Foundations

The federated model is a concept that’s been around since the beginning of BIM. And while the idea is that everyone feeds this one model with data and information, it’s not always that easy. In this episode of Foundations, the team sits down to discuss the real world challenges in implementing a federated model, and the enormous upside it can bring to your project.

Robotic total stations are rapidly becoming the standard in the industry today, and we're seeing them on smaller and smaller projects and sites. And with this change, we're seeing more, and better data on the job, so how exactly do we use this data to finish jobs more efficiently? We're joined by Michael Frye of Trimble to discuss these changes, and what we see for the near future.

The construction industry is moving at a pace never before seen, and with that, there is so much data available that we're realizing that time and attendance is a crucial piece that can save significant administrative time... and reduce errors. Steve Montgomery from BuildingPoint Northeast joins us to explore the topic of access control, and time management.

In this episode of foundations, we discuss an earlier portion of the construction lifecycle, estimating. While BIM and models are great for increasing efficiency, today we wanted to focus about the blend of 2D and 3D estimating, and the take-off data we generate from it.

After a couple month hiatus, we’re back in the saddle, and joined by our newest host, Steve Caron. In this latest episode of Foundations, we sit down to discuss the importance of the data you get from laser scanning, point clouds. From the accuracy of a scan, to the finished file size, we break down the importance of that data, and how you can use it in your workflow.

Over the past few years, the adoption of cutting edge technology within the construction industry has increased at a rapid pace. From Mixed Reality, to streamlined processes and new technology such as the Trimble RTS573, 2018 looks to be a record setting year when it comes to construction technology. In this episode of Foundations, the team is joined by Joe Tomasino of Trimble to discuss the technology evolution we’ve seen, and what to look forward to this year.

From the pyramids, to modern skyscrapers, layout has always been an essential part of the construction process. But over the last few decades, we’ve seen rapid changes to in the tools used for layout on the jobsite. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by Ben Atkins and Aric Stott of Trimble to discuss the evolution of the technologies involved in the layout process.

In Episode 28, we discussed the relationship between the geospatial industry and building construction, and how the two are intertwined. In this episode, we’re joined by Bill Stettner and Jason Weiss of AllTerra Florida to build on that last conversation, and really dive into a deeper construction-centric discussion of the topic.

Construction software, from estimating, to project planning, is becoming such an integrated part of the building process, that it's hard to imagine how we lived without it. And it's importance to a project team is more than just crunching numbers and putting out raw data. The Foundations team is back from the holiday break, and they're joined by David Moyer of Trimble to discuss just how construction software solutions fit into the big picture in 2018 and beyond.

The first step in building a great building, is making sure that it's in the right spot, and to do that, contractors need surveyors. The relationship between building construction and geospatial, or surveying and engineering is complex, and yet, extremely vital. In this episode, we're joined by Bill Stettner of AllTerra Florida to help us cover this topic, and break down this relationship.

Construction scheduling is a vital part of the building process, ensuring that your project is on time, and trades are where they need to be. In Episode 25, we discussed the lookahead or production planning part of scheduling, and this week we’re going to build on that by discussing trade scheduling. To help us cover this topic, we’re joined by the newest member of BuildingPoint Florida, Juan Herrera, who has years of experience scheduling for electrical contractors.

When it comes to tolerance in positioning and layout, real world accuracy is a culmination of every phase of the job. From designers, to GC’s and subs, everyone on the job has a hand in ensuring accuracy on the project. In this Episode, the Foundations team discusses how to minimize accuracy errors throughout the life of a project.

The BIM and modeling process has been slowing changing the construction process over the past two decades, and many contractors are realizing that there’s a benefit to visualization and modeling, that you don’t get from traditional drawing sets. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by Chris Keating, General Manager for Trimble SketchUp to answer a huge question… Is construction changing modeling? Are we adapting and changing 3D design so that it works in construction, or is modeling changing the construction process?

Even though it is one of the most vital parts of a project, scheduling isn’t always given the full attention it deserves. And here at Foundations, we agree. In this latest episode, we’re joined by Duane Gleason, Market Segment Manager for Trimble, to discuss collaborative planning, and how to best keep your project team on-task and up to date.

Without parameters and a good process, customization adds a lot of variables and complexity. But if you manage that customization, and adapt it properly, you can actually simplify your processes and workflows. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by Steve Montgomery of BuildingPoint NE, to build on our conversation in Episode 3 covering custom reporting.

Developing new technology can be a daunting task for even the most experienced companies. The process of identifying a problem, and creating a solution to solve that problem is not the easiest task. On this episode of Foundations, we're joined by Bryan Williams of Trimble to pull back the curtain, and discuss how Trimble tackles product development.

In episode #16, "Leveraging Training In Construction" we discussed the importance of making sure you're unlocking the full potential of your construction technology. For this episode, we’re once again joined by Basia Bullard, Trimble Learning Solutions Manager to discuss discuss different learning styles, and how best to leverage these various methods.

Scanning has become an important part of the DBO process, and construction companies large and small are using this powerful technology on projects of all sizes. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by Tim Malys from DPR Construction, to discuss how they've been using scanning for their projects.

Webster’s dictionary defines coordination as “the process of organizing people or groups so that they work together properly and well.” At face value, it sounds simple, but in construction, we know that it can be challenging. In this episode, we’re joined by Ali Clutter, a Project Manager from the Tampa Area, to talk about coordination, specifically the differences between traditional coordination and using VDC models.

Often, when we talk about field procedures and routines, our mind immediately goes to concrete. But steel is equally important in the equation. And while the technologies and procedures for laying out steel has advanced rapidly over the past few decades, so has the complexity of projects. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by John Fugera, the newest member of BuildingPoint Florida, to leverage his years of experience while we discuss laying out for steel projects.

In today's world, we’ve become accustomed to the idea of instant gratification, and expecting things to just plug in and work. But that expectation hits some snags when it comes to the realities of construction. Often times, the stakes are too high, and the schedules too compressed, to realistically expect to learn something from scratch all by yourself. But, you don’t have to go it alone. In this episode of Foundations, we’re joined by Steve Montgomery of BuildingPoint Northeast, and Robert Beck of BuildingPoint West to tackle this subject and discuss the importance of leveraging local and on-site support partnerships.

To stay competitive in today's construction market, contractors are always looking to improve their performance and workflows, often times by acquiring new technology. But just as important as a new tool or software, is the ability to make sure you're using all the features and functions correctly. In this week's episode of Foundations, the team is joined by Basia Bullard, Trimble Learning Solutions Manager, to discuss the importance of making sure you're unlocking the full potential of your construction technology.

With the increasing complexity of today’s construction projects, contractors often find themselves purchasing tools to address challenges on the job. For both budget and productivity reasons, it’s important to distinguish the difference between necessary tools that you can use over and over, and niche toys will become dust magnets once you’re done with a particular task. On this episode of Foundations, the BuildingPoint team sits down to discuss this issue, and how to avoid ending up with a closet full of unused toys.

One of the most important parts of the layout process is ensuring that you do everything possible to minimize the chance of error. And while using the latest and most accurate technology situations is important, it’s also necessary to use proper procedures to ensure accurate results. In this episode, the Foundations team is joined by Alex Reitsema of BuildingPoint West, to discuss the importance of these procedures and techniques.

BIM as a stand-alone concept is an interesting concept. But BIM as a business tool is where the game-changing step-wise improvements happen. In this episode, the Foundations team sits down with Chris Shephard. As Vice President of Trimble’s Construction Solutions, Chris has a unique vantage point to observe and discuss the benefits of BIM, and the importance of taking the amazing capabilities that are afforded through VDC, and those capabilities to discovering real-world answers to construction and design issues.

In Episode 12 of Foundations, we sit down with Trimble to talk about... well... Trimble! We’re joined by Trimble’s Angela Giavroutas, to talk about Trimble's strategies for helping contractors though cutting edge solutions. We also discuss the importance of data, and the convergence of the office and field workflows.

Historical costs represents an underutilized and often overlooked asset in the contractor’s toolkit. All too often this valuable data is locked away in file cabinets or buried on hard drives. In this podcast, the Foundations team sits down with Steve Watt, Trimble’s Market Segment Manager for Cost Estimation, to discuss the importance of unlocking and leveraging this data set, as well as some creative ways that we can use this data to estimate and benchmark future work.

Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) is widely viewed as a fantastic tool for GC/CM roles where overall project coordination is paramount to success. But can VDC be a net positive specifically for the GC’s self-performing trades? In this episode the Foundations team tackles this question with Matt Hedke, VDC Self-Perform Manager for Barton Malow. Matt also discusses lessons learned and best practices as it pertains to his own experience in implementing VDC at the self-perform level.

Being in control is a hallmark of a successful design or construction firm. The idea that more data is better permeates the entire construction process. And to be sure, robust data leads to better decisions. But what about model detail? In this episode the Foundations studio team discusses this important question, and looks at some particular points in the construction process where less can actually be more. Whether it's balancing tight delivery schedules against model detail, or simplifying models for in-field clarity, in some cases, more isn't always more.

Dashboards, metrics, KPIs, there's no shortage of buzzwords that surround the idea of leveraging the power of actionable data in making better construction decisions. In this podcast, the Foundations team sits down with Kris Lengieza, Director Of Virtual Design & Construction for Stiles Construction. Relating and discussing Stiles' efforts and initiatives with data analytics, Kris unpacks this current and timely topic while also brining a real-world, on-the ground perspective to the conversation.

With the amount of traffic on the modern jobsite, controlling who is on site at any given time is an enormous but necessary undertaking. But what exactly does “intelligent access control” mean? It could mean ensuring only workers who have completed the orientation and the safety training are allowed on the site. It could also mean having a detailed understanding of who is on the site at any given time. It could even mean controlling who is allowed on a restricted jobsite. All of these aspects of access control can be achieved through effective workforce management, ensuring a safe and productive environment. In this episode, we talk with Steve Montgomery and Rochelle Wintz to discuss the benefits of intelligent access control and workforce management and how contractors can use it to understand and report on workforce trends, compliance requirements and manage site access.

If there's one consistent thread within the AEC industry over the past 10 years, it's the incredible value and visibility that BIM affords throughout the entire project lifecycle. And to be sure, a completely coordinated and federated model allows all stakeholders to leverage and realize a tremendous advantage throughout the entire construction process. But what happens if you don't have a fully constructible model? Is there any value to utilizing high precision construction layout tools, such as robotic total stations? In this episode, the Foundations team sits down with Alex Reitsema of BuildingPoint West. Spending his entire career within the construction layout space, Alex discusses some unique capabilities and deliverables that can be realized, even without a fully coordinated VDC model.

Laser scanning offers some fantastic deliverables, allowing contractors and designers to measure, evaluate, analyze, and document their existing conditions with a resolution and fidelity that is simply unmatched using more traditional methods. But one of the greatest benefits of laser scanning is the ability to analyze and review the data set long after capture, often looking at elements and scope that was never intended when the data was captured. In this episode, the Foundations team discusses this powerful ability to scan now, and analyze later.

Project closeout is a topic that can strike fear in even the most season construction and project managers. Project closeout is one of those tasks that can require inordinate amounts of time and resources to complete and deliver. But it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, Foundations is joined by BuildingPoint Florida's Dan Bentil. With more than two decades of construction management experience, Dan discusses both the all-too-common scenarios surrounding tough and protracted project closeouts as well as the more preferable streamlined closeouts that fit within the schedule and budget.

Having great data is fantastic. But only if you can act upon that data. Insightful and customized reporting is a key component to making the most of your data-driven decision making. In this week’s podcast, the Foundations team is joined by Steve Montgomery of BuildingPoint Northeast. Steve has spent over 20 years in project controls arena, and has successfully shepherded hundreds of clients through a successful project controls software implementation, leveraging custom reports as a huge component of the success strategy. Steve highlights both some of the benefits of customized reporting, as well as some basic criteria to make sure that you’re leveraging your data to it’s fullest potential.

Today, we’re thrilled to announce and release the first episode of Foundations, a podcast focused solely on emerging trends and ideas within the Design-Build-Operate marketspace. This bi-weekly show will cover any variety of topics, and is intended to be a conversation, rather than a sales pitch or infomercial for any particular product or service. As a growing worldwide network of construction technology experts, BuildingPoint has a unique ability to cover many of these emerging concepts with a perspective and angle that is simply unavailable anywhere else in the industry. Our plan is to release 18 episodes a year, on a roughly bi-weekly basis. In each show, we’ll cover a single topic, and we’ll be joined by a variety of industry experts, thought leaders, and real-world users, to help bring additional viewpoints to the conversation. Subscribing to the podcasts couldn’t be easier. We’ll be posting each episode to all of the major podcast outlets including iTunes, SoundCloud, and Google Play. In our first episode, we’re simply setting the table for Foundations, talking about what it is, and what is not, and really just explaining what you can expect in the coming months. As the leader in Design-Build-Operate solutions, BuildingPoint is thrilled to serve contractors, designers, and owners within this rapidly changing segment. With Foundations, we encourage you to join in the conversation, as we continue to push the industry forward together. Visit buildingpointflorida.con/foundations and subscribe today!

In this week’s episode Foundations discusses the topic of implementation red flags. When implementing new technology or processes, it goes without saying that a substantial amount of due diligence and research is required to arrive at the correct decision. But what happens after the decision has been made? In truth, that’s when things can go really bad, really fast. This week, the Foundations team is joined by Kriszta Dolanyi of Trimble, who has been managing and navigating intricate implementations for the past 10 years. Kriszta highlights some key concepts of a successful implementation, as well as some “red flags” that will help identify potential issues before they completely derail the integration.