ENR FutureTech 2014 Debrief

Last week I had the honor to present my App-Alchemy recipes at the ENR Future Tech Event on December 11th, 2015 in Atlanta Georgia. The highly technology focused event had several great presentations about the uses for the BIM platform on construction projects. A few items that stood out for me were:

Conference Highlights:

1. Presentations by Georgia Tech Graduate students on

A. The use cases for wearable tech as PPE. What if an employee wearing a safety vest could know a vehicle was approaching them on a blind side? One project is to create a mobile proximity sensing and alert system for work zone safety. The other project is to create a automated safety code checking and hazard detection/prevention system for use with BIM models.

B. BIM component families that are linked with manufacturers for example brick that has the material characteristics. It will allow BIM modelers to use the actual specified product and enhance the final renderings for presentations.

2. There was a presentation about the Grasshopper and Platypus platforms for live BIM coordination among designers. It allows all users to make changes in real time during the design meeting. These changes are then incorporated into the model.

3. Extreme integration session by Jennifer Suerth (Integrated Construction Coordinator) with Mortenson Construction.

– Leveraging new and cutting edge technology processes on the project.

– The use cases for BIM360 and Trimble on University Chicago project.

– Attempting to drive deep engagement with trades and fabricators to maximize value and while-team performance

App-Alchemy Recipe #1

Earlier this summer at the AGC IT Forum Conference I announced a new partnership between Egnyte, FotoIn Mobile and SmartUse to create new integrated app solutions for construction clients. The ConAppGuru called this partnership between apps in the cloud “App-Alchemy”. The beta test I conducted allowed me to take a site progress photo with the FotoIn Mobile App, back it up to Egnyte, and then use it to mark up a plan in the SmartUse App.

App-Alchemy Recipe #2

Over the past few months I have been field testing the punch list integration between Assemble Systems and Kahua. This concept for completing a punch list through a BIM model hosted in the cloud was announced this past summer at the AGC IT Forum Conference. This collaboration would take my concept for App Alchemy to a new level by connecting two platform through open API.

You can view my presentation from the ENR FutureTech Conference click on the link below.

 

App-Alchemy Recipe #2 (Assemble and Kahua)

At the AGC IT Forum Conference this past summer the teams from Assemble Systems and Kahua presented a concept for completing a punch list through a BIM model hosted in the cloud. This idea intrigued me when I heard about it. How interesting would it be to have a visual punch model? This collaboration would take my concept for App Alchemy to a new level by connecting two platform through open API.

I later contacted both companies to offer my services in beta testing this concept. Over the past few months I have been working with Assemble and Kahua to set up a “test” project to try out their concept. One of my project teams is now “field testing” this App-Alchemy experiment using a Surface Pro 3 tablet. The following details how the punch list collaboration works between the two platforms.

Direct Platform Integration

“To use the integrated platform to do punch list for our test project, I first created the views (by floors) in the Assemble program by utilizing the filtering process.  These floors contain the rooms that were created in the Revit model.  It was just to make the process easier. Then I would choose a room from the list, which highlights in the model and produces and description of the space.

Meanwhile, I am managing the detailed punch list that I share with my subs in Kahua.  From Kahua I can click Pin It and it launches Assemble.  From there I can select the object and land the Pin. At anytime while in Assemble I can also select from the menu the Punch list log and from there I can see real time the entire Punchlist log.  By selecting any item in the log, it will then immediately jump to the object.

Project photos can also be hyperlinked to the model.  In addition, Assemble and Kahua integrate with Bluebeam, if I need to add comments and bubbles for clarification.

Assemble is working on some filtering functions, such as different colors for trades. They are also trying to see if the BIM model section views can be created in the software, meaning to show a specific view of an area.  Bluebeam allows the user to create the views needed to address problem areas.

At the present time, the integration works on Windows based platform, i.e. desktops and laptops and tablets, to have access to the workflow. By using a SurfacePro3 tablet with a keyboard in the field, I can not only pin Punch list items, but also do this with RFIs, Field Observations, Submittals and more for others to view in the model from Assemble, based on their administrative permissions. Hopefully, the IOS version will be available soon to expand the platform to more users.”

This information was prepared by Anthony Strong, BIM Coordinator at J.M. Wilkerson Construction

App Alchemy Future

This new concept of a visual punch model will be a game changer. It takes my concept of App Alchemy one step further with a direct integration through open API. This collaboration  tools will enable teams to get projects completed more effectively and efficiently in real time. I will be curious to see what other work flows these teams can work on next.

To learn more about this collaboration attend the upcoming ENR Future Tech Event on December 11th, 2015.

To learn more about Assemble Systems click here.

To learn more about Kahua click here.

BIM Options for Mobile Devices

Has your company entered the wide world of BIM (Building Information Modeling for long). If so have you tried to you push a BIM Model to a mobile device? Have you tried to share this mythical BIM model with other companies? How does this work you ask?

One of the main reasons to create a BIM model for a project is the visualization of the 2D plans in 3d, preferably in real time. How great would it be to have the ability to share this visualization process with all craft workers on a project? This past summer I witnessed first hand the many steps it takes to create, collaborate on, distribute and update a working BIM model.

Step One: create a BIM Model in a program (ex. Autodesk Revit)

Step Two: share the model to others.

• BIMGlue App: Allows users to distribute BIM information to field personnel to view 3D models for construction coordination on a tablet (Android or IOS).
• BIM 360 Field App: All documents RFIs, punch lists, submitals, and O&M information can be linked to the model and accessed at anytime (Android or IOS).
• BIM Anywhere App: The BIManywhere mobile app for Apple iPad mobile devices provides easy and intuitive access to BIM model information anywhere on the construction job site to streamline multidiscipline collaboration, reduce workflows, and improve project efficiency. BIManywhere’s patented 3D engine and model splitter makes it the fastest model viewer on the market. .
• Tekla Field 3D App: Allows users to create federated models in Navisworks of fire protection and MEP trades to check for clashes with each other before construction.  Clash detection tests are coordinated between architectural and structural models initially to ensure the correct placement of building systems.
• Assemble Systems: Online platform allows users to generate quantity verification and take off data. The platform uses the Revit 3D model for those non Revit users to view and comment on the model.
• Kahua: Online platform for project management and collaboration. Through a direct integration with Assemble, the user has the ability to attach pins with comments on the model for punch list, RFIs and issues within the project.  This can be accessed at any time through the internet browser.

Step 3: Update the model (Stay tuned for details)