Integration with Inventory Management Software
Wholesalers would be able to use Revit if it tied in well with their Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) software. If the improved communication between architects, interior designers, engineers, general contractors, and sub contractors extended to include wholesalers who work to fulfill material for the building projects would have many operations savings to be had. Conversely, the designers would have the option to go green by having the ability to limit specified materials to what is physically available in a wholesaler's inventory. In small rural areas that struggle to support architecture firms and wholesalers alike, if the design process could be married to the material fulfillment process, there might be enough in the two small piles to consolidate into one big pile. Imagine a virtual showroom powered by Revit? Imagine an outside sales professional with a wholesaler calling on customers using design skills to show contractors and end customers what is possible with material that is on hand and readily available. Contractors often don't like design, wholesalers often lament design choices (why specify the thing that has an 8 week lead time when there is something similar that is already on the shelf ready to go). Inventory management with Revit would most benefit Design Build firms and quite possibly allow them to dabble with wholesale distribution.