Visualization for Construction
The platform's integrated Kanban-style view is specifically designed to provide project managers and administrators with a highly visual and intuitive method for tracking tasks across various stages of completion. This agile approach to project management is particularly beneficial in the fast-paced construction environment. The interface allows teams to organize ongoing projects using drag-and-drop cards, grouped by status categories such as Pending, In Progress, Waiting on Client, and Completed. This visual representation provides an immediate understanding of project flow and bottlenecks.
The Kanban view offers a real-time snapshot of active work, highlighting project bottlenecks and enabling faster coordination between team members. It is particularly useful for managing service requests, material delays, inspection follow-ups, or any job that requires constant monitoring and quick adjustments—making it easier to prioritize action items and move tasks forward without missing a beat. This visual management tool is a powerful component of modern
Key Features
Streamlined Project Management: From job approvals to punch list completion, every step is tracked.
Financial Management: Automated invoices, payments, and P&L reports keep finances in check.
Digital Document Control: Centralized agreements, approvals, and receipts—fully paperless.
Client Engagement: Real-time SMS/email updates for status, reminders, and payments.
AI Insights: Cost forecasts, scheduling optimization, and KPI dashboards.
Why It Matters
Trade contractors like Shly don’t need bulky GC-level software—they need fast, flexible tools built for the way they work. This platform delivers:
Transparency for clients.
Control for admins and project managers.
Scalability to handle more jobs with the same resources.
Profitability through smarter cost and time management.
Conclusion: The Future of Construction Project Management with AI
The collaboration between Lato AI and Shly Deck & Fence stands as a compelling testament to the transformative power of AI-powered construction project management. By addressing critical operational inefficiencies and leveraging advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, Lato AI has delivered a bespoke solution that not only streamlines workflows but also provides a competitive edge in the demanding construction industry.
The Shly Project Management Platform is more than just a software; it's a strategic tool that empowers trade contractors to achieve unprecedented levels of efficiency, transparency, and profitability. From centralized project oversight and enhanced client communication to predictive analytics and automated financial management, this platform embodies the future of construction operations.
As the construction sector continues to evolve, the adoption of AI tools for construction will become increasingly vital for businesses seeking to optimize their processes, reduce costs, and deliver projects on time and within budget. Lato AI's success with Shly Deck & Fence serves as a powerful case study, demonstrating the tangible benefits of investing in intelligent, tailored software solutions.
This report highlights the comprehensive approach taken to SEO-optimize the use case, ensuring that the valuable insights and successes of the Shly Deck & Fence project are discoverable and impactful for a wider audience seeking advanced construction management software and AI in construction solutions.
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