How Brixmor Slashed Travel Costs

The Challenge

With numerous projects running simultaneously across the country, being physically present to oversee work is not always feasible. “Our projects span different regions and states, and traveling to all of them on a regular basis isn’t practical,” said Luke Hazelwood, Senior Project Manager, Construction, Brixmor Property Group. “We need a way to have our eyes on the projects every day, even though we can’t always be on-site.”

The TrueLook Solution

Construction cameras were the logical solution, and there were many on the market to choose from. Brixmor wanted a solution that made it easy to transition cameras from one project to another, which is one of the main reasons they chose TrueLook. “With TrueLook, we can purchase the cameras, and they’re very easy to install,” said Hazelwood. “When a project is finished, we just pick them up, throw them in the back of my truck, and drive them to a new project. I have one of our contractors install them, then I just shoot TrueLook an email to activate them for the new project. It’s really easy.”

Hazelwood’s team uses TrueLook’s PTZ Cameras, which provide a 360° view and can be controlled remotely to explore large jobsites and zoom in on specific areas that would otherwise not be visible from a fixed-position camera. “TrueLook PTZ Cameras provide complete visibility into the goings-on at the jobsite, helping us ensure crews are productive and projects are progressing on schedule,” he said. The cameras also help identify problems or issues that may cause delays or impact budgets and ensure crews comply with safety protocols.

The Results

Advanced Features Bring Added Value

TrueLook Cameras offer a variety of useful features, but Brixmor particularly values the time-lapse functionality. Time-lapses provide an easy way to communicate project status to executives and other stakeholders across different states. The live viewing capability enhances this process, allowing stakeholders to log in and view images, videos, and time-lapses directly through the TrueLook platform.

The recordings also alert them to potential security vulnerabilities, whether caused by negligence or bad weather, which can significantly impact schedules and pose security risks. “One time, a fence blew down in a storm in the middle of the night, leaving the jobsite wide open,” Hazelwood said. “We saw it right away in TrueLook and notified the superintendent so he could secure the site before any equipment was stolen.”

Multiple Departments Share Camera Access

Access to TrueLook Cameras is shared with all Brixmor employees across departments and business units through its internal company network, Brixnet. Employees can click on a drop-down list of all the active cameras and use live viewing to see what’s happening on any of their properties. “Property managers can check on the condition of their properties, see if work is being completed on time, or check on issues that tenants report,” Hazelwood said. “It enables them to actually see the property and understand what’s going on beyond a paper-based complaint or report.”

The marketing team at Brixmor uses these time-lapses for investor presentations and promotional materials.  The team appreciates the ability to download and timestamp photos, add logos, and include them in reports.

Finance and redevelopment also benefit from having a visual of the properties they’re working on, as it adds dimension and meaning to their work beyond just a stack of papers and forms. 

Additionally, the Specialty Leasing team can leverage the cameras to evaluate sites for temporary leasing agreements. “If we’re planning to rent out a parking lot for food trucks or a community event, it’s important to ensure there’s space for them,” Hazelwood said. “The Specialty Leasing team can check the cameras ahead of time to help avoid any potential conflicts.”

Total Accountability

Because the cameras create a visual record of an entire project from start to finish, Brixmor finds it easy to justify or negotiate contractor fees, request budget increases, or show stakeholders why a project took longer than originally planned. “You can see exactly where the project stood day by day and identify when subcontractors were and weren’t on-site, whether or not they met their commitments in the timeframe they promised, and how that impacted the schedule,” Hazelwood said. “Did we have only two painters when we were promised six? Were your crews an hour late or did they leave early on a regular basis? It’s all there on the cameras.”

“If you can see what’s happening on the jobsite, you can hold your contractors accountable,” Hazelwood explained. “We just pull up the app on our computer or iPad in the morning and log in to see what’s going on. Did the delivery come on time? Are crews on-site and being productive? Are workers sitting idle? If we see that no trucks are in the parking lot when work is supposed to be happening, we can call the contractor immediately and find out why. That insight helps keep costs under control and holds people accountable for impacting the schedule.”

The cameras also help keep workers safe. “I’ve logged in and seen workers violating safety protocols, such as being on a roof without the proper safety harness,” Hazelwood said. “I can send a screenshot to the supervisor so he can take immediate action to prevent accidents or injuries.”

Continued Partnership

Brixmor Property Group has found TrueLook’s Construction Camera solutions to be invaluable in managing their numerous projects across the country. Their continued use of TrueLook highlights their trust in the technology and its significant contribution to the success of their projects. Brixmor looks forward to maintaining and expanding this partnership, knowing that TrueLook will support their needs every step of the way.