BIM 360 Plan brings foremen into the lean-construction conversation by putting trade progress into their hands, allowing the trades to better schedule worker count.
Related Links: Bentley Connect Edition Looking to capitalize on recent advances in cloud computing, software maker Bentley Systems launched the Connect edition of its design suite at its 2015 Connections event, held in Philadelphia on May 18-19. First announced in November 2014, the Connect edition of Bentley's popular software, including Microstation and Navigator, will be available to Bentley subscribers in an early access program rolling out this summer.BENTLEYCEO Greg Bentley explains that the Connect edition combines a common modeling environment with a common project-performance environment and a common asset-performance environment. Tapping the Microsoft Azure cloud service, the system "extends beyond
Construction mega projects are complex undertakings, prone to scope creep and schedule and cost overruns. Configuration Management (CM)—the detailed recording and updating of project information—can help organize a mega project and fend off cost overruns. CM establishes a project baseline, a clearer definition of project responsibilities and paper work flows, and a way to track and monitor project changes to prevent scope creep. New advances in data analytics can automatically identify construction project issues and problems in CM systems by mining text and numerical construction data for information and drawing conclusions from that data.As senior researcher at the Center for
Courtesy: SkySync SkySync migrates, copies and syncs files across multiple platforms and networks. A coming update will allow users to search and organize that data, as well. A Windows-based application that synchronizes files across cloud platforms, internal corporate networks and most data-storage systems is releasing a new version this summer that allows administrators to manage operations at a desktop level. A second update, scheduled for release late this year, makes data on all the platforms searchable.Joseph Lombardi, a superintendent with Boston-based Shawmut Design and Construction, was introduced to SkySync when his company won a $200-million contract and needed to expand the technology it
Integration of information technologies has allowed every U.S. industry achieve notable productivity gains over the last 40 years. In construction however, productivity has remained essentially unchanged, despite an increasing usage of technology, reports a design and construction white paper. To be effective, a company must incorporate three distinct pieces: adopt, embrace, and invest in technology if they want to take advantage of all of the “horsepower” it makes available. Adoption of technology is increasing and accelerating in the industry. The JB Knowledge Construction Technology Report indicates that over 40% of construction professionals use four or more different software/programs every day, and
Courtesy Procore technologies inc. Chris Karcher, software engineer at Procore Technologies Inc., writes down some user-submitted product ideas that will be built into a prototype of the company's budget-forecasting tool. Related Links: No App for That? Build It Already a User? Sign up for Procore's API Two hundred companies on May 4-6 attended a sold-out Procore Technologies Inc. user conference at the construction-management firm's headquarters in Carpinteria, Calif. Users lined up to learn about new releases."I wanted this to be different than any other conference by eliminating all the selling that usually goes on," says Tooey Courtemanche, CEO and founder
Image courtesy of MultiVista MultiVista's photo-documentation captures interior and exterior progress and substantial construction details at predetermined intervals. Related Links: New Technology for Construction Jobsite Cams Become Common, Useful Tool With the proliferation of easy-to-use cameras in smartphones and other electronic devices, contractors can gather an almost unlimited number of project images.But more is not always better. If a problem arises during construction or after work is complete, how can a contractor be sure it has the right photographs to capture exactly what happened, and why? Photos can be lost or forgotten if not shared immediately or taken too late
A new feature from a construction communication software automatically produces a daily report at the same time every day, compiled from the field notes of superintendents, foremen and subcontractors.“To stay an extra hour at the end of the day to compile your observations that you might not accurately remember, is silly,” says Chad Falgout, a general superintendent Abbott Construction, Seattle, who has worked as a super for 20 years. Falgout uses the new daily-reports function from the FieldLens, New York, as he walks the job site. He says he makes 10 to 20 observations during his 8- to 10-hour days,
Many modern robots function within highly controlled surroundings, like the factory or even the home (think Roombas). But how would automatons fare and function in the complex environment of a construction site? What traits would they need to operate in a place where workers, vehicles and materials are constantly moving, where the landscape itself is changing as structures rise and grow?These are the questions we’re exploring at the University at Buffalo.With a team of architecture and engineering experts, we’re prototyping a series of On-Site Construction Robots (OSCR). The research is led by Karthik Dantu and Nils Napp, two computer science
Related Links: FAA 333 Petitions Commercial Drone Operators Take Flight for Construction As the number of firms approved to commercially operate unmanned aircraft systems in the U.S. increases, so do these companies' UAS demands, leading some to seek experienced European manufacturers or partner with automated-flight firms.Getting approval under Section 333 of the 2012 Federal Aviation Administration's Modernization and Reform Act isn't the easiest thing, says Russ Metzler, director of UAS services at Asymmetric Technologies, Columbus, Ohio. "It's not egregious but a little frustrating," he says. "You search the 333 document and find the parts that apply to you and justify
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