The CADDle Call

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Computer-Aided Design & Drafting meets humor and practicality, with a touch of business acumen thrown in for fun. Jim and Rocco, owners of ZenTek Consultants, the premiere U.S. technology consulting firm for the architecture, engineering, construction, an

ZenTek Consultants


    • Apr 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 32m AVG DURATION
    • 216 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The CADDle Call

    Civil 3D 2026 Release

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 43:47


    Tim Yarris, Senior Product Manager for Civil 3D, and Ramesh Sridharan, Director of AEC-Building & Infrastructure Design, at Autodesk join us to discuss the latest release of Civil 3D. They'll tell us about the new design tools in Civil 3D 2026, as well as the improvements to existing tools and processes.Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pocket Casts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RadioPublic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    Impact of Recent Tariffs on Construction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 25:15


    In this episode, we discuss the impacts of recent political decisions regarding tariffs on the costs and capabilities of doing business in the design/build world. These across-the-board tariffs will affect all construction projects, and it's important to start thinking about how it's going to impact business and what you can do to survive the financial storm.Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pocket Casts⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠RadioPublic⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    PlexifyAI for AEC

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 24:37


    Ken D'Amato, CEO and Founder of SmarTwin, joins us to discuss the growth and future of AI in the AEC workplace. We'll focus on a new tool, PlexifyAEC powered by SmarTwin AI, and how it has the potential to be a game changer in the AEC space.Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: ⁠⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Pocket Casts⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠RadioPublic⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠⁠.

    When More Is Too Much

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 24:20


    In this episode, we discuss the issues that can come along with overly complex design/build software systems that try to accomplish everything in one system.Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: ⁠⁠Anchor⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Amazon Music⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Overcast⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Pocket Casts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠RadioPublic⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Castbox⁠⁠, ⁠⁠iHeart Radio⁠⁠.

    Autodesk & ESRI - Blending Design and GIS

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2025 41:18


    We have 2 special guests joining us today – Ramesh Sridharan, Director of AEC Building & Infrastructure at Autodesk, and Michael Davidson, Product Manager for BIM/CAD Integrations at ESRI. We'll be discussing the blending of design and GIS data and processes, and how Autodesk and ESRI are leading that charge. We'll specifically focus on the tools you can use to integrate GIS data while actively working on DWG design files in tools like Civil 3D and AutoCAD.

    The McDonaldization of AEC Software

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 25:43


    The McDonaldization of AEC software refers to the concept that out-of-the-box software is the most efficient way to work. But the problem is this concept doesn't leave any capacity for growth or improvement. In this episode, we discuss how the McDonaldization of AEC software hurts the Design Build industry and how some intelligent configuration of out-of-the-box software can actually help improve efficiency by automating tasks. Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: ⁠Anchor⁠, ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Google Podcasts⁠, ⁠Amazon Music⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Overcast⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, ⁠RadioPublic⁠, ⁠Castbox⁠, ⁠iHeart Radio⁠.

    The Great Software Lie

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2025 22:27


    The AEC industry has reached a tipping point where the flood of new systems, apps, and updates is starting to kill efficiency rather than improve it. Listen in as we discuss the great software lie and how the AEC industry needs to respond. Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Castbox, iHeart Radio.

    Intelligent Estimating

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2025 51:30


    As we kick off Season 6 of The CADDle Call podcast, we are joined by Matt DeBasio, estimator and construction technologist at P. Agnes Construction Management. We'll dive into intelligent estimating and how AI and new technologies are impacting the construction estimating process. Learn more about how we can help you with Procore at https://zentekconsultants.net/services-for-procore/. Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Castbox, iHeart Radio.

    Getting What You Want Out of Procore

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2024 25:22


    If you didn't already know, ZenTek Consultants is a Certified Procore Consultant. In this final episode of Season 5, we discuss how a Procore consultant works with Procore clients to close the gap between software implementation and practical & daily use of the software. We are here to help you get the ROI you want from your Procore investment. Learn more about how we can help you with Procore at https://zentekconsultants.net/services-for-procore/. Listen to The CADDle Call podcast on these platforms: Anchor, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, Castbox, iHeart Radio.

    Autodesk and ESRI - Perfect Together

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2024 39:17


    We have two special guests joining us today: Ramesh Sridharan, Director of AEC - Building & Infrastructure at Autodesk and Michael Davidson, Product Manager for BIM/CAD Integrations at ESRI. Ramesh and Michael join us to discuss the integration of tools and processes from both tech giants and the benefits this partnership has for the AEC industry.

    BricsCAD v25: What's New

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2024 24:51


    BricsCAD v25 was released in October and Julie Keverian, North America Technical Manager at Bricsys, joins us to discuss the new intelligent and user-friendly features that help users work more efficiently and effectively without a steep learning curve. We'll focus on the new tools and enhancements in BricsCAD Lite and BricsCAD Pro, including those for civil, survey, and point clouds. Learn more about BricsCAD at ⁠https://zentekconsultants.net/bricscad/. Learn more about TEK Bloks at ⁠https://zentekconsultants.net/tek-bloks/⁠.

    "Beyond Typicals": 3D Visualization for Civil Designs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2024 25:25


    Todd Rogers, BIM Manager at Walter P. Moore, joins us to discuss "Beyond Typicals", a new tool for 3D roadway and intersection visualization that can help users during preliminary and initial designs. Learn more about Beyond Typicals at https://beyondcad.com/beyondtypicals/. Learn more about TEK Bloks at https://zentekconsultants.net/tek-bloks/.

    Life Hacks for Design Build

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2024 27:17


    In this episode, we discuss simple configuration setups you can make in your current software to improve work performance.

    Civil 3D 2025 Update 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 26:00


    Tim Yarris, Senior Product Manager for Civil 3D at Autodesk, joins us to discuss what's included in the Civil 3D 2025.1 update, some new processes in Civil 3D, and future plans at Autodesk.

    Shortage of Skilled Technology Experts

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 24:41


    Studies suggest that as much as 60% of the AEC workforce will retire by the end of the decade. This will be a major issue for firms already struggling to fill open positions today. In this episode, we discuss options firms have to handle their advanced software systems with limited staff.

    Matterport - Changing the Built World

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 46:10


    Keith Cox, Senior Channel Account Manager at Matterport, joins us to discuss scanning and how Matterport plays a vital role in taking scans to the next level. Learn more about Matterport at https://zentekconsultants.net/matterport/.

    Our 200th Podcast Episode: How ZenTek Consultants Got Here

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 36:20


    We've been doing The CADDle Call podcast for a little over 4 years now! In this episode, we're sharing insights into ZenTek Consultants as a firm and how we got here. We'll also talk about the best and worst parts about running a business and where we hope to go in the future.

    Construction Scheduling Tools

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2024 25:21


    Construction scheduling is one of the most important functions in the construction industry, but many firms still struggle with it. In this episode, we discuss scheduling tools to help you advance your construction scheduling process.

    Using Microsoft Excel for Estimating

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 26:41


    In this episode, we discuss how construction firms and building product manufacturers can use Microsoft Excel as part of their estimating workflows.

    Benefits of Working with Trade Associations

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2024 28:36


    Danielle Hart, the Regional Director of Membership Services for the Eastern PA chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors joins us today. We'll talk with her about the benefits of working with trade associations, including apprenticeships, training, and job placement.

    The Catch 22 in AEC

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2024 20:28


    When AEC firms are busy, they don't have the time to train or develop their staff and processes. When they're slow, they can't afford to. In this episode, we discuss what we're hearing from those in the industry and ways to work around this Catch 22 to position yourself to be more efficient, productive, and profitable.

    Autodesk ReCap 2025

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 32:54


    Ramesh Sridharan, Director of Reality Conditions at Autodesk, joins us to discuss important updates to Autodesk ReCap 2025. We'll also touch on new product offerings from Autodesk in the reality capture space, including PointFuse.

    BricsCAD Lite: Not Like Other "Lite" CAD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 27:05


    Craig Swearingen, Implementation Specialist at Bricsys, joins us to discuss the features within BricsCAD Lite and the benefits of using it in your CAD workflow. What sets BricsCAD Lite apart from other Lite CAD systems is that it offers customization and configurations features, as well as network licensing. Learn more about BricsCAD Lite at https://zentekconsultants.net/bricscad-lite-2/.

    Supporting Construction Field Staff

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 24:42


    In this episode, we discuss supporting construction field staff with the technology, training, and support they need to get their work done as efficiently as possible.

    Changing CAD Systems - The Trifecta of Terror

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2024 26:09


    Just the mention of changing CAD systems inspires fear among CAD managers and users. But, with CAD license prices skyrocketing the last few years, it's becoming a necessity for firms to look at other CAD solutions. In this episode, we discuss the trifecta of terror - compatibility, familiarity, and affordability - and explain how to get around these issues so you can comfortably integrate a new CAD solution into your current workflow.

    Digital Dashboards: Why We Need Them

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 25:29


    In this episode, we discuss the concept of digital dashboards and what they provide. This very powerful concept can save time on tedious tasks and every company should look to implement dashboards in their processes.

    Autodesk 2025 Has Dropped

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 32:35


    Recently, Autodesk released its Autodesk 2025 product line. Tim Yarris, AutoCAD Civil 3D Product Manager at Autodesk, join us to discuss the cool new features in the Civil Infrastructure tools.

    AI for Construction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 36:38


    Ken D'Amato, CEO and founder of SmarTwin AI™, joins us to discuss the benefits of AI for construction and how it can positively impact construction challenges.

    Custom Estimating Systems in Construction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 41:49


    Matt DeBasio, Construction Technologist at P. Agnes, is with us to discuss the construction industry's need for custom, or purpose-built, estimating systems.

    "The Intentional Engineer"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 40:28


    Jeff Perry, leadership and development expert as well as the host of "The Engineering Career Coach" podcast is here to discuss concepts in his book "The Intentional Engineer". We'll discuss the concepts of intentionality, upgrading your mindset, and genius zones. These concepts apply to all professionals, so grab a cup of your favorite beverage and listen in. Learn more about the book and grab your copy at https://www.theintentionalengineer.com/.

    Bluebeam Features You Need: Export to Microsoft 365 Tools

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 21:30


    In this episode, we focus on how you can export data from Bluebeam Revu to Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.

    Connecting PDF and CAD Data

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2024 24:46


    Whether it's markups, as-builts, submittals, or even printing CAD design files to a PDF, there's a struggle when it comes to sharing information between these two file types. In this episode, we discuss how construction and design firms can move markups and more from a PDF editor and import them as actual linework into CAD.

    AI for the Design World

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 31:00


    Todd Rogers, BIM Manager at Walter P. Moore, joins us to discuss artificial intelligence in the design world. We'll talk about how AI can fit into daily design workflows and its potential benefits.

    This Month in Design Build: Wage Theft in Construction

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 28:14


    In this episode, we discuss the latest news on how construction firms are being given heavy fines from the US government due to "intentional wage theft". What does this mean for the industry?

    2D CAD Work: Thriving or DOA?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 24:34


    Is 2D CAD still being used in the design/build industry? Join us as we discuss what we're seeing today and the long-term prognosis for 2D CAD work.

    Procore - Making it Work

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 34:05


    David Mills, Construction Technical Specialist at ZenTek, joins us to discuss Procore and how you can make it work in a real-world environment.

    Enterprise Software vs Smarter Workflows

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2024 29:04


    In this episode, we discuss the pros and cons of using large enterprise software systems versus developing simplified workflows that can help staff work better and smarter.

    Software Partnerships: Working Together for the End User

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 31:25


    Craig Swearingen, Implementation Specialist at Bricsys, is here to discuss the relationship between software partners and developers, and, most importantly, how it affects the end users.

    Bluebeam Features You Need in Your Life: Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 20:05


    Publishing a pdf in Bluebeam is not the same as printing a pdf. In this episode, we discuss the options available for publishing multiple files that can make a big difference when storing and sharing these files.

    publishing bluebeam life publishing
    Technical Training Options

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 27:46


    Training is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution for AEC firms. In this episode, we discuss the different types of technical training options available, how they work, and the pros/cons of each.

    ReCap Wrap Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 32:14


    We wrap up Season 4 of The CADDle Call podcast with Ramesh Sridharan, Autodesk Product Manager for the Infrastructure team. He joins us to discuss the point cloud and GIS developments in Autodesk ReCap over the past year. And, he'll give a little insight into the direction the product is headed in 2024.

    "Just-in-Time" Technical Support

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 23:27


    In this episode, we discuss the idea of getting employees help with software and processes at the moment they need it. While the concept is simple enough, often times the implementation is not.

    Bluebeam Features You Need in Your Life: PDF Packages

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2023 27:27


    In this episode, we discuss the PDF Packages feature in Bluebeam Revu - what it is and how to use it. We'll go over the process of creating a PDF Package of your entire project and how to use the most common tools in this feature.

    Autodesk Service Providers - What Do They Do?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2023 24:28


    In this episode, we dive into who Autodesk Service Providers are, what they do, how to find them, and how they differ from Autodesk Value-Added Resellers.

    BIM vs 3D Models

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2023 29:40


    In this podcast episode, we discuss the difference between Building Information Models and 3D Models, as well as determining which one you need.

    Live from the GBCA Tech Expo

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2023 61:00


    It's our first ever live podcast broadcast! We're coming to you from the GBCA Tech Expo where we're talking with hosts and attendees about the technology that's important to the design build industry. Learn about the innovative ways people are using technology to make workflows more efficient.

    2024 Autodesk Overview

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2023 36:09


    Tim Yarris, AutoCAD Civil 3D Product Manager at Autodesk, joins us to provide a year-end wrap up on the 2024 release of the Autodesk Civil/Site programs and discuss the upcoming Autodesk University conference. We'll also talk about a few other cool things happening at Autodesk right now and some of the features Tim's team is working on for next year's release.

    BricsCAD V24 is Here!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2023 27:25


    Julie Keverian, Bricsys North American Technical Manager, is back with us to share the new and exciting tools in the latest BricsCAD V24 release. We'll also discuss the updates related to specific work processes in Civil, Mechanical, and BIM. If you use CAD, this is one podcast you don't want to miss.

    3D Scanning - It's More Than You Think It Is

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 28:59


    In this podcast episode, we discuss digital scanning of facilities and sites and, more importantly, all the things you can do with the data once you have it. We'll talk about the benefits that 3D scanning provides throughout construction and post construction, and into facility management for the long term.

    Practical Application of Remote Work in the AEC Industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2023 30:55


    In this episode, we discuss how remote work ties into the design build industry and the practicality of making this type of work available to employees.

    Bluebeam Features You Need in Your Life: Templates

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 25:24


    Increase your efficiency and consistency on all construction projects by using Bluebeam Revu templates. In this episode, we discuss the importance of creating pdf and email templates that you can reuse on every project to save time. We'll also talk about creating and using report templates to output markups to a consistent PDF format.

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