A renowned homebuilder with a legacy of over 40 years, M/I Homes is committed to crafting exceptional homes of superior design and quality. Having fulfilled the dreams of more than 140,000 homeowners, the company is one of the nation's leading homebuilders. In 2023, M/I Homes achieved an impressive #13 rank on the Builder 100 list of top US homebuilders based on closings. 

To further streamline their operations and boost productivity, in 2021, the Charlotte division of M/I Homes implemented TraceAir, a cutting-edge technology that revolutionized their approach to progress tracking, risk management, and collaboration during land development. “As we continue to grow, technology like TraceAir allows us to work smarter and make the best use of our resources”, shared Cody Simoneaux, Vice President of Land for M/I Homes’ Charlotte division.

Maximizing Efficiency with Remote Progress Tracking

Like many land development teams, M/I Homes’ Charlotte division faces the challenge of simultaneously juggling multiple projects across an expansive territory. Successfully managing their demanding portfolio while maximizing profits requires their entire team to be diligent with how they spend their time. 

“Before TraceAir, I would spend several hours a week on the road driving to project sites. Once on-site, I'd spend additional hours driving around to monitor progress and gather information. Now I can effectively manage these tasks and get a much better idea of progress from my computer within TraceAir. As a result, my need for site visits has been significantly reduced to once a month, or even once every other month”, shared Simoneaux. “This time is very valuable, and now I can use it to focus on more important aspects of our projects”.

TraceAir makes it easy to track and quantify progress from any location. A historical archive is maintained within the software that can be referred back to at any time. 

With TraceAir's remote progress tracking capabilities, I have significantly reduced on-site visits, saving at least one full day per month. I can now use this time to focus on the crucial aspects of our projects, ensuring better productivity and higher-quality results." — Cody Simoneaux, Vice President of Land for M/I Homes’ Charlotte Division

Reducing Risk and Avoiding Rework

Due to the numerous unpredictable factors that can arise, the land development phase of homebuilding carries significant risk. Unexpected rework or mistakes can quickly derail project schedules and eat away at profit margins. TraceAir's high-resolution 3D scans with precise measuring tools empower teams to proactively address issues before they escalate.

“When questions arise during a project, TraceAir is our go-to tool. Instead of physically driving out to the site, we can just pull up TraceAir to find the answers we need”, explained Simoneaux. “With the overlays tool, we can quickly and accurately confirm everything is in place. We can check elevations and slopes, monitor grading progress, and conduct measurements, making our project management more efficient and effective than ever before.”

Additionally, TraceAir maintains a comprehensive historical archive of scans that can be referred back to at any time. “This feature has proven immense value on multiple occasions, whether for demonstrating compliance or discussing a past project status. It has saved us significant time and money”, Simoneaux stated.

Elevating Collaboration and Decision-Making

Among the notable results attributed to TraceAir, Simoneaux shared that one of his favorites is the boost of confidence it’s given the team. “We pull TraceAir up in every meeting”, he shared. “The ability to visualize project sites, overlay plans, and use data in our conversations helps our entire team collaborate, make confident decisions, and ensure we’re all on the same page.

Even some of our contractors are using TraceAir out in the field. It helps them solve problems and confirms that progress aligns with schedule goals. TraceAir’s user-friendly interface and unlimited license sharing have greatly facilitated cross-functional collaboration, streamlining our workflows and enhancing overall efficiency.”

‍Leading the Way

M/I Homes stands at the forefront of technological innovation in the homebuilding industry. By leveraging TraceAir, they have gained a competitive edge, maximizing efficiency and profit margins. 

“If you’re on the fence about TraceAir, I encourage you to give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at how helpful it will be to you”, stated Simoneaux. “Our entire experience with TraceAir has been easy, and the customer support is top-notch. I know we’re not TraceAir’s biggest client, but they always make us feel like we are.”

To experience the transformative power of TraceAir for yourself, schedule a demo today.

If you’re on the fence about TraceAir, I encourage you to give it a try. I think you’ll be surprised at how helpful it will be to you. Our entire experience with TraceAir has been easy, and the customer support is top-notch. I know we’re not TraceAir’s biggest client, but they always make us feel like we are.” — Cody Simoneaux, Vice President of Land for M/I Homes’ Charlotte Division