Timberline Forum

Barry Cassell

I’ve been asked by one of my industry software provider friends to write a piece on the current state of Building Information Modeling (BIM), as it relates to estimating in the here and now.

The topic has become increasingly relevant as the software driving the standard is  evolving quickly. (Or is it the demand that’s drving the software, fueling the growth? No matter.) BIM is fully useful now.

In fact, the oil and gas industry has been modeling its projects for thirty years,
not starting construction until the model is complete, and all potential design conflicts resolved. In the building sector, BIM is largely confined to the design-build arena. Why Design- Build? Because you need to own the drawings to have sufficient access to the CAD objects, or be on a truly team-oriented project that shares its resources openly among all project players. Not found on the conventional (read archaic) low-bid project!

To the uninitiated, the BIM standard (also known as Virtual Design & Construction or VDC)
requires “intelligent” design objects, rather than mere lines on the digital plan page. These
objects contain rich data including material dimensions, quantities, and types, to name just a
few attributes that sets modeled objects apart from conventional 2-D CAD lines. The 3-D
model can be rotated and viewed from any angle, including virtual walk-through capability.

Additionally, built-in clash-detection attributes prohibit drawing ducts through windows, or
electrical lines through ducts. It has evolved to the point of “5-D” technology: following the
more familiar 3-D design standards, “4-D” designates Time (project scheduling) data within the
model, and “5-D” the material takeoff quantity information, all built in to the drawings!

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Several reasons: High initial Cost is followed by a steep
Learning Curve, and topped off with multiple competing and Incompatible Software Standards.
Real world project experiences include glowing tales of months and millions shaved off
projects.

But likewise we hear some horror stories of high investment with puny returns. Unless
the entire project team is on board utilizing the same tools, those without are at a considerable
disadvantage. All major subs need to have fully compatible software, which doesn’t happen on
many projects under $50mm. And even with the resources and willingness to do all of the
above, the top three competing software tools are incompatible with each other. AutoDesk
doesn’t talk to Bentley, and neither works with Vico. The Army Corps of Engineers mandated a
year ago that Bentley and Autodesk must adhere to a common comapatible standard, but
nobody I know has seen it yet.

So how does this relate to estimating? Tools which interface between the model and estimate
applications are becoming increasingly available, in both proprietary and software-neutral
platforms. US Cost, Win Estimator, Bentley, and Vico have authored their own dedicated tools to
map and import the quantity takeoff information into their estimating applcations. Sage
Timberline requires a third-party interface, such as Innovaya’s Visual Estimating to import the
data. The speed of this software is truly amazing. I’ve watched Innovaya read complex models,
and execute literally days of quantity takeoff in minutes into a Timberline estimate. It’s truly
amazing.

And if the model changes, simply run the takeoff again for virtually instant update of
only the changed components. Which brings to light the obvious question, are we estimators
dinosaurs? The answer is no, for two reasons.

First, the model doesn’t contain “invisible” apects of the project such as mobilization, supervision,
temporary facilities, or necessary omponents such as formwork and scaffolding.

Second, and perhaps even more reassuring is hat it still takes a human mind to evaluate productivity,
and account for  weather conditions, as wll as the unique project constraints and advantages that
differentiate one project from aother. Where we’re saving estimating hours, (and ultimately potentially
reducing estimate staff requirements), is on what I call the “donkey work” of quantity takeoff. For that,
I for one say good riddance!

Have questions?  Want to know more?  Then ask Barry!  He’d love to hear from you.  Contact Gary
by going here.

You know the time I’m talking about – the time when you have to go through piles of invoices and Applications for Payment(AFP).  Does the time it takes you to sort them all out, then match them to a Project and then a Project Manager make you want to run screaming from the office?

If so you’ll definitely want to read on. We know EXACTLY which product  you’ll need to cure your headaches.  Best of all it is internet-based which means you don’t even have to be in the office to use it.  You can work from home or your boss can check in on it from the beach he or she is sunning on!

GC Pay does everything electronically.  No need to write a check.  The transaction goes from your bank to theirs with just a few key strokes.  It’s quick and easy.  There is NO software to install! All you need is a web browser.  It allows you to keep all of your AFP info in one place and in one format. Best of all you it integrates beautifully with Sage Timberline Accounting Software.  can be up and running with GC Pay in just 24 hours!  It also allows you to…

• Be up&running in just 24 hours…
• Quickly link subcontractor progress payments to general contractor payments…
• Dramatically reduce the time you spend checking for mistakes…
• Instantly submit, approve or reject any AFP…

The list of features is too long to place here.  But if you want to know more, and we know you do, click right here!

Less complicated is always good!
So here’s something to look forward to this April!
Sage Timberline is streamlining its website to give you…

~ Better access to information
~ Easy access to online support
~ An expanded knowledge base that includes training

It’s a lengthy list of benefits!!  To read more or learn how to access the new&improved site click right here!

Then smile because we’ve got just the thing!  Timberscan can quickly and easily automate your approvals and AP data entry.  Here’s how it works…

It scans the invoice and automatically routes it.  The approver then codes the invoice just like it’s already done in Timberline.  It also allows you to track the invoices several way.  You choose the filter, job, vendor, dates, etc.  It takes only hours to learn and once you start using it you’ll wonder why you didn’t get on board sooner!  But don’t take our word for it!  Take his…

“When we first considered TimberScan we were given a number of references.  The first comment that almost all of them made was  ‘I don’t know how we ever did without it’. And now that we’re on TimberScan I would agree with that.”

Investors Real Estate Trust
Joel P. Metz
Director Property Management
Accounting

There are plenty more references and we would happy to send them to you!!!   To read more about Timberscan and what it can do for you click on this!