Construction Software Companies & Consultants in Madison, WI

AkitaBox is a Madison, Wisconsin software company that builds tools for documenting, assessing and running buildings throughout their lifespan. Its products serve two main audiences: owners and operators who maintain facility portfolios, and architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) firms and facilities services providers who deliver assessments and turnover data to clients. For buyers comparing construction software, the company is most relevant where a project moves from construction into operations and long-term asset management.

Background

The business started in 2015. Its four founders were working inside a large Midwestern construction organization and kept seeing the same problem. Buildings designed with modern 3-D CAD models were turned over to owners with stacks of paper drawings and equipment manuals.

The founders adapted the data-gathering methods they used in construction to show locational building information in a simple format for operations teams. AkitaBox says its funding has come entirely from investors in the middle of the country. In 2020 it placed No. 578 on the Inc. 5000 list of fast-growing private companies, ranking ninth among Wisconsin firms.

It has also received several workplace awards.

Software Suite

The company sells a family of related products that can be used together or separately:

• AkitaBox Pulse: the combined suite covering asset and maintenance management, inspections, capital planning and condition assessments
• AkitaBox Capture: a field tool for collecting facility data
• AkitaBox FCA: digital facility condition assessment capture, aimed at firms that want to replace paper workflows and compete more effectively on RFPs
• AkitaBox Platform: asset and maintenance management with a portal for building occupants
• AkitaBox Capital Management: tracking of asset condition and likelihood of failure
• AkitaBox Inspections: inspection software focused on compliance
• AkitaBox Connect: an integration with Procore that moves construction project information into the owner's operational system at handover

Implementation Approach

Onboarding begins with a kickoff call to agree on goals and schedule. AkitaBox staff then review existing documents and floor plans, check actual conditions, and produce standardized floor plans. Its team visits sites to record building and asset data and attaches a QR code label to each asset.

Clients who prefer to collect data themselves can use the company's tools, with training and backup support. AkitaBox loads the information into the software and works with the client to settle on asset naming conventions. Customers receive a system already populated with mechanical, electrical, plumbing and life safety data. Training is normally delivered virtually, with onsite sessions available.

Afterward, the team helps design a preventive maintenance program and enter its schedules. Each customer is paired with a dedicated Customer Success Manager.

Industries and Clients

AkitaBox works with organizations across the U.S. and highlights these sectors:

• Architecture, engineering and construction
• Healthcare
• Higher education and K-12 schools
• Government
• Commercial real estate

Customer stories on its site include construction firm CG Schmidt, McKinstry, school districts, counties, health systems and a YMCA. Users describe faster field data collection, fewer repeat trips to job sites, and a single shared record of building assets.