Innovating the Built Environment: Cerris Systems’ Digital Transformation Journey

Cerris Systems

Facing challenges with complex and costly design tools, Cerris Systems partnered with Symetri to implement Naviate Fabrication. The result: streamlined workflows, enhanced team efficiency, and a digital transformation that empowers long-term success.

Cerris Systems has established itself as a values-driven organization with a strong commitment to long-term relationships and community engagement. As part of the broader Cerris group of companies, it operates in close collaboration with affiliated teams to deliver unified, high-impact solutions across the built environment. From Pre-Construction planning and Pre-Fabrication strategies to Full-scale Construction, Facilities Management, and Building Automation, Cerris Systems provides a comprehensive suite of services designed to support clients throughout the entire lifecycle of a building.  

Industry observers note that Cerris Systems’ goals, as a company, are deeply aligned with the values it promotes among its people. The organization fosters a culture where employees take pride in their work, enjoy their professional environment, and make meaningful contributions to the prosperity of families and communities. Its approach is rooted in trust, technical excellence, and a desire to create lasting value.  

Known for its adaptability and innovation, Cerris Systems continues to evolve its offerings to meet the changing needs of its partners. Whether engaging at the earliest stages of design and Pre-Construction, implementing advanced Building Automation systems, or ensuring long-term performance through Facilities Management, the company remains focused on building authentic, enduring relationships and delivering unparalleled client experience.

The Challenges to Be Addressed 

Cerris created a tactical plan that began with actively exploring new technologies that could better support their teams and workflows. During early conversations at an industry conference, they shared frustrations with their existing tools—overloaded models, high costs, limited support, and a lack of influence on future development. They needed a solution that was not only more efficient but also more responsive to their evolving needs.  

  • Lack of Personalized Support: Cerris Systems needed a more collaborative relationship with their solution provider—one that offered customized training and ongoing technical support tailored to their specific workflows.  

  • Inefficient Design Workflow: Their previous design tool introduced unnecessary complexity, slowing down model creation and reducing overall efficiency.  

  • Need for a Simplified Design Tool: To improve speed and usability, Cerris sought a more intuitive solution that could streamline model development without added complications.  

  • High Cost and Complexity of Existing Tool: The former solution was not only cumbersome but also came with a high recurring cost, making it unsustainable for long-term use.  

  • Requirement for a Certified Autodesk Reseller: To ensure compatibility and reliable support, Cerris Systems required a technically proficient partner who was also a certified Autodesk reseller.

Cerris Systems Corporate Initiatives 

To address the limitations of their previous design solution, Cerris Systems outlined a set of targeted initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. Their goals included:  

  • Establishing a more collaborative partnership with a provider offering personalized training and technical support.  

  • Streamlining design workflows by adopting a tool that reduces complexity and accelerates model creation.  

  • Implementing a simplified, intuitive design platform to enhance usability across teams.  

  • Reducing overall software costs to ensure financial sustainability.  

  • Partnering with a certified Autodesk reseller to guarantee compatibility and reliable support throughout the transition.

The Proposed Solution 

To address Cerris Systems' challenges and meet their project goals, Symetri proposed a transition to Naviate Fabrication, complemented by Naviate MEP, to deliver a comprehensive and streamlined design solution tailored to their workflows. Naviate Fabrication provided the core functionality needed to simplify model creation and improve efficiency, while Naviate MEP added specialized tools to support mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design processes—ensuring full coverage across Cerris’s operational needs.  

Recognizing the importance of a smooth transition, the implementation was structured in phases to minimize disruption. Symetri supported the rollout with customized training sessions and ongoing “Open Office” hours, offering timely, workflow-specific assistance. This hands-on approach enabled users to adopt both toolsets quickly and confidently, with even less experienced team members realizing productivity gains from day one.  

As a certified Autodesk reseller, Symetri ensured full compatibility with Cerris’s existing ecosystem and provided dependable technical support throughout the transition. By aligning Naviate Fabrication and Naviate MEP with Cerris’s goals, the solution was tailored to replace a costly and complex legacy system.   

Business Outcomes with Naviate Fabrication 

Over the course of several months, we engaged with Cerris through in-person and remote meetings, listening closely to their requirements and refining our offering to align with their goals. As they evaluated Naviate Fabrication, it became clear that our software could deliver what they were missing: a streamlined, cost-effective platform that was intuitive to use and quick to adopt.  

Naviate’s user-friendly design enabled Cerris teams to start seeing productivity gains immediately—even those who had struggled with previous tools were saving time from day one. We supported their rollout in phases, providing targeted training and ongoing office hours to ensure every group felt confident and equipped.  

  • Impactful Features: The "Routing" capabilities in Naviate Fabrication have significantly improved their design process, offering a clear advantage over previous methods.  

  • User Adoption: While some team members were initially hesitant to embrace change, they gradually adopted Naviate Fabrication after experiencing its simplified and more intuitive design workflows.  

  • Best Practices Development: Jason is actively identifying underutilized features within Naviate Fabrication and plans to promote them as “best practices” across the team.  

  • Peer Collaboration: Through industry networking, Jason has found mutual value in sharing Naviate Fabrication insights with peers, fostering collaborative learning and innovation.  

  • Operational Efficiency: The onboarding and training process was smooth, with minimal disruption to daily workflows, allowing the team to maintain productivity during the transition.  

  • Cost Savings: Over three years, Naviate Fabrication has helped the company save tens of thousands of dollars, demonstrating strong ROI.  

  • Expanded Functionality: Naviate Fabrication consolidates multiple capabilities that previously required two to three separate tools, delivering more effective results and streamlined deliverables.  

  • Workflow Acceleration: The solution has enabled the team to quickly master essential workflows, enhancing overall efficiency and output quality.

Transformation with Naviate Fabrication 

Cerris Systems faced several challenges with their previous design solution. The tool was overly complex, expensive, and lacked personalized support—factors that hindered workflow efficiency and slowed model creation. Additionally, the company requires a certified Autodesk reseller to ensure compatibility and dependable technical assistance.  

To overcome these obstacles, Cerris Systems established clear project goals: streamline design processes, build a responsive partnership with a certified solution provider, deliver targeted training, and ensure a smooth onboarding experience without disrupting daily operations.  

Transitions between tools often disrupt workflows, but the switch to Naviate was notably smoother thanks to the strong support from the Symetri team. Their availability for customized user training and “Open Office” hours proved essential. These sessions provided quick, situational support, especially for questions related to Naviate or MEP functionality that were specific to user workflows or not fully covered during training.  

Naviate Fabrication has become a transformative solution for Cerris Systems, aligning with their operational goals and delivering measurable improvements. The company continues to explore future enhancements and encourages others seeking workflow efficiency to consider Naviate as a strategic design solution.  

Today, Cerris continues to grow with Naviate. Our partnership is built on continuous feedback, shared learning, and a commitment to helping their teams stay efficient and empowered. What began as a search for better tools has evolved into a collaborative relationship focused on long-term success.  

Related Cases