Imperco and Ottawa’s LRT Expansion
Imperco CSM Inc. is recognized as a leading specialist in waterproofing and concrete protection in Quebec and Eastern Ontario. They manage projects across a variety of structures and industries, including bridges and viaducts, terraces, foundation walls, private homes, both indoor and outdoor parking areas, civil structures, and more. They’re a company with a proven track record of excellence and a deep understanding of the unique challenges presented by the Canadian climate and construction standards.
That experience has come in handy here in Ottawa as they’re contributing to the city’s Stage 02 OLRT west expansion—a project that not only promises to reshape the urban commute but also to set new standards in sustainable development.
To help tackle this huge project, Imperco reassessed the traditional paper-based processes that had long been the industry standard, and found the old ways were proving inadequate for the scale and complexity of modern construction projects – especially one as large and complex as Ottawa’s LRT Stage 02 expansion.
Overcoming the Challenge of Technology Adoption
Project Manager Daniel Léger championed the introduction of Corfix onto the Ottawa site to help transform their operational framework:
I met [Corfix CEO] Shawn Watts in 2021, and he pitched me the idea we could have all our time cards and reports on an app, and I was immediately sold.”
Dan knew that adoption would be the primary point of friction; reflecting on the initial challenge, he shared, “I have to create a way to transfer forms from paper to an app in a field where everything is done by paper” It’s a conflict familiar to everyone tasked with digitizing a paper process, and selling potentially change-averse employees on it. Altering entrenched habits and workflows that have dominated the construction industry for years requires some psychological strategy.
Before Corfix, all of our documentation was on paper. With Corfix, we can now document everything we see on site, whether it be in our safety sign-in sheet, injury reporting, daily time cards, as well as repair tracking.”
Dan’s approach was to leverage his employees’ existing technology use and create digital workflows that felt organic: “While you’re taking out your phone to check TikTok and Instagram, make sure you’re also documenting your site. This is now the way of the world.” This strategy facilitated a smoother transition by aligning with the everyday experiences of their workforce, making the adoption of digital tools feel more like a natural evolution than a disruptive overhaul. Dan used Corfix’s technology to show IMPERCO employees that tracking site information is no longer a chore, but a rewarding component to their career.
Easy-to-use Time Cards Engaged Workers
The customizability and user-centric design of Corfix’s digital time cards were hugely helpful in minimizing friction, and enabling what Dan refers to as gamifying the time card process.
“IMPERCO’s time card template with Corfix turns a lengthy reporting process with a lot of steps into a user-friendly experience.” Employees are prompted to answer questions such as how many hours they worked that day, how many rolls they installed, milestones they hit, pictures they can add, while feeling a sense of accomplishment.
The focus is on personal accomplishment, and the dopamine hits just keep coming with easy-to-fill-out fields that make the process fast and satisfying. Dan has built the time cards to collect tons of information with minimal effort from the worker: “My workers just click on the drop down menu instead of typing it all out. I pre-filled the materials for them just to click instead of making the task seem like a chore.”
Our daily time cards used to take us around 30 minutes to complete, now they take about 1 minute with the help of the app.”
This ease of use was critical in winning over a workforce accustomed to traditional methods. By gamifying the process—making it more engaging and less of a chore—Imperco was able to get their staff on board with digital tracking of hours and work done, with immediate benefits:
Le roi* de ROI: How Imperco Saves Big with Corfix
*Nothing is funnier than a pun you immediately have to explain right? “Roi” is french for king – appropriate, as Imperco is a Montreal, QC-based company.
Here are 6 ways Imperco saved time, cut costs, and boosted their bottom line by using Corfix for their time cards and documentation:
1. No longer a need for an employee to manually digitize all the work the app is doing. Paper time cards and documents had to be scanned, their data entered on a computer, calculations performed – all things done automatically by Corfix. Léger estimates that work previously would have required one dedicated employee, a salary they are now saving.
2. Safety check-in time is cut in half thanks to all certifications being on the app
3. Accuracy of billing is improved, and includes tangible evidence of work completed. This has led to a significant increase in invoiced amounts for repairs.
4. Meetings with clients are accelerated, as proof of scope is in the timecard with quantities of materials, photos, weather, location on site, crew size and duration of activity.
5. Turnaround time for managers receiving employee time cards used to range from a full day to a few weeks – and that’s assuming they weren’t lost or damaged. Now time cards are available instantly (and legibly).
6. Eliminated the cost of printers, paper, ink and is a plus for the environment.
Imperco’s journey from paper to digital, led by Daniel Léger and facilitated by Corfix, exemplifies the transformative power of technology in the construction industry. As they continue to contribute to the Ottawa LRT west expansion, their experience serves as a blueprint for how digital solutions can overcome traditional challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and unlock new opportunities for growth.
More About Ottawa’s LRT West Expansion
The Ottawa LRT West Expansion is part of the city’s ambitious O-Train Extension project, aimed at addressing traffic congestion and making transportation more efficient and accessible. The project includes adding 44 kilometers of rail and 24 new stations, bringing rail transit within easy reach of 77% of residents.
This expansion is not just about enhancing transportation options but also about minimizing environmental impact. Contractors like Kiewit-Eurovia-VINCI (KEV) and TransitNEXT are coordinating construction materials to reduce heavy truck traffic and emissions, contributing to a greener city. Imperco’s involvement in this significant infrastructure project showcases their capability and commitment to excellence in the construction industry.