Tag Archives: Interdepartmental Flow

Go for StruM.I.S Estimating Software for more accurate profitable estimates.

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StruM.I.S estimating is an enquiry and steel estimating software tool designed to meet the needs of estimators, QS and commercial managers involved in the detailing of accurate tenders in the steelwork fabrication industry.

StruM.I.S estimating processes and manages information throughout the tendering process using a number of pricing methodologies. It also allows accurate and consistent estimates with the benefit of 3D model integration for reduced errors and processing time.

Some of the benefits of StruM.I.S estimating include:

  • Easy to use with short set up time, enabling immediate return and benefits;
  • Retains acquired knowledge within processes, and detailed performance analysis;
  • Automation of repetitive tasks and greater integration leads to cost, time and error reduction;
  • Easy management and tracking of custom information enables better recording of information;
  • Provides estimators with the ability to prepare very accurate bespoke estimate take off with no extra data entry time; and
  • Facilitates planning and early issue flagging for rapid resolution.

Why not visit our website here to discover some of StruM.I.S estimating features and benefits. Alternatively, to watch a free webinar on our Steel Estimating Software please click here.

BIM Review and Collaboration

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For many years, building model authors had no real options in the market when it came to co-ordinating and re-examining multi-discipline Building Information Modelling (BIM) models. They were stuck with separate vendors proprietary authoring products.  Although it took a while for the AEC market to catch up, there are now a number of different options from software vendors who have seen the value in providing model collaboration.

The 3D opportunity

Contrary to the conventional lines and curves of 2D CAD systems, 3D BIM enables visual reference and virtual reality providing the opportunity for a BIM review process. An effective BIM collaboration process would involve importing models and associated data from multiple authoring tools into a single BIM environment for effective review, visual communication and collaboration.

The move to digital and file sharing across projects

Effective BIM review necessitates information to be shared at different phases of a project, from design through into site construction. This enables different project members to simultaneously benefit from appropriate and timely information, delivering enhanced workflows, and accelerated schedules with minimized risks.

Other than the ease of communication enabled by virtual reality, real time data access enables efficient decision making, resulting in improved workflow, superior understanding and a team based environment.

A BIM mandate

According to Paul Morrell, the Government’s chief construction adviser, the use of BIM will be made mandatory on all the government projects by 2016.  The adoption of BIM methodology is seen as a driving force for reducing costs on public sector construction projects and for the UK to lead the way forward in the construction sector.

This government strategy is to increase the adoption of BIM to elevate UK companies to compete at international level.

Changing processes

The UK Government’s strategy of BIM implementation over the next four years will certainly impact on business practices and will alter the nature of collaboration and the interaction between supply chains and clients.

Many clients and owners are acknowledging the importance of employing BIM on their projects to obtain maximum business efficiencies. Implementation of BIM can facilitate cost reduction and diminish time schedules. Furthermore, BIM review enables early detection of design clashes and thus provides the opportunity for the elimination of errors through co-ordination for better site construction.

What options are there available for BIM Review and Collaboration?

There are several products available on the market. Several of these were reviewed and covered in AEC Magazine’s excellent independent article which can be accessed here. Also, a blog article on selecting BIM Review Software can be found here.

Bar Code Tracking with StruM.I.S

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Bar code data-collection systems provide huge benefits during the manufacturing and processing stages of fabrication. Murray & Roberts subsidiary company, Genrec, has extended these benefits further by tracking individual items within large scale projects.

The bar code data-collection solution enables faster and more accurate data capturing with lower costs, minimised mistakes and easier data management through the StruM.I.S system including site materials and piece tracking.

A successful installation simplifies fabrication management

With Genrec’s principal RSA steel fabrication site in Wadeville, covering over 55,000m2 of undercover workshops and open areas, tracking of materials and fabricated items represented a major issue.

As StruM.I.S users they had already decided to extend shop floor feedback automation through bar coding for an optimised workflow and real time tracking. This implementation has been highly successful for quite some time and has shown real benefits in terms of processing steel through production efficiently and gaining the most out of the management  system; StruM.I.S.

Overcoming the growing pains

Following successes in several large projects around the world, Genrec has become the main contract steelwork fabricator for a substantial domestic infrastructure project. This resulted in the need to develop their own onsite fabrication facilities alongside the creation of a lay down storage area covering an area larger than that of five soccer pitches!

The sheer size of this storage area created a number of traceability issues for both raw materials and fabricated items and as such Genrec approached AceCad to see if it was possible to create a way of implementing bar coding through StruM.I.S into a new onsite process to enable complete onsite traceability.

GPS location of items enables accurate location on demand

Following development work between Genrec and the AceCad team, StruM.I.S is now able to use the bar code tracking functionality through a specially designed interface to track all site movement of materials and fabricated items.

Originally, the brief given by Genrec required the ability to scan items into the Production Delivery notes to define that these items were leaving the fabrication facility and headed for the site. Once the shipment is received at the site, the items are then scanned again as a confirmation of receipt to ensure that they have not been lost during transit. On confirmation, StruM.I.S will recognise the location, including GPS coordinates, for easy onsite traceability throughout the entire construction process.

Speaking on behalf of Genrec a spokesman commented; ‘With StruM.I.S, we have a system that enables us to manage projects from start to finish. Now with the extended bar coding functionality and the automation that this delivers we are able to benefit from the system more and more throughout our projects.’

AceCad Software releases StruM.I.S V8.1

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AceCad Software is pleased to announce the release of StruM.I.S V8.1, our latest steelwork fabrication management system designed to meet needs of medium and larger sized steelwork contractors. StruM.I.S V8.1 includes many new features to operate steel fabrication sites more efficiently, with greater flexibility and offering enhanced functionality.

StruM.I.S V8.1 new features overview

  • New 64 bit architecture
  • New, more user friendly setup wizard, including updated material and cross references
  • Improved revision management functionality
  • Enhanced plate logic
  • Ability to review drawings and documents at all levels
  • Latest BIMReview, model viewer embedded
  • BIMReview CAD Interfaces for Tekla and SDS/2
  • Partial Work Order Issuing

What are the business benefits of StruM.I.S V8.1?

  • Even easier and more user friendly to use
  • Pre populated with material libraries – ready to implement
  • Greater flexibility through enhanced enquiries and estimating tools
  • Superior control at every level of production
  • Revisions can be created at any stage of production
  • Advanced levels of referencing and visualisation through BIMReview
  • Cost reduction, with enhanced traceability and process control
  • Option to install add-ins for Tekla and SDS/2
  • Saves time, reduces laborious tasks and minimises human error

With the release of StruM.I.S V8.1, AceCad Software emphasizes its commitment to delivering the very best in integrated data management and visualisation tools for the steel sector. Simon Inman, Technical Director for AceCad Software, commenting on the release said, “StruM.I.S V8.1 delivers even greater business advantages for steelwork contractors across their steelwork projects. Users will benefit from new levels of functionality to deliver instant decision support across projects. This latest exciting release is in line with our aim to enable, through our software, our users to utilize their Information to deliver real time Knowledge to make Powerful decisions”.

AceCad interviewed by BIM Journal

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AceCad was delighted to be recently interviewed by BIM Journal; the leading online newsletter delivering impartial and authoritative information relevant to Building Information Modeling (BIM) industry professionals.

Aimed at everyone involved in the construction process – Developers, Project Managers, Engineers & Contractors, and with over 100,000 readers worldwide, the monthly BIM Journal editions reveal promising trends and the latest development projects from around the world.

Speaking to BIM Journal, Mr Brotherton, the Managing Director of AceCad Software commented; ‘We believe that the construction industry needs to deliver practical benefits into construction projects attainable by the implementation of BIM. Although BIM has resulted in benefits and advantages in many projects, we at AceCad believe that the data associated with BIM is still yet to be fully exploited beyond the virtual model and into the real world’.

When asked by BIM Journal to summarize what BIMProject, AceCad’s latest product for managing BIM data does, Mr Brotherton commented, ‘BIMProject allows users to extract BIM model data, apply it efficiently in the real world and track it, whilst updating the model, to help reduce RFI/variation costs which plague the industry’.

BIM Journal were interested in the development resource associated with BIMProject. Speaking on this, Mr Brotherton added ‘AceCad Software was certainly the leading company in bringing together the benefits found in manufacturing into the structural construction sector. We are now working to bring similar benefits into wider construction projects by the integration of model and data management through distinct and controlled processes that ensure information is integrated with knowledge to bring about powerful decisions – true BIM’.

BIMProject is in the final stages of development with an impending release planned, while the integrated BIMReview model collaboration tool, available from www.bim-review.com, was released in late summer. Due to high interest in the BIMProject product we have pilot projects running with beta versions. We already have a wide range of BIMReview users and feedback to date is extremely encouraging. A comment from one such pilot project user was ‘this is a dream come true!’.

To read the full article click HERE!

FREE Webinar – Steel Purchasing

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You can now optimise your steel procurement with StruM.I.S – More accuracy, reduced waste, costs savings!


StruM.I.S integrates your structural steel procurement with live contracts and enables the management of suppliers, with pricing and nesting automatically completed and all costs allocated for analysis.

Structural steel construction businesses need to purchase wisely and efficiently to deliver successful returns. The structural steel purchasing function is critical and often complicated by multiple simultaneous project requirements. StruM.I.S allows the management of suppliers and integration of purchasing for more accuracy, less waste and ultimately to save you money!

Watch our FREE webinar to find out how purchasing using StruM.I.S could benefit your business:

StruM.I.S purchasing and suppliers module features include:

  • Purchasing and supplier materials database
  • Wizard driven – linear and plate nesting/multing (optional), incorporating multi-suppliers, bevel nesting and butt welding
  • Visual nest representation and analysis
  • Request for Quotation (RFQ) and saved nest retrieval
  • Electronic Data Interface (EDI) with Suppliers
  • Automated Purchase Order generation
  • Purchase Order receipts enables good inwards management
  • Materials Classification, facilitating CE compliance, returns, damaged goods, etc.
  • Return to supplier for damaged or unwanted goods

So you’ve got your 3D or BIM model… What comes next?

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The main issue with interdepartmental and supply chain collaboration, is often the flow of information from one place to another. This is one of the areas where BIMProject comes into play, with its very simple workflow system doing all of the heavy lifting (figuratively speaking!) Processing 3D or BIM model data from design through the tendering, procurement and QS cycles to the construction site.

All of the information attributed to the models, and the models themselves, can be imported into BIMProject. Throughout the supply cycle the information is compounded and enriched and this data, along with all the documents involved, is then added to the system under controlled change management; through integrated workflows for the benefit of everyone involved in the entire construction project.

BIMProject and BIMReview also share an excellent and unique aspect; complete visual traceability in sync with the data held within.

‘Contractors are able to track the content from their suppliers through to the construction site in real time, utilising the BIM model in this environment, which we feel is a first.’

Paul Daynes, AceCad’s BIM Solutions Business Manager