'Workspace' from Union Square Software now enables simple storage and retrieval of business critical email-based knowledge 

Union Square Software has launched a new version of its 'Workspace' knowledge management software to help construction firms improve management of email and prevent valuable business information disappearing down a corporate black hole. 

Whilst most construction firms now have some form of control over the way they handle office documents, few currently have in place a system to manage the company data and valuable knowledge currently locked up in email systems. In order to help construction firms overcome this problem, Union Square's Workspace software now provides companies with a simple method of filing, archiving and retrieving all emails via a central software portal that can be accessed by any employee within the organisation. 

All email folders and sub-folders from within Microsoft Outlook can be replaced within the Workspace portal, enabling users to 'drag' and 'drop' emails directly into the Workspace system. In addition, because emails can be automatically indexed and validated against known entities within the Workspace knowledge management taxonomy, the search and retrieval of emails is greatly simplified.

Since email now accounts for the majority of all communications across the construction industry, including critical instructions and contract negotiations, 'best practice' email management is essential in order to meet contractual commitments and compliance regulations. 

Will Yandell, Commercial Director at Union Square, comments: "Email is the most important form of communication and the most difficult to track, control an archive. Managing email within the construction sector is an imperative where risk management is high on everyone's agenda. 

"However, the business value of managing emails has inherently been overlooked. This new functionality of Workspace will transform the way users take control of the wealth of business-critical information contained within their email inboxes and folders."

Yandell continues: "We have bundled the email management and archive functionality into an offering that will enable an organisation to quickly adopt and deploy the system without incurring the scale of costs normally associated with the deployment of such solutions. Indeed, this offering enables companies to implement a solution that will, in time, grow into a fully integrated Electronic Document Management system and corporate database."

Union Square's Workspace software provides companies in the construction supply chain with a centralised library system enabling them to easily capture, store and retrieve company documentation through a single system and interface. A search engine allows employees to find information using key words or catalogued information, meaning less time spent searching for documents.