Information sharing in design and construction is a complex process. Architects and project teams rely on timely and accurate distribution of files and data, yet ensuring that the right information reaches the right place, at the right time, often becomes a logistical challenge. This is further compounded by the range of authoring and sharing platforms used by different stakeholders. Today, the primary mode of communication remains email, or email-based sharing systems, which offer little visibility into whether the recipient has actually received and reviewed the materials.

At Concert, we aim to eliminate this ambiguity by providing tools that streamline communication and offer greater accountability. We also understand that more than 45% of all sharing transactions are focused on the sending party sharing information without need for an extended back and forth discussion, but it still requires a mechanism to record the receipt from the receiver. Introducing our latest feature: Acknowledgment of Receipt. This tool allows users to create a secure package of information—whether it’s one file or hundreds—to distribute with full visibility into recipient interaction, eliminating the guesswork of email exchanges.

How It Works

Once the sender creates an Issue for distribution in Concert, they can identify its purpose and add recipients. You can include relevant files, provide clarifying comments, and set expectations for how the information should be used. As soon as recipients are added, each recipient receives an email notification that prompts them to accept and download the files.

When recipients log in, they are directed by a prominent notification banner to the files awaiting their acknowledgment. With a simple click, the recipient confirms receipt and the files download under the restrictions defined.

For the sender, this entire process happens quickly and efficiently, generating a permanent record of not just what was sent and to whom, but also of when the recipients accessed that information, making the acknowledgment automatic and permanent. Once the recipient has acknowledged the information, an email is automatically generated and sent to the originator giving them an instant notification that their intended viewer has seen and downloaded the desired information. Now the originator can go into their Concert instance and close the issue, and if desired, create a paper copy of the receipt.

Why Concert Outperforms Email

What sets Concert apart from email is not only the directness of the information exchange but the automation of acknowledgment and tracking. With Concert, there is no need for follow-up or manual tracking of whether your important files were reviewed. Once the process is initiated, the platform manages the workflow, keeping everything clear and organized. You can always revisit the data to see what was shared, to whom, when it was accessed, and if any comments were added.

In short, Concert gives you the clarity and accountability email cannot—empowering your team with a secure, traceable, and efficient method of distributing essential project files.

For more information, go to the Concert demo site to try it out!