Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/354800
With Navisworks, the estimators combine design and construction data into a single model, enabling users to quickly assess costs and time to completion. "Now they may still refer to the paper documents, but they'll begin to pull more accurate information from the model," Rotolo says. He expects to see more estimators relying on tech- nology to help improve cost-assessment accuracy. But he also sees a looming challenge: "The fear estimators have – and I agree with them – is that the models that architects and engineers produce in the early stages do not have enough information to do an estimation." Will software help? Not by itself. "It's a matter of getting the design consultants to do more initially than they did before," Rotolo says. "General contractors are now insisting, 'If you're going to work with us to bid on a job, you have to provide more detail at the initial stage.'" A Digital Pen While some companies have to provide more details in their models, other firms face a different challenge: they need to consolidate manual and electronic docu- ment management processes to improve efficiency. Inktronic Technology Inc. marketing manager Nicolle Brown explains that businesses often struggle with documentation, especially with respect to draw- ings for plan and design changes. She describes the typical Inktronic customer's markup-management method prior to investing in Inktronic's solution: "Markups tend to be made using a number of processes – from traditional markups using pen or markers to those done using software down- loaded on a computer or tablet," Brown says. "There was no way to consolidate this information, verify the most up-to-date version and receive timely feedback on requests and approvals." With Inktronic's solution, businesses can collect, check and share markups made on a screen or on paper. It's a system that incorporates a digital pen and web-based software. Users can print a "smart draw- ing" with special features that allow the pen to detect anything written on the drawing. So when someone marks up the drawing with the pen, the system is able to instantly track, capture and archive the handwrit- ing. The next time anyone opens or prints the docu- ment, that person sees the latest changes. "Inktronic allows companies to 'go digital' at their pace," Brown says. "So whether they are already working with primarily digital processes and look- ing to tie in the few manual, paper-based processes they have remaining, or they are currently working traditionally and wish to start implementing a few digital processes, Inktronic provides the necessary bridge to get them there." Simplifi ed Architecture Management W hile these technologies address business pro- cesses, certain organizations in the construction industry aren't all that interested in process manage- ment. Architects, for instance, would rather spend their time designing and discovering novel ways to turn the client's vision into reality. Yet architects still have bills to pay, documents to keep and budgets to run. These mundane necessities can be frustrating. "Usually, architects are just fed up with all the time it takes to deal with the business side of the company," says BQE Software, Inc. chief creative officer Steven Burns. That's why BQE developed ArchiOffice, software for architecture firms. "It handles the left-side brain of the business so they're free to focus on the right-brain, artistic side," Burns says. For example, ArchiOffice lets architects quickly assign tasks to employees, reducing the human resources burden. The software also provides task- status updates at a glance, so there's less need for time-consuming meetings. The software's invoic- ing options enable architects to choose an appropri- ate billing method, including hourly rate, per cent of construction and unit cost, which means less time tapping a calculator and more time for artistic expression. Burns says small architecture firms in particu- lar value the software. With just a handful of staff members, these companies can't spare the human resources to have someone dedicated to business pro- cess improvement. Yet like other construction-industry businesses, architects must mind details such as workflow, docu- ment management and information-sharing practices, especially as the pace of work continues to increase and the pressure to eradicate time-consuming errors ramps up. Using technology, companies can improve the docu- ment- and process-management capabilities – and that can have a profound effect on the business's success. As Solid CAD's Rotolo put it, "If you're effective at reducing errors and improving efficiency, you can see your book of business grow substantially." ■ AUGUST 2014 /59 Software for AEC You have challenges. We have solutions. Canada's premier technology solution provider to the building, manufacturing, civil, plant and visualization industries. Consulting. Training. Software. 1-877-438-2231 www.solidcad.ca Leveraging Technology. Revolutionizing Workow. Leveraging Technology. Revolutionizing Workow. October 2014 issue ANNUAL INDUSTRY FEATURE: Access Floors Book your ad space now: Dan Chapman 604.473.0316 Alexander Sugden 604.473.0358