High-Profile Projects Signal Technology Transformation

“It’s an exciting time,” said Russ Sanders, virtual building coordinator for The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership (OWP). “Today’s building tools allow us to design in real-time, quickly test value engineering concepts, perform energy simulations and much more in minutes. We make better decisions up front, thus delivering even better products down the road.”

OWP is not alone in its endorsement of a new generation of technology solutions. As you’ll see in the following pages, building design and construction firms across the country are adopting a wide range of system into everyday practice to achieve exceptional results.

One of the hottest technology directions is the implementation and application of building information modeling (BIM)—and the reasons are clear. Shaun Yancey, vice president of corporate development for PCL Construction Services, Inc., summed it up saying, “We truly believe that BIM can save 5 to 10% on just the construction process alone.”

To further drive its BIM directions, PCL recently hired a dedicated corporate-level model manager to provide support and training to all of its districts. Yancey added, “We anticipate in the next few years, we’ll have an entire department dedicated to modeling.”
Other technologies making news include the expanding role of accounting, estimating system and even document management and data sharing/collaboration methods. Individually or together, these tools offer building professionals of all sizes the opportunity to change the face of construction one project at a time.

Executive Viewpoint

Russ Sanders, AIA
Virtual Building Coordinator,
The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership (OWP)

Vicki Speed: Has OWP adopted BIM into its everyday environment?

Russ Sanders: We’ve been full speed with BIM since the mid-1990s, initially to drive internal productivity. We looked to improve drawing coordination that really isn’t possible in the more traditional CAD environment. Added to this, the clear visual picture provided by the 3D modeling environment really took the surprise out of the design for the owner.

Since then, we’ve found it provides much more in the way of communication with the other project team members. We’re literally designing in real-time with better quality and fewer change orders. Added to this, at the end of design-development phase, we are 60% done with construction documents.

VS: How are you growing this collaborative environment?

RS: It is so much bigger than we imagined. We see tools emerging for conflict detection, building code analysis, and energy analysis—all these solutions that are able to work integrally with a BIM model. It is interoperability amongst these tools that will allow the 3D modeling technology to flourish. That must continue to happen.

VS: What needs to change?

RS: We are looking for more industry professionals to participate. We need manufacturers to provide more 3D objects. Right now, we create many of our own. I see the day when we’ll be able to select these intelligent objects right from an online catalog.

We’re also starting to convince our engineers to purchase BIM-driven software that describe the building better, such as 3D intelligent modeling tools for structural steel, mechanical ductwork, and electrical systems. There are BIM tools that actually animate the entire construction process using the model, schedules and cost information. How could contractors not want this?

We all know the question is not, “do I switch,” it’s “How do I do it,” I say cut with the past, and jump in. You won’t regret it.

Estimators Go Digital with Takeoff 2.0

Tired of pulling takeoffs from physical blueprints? Then don’t.

The latest version of Quest Solutions’ Takeoff 2.0 digital takeoff product further expands and simplifies an estimator or contractor’s ability to generate takeoffs directly from digital plan files. With this tool, estimators simply download their digital plans from the Internet, a CD-ROM, or the Quest User Exchange, import them into Quest Takeoff, and begin working.

The advanced built-in software instantly calculates measurements and quantities, leaving the estimator to focus on more complex elements and value-added opportunities. The new release also offers users more control over the Takeoff Library, three different zoom modes, and a new curve feature that allows the user to obtain accurate quantities on curved takeoff items.

Even the new Overlay feature expands system flexibility, allowing estimators to set one drawing on top of another for visual comparison. Then, use the extensive color-coding and style options such as transparent, opaque, cross-hatched, and more to better specify project elements. Once the project quantities are complete in Quest Takeoff, estimators can export those numbers quickly and easily to Quest Estimator, Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access in seconds.

Visit Quest Solutions at the World of Concrete showroom floor, booth N2437, for a free hands-on estimating clinic where attendees can evaluate digital estimating tools in real-world applications.

On-Screen Takeoff Made Quick, Easy

Generating faster and more accurate takeoffs is easy using the cutting-edge technology of On Center Software’s On-Screen Takeoff solution. With On-Screen Takeoff, estimators can use paper plans and a digitizer or electronic plans to complete takeoffs. Use your mouse or digitizer pen to quantify lengths, areas, volumes, and counts directly on your computer screen.

The unique features of On-Screen Takeoff make it equally well-suited for general contractors, subcontractors, and project managers working across many trades. The ability to integrate with most planroom services ensures that estimators will have access to the most up-to-date electronic drawings. Color-coded icons and fields make finding information on takeoffs quick and easy.

The ability to see changes to drawings using the Overlay Feature can save valuable time and ensure project teams don’t miss any architect changes. With the overlay capability, users can place a revised drawing over an original drawing directly on a screen and immediately see the difference, which reduces the likelihood that a change will be missed. To help track all of the information available, the On-Screen Takeoff program has extensive printing capabilities, providing an audit trail for the information in a project database.

Eliminate the guesswork and put an end to countless hours of manual takeoff labor. Let On-Screen Takeoff simplify takeoff processes and give confidence in results. For more information, visit www.oncenter.com

Mobile Surveillance Delivers Swift Response,
Versatility to Construction Site Security Projects

Following a crisis or disaster when construction planning, activity, security and personnel are taxed to the limit, efficiency is the key to a successful re-building effort. CPS Security Solutions offers permanent and temporary security packages that maximize budgets and manpower.

Starting with Mobile Surveillance Units, CPS offers the unique ability to readily secure, monitor and digitally record a construction site from a remote location via internet integration. Through high-resolution cameras (either fixed direction or pan-tilt-zoom), the MSU can respond to motion to insure the best security coverage possible. All this protection is easily portable and requires minimal personnel.

If required, a security base unit including motion detectors and a guard will observe and report site disturbances. They will respond to emergencies, provide reports of any unusual incidents and make patrols around the site. CPS offers many customized security packages to fit your needs and budget. For a complete list of available security options in your area, call CPS at 1-800-310-5535.

Online Bid Management

Manage bids and reports in a virtual environment with BID2WIN's new Management Reporting Module. This new add-on module to the BID2WIN Windows-based estimating and bidding solution allows users to access and analyze historical bid data from within the office or anywhere Internet access is available. Built-in tools help users run queries of past bids by date range, estimator, customer or bid status. Then, within these parameters, they can generate reports on equipment usage, material quantities and win/loss ratios. Users can also create subscriptions to have reports automatically e-mailed to them at a specified day and time.

This powerful reporting module provides keen insight into a company's historical bidding activity, which helps to streamline the bidding process and ultimately lead to more profitable bids.

Paul McKeon, president and founder of BID2WIN said, “This detailed level of reporting and analysis is necessary in a competitive industry with potentially small profit margins. Easy access to estimate and bid data gives managers better control over costs by reducing risk and increasing the accuracy and efficiency of bid generation.“

BID2WIN and the Management Reporting Module are core components of Bidding Intelligence, a unique business solution that combines the real-time control of estimate and bid data, utilizing BID2WIN, subcontractor/vendor collaboration and cross-bid reporting. For more information, visit www.bid2win.com

The Friendly Estimating Solution

With a continued emphasis on ‘friendly’ estimating, SharpeSoft, Inc.’s latest release of the Estimator, an estimating and job cost tool for heavy construction professionals, offers estimators and project teams the capacity to drive winning bids. Expanded features range from added hauling calculation capabilities to automatic trench fill quantity and material cost utilities. The Trench Profiler, for instance, allows users to easily create cross-section views of atrenches while calculating fill quantities and material updates on the fly. With the Hauling Calculations option, estimators can record items that often add time to a haul such as heavy stop-and-go traffic, multiple steep grades or mountainous driving, etc. The system’s Item Master table allows the user to create a library of previously bid items, to be re-used on new estimates, eliminating redundant data entry. Subcontractor and material comparison sheets allow the estimator to quickly and effortlessly find the best prices offered by vendors and subcontractors. Designed by an estimator, to flow the way estimators think, the SharpeSoft Estimator opens the door to quicker, more accurate, job-winning bids. Easy exports to major accounting systems and Primavera applications help simplify project management. For more information on the Estimator, and other SharpeSoft products, or to request a free demo CD, visit www.sharpesoft.com

Executive Viewpoint

Patrick Aragon
Acrobat AEC Product Marketing Manager
Adobe Systems Incorporated

VS: What is the most prevalent issue in construction for 2006?

PA: One issue is the continuing rise in construction costs, whether it’s steel, concrete, fuel or labor. Because of this trend, owners are looking everywhere for potential project savings. Anything from the way a project is designed and procured to the construction methods used, or even the communication processes between project groups, which may be located continents apart.

Technology can play a role in each of these areas, and for construction professionals, really create a competitive advantage. For instance, we’re hearing from our customers that owners are starting to demand electronic communication methods for specific project workflows. Electronic communication and collaboration technologies have proven to increase cost savings, accuracy, and efficiency while satisfying the desire for more sustainable processes.

VS: Do you see a standardization of the technology?

PA: Some owners are specifying a particular collaboration technology, while others just require it to be electronic. Our mission is to help people and organizations communicate and collaborate better in a familiar, easy to use, platform-independent environment. It’s something we’ve been doing for over 20 years. The Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader products, in particular, offer tremendous advantages in electronic data sharing, communication and collaboration.

VS: Where do you see development going in 2006?

PA: I’m even more excited about the opportunities to push digital boundaries now that Adobe and Macromedia are one. We’ll continue to engage our customers on feedback in this area, but if you consider the benefits provided by solutions that include Acrobat, Breeze, Photoshop, and our other products today, the opportunities are limited only by our imaginations and that of our customers. We’ll continue to help building and construction professionals deliver the best possible solutions to fit their needs.

GFF Implements “Force Multipliers” to Raise the Bar in Service

How does award-winning, Dallas-based Good Fulton & Farrell (GFF) architectural firm help leading corporate and real estate clients such as Crate & Barrel and The Container Store stay ahead of the competition despite rising construction costs?

“In a word, technology,” said John Moebes, associate principal of GFF. “For us, creating innovative designs is only part of the challenge of competing in this industry. A large part of the job is to successfully communicate and manage our ideas across large project teams. It is essential that we find technologies that act as ‘force multipliers,’ enabling one person to do a job that might previously require two or three people.”

Their efforts have paid off. In the last year, the firm streamlined the development, review, and management of thousands of construction project documents, cut document management costs by 85%, reduced printing and handling expenses and created tighter relationships with clients that speed and improve service delivery.

And, they did it all with just two versatile, platform- and application-independent solutions.

Reinventing Collaboration

Not long ago, a major U.S.-based retailers asked GFF to help design and manage construction projects for new stores nationwide—an effort that involves the collaboration of more than 50 managers at GFF, the client site, government permit agencies, and construction firms.

From the outset, all GFF staff relied on a combination of Adobe Acrobat 7.0 Professional and e-mail to reinvent the way they exchange and collaborate with this client.

“The common Adobe PDF allows us to share designs, spreadsheets, site plans, and other materials quickly and easily. Staff and outside partners are often familiar with the free Adobe Reader software, so are quite comfortable opening and viewing these files,” said Moebes.

Thus, the client has the flexibility to comment on and mark up project information using redlining tools using Adobe Reader software. Moebes added, “With Acrobat and PDF, we can collect input from reviewers in hours, not days. We believe we reduced document management costs by more than 85% on this project and many others.”

Traditionally, the firm plots and prints thousands of pages of blueprints, environmental studies, building schedules, and other documents numerous times for delivery to project participants. “By moving from paper-based document review to delivering materials in PDF, we have reduced printing and handling costs from $45,000 to $5,000,” estimated Moebes.

Communicating Ideas

Like many others, GFF realizes that it is essential for architects and designers to communicate every element of design to any audience as clearly as possible.

GFF relies Adobe Photoshop CS2 to accomplish this task. Seamlessly integrated with Acrobat and Adobe PDF, this tool also allows GFF designers to add color and graphics—clouds, people, plants, animals, and other images—to site models thus creating realistic presentations.

“In minutes, we can provide full-color site plans, enhanced 3-D views of models, and retouched photos that show how proposed buildings relate to existing structures,” Moebes added.

In addition, architects can convert site plans and images in one step from Adobe Photoshop CS2 to Adobe PDF to share electronically or to incorporate into slide presentations.

“Altogether, we’ve accelerated review cycles from days to hours, improved quality and timeliness of input from review teams and established reliable and accessible project document archives,” concluded Moebes. “We see the difference in quality and speed every day and our clients see it in every project.”

Streamlining Disaster Response and Relief

In 2004, hurricanes forced the evacuation of over two million residents and tourists in Florida.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina physically displaced one-and-a-half million people along the Gulf Coast.

With homes destroyed and businesses left in shambles, federal, state and local agencies scrambled to help individuals and families find temporary shelter, clean up debris and rebuild.
During these times of disaster, government organizations depend on general contractors like Tennessee-based Phillips and Jordan to help speed disaster recovery. Phillips and Jordan, in turn, rely on an agile business practice to deliver near overnight improvements to these regions. Under one disaster relief contract, the firm put up 10 Expedient Group Shelter (EGS) sites with 830 trailers. Deadline from Notice to Proceed to ready for occupancy on EGS sites was just 72 hours; deadline was met on all 10 sites.

How do they accomplish these jobs with such success and effectively manage the government-required paperwork trail?

Contractors use this screen in Dexter + Chaney’s Forefront Document Imaging to approve invoices for payment; the window depicts the invoice being reviewed.

“It’s all about experienced people, having the necessary resources for quick mobilization and a strong commitment to technology,” said Steve Rasmussen, vice president of information and technology for Phillips and Jordan, Inc. “For a general and specialty contractor, today’s electronic environment provides a powerful forum that allows us to respond effectively to our clients within hours of the call for help.”

A Rock in the Midst of Chaos

One of Phillips and Jordan’s most challenging disaster recovery jobs occurred following the 2004 hurricane season. At the time, the Army Corps of Engineers called on the firm to build 10 mobile home park sites, which included 1,326 trailers along with underground utilities, playgrounds and services such as waste management and mail service.

“As a cost-reimbursable project,” explained Rasmussen, “a large part of our job is to manage this project with extraordinary detail so that everyone from the client to our subcontractors and vendors can keep the project moving forward.”

Seven years ago, Phillips and Jordan implemented Dexter + Chaney’s Forefront Construction Management Software and Document Imaging solution. This unified system manages the firm’s accounting data and related documentation including contracts, payroll, job costs, and accounts payable, as well as providing online cost management capabilities to the firm’s home and regional offices.

Thumbnails for each page and an attached note highlight a multi-page contract in Dexter + Chaney’s Forefront Document Imaging.

This system—particularly the document imaging component—proved crucial during the construction of this temporary housing project.

“We had 46 different task orders broken down into an even greater number of detail phase codes plus several hundred vendors and subcontractors. The ability to provide detailed electronic job cost reports directly from our accounting system simplified the billing and payment process,” Rasmussen recalled.

In fact, the firm images every invoice and piece of supporting documentation directly into the Forefront accounting system where it is time stamped and stored into appropriate folders for review by project team members. The system even updates project managers when an invoice needs approval.

“It wasn’t long ago, we’d have had to go through files and make copies of time sheets and invoices to substantiate customer invoices for a project like this,” said Rasmussen. “Now, the same work can be done with fewer resources and our people are freed up to handle more pressing tasks.”

Documenting Success

Over the course of 15 months, the firm completed all housing units and supporting services for families in Florida’s hurricane damaged regions. During this time, Phillips and Jordan submitted roughly 400 invoices, both in paper and electronic formats, to the Army Corps of Engineers.

Rasmussen concluded, “I don’t see how a general contractor today survives without an automated accounting system like this. We just couldn’t provide the quality of service that is essential in our line of work without it.”

Building Bridges to an Emerging 3D World

At the heart of every Walter P. Moore project is a pioneering spirit—a spirit that drives them to deliver innovative solutions to challenging problems, quickly and efficiently. Most recently, the engineering and consulting firm focused on the 3D modeling environment, building information modeling (BIM), specifically.

Little did they realize the data-sharing challenges that this environment would create as they worked with other 3D-minded consultants.

“BIM is the right way to build, and many of our project partners know it. Thus it is increasingly common for us to run into project environments where our partners are using different 3D modeling platforms,” said Jim Jacobi, chief information officer for Walter P. Moore.

Not long ago, this disparity in modeling software would have severely limited the project team’s ability to collaborate effectively. “The beauty of 3D is the opportunity to see conflicts up front,” said Jacobi. “However, if we can’t pull those models together because of proprietary systems, we lose a significant edge. We needed a way to build a bridge between these models quickly and easily.”

That all changed in 2004, when Walter P. Moore implemented the CAD-neutral design collaboration solution from NavisWorks.

One System, Many Tools

“The NavisWorks tools are basically agnostic when it comes to CAD software,” said Jacobi.
The software is uniquely designed to link models from leading 3D and 4D modeling systems into a single virtual model and then provide real-time navigation, collaboration, communication and presentation on the desktop or over the web.

Jacobi added, “In just seconds, we can put together a single multi-discipline model that has interactive components from visualization to walk-through capabilities.”

For instance, while working on an office building design project in Houston, the firm found itself with two different models. The architect designed in ArchiCAD from Graphisoft while Walter P. Moore’s engineers worked with Autodesk's Revit Structure. During design reviews, Jacobi’s team pulled these models together within the NavisWorks environment.

“The greatest advantage to the tools is the ability to drive better delivery and interference detection,” Jacobi said.

From one model, all stakeholders on the project were able to navigate, communicate and collaborate about the design model. The system includes nine navigation tools that include a collision detection system and a 3rd person view for improved realism. Users can cut cross sections, mark up segments, create lighting scenarios and even photorealistic rendered output.
“The system makes maneuvering in the 3D environment painless even for those unfamiliar with CAD,” Jacobi said.

Inside Attraction

Today, Walter P. Moore relies on 3D modeling for all large proj-ects, and increasingly, a greater number of midsize and smaller projects. The advantage to the firm’s engineers and designers is that the streamlined work process inherent to 3D offers a significant edge over traditional processes. Many of them frequently use the 3D modeling environment even if the project is fairly simple or small.

“Even in this, we’ve found unexpected advantage from having a common, user-friendly collaboration environment,” explained Jacobi. His people regularly use the NavisWorks interface to navigate through projects. They can even use the built-in links to scheduling to develop 4D construction simulation and presentation scenarios.”

“Conventional wisdom says a picture is worth a thousand words,” concluded Jacobi. “The technology version as a model is worth a million words or more—especially if it’s in an environment that both technical and non-technical people can use to communicate quality, affordable solutions.”

Sundt Puts Next Generation Technology to the Test

With 64,000 sq ft of new office space, high-tech meeting facilities, fitness center and extensive built-in sustainable features, Sundt Construction’s new corporate office building in Tempe will certainly be a tribute to the firm’s over 115 years of success.

However, for the more than 210 employees, this advanced facility holds much greater expectation. It represents a new way of doing business for the firm’s employees, project partners and clients.

From the first building concept through construction and commissioning, the office building will rely on the latest in building information modeling with construction sequencing (4D) as well as advanced estimating functionality.

Chairman and CEO Doug Pruitt recently stated, “We believe the transition to the modeling environment will enhance the development of better coordination documents that are used during the design phase. This will reduce the number of conflicts during construction, improve quality of work, and boost productivity.”

What better place to demonstrate these benefits than on the company’s own corporate office building.

Changing a Mindset

As with others in the industry, much of Sundt’s new technology-driven focus is driven by global changes in the construction industry.

Don Goodrich, vice president, director of PreConstruction for Sundt Construction, explained, “We all know the cost of construction is on the rise. To stay competitive, we have to find ways to construct facilities with greater efficiency.”

As a result, Sundt required that the architect and all consultants on the new corporate office create the design using the 3D modeling environment with links to scheduling data.

“The greatest advantage of these tools is the ability to resolve conflict before we break ground. Getting this done up front will help us derive potentially huge cost savings by reducing change orders and requests for information that commonly occur in the construction phase of a project,” said Goodrich.

From the 3D models, Sundt will automatically pull all working drawings and transition to the estimating and construction documentation phase.

In a parallel development with the 3D and 4D modeling, the firm is expanding its automated estimating capabilities. Goodrich added, “The recent escalation and huge spikes in material costs can make or break a project. We’ve got to get a better handle on this.”

Material Mayhem

With this in mind, Sundt is expanding its application of the MC2 ICE 2000 estimating software, replacing the simplified Excel environment that currently exists throughout its building divisions.
“The problem with Excel is that it’s unit pricing,” said Goodrich. “Estimators can’t prepare labor or material price breakdowns. To really understand material costs, we need to have the ability to isolate material costs associated with concrete, drywall or wood, and really check the more volatile items.”

That’s where the MC2 solution can help. With this tool, Sundt estimators can better understand material costs, and then more accurately and effectively communicate these concerns to the client early on in a project.

Like the 4D modeling capabilities, Sundt is in the early stages of technology rollout of the estimating solution to its building construction teams.

One of the most anticipated benefits of the estimating solution will be speed. In the Excel environment, only one estimator can work on the estimate at a time. With ICE, Sundt can have multiple estimators working on the project and then merge that information.

Goodrich concluded, “We’ve got about 50 estimators—it will take some time to get them all up to speed. Same with the 3D environment. This is something very new and requires our construction professionals to change the way they work.

However, once they do, we believe they’ll never want go back. We’ll see the value on every proj-ect—and so will our clients.”

Thor Construction Takes Giant Strides with Technology Edge

Thor Construction is the largest African-American-owned construction company in the upper Midwest, specializing in general contracting, site development, construction management, design-build and self-performed cast-in-place concrete, carpentry, and specialized demolition.
As recently as 1999, the company was earning about $4 million in business a year. It was happy with Peachtree by Sage as its financial software. “We couldn’t have foreseen how quickly we’d reach $20 million, but realized we were on the verge of major expansion,” said Bob Scott, controller. “So we upgraded within the Sage Software family of products to Sage Timberline Office, a product designed to handle specific construction-industry tasks.”

Business Is Booming

When Thor began growing at about 50% a year, it became essential to track all job data electronically, break down job costs by more detailed cost codes, and manage union data. Sage Timberline Office is now used to run all business at Thor, including the general ledger, receivables, payables, payroll, job costing, project management, and equipment accounts.

“Sage Timberline Office centralizes all of our data into one seamless system, eliminating duplicate efforts. It cuts checks, produces our unemployment reports, and generates entries for payroll reports required for public projects. We previously had one person doing payroll full time, and with Sage Timberline Office those duties are reduced to one day a week, an 80% improvement,” noted Scott.

Modules Maximize Efficiency

One of the most heavily used modules at Thor is Accounts Payable. The Sage Timberline Office module reports whenever a discount is lost through a late payment, and permits management by exception so the company can earn more discounts for timely payments.

“We also rely heavily on the commitment feature in Sage Timberline Office,” Scott said. “Most accounting packages provide accounts payable capabilities, but few let us manage commitments to ensure that we don’t overpay our contractors.

Fully integrated reports in Sage Timberline Office show us original contract amounts, change orders, and totals already paid—all broken out by individual contractor. This has proved to be extremely important for maintaining ongoing control, and turning around projects before they become too expensive.”

Thor started self-performing concrete work in 2000, and discovered it needed more detailed job hour tracking. “Sage Timberline Office lets us break down jobs by hours for concrete versus hours for other construction work,” Scott noted. “The potential for disaster is always huge with self-performing work. Sage Timberline Office helps us minimize risk and be successful in this new area.”

Powerful Project Management

The Project Management module keeps all project data in a single location.

“It’s great to have contract details stored in the system, so we don’t have to go back to paper contracts,” said Scott.

When Sage Software started offering Project Management, a Sage Timberline Office application, Thor adopted it right away.

Scott added, “Now use the module to set up contracts, enter estimates, record change orders originating from either owners or subcontractors, forecast work in progress, and calculate estimated-to-actual hours and completion rates. Reports in the software make it easy to produce reports whenever they’re needed by project managers. By sending reports through e-mail, we cut our total paperwork in half.”

Accurate forecasting with Sage Timberline Office has really improved the firm’s cash flow, as well. Scott continued. “I can compare work done against the budget and allocate variances. Project managers can prepare projections in an afternoon instead of two or three days. By creating efficiencies throughout the company, Sage Timberline Office contributes to our bottom line. I’m extremely happy with the software and would not even consider leaving it.”