AI in Construction? Start Here: Fit-First Software, RAG & 5 Data Steps (w/ Elena Malygina)

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Still living on spreadsheets and tribal knowledge? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck. In this episode, Elena Malygina, CEO of BNMA Custom Software Solutions, breaks down how construction and construction-adjacent manufacturers can move from force-fitting SaaS to fit-first operations that match the way your teams already work. We dig into what’s real (and what’s not) with AI in 2025, how to prep your data, and why starting small beats ripping out your ERP. 

You’ll learn:

• Force-fit vs. fit-first: why bolting your ops onto off-the-shelf tools is painful—and how custom aligns to real workflows to lower friction for the field and office. 
• AI reality check: most shops aren’t “behind”—they’re just missing the foundation. Clean, standardized data beats shiny features every time. 
• RAG for drawings: how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) + modern vision models can compare markups across huge plan sets and surface changes fast. 
• Five steps to usable data:
  1. establish a single source of truth,
  2. set consistent entry standards (formats, naming, required fields),
  3. add validation rules (e.g., dropdowns),
  4. run regular data audits,
  5. integrate your CRM/ERP/finance so info flows automatically. 
• Cost math that leaders miss: seat-license sprawl vs. one fit-first platform—plus when the 80% rule means you shouldn’t go custom (and when unique workflows make custom a no-brainer). 
• Practical rollout: don’t big-bang the ERP. Start with one high-annoyance process, ship a lightweight tool that integrates with your system of record, earn trust, expand. 

If you’re juggling drawings, submittals, schedules, and crews across multiple jobs, this conversation gives you a BS-free roadmap to better visibility—and fewer “how did we miss that?” moments. 

📣 Episode Spotlight — BNMA Custom Software & AI for Builders

Stop force-fitting tools that don’t match your ops. BNMA designs fit-first software and AI workflows for construction and manufacturing—grounded in data standards, RAG, and pragmatic integrations (not tech for tech’s sake). Grab Elena’s no-fluff custom-software planning guide and book a consult via her LinkedIn (links in the show notes). 

BNMA: bnma.us

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