From Paper Chaos to Process Clarity: How Nicklaus Engineering Modernized Its Operations with Aldoa

About Nicklaus Engineering

Founded in Yuma, Arizona, Nicklaus Engineering, Inc. (NEI) provides civil, structural, and geotechnical engineering services across the Southwest. As a respected federal contractor and trusted partner for local municipalities, NEI’s reputation has been built on precision, reliability, and long-term client relationships.

The Challenge: Manual Reporting and Paper-Based Processes

For years, NEI’s materials testing and geotechnical workflows relied on physical paperwork, emails, and manual data entry. Technicians would record test results in the field, then pass them to Bianca for re-entry and review before they reached the lab manager for approval.

“It was a constant paper trail — easy to lose, repetitive, and time-consuming,” Bianca explained. “I’d have piles of reports waiting to be entered or invoices to process, and it became overwhelming during busy weeks.”

While the system technically worked, it left the business vulnerable to delays and errors. Backlogs were common after heavy workloads, and the process depended too much on a few key individuals to keep things moving.

The team had tried adopting another software platform years earlier, but it turned into more of a burden than a solution.

“Our old software basically said, ‘Here’s the box — figure it out,’” Nate said. “It was cluttered and rigid. The staff were used to doing things the old-school way, and the software didn’t help with that.” — Nathan Downing

By the time Bianca stepped in, it was clear that NEI needed a system designed for how they actually worked — something flexible, intuitive, and easy to adopt.

The Solution: A Modern Field Data Management System

When NEI discovered Aldoa, the decision felt different from the start. Aldoa’s modern, intuitive interface and customer-first approach quickly stood out.

“The demo showed exactly what we were looking for — convenience, responsiveness, and real support.” — Bianca DeShazer

Aldoa took time to learn how NEI’s processes really functioned — meeting with engineers, lab managers, and administrators to uncover bottlenecks. That willingness to listen made a strong impression.

“What stood out to me was Aldoa’s flexibility. They didn’t expect us to change how we work — they built the tool around us.” — Nathan Downing

Aldoa’s partnership mindset extended beyond implementation. Instead of upfront billing, Aldoa waited until the system was rolled out successfully before issuing an invoice.

“They never billed us until after rollout,” Nate said. “That kind of trust and partnership is rare — it told us they were confident in what they were delivering.” — Nathan Downing

Learn more about how Aloda's field data management software helps geotechnical and CMT firms streamline reporting.

Implementation: Collaboration That Drives Results

NEI’s transition to Aldoa wasn’t just a software deployment — it became a collaborative process that informed Aldoa’s ongoing product development. The team’s feedback helped shape enhancements to Aldoa’s geotechnical workflows, notifications, and reporting tools.

“It felt like a collaboration. Our feedback actually helped shape improvements in the software.” — Nathan Downing

Throughout the rollout, Aldoa’s support team stayed deeply engaged. Bianca describes the experience as “top-tier.”

“It’s very user-friendly, very modern, and the support is top-tier. You usually get a reply within 30 minutes.” — Bianca DeShazer

As Aldoa went live, NEI ran it in parallel with their existing processes to ensure a smooth transition. Over the next few months, the team began to feel the difference — faster coordination, clearer visibility, and fewer manual touchpoints.

Results: Efficiency, ROI, and Reduced Backlogs

While NEI is still early in its full adoption, the impact is already visible. What once required multiple hand-offs, re-entries, and file tracking is now a single streamlined workflow — from technician input to final client delivery.

“Aldoa is helping organize the department so everyone knows their role and workflow.” — Nathan Downing

The expected results go beyond administrative time savings. Nate anticipates measurable ROI within a year of full implementation.

“We’ll likely see ROI within the first year — just from time savings and project throughput.” — Nathan Downing

The system also creates redundancy and cross-training opportunities — ensuring continuity even when key staff are out.

“If Bianca’s out on PTO, someone else can easily step in to keep things rolling. It organizes the whole department.” — Nathan Downing

And for Bianca, who lives the day-to-day reality of managing reports and lab data, the payoff is clear:

“Once we’re fully live, I think it’s going to be beautiful. Everything streamlined, no backlog.” — Bianca DeShazer

Partnership Built on Trust and Responsiveness

More than a software vendor, Aldoa became an extension of NEI’s team — transparent, responsive, and collaborative.

“Aldoa actually listens to customers and adapts the product to their feedback — that’s huge.” — Nathan Downing

“You’re not waiting two days for support. You get a real response in 30 minutes.” — Bianca DeShazer

This trust-based relationship is also fueling future collaboration. NEI plans to help Aldoa expand its integrations, including connections with Deltek and other enterprise systems to create a fully connected data ecosystem.

“It’s a well-thought-out product for geotechnical firms — fairly priced, responsive, and designed to improve profitability.” — Nathan Downing

Looking Ahead: Scaling Digital Operations for Growth

With Phase 1 complete, NEI and Aldoa are already exploring new enhancements — including workflow notifications and deeper integration across engineering and lab operations.

As NEI fully transitions off legacy systems in early 2026, the firm expects to see tangible gains in productivity, faster report delivery, and stronger profitability.

“We’ll see the real return — faster reports, more efficient projects, and better organization — by early 2026.” — Nathan Downing

The partnership reflects a broader trend across the AEC industry: forward-thinking firms are modernizing their field and lab data systems not just to keep up, but to lead.

Conclusion

For Nicklaus Engineering, Aldoa isn’t just software — it’s a partnership built on trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

From eliminating paper chaos to creating a unified digital workflow, NEI is proving that with the right tools and a responsive partner, even the most traditional processes can be transformed into engines of efficiency and growth.

“It’s not just software — it’s a partnership.” — Nathan Downing