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AUGUST 2016 | 53 Software for AEC Software for AEC embraces customization and collaboration by STACEY MCLACHLAN T here's a lot to keep in mind when you're a civil or structural engineer: loading conditions, design codes for your location, industry standards, multiple build- ing uses. The right software is essential to making sure each of these elements are carefully considered before construction begins. It may just be the most essential tool for the industry, in fact. Afterall, "a structural engineer needs some- thing versatile enough to handle any new project with varying requirements and design constraints," says Marinos Stylianou, CEO, S-Frame Software. "Our goal is to develop and support software solutions flexible and adaptable enough to satisfy the demands of any project, however simple or complex." Modelling technology and administrative tools alike have empowered engineers, architects and construction firms the opportunity to improve their workflow, and the work itself. "Over the past few years we've seen software spread into many areas of our personal and professional lives. Mobile devices and apps are ubiqui- tous. Everyone's moving to the cloud," says Eric Sorenson, communications spe- cialist for StatsLog. "It's up to software developers like us to leverage the incredible technology available today to create solutions to specific problems facing the con- struction industry." Stylianou says he is currently seeing an industry trend that requires not just a design solution, but an analytical solution. Engineers want the solution quickly and easily, but they also want the abil- ity to verify how the software arrived at the results. This is why S-Frame has long incorporated open-solution strategies in its products, but now engineers are looking for something that's one step beyond; a software solution that allows users to customize how the software behaves if they don't like what they see. It's something that points to mass customization as a trend. Software designers are prepared for these clients who want more control, incorporating plenty of hands-on options for a new generation of products and users. "It has taken our users a while to understand the power they now have at their fingertips," says Stylianou. "When they realize it, they immediately understand the direct ben- efits of it to their organization – they can customize the software so that it follows their own work flow and then deploy it throughout their organization through the built-in library feature." Though these products are designed for highly skilled, highly intelligent peo- ple, there's still an increasing demand to make software easier to use, and easier to use with other products. Recent versions of S-Frame's Analysis program improves meshing automation, but also enhances integration with steel and concrete design, as well as BIM software. "It's all about helping engineers arrive at an optimum design while streamlining their workflow," says Stylianou. Part of that is developing products for procedures engineers and architects who are still doing things the somewhat old-fashioned way, like construction con- tract administration. "Around 75 per cent of architects and engineers still use word processors and spreadsheets to manage their CA practices," says Sorenson. "This creates a lot of possibility for human error and places a significant administrative burden on these professionals." FIVE is StatsLog's flagship product, designed spe- cifically for this very task. The program utilizes a database structure to eliminate so much of the grunt work that goes into setting up forms and reports in docs and spreadsheets. "We don't expect 3D models to be drawn on paper with a pencil because there are sub- stantially better tools available today. In construction contract administration, we're still seeing a lot of firms using basic software when there are more powerful tools available," says Sorenson. Luckily, industry recognition for the importance of software continues to grow. Integration offers another huge challenge for the software industry. "There are many different software applications and cloud services being used, along with huge variation in hardware, that we see integration of these services as key," says Sorenson. His company is already looking at the possibility of integrating other cloud-based services into StatsLog's offerings – programs for asset management and the like – and the future looks bright, as long as communication stays clear. "It will be critical to continue the dialogue with our clients to make sure we're building solutions for the integration issues they're facing so that we can continue to improve efficiency," Sorenson notes. Tools Of The Trade Revu software from Bluebeam Software Inc. now available for the Mac. S-Frame Software.

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