Vela Systems, a developer of mobile field software for the AECO (architecture, engineering, contractor and owner) industry, and Tekla Corporation, a leading building information modeling (BIM) solutions provider for the building and construction industry, introduced a new and unique solution called “Field BIM™” at the BIM4Builders™ conference in Gainesville, Florida on May 11-13, 2008. BIM4Builders™ was jointly presented and co-hosted by the M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Building Construction at the University of Florida and by The LaiserinLetter™. Adam Omansky, Co-Founder and Vice President of Product Strategy of Vela Systems, and Andy Dickey, Product Manager of the Contractor Segment of Tekla, co-presented.
BIM (“building information modeling” or “building information model”) is a data model or information model generated and maintained throughout the lifecycle of a building, from design to construction to operations and potentially to demolition. To date, design and construction industry stakeholders have leveraged BIM software for back-office design and coordination tasks such as clash detection between building systems. As an example, BIM software may help to identify a conflict between a steel beam and an air duct virtually, before being constructed, eliminating the cost and time delay of rework. Now, Tekla and Vela are changing the value-proposition of building information modeling with Field BIM.
Extending BIM beyond the back-office to the field, Field BIM enables project stakeholders to optimize construction operations, such as supply chain logistics and materials management, quality control and quality assurance. Mr. Omansky and Mr. Dickey presented a materials management application of Field BIM by Skanska Building USA, Inc. on the New Meadowlands Stadium project. ENR Engineering News-Record featured this project as the cover story in its April 28, 2008 edition entitled “Smart Tracking – Electronic tags bring digital supply chain to construction modeling.”
The solution marries Vela’s patent pending field administration software with Tekla’s construction management solutions. When enabled with field software and radio frequency identification (RFID), stakeholders in a construction project can manage critical-path building components and visualize the supply chain through a real-time, 4D simulation in which the fourth dimension is time. The joint Field BIM solution enables the AECO industry to feed into BIM the constantly changing status of the supply chain in the field.
Traditionally, BIM tools have primarily focused on design and coordination, not supply chain management. By combining the technology with mobile field software, further enhanced by technologies such as RFID, AECO leaders gain unprecedented supply chain visibility for assessing status, controlling quality and coordinating the scheduling of building materials across a distributed environment, encompassing everything from manufacturing to delivery and installation. The solution also improves future, post-handover operations such as facilities and warranty management.
The new Tekla/Vela solution was integrated with RFID to meet the needs of Skanska Building USA as it oversees the $998 million design-build project to construct the new open-air Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, the future home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. Through the use of patent-pending RFID technology to tag and track materials, Skanska has used the joint Tekla/Vela solution to capture important information about building materials from vendors and merge it in the 3D model in real-time. As a result, Skanska expects to expedite the Meadowlands building schedule by 10 days, producing $1 million in cost savings.
“This solution is giving us a precise view of production management,” said David Campbell, vice president for Skanska USA. “Bringing together RFID, BIM and field software together into a single solution has vastly improved our ability to track materials along the entire process, from the plant to erection in the structure.”
The joint Field BIM solution is based upon Vela’s mobile field software installed on Tablet PCs and Tekla Structures for Construction Management BIM software. The solution enables all parties involved in a building project – whether on site or off – to access and update critical, up-to-date information conveyed through a rich 4D building information model. This vivid multi-color visual representation allows AECO and project leaders to more easily and effectively:
– Assure accurate communications between field and off-site personnel;
– Assess construction development and compare progress to initial forecasts;
– Schedule building activities and use of work crews;
– Track materials and control inventory;
– Ensure work quality and safety standards are met;
– Generate a work history/model for future management and troubleshooting of a building;
– Create an auditable trail that can reduce legal exposure; and
– Analyze possible improvements to project delivery.
The solution breathes “ongoing life” into the Tekla Structures BIM model through Vela Systems’ patent-pending software architecture. This includes an updated Vela Integration Adaptor for bidirectional integration of information with Tekla Structures BIM. Field personnel at a construction site can enter information via a simple user interface into a Vela database directly on the screen of the Tablet PC with a special pen. When the solution is RFID enabled, a reader attached to the Tablet automatically scans information from the RFID tag and logs that information. This data is synchronized and integrated directly with the Tekla Structures BIM database. The database-todatabase integration allows for easy synching of information, while eliminating the need for additional mapping or an Internet connection on a work site. Additionally, document flow is enabled to the job site, providing those in the field with immediate access to critical information such as plans, designs, reports, task updates, safety procedures and much more.
Vela Systems’ mobile field software automates field processes in construction and has been used on more than 300 projects from Las Vegas to Dubai. It replaces the notebooks and tubes of drawings traditionally used on construction sites with specialized software installed on rugged Tablet PCs. Vela puts entire file cabinets of documents that were formally stored in trailers and offices at the fingertips of people in the field. Vela’s technology features a variety of modules for accomplishing specific construction tasks such as materials tracking, field repairs, punch lists and safety inspections. Customers using Vela report typical savings of at least 10 hours per week per user, accelerating project delivery by as much as two days per month.
Tekla Structures BIM software streamlines the delivery process of design, detailing, manufacturing and construction companies. While integrating openly with architectural models, Tekla’s strengths suit the data-rich nature of the construction phases of project delivery. Tekla Structures’ ability to process extensive data enables the creation of detailed 3D models that can be applied to every stage of design and construction. Such collaborative workflows minimize errors and maximize efficiency, resulting in high profitability and on-time project completion. Thousands of Tekla Structures users in more than 80 countries have successfully delivered BIMbased projects worldwide.
“Vela Systems has been used to manage safety inspections, deliver construction documents electronically to field personnel, account for the cost of construction quality, ensure punch list items are completed, and more,” said Tim Curran, Vela Systems’ CEO. “Now, by combining our solution with Tekla’s BIM software, AECO leaders enhance their decision-making with a total grasp on the materials available for construction. Our customers’ ideas and needs continue to drive us to innovate and introduce new standards in construction technology.”
“Integrating BIM & RFID shows a genuine advancement of project management technologies,” said Stacy Scopano, Business Development Manager, Contractor Segment, Tekla Corporation. “Making critical aspects of supply chain management and field coordination centralized – and now even visual – represents a very significant step forward for technology-enhanced project control.”
The Tekla/Vela solution is available immediately and is being jointly marketed by Vela Systems and Tekla Corporation. For more information on the joint solution, contact Vela Systems at 888.VELA.SYS (888.835.2797) extension 2 or info@velasystems.com, or contact Tekla at 1.888.Tekla-OK (888.835.5265) or info.us@tekla.com..
About Tekla Corporation
Tekla is a leading international software company whose innovative software solutions make customers’ core AEC businesses more efficient. Tekla’s software products and related services are used mostly in building and construction, but also in energy distribution and by municipalities. Tekla Corporation has area offices and partner organizations worldwide. International operations account for some 80% of net sales. Founded in 1966, Tekla is one of the longest operating software companies in Finland. For additional information please visit www.tekla.com .
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.
