Industry
IT support for architects and design studios in Melbourne
Architecture and design studios run on demanding software, large project files, and tight collaboration between teams, consultants, and contractors. The technology behind your practice needs to be reliable, fast, and properly managed. We make sure it is.
Book an IT reviewUnderstanding your work
We know how architects work
Architecture and design practices depend on software that places real demands on hardware — Revit, AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, and the visualisation tools that sit alongside them. These applications require capable machines, fast storage, and reliable networks. A slow workstation mid-project or a storage system that can't handle large BIM files costs real time.
Project files in architecture are large and complex. A single Revit model can grow to hundreds of megabytes, and projects typically accumulate significant file histories over months or years. Without a structured approach to how those files are stored, versioned, and shared, things break down quickly — especially when multiple team members are working on the same project simultaneously.
Collaboration is equally complex. Architects work with structural engineers, mechanical consultants, builders, and clients — all of whom need access to different parts of the project at different times. Managing that access securely and without creating friction requires a thoughtful system, not improvised file sharing.
Many studios also run mixed environments — Windows workstations for CAD-heavy work alongside macOS machines for visualisation, presentation, and general use. Supporting both platforms well, without compromise, is something most IT providers don't do particularly well. We do.
Common problems
What gets in the way
Hardware that bottlenecks complex models
Rendering, navigating large 3D models, and running simulation tools all require substantial computing power. Studios that haven't invested in properly specified workstations find themselves waiting — for renders to complete, for models to load, for the machine to catch up. Getting hardware right from the start pays for itself in recovered productivity.
Storage that can't keep pace
Working off underpowered NAS devices or consumer-grade external drives introduces lag and instability. Large project files need fast, structured storage with a proper backup strategy. When that storage isn't reliable, projects are at risk and team productivity suffers every day.
Version control and file chaos
Without clear naming conventions and a structured file system, projects accumulate duplicate files, conflicting versions, and orphaned assets. On a project with multiple contributors and months of history, finding the correct version of a file becomes a problem in itself — and in the worst cases, the wrong file gets sent to the wrong person.
Secure external collaboration
Sharing files with consultants and clients via email attachments or personal cloud storage creates security risks and version control headaches. Practices need a controlled way to give external parties access to specific project content, without exposing the rest of the business.
IT support that doesn't understand design software
A generalist IT provider who has never worked with Revit or ArchiCAD can't meaningfully support a practice that depends on them. Troubleshooting performance issues, licence management, and hardware compatibility all require familiarity with the software environment your team uses every day.
How we help
Technology built around how you practice
We start by understanding the software your practice runs on, how your team collaborates, and where the friction currently exists. From there, we design and implement systems that support your workflows — not generic IT infrastructure that you have to work around.
For hardware, we help you select and procure workstations properly specified for CAD and BIM workloads — the right processors, GPU, RAM, and storage configuration for what your team actually runs. We handle setup, software configuration, and ongoing management, so your machines stay current and performant.
For storage, we implement Synology NAS solutions that give your team fast, structured access to project files, with proper folder hierarchies and a backup strategy that protects your archive. SharePoint in Microsoft 365 provides a controlled layer for external sharing and team-wide document access without creating version control problems.
We manage both Windows and macOS environments — properly, not as an afterthought. Device management through Microsoft Intune and Apple Business Manager means new machines are provisioned quickly and consistently, and leaving staff are offboarded securely. Ubiquiti networking ensures your studio connection is fast and dependable across every machine in the practice.
We provide ongoing, proactive support. We're not waiting for things to break — we're monitoring, updating, and staying across your environment so issues are caught before they affect your work. And when something urgent does come up during a critical project phase, we respond accordingly.
Find out more about our IT services or get in touch to discuss your needs.
Relevant experience
We've been here before
We support architecture and design studios across Melbourne — from small practices to larger multi-disciplinary studios. These are long-term relationships built around understanding how each practice operates and what their technology needs to do. We're not managing generic business IT — we're embedded in practices that depend on specific, demanding tools.
We've helped practices migrate to better storage setups, standardise their device fleet, and introduce controlled file sharing with external consultants. When studios grow and take on more staff, we're involved in planning and executing the technology side of that expansion. It's the kind of ongoing partnership that makes the difference between IT that works and IT that gets in the way.
Technology we use
The tools we work with
Architecture studios typically run mixed environments, and we support both sides well. For Windows workstations running CAD and BIM tools, Microsoft Intune and Entra provide device management and secure identity. For macOS machines, Apple Business Manager handles provisioning and Mosyle MDM manages policies and updates.
Synology NAS provides the high-speed local storage that large project files require, with a structured backup chain to protect your project archive. Microsoft 365 — particularly SharePoint and Teams — handles controlled collaboration and external sharing. Ubiquiti networking underpins the studio environment with reliable, manageable infrastructure.
- Microsoft 365 — SharePoint, Teams, Intune, Entra
- Apple Business Manager — Mac and iOS provisioning
- Mosyle MDM — Apple device management
- Synology NAS — fast project file storage and backup
- Ubiquiti — studio networking
- Windows and macOS — both platforms, properly supported
Ready to talk about your practice's IT?
We work with architecture and design studios across Melbourne. Let's find out if we're the right fit.