Vela Systems, a developer of mobile field software for the AECO (Architecture-Engineering-Contractor-Owner) industry, today announced a major expansion of Vela Systems’ usage with KM-Plaza. Headquartered in Miami, KM-Plaza is using Vela Systems’ software to manage field operations on three construction projects in the area, including Canyon Ranch Miami Beach, The Marquis and W South Beach Hotel & Residences.
Vela Systems’ mobile field software replaces the notebooks and tubes of drawings normally carried by construction personnel with software that was designed from the ground up for use on a Tablet PC. Using a special pen or stylus, field personnel can write directly on the screen in their own handwriting, and the Tablet automatically converts this writing to electronic text. The software suite includes modules that replace each of the field tasks that take place on a job site, including work lists, punch lists, field reports and safety inspections. With Vela Systems, customers have accelerated project delivery by up to two days per month and saved millions of dollars in averted litigation for more than 400 projects from Las Vegas to Dubai.
KM-Plaza initially began using Vela’s technology at Canyon Ranch, after which it decided to expand its use in the other Miami projects due its proven ability to expedite project delivery. Additionally, on The Marquis and W South Beach projects, building owners and architects will use the technology to ensure greater communications between project participants and personnel “in the field.” On The Marquis project, participants using Vela Systems include architecture and interiors firm, Arquitectonica, and building owner, Africa Israel USA. For the W South Beach project, architects from Nichols, Brosch, Wurst, Wolfe and Associates, and building developers The Related Companies, will also be “tied into” the Vela System’s solution.
Details about the projects include:
— Canyon Ranch Miami Beach: Expected to be completed at the close of 2008, this will be the nation’s first community dedicated to providing an integrated approach to wellness and healthy living. The project includes three towers located on six prime oceanfront acres, containing 206 luxury residential units;
— The Marquis: Expected to be completed at the end of 2008, the project entails 1.2 million square feet of space, housing 306 luxury residences and a 56-suite boutique hotel;
— W South Beach Hotel & Residences: Slated for completion in 2009, the 19-story building will contain 411 luxury units, each with unobstructed ocean views.
“Vela’s solution immediately expedited work at Canyon Ranch, leading us not only to use it on our other Miami projects, but to bring the building owners and architects into the system,” said Brad Meltzer, President of KM-Plaza. “Taking notes with a pencil and marking up plans in the field, then retyping these and distributing the information to all involved is labor-intensive and causes delays. With Vela Systems everyone gets the information they need in near real-time, reducing work-hours and costs, while increasing our ability to manage project details for greater work quality.”
“KM-Plaza and other world-class AECO organizations are helping change how this industry operates in the field and delivers projects,” said Tim Curran, CEO of Vela Systems. “Package delivery drivers have employed mobile field solutions to track packages for more than a decade, and, now that same technology has advanced to the point that it can be used on a construction site. With Vela Systems, AECO leaders can now deliver higher quality projects faster and for less money because they can finally see the true state of quality, safety and materials in the field.”
About Vela Systems, Inc.
Vela Systems is The Leader in Field Software for the AECO Industry™. Vela Systems software streamlines and accelerates all field processes in construction and capital projects. By replacing their field notebooks with Vela software and Tablet PCs, Vela’s customers save 5-10 hours per week per user, accelerate project delivery by two days per month, capture the true Cost of Quality™ and reduce litigation risk through standardized documentation. Vela’s suite of modules includes field reports, safety inspections, work lists, punch lists, schedule updates and many other critical field activities. Industry leading architects, engineers, contractors and owners agree that Vela Systems helps them Work Faster, Collaborate Easier, and Finish Sooner™. To see how Vela’s customers are improving construction delivery from Las Vegas to Dubai, please visit www.velasystems.com or call 888.VELA.SYS.
