Built Environment SMEs go digital with IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service

A digital leap for Built Environment SMEs made possible by IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service

With over 16,000 firms in 2022 and 14% of Singapore’s total workforce employed in 2023¹ , the Built Environment sector’s demand for greater efficiency and smarter workflows has never been clearer. In fact, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are stepping up to the plate: 85% adopted at least one sector-specific digital solution in 2023, a sharp rise form 61% in 2021².

For construction start-up Bosh Engineering, digitalisation was a paradigm shift. Since its inception in 2023, the company struggled with project coordination, workflow efficiency, and maintaining safety and quality standards. That changed with IMDA’s Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service (CTO-as-a-Service), which helps SMEs identify and adopt the right digital tools. Through CTO-as-a-Service, Bosh Engineering implemented a pre-approved digital solution backed by grant funding to streamline their workflow – transforming how their teams worked, communicated, and delivered results.

“We are lucky that the solution allows us to have real-time coordination,” said Mr. Chan Khay Seng, IT Manager at Bosh Engineering. With technology streamlining their operations and improving decision-making, this young company is proof that digital adoption is not just an upgrade; it is a necessity.

Digital solutions enhance Built Environment projects

For SMEs in the Built Environment sector, delays are not just an inconvenience—they cost time, money, and trust. Yet, many companies still rely on paper-based workflows, fragmented data systems, and manual approvals, leading to project bottlenecks. At Bosh Engineering, these inefficiencies were a daily struggle.

For instance, take something as routine as a design change. Previously, every update required revising project drawings, getting client approvals, and physically delivering them to the site–a process that took up to 48-hours. Meanwhile, work continued based on outdated plans, leading to errors, a duplication of work, and wasted resources. “We would update our drawing, only to find that a portion was changed by another department”, Mr. Chan recalled the frustration. “For example, we’d design where the power, data, and Wi-Fi points are, only to find out the interior designer has moved the furniture layout!”

One of the pre-approved solutions listed in the Built Environment Industry Digital Plan (BE IDP), helped Bosh resolve this issue by integrating project data into a single, unified platform. Instead of juggling multiple conflicting versions of documents, teams could work on one master copy, ensuring everyone stays aligned. “Now, we don’t need to chase for updates because everyone is working on the same master copy. Drafters are alerted to conflicts and redesign on the spot,” said Mr Chan. As a result, turnaround time is cut in half, or even less.

Beyond just speeding up approvals and reducing duplication, the adoption of the pre-approved digital solution transformed the firm’s teamwork. With all stakeholders–from architects to contractors–connected via this platform, communication and efficiency improved, and overtime work decreased. Commenting on his first-hand experience of this transformation, Senior BIM Manager, July Lastima Escoro, said, “We noticed significant improvements in communication, collaboration, and overall teamwork.”

With optimised operations, reduced costs, and smoother project timelines, Bosh Engineering is not just working smarter; it is building a foundation for long-term growth and innovation in an evolving landscape.

How CTO-as-a-Service empowers SMEs in the Built Environment

Bosch leveraged one of nearly 300 market-proven, cost-effective digital solutions available to SMEs under IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service, a nationwide initiative designed to help businesses embrace digital transformation. CTO-as-a-Service supports businesses at every stage of their digitalisation journey by offering a range of resources, including the Industry Digital Plans (IDPs), to help identify the right digital solutions with available funding and access relevant training. For many SMEs, the challenge is not so much about adopting technology as it is about finding the right fit. CTO-as-a-Service helps address this by tailoring digital solutions to each industry’s unique demands, while also offering real-world success stories that businesses can explore to learn from peers who have successfully digitalised their operations.

Another major hurdle is cost. For Bosh Engineering, the decision to digitalise was made easier with 50% grant support for its Built Environment solution under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG). This allowed the firm to focus on implementation and results rather than upfront expenses. Now, with operations running smoothly and project turnaround times halved, Bosh Engineering is exploring the next stage of digitalisation: automating finance and HR workflows, enhancing project updates for management, and tapping into real-time data insights for smarter decision-making.

For SMEs still on the fence about digitalisation, Mr. Chan advised, “No one has an unlimited budget. Implement it gradually to see if it helps productivity and cuts costs. Once everyone experiences the benefits, they’ll be more motivated to explore how else technology can help.”

Building a smarter, more connected future

SMEs are the heart of Singapore’s Built Environment sector, contributing significantly to the digital economy and shaping the nation’s infrastructure. With digital tools streamlining workflows and improving coordination, businesses are unlocking new levels of efficiency and collaboration. Companies like Bosh Engineering have proved that the right technology can reduce delays, cut costs, and enhance teamwork.

In 2024, over 330,000 users accessed resources on IMDA’s CTO-as-a-Service platform to assess their digital needs and implement practical, cost-effective solutions. With pre-approved solutions and grants, businesses can digitalise with confidence, knowing they are investing in tools that drive real impact. For SMEs looking to take the next step, the Built Environment IDP provides a clear roadmap to identify and adopt the right solutions. Whether you’re starting or scaling up your digitalisation efforts, leverage CTO-as-a-Service to drive better project outcomes and strengthen collaboration in a rapidly evolving industry.