Integrating design and planning can increase profitability Contractors are in a tough business, and business leaders are no doubt fatigued by the headlines positioning the sector as operating in a world dominated by Murphy’s Law (if it can go wrong, it will go wrong). This is unfair, as while projects
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops
Dundee-based M2M Cloud sees its tech successfully installed across island sites An intelligent monitoring system has been successfully introduced by Scottish Water across rural locations in the Highlands and Islands, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. Using
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative
Embarking on a journey toward a career in architecture can pave the way for a rewarding and sought-after profession post-college. Architects are the builders of tomorrow, leaving a significant imprint on our surroundings. They enhance lives and contribute to making our world a more aesthetic place to live in. If
César Flores Rodríguez, Chief Division Officer Planning & Design, Operate & Manage Division and Digital Twin Business Unit at Nemetschek Group assesses what the AEC/O industry can learn from other industries and how it can accelerate the adoption of digital twins. Digital twins have undergone a significant transformation in recent
A successful four-week Chatbot and Live Chat pilot has led housing association, Platform Housing to sign a new one-year contract with technology partners Futr AI Ltd. This new partnership will enable Platform to offer Chatbot and Live Chat services on their website so that customers can access services 24/7, at
Travis Perkins is the first builders’ merchants to make shopping online and through its app frictionless with the launch of its Online Trade Counter and new shared access feature. The launch of Travis Perkins Online Trade Counter allows trade account holders to shop quickly and seamlessly for products they buy
Caterpillar, in collaboration with Finning UK & Ireland, will exhibit its latest machines, engines and solutions on stand C-ND1/ND2 at Plantworx in Peterborough, 13-15th June 2023. Compact Equipment Four next generation of Cat® compact radius mini hydraulic excavators will be showcased, all delivering increased performance, higher breakout forces, longer service
Integrating design and planning can increase profitability Contractors are in a tough business, and business leaders are no doubt fatigued by the headlines positioning the sector as operating in a world dominated by Murphy’s Law (if it can go wrong, it will go wrong). This is unfair, as while projects do frequently overrun, construction is so incredibly complex, perhaps the real question is why it does not happen more often, says Jonathan Hunter, CEO of specialist international software provider, Elecosoft. As we all know, a project involves so many moving parts, whatever the build size: potentially millions of components, the weather, the phased approach, the materials’ shortages, skills gap, and having the right people on the site at the right time…I could go on, but you get the picture. Then there is the communication challenges; telling people what’s changing and what this means, making sure that it is all recorded; and the fact that, for example, the glazing delays will have a knock-on effect with the HVAC installation. So, if we know all this, why do construction projects still, on average, run over 70% of their original project duration? It is not that contractors are unrealistically optimistic, thinking that this project will be different, like Del Boy’s idealistic mantra, “this time next year, we’ll be millionaires”. Far from it. It is the combination of the factors outlined above with the UK’s tendering and planning system. Positively, the industry is taking steps to solve these longstanding issues. Working alongside the UK’s largest contractors, I have seen four emerging trends enabling them to reduce project and cost overrun. Here are just a few of my favourites: Modelling The first is around project planning, scheduling and risk mitigation. Currently, the most innovative contractors are focusing on planning, taking past project data, and identifying common pinch points from adverse weather, staff shortages or materials delays. Then they produce revised schedules which allow them to present the likely impact and outcomes of various possible build challenges, with consideration given to contingency. It is a simple, but effective, operational tweak. Always planning Too often, planning and scheduling is focused on the pre-construction phase, and an all-too-common, blinkered approach views scheduling as happening before construction. Even McKinsey is guilty of this in its recent construction report. Instead, it is about ensuring that planning and modelling run across the project, reacting to challenges as the worst happens. Similar to design, scheduling is an iterative process, and needs to be seen as such. It does not just stop when the shovels go in the ground. Those contractors who are unlocking scheduling are taking planning to another dimension, adding time to the model to improve scheduling by using Active 4D BIM. This integration of design and planning is different to common working practices. Yet, despite going against the grain, it is reducing risk and project over-run while increasing profitability 4D BIM is not new within construction. Here the schedule is added to the architectural model, empowering clients and project teams to see whether a build is on the schedule. Its potential to achieve greater precision on construction timelines and minimise financial risk is well known to business leaders and planning teams. Yet, despite high levels of awareness, 4D’s implementation is often flawed. A persistent over-reliance on outdated “2D” processes and a lack of understanding of 3D models as effective planning tools is to blame, hindering the wholesale adoption of 4D BIM. This situation needs to change if persistent efficiency headaches are to be cured. However, there are a number of contractors – including Mace and Cimic in Australia – that successfully use 4D models to plan and forecast, updating as they evolve, rather than “passively” using the designs as a visualisation tool. This integration of design and planning is different to common working practices. Yet, despite going against the grain, it is reducing risk and project over-run while increasing profitability. Involvement I have also observed the significant effect of moving client communications beyond passive emails and PDF exports to a more inclusive activity, with more regular catch-ups accompanied with visual demos, outlining what is happening on the project, and what the impact of decisions is in real terms. It is joining up the dots for more clarity, reducing misunderstandings which can lead to error. For example, the contractor will explain the trade-offs and benefits to the client – that, by choosing this construction approach, you will have 230 fewer deliveries on site, and completion will be 18 weeks sooner. This more active approach can be further enhanced, using visual aids such as a dynamic schedule, or even AR headsets to ensure that clients are much more involved in decision-making, design choices and with the project teams. If people are involved in decision-making and feel that they have contributed to it, they will take a more positive view, think it is higher quality and be more invested in the project This taps into something known as the endowment effect. If people are involved in decision-making and feel that they have contributed to it, they will take a more positive view, think it is higher quality and be more invested in the project. Innovation Finally, there is further innovation, from leveraging data, and AI tools through to MMC approaches. Recently, Willmott Dixon presented a comparison to Warwick University for its Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building, demonstrating how choosing offsite construction over a traditional build would result in half the disruption to staff and students. The project team were also able to model the benefits of this approach to the project’s climate footprint, which ended up reducing site deliveries by 40%. I have only scratched the surface, but what is clear is that taking a more serious and considered approach to planning and scheduling can pay dividends for contractors, particularly when margins are tighter than ever. As the hackneyed adage goes, “fail to plan, plan to fail”. Banal? Yes, but it has never been truer for construction than it is now. Building, Design
Construction technology provider Causeway Technologies has revealed the key findings from its Causeway Insights 2023 survey of construction industry professionals. Evidence from the survey suggests digital transformation remains high on the agenda, with the vast majority of those surveyed reporting that their organisation is currently implementing initiatives to digitalise aspects of their business process. However, while 71% of C-suite executives believe their organisation to be digitally mature, feedback from those in less senior positions suggests that progress might not be advanced as bosses think. Causeway found manual spreadsheets are still ubiquitous: 94% of organisations in the survey still use them, despite the adoption of technology designed to supersede them. Meanwhile, 87% of respondents said that inconsistent processes and technologies pose a challenge to their organisation, and a third said administrative tasks remain among their businesses’ biggest productivity challenges. As Rob Christie, head of finance at EKFB and one of the experts who reviewed this research for Causeway, says: “The perception is that ‘it’s all digital’. But I’d argue that it’s only truly digital if all the inputs and processes behind the raw data and the collection of data are also digital. “If your teams are manually inputting data from paper into an Excel file and uploading this file to create a power BI dashboard – in my opinion, this isn’t ‘digital’. It’s only when you understand the source of the data and its inputs that you can be confident that controls and processes are in place to allow the digital thread to flow through.” Integration woes Despite 95% of those surveyed agreeing that integrated or automated processes and technologies are key for driving success, no one reported that their organisation’s software solutions were fully integrated with one another at present. On average businesses are using seven different industry-specific solutions, the majority (57%) of which are not integrated or talking to each other. One of the most shocking results from the research was that respondents thought employees are spending an average of 48% of their time moving data between industry-specific software solutions. Every organisation surveyed also said that they customise these software solutions to some degree to meet their needs – and 54% say the products are completely customised. This is even when customising solutions frequently leads to higher costs, compromised quality, and a lack of data cohesion. Rob Ramsay, Product Director at Causeway said: “The headlines from this research confirm that, although every business we spoke to considers itself somewhat or very digitally mature, the reality is less clear-cut, with common challenges across the sector when it comes to the consistent adoption and use of new technology. “Industry-specific software solutions lack integration, with employees spending a shocking amount of time moving data between different systems, rather than making use of their time for more productive tasks. “Meanwhile, the over-customisation of software and the lack of integration present big challenges to construction companies, including increased costs to maintain and update software, reduced data visibility and continuity, and security concerns. “Customisation culture is holding us back. The UK construction industry urgently needs a more integrated, standardised approach that covers all aspects of an organisation’s processes.” Sustainability goals The survey also explored the relationship between digitalisation and sustainability targets. A third of respondents reported that meeting sustainability and ESG goals are among their organisation’s greatest challenges and the survey results suggest many are looking to digital technologies to support this. 94% say that technical innovations are key to driving decarbonisation and 96% of respondents agree that their organisation would benefit from the use of digital tools to help drive decarbonisation and energy efficiency. David Emery, a consultant at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, comments: “People really struggle to calculate a return on investment for digital tools, particularly in terms of sustainability. And it’s really hard to make the business case sometimes. But what we often hear from our members is that, when they do invest in digital tools, they usually exceed the return on investment because things happen that you didn’t anticipate.” To support this move towards digitalisation in sustainability reporting, Causeway is currently working on a collaborative venture with major contractors and suppliers to develop an automated, real-time solution for Scope 3 emissions reporting. The Causeway Insights research was conducted in April 2023 among 175 respondents, all of whom authorised or influenced the purchase of software in their organisation. Companies ranged from SMEs to Tier 1 contractors, spanning construction, housebuilding, building services, infrastructure and civil engineering. The research data was then reviewed by three experts, including Rob Christie at EKFB, David Emery at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, and Barry Desmond, finance director at John Craddock Ltd. Full findings of the research have been published in a report called ‘Beyond the Basics – how UK construction is using digital solutions to achieve efficiency, integration and sustainability’. The report unlocks a deeper understanding of the current state of play in terms of digitalisation in the construction industry. It features data and analysis, with feedback and commentary from industry experts, and looks at how principal contractors and large subcontractor companies are approaching the common challenges that come with digital transformation. ‘Beyond the Basics’ is available to view and download at: https://campaign.causeway.com/beyond_the_basics_report_2023 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siderise has launched the first in the series of its new Technical Deep Dives— short free e-learning modules designed to help construction professionals get to grips with key areas of passive fire protection and noise control in the built environment. Edition 1 explores the challenges imposed upon perimeter firestops resulting from curtain wall façade and building movement, and the consequential performance requirements for providing effective compartmentation. This includes examining the test standards to look out for when specifying these products. With one set to be released bi-monthly, these Technical Deep Dives break down key application issues in an easy-to-understand and visual way. They have been created to share the knowledge, experience and insights of the manufacturer’s Technical Experts who have worked on all kinds of projects all over the world helping designers and contractors to understand how they can deliver best practice passive fire safety and noise control. Explore the first edition: https://knowledge.siderise.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dundee-based M2M Cloud sees its tech successfully installed across island sites An intelligent monitoring system has been successfully introduced by Scottish Water across rural locations in the Highlands and Islands, using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to gather essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. Using a device developed by CENSIS for M2M Cloud – Scotland’s innovation centre for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies – Scottish Water can now automatically collect information on the temperature and flow of water in Scottish Water buildings as part of routine quality assurance checks. Any unusual readings could point towards a potentially harmful bacteria outbreak, including legionella. Until now, the process was carried out manually with employees travelling the country to undertake regular testing. Working as a supplier to Scottish Water’s Digital Framework partners, Atos, M2M Cloud’s Gemini devices have so far been deployed across all Scottish Water sites in Shetland, Orkney and Islay. The next phase of the roll-out will extend the deployment to a further 300 sites, covering around half of the network. The installation of the smart water monitoring systems forms part of a wider commitment to digital transformation at Scottish Water, led by Atos. The first of its kind device fits on to the surface of pipes to remotely take temperature readings, notifying building managers if the water system is out of specification. Readings are taken every 10 seconds, looking at minimum and maximum temperatures, as well as detecting any issues with water flow events. This latest generation of the rechargeable battery-powered device was developed CENSIS for M2M, after receiving grant funding from Scottish Enterprise last year. The device is now capable of operating on both cellular Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT) and LoRaWAN networks, making the system easier to set up in hard-to-reach areas. The addition of Bluetooth connectivity has cut installation times by one-third. Chris Butchart, director at M2M Cloud, said: “Water monitoring has typically been a carbon-intensive, resource-heavy process involving engineers taking manual readings monthly. For Scottish Water, the ability to gather that data on a continuous basis will be transformational in terms of the way it operates remote sites and ensures safe conditions are met. To have Scottish Water as the first organisation to use our latest generation device is a huge vote of confidence and we look forward to the next stage of the roll-out.” M2M Cloud’s system can reduce carbon emissions associated with water monitoring by up to 75% – around 300kgs of CO2 per year for each monitored asset – by removing the need for travel to the site and the necessity to overheat water supplies, which organisations often do to avoid the risk of bacteria outbreaks. Water wastage is also reduced by around 225,000 litres per asset, per year. The device’s battery can last for up to five years before needing recharged, rather than replaced, and can be charged while the device remains in situ attached to the pipework. It is also the only water safety device to have been awarded IASME Gold level certification – an industry-recognised measure of IoT cyber security. Monitoring water systems in UK non-domestic buildings is a statutory requirement costing around £140 million per annum, while financial estimates put the healthcare and workplace impact of legionella alone at £1 billion per year across Europe[1]. It is anticipated that the Health and Safety Executive compliance legislation will soon evolve to include remote technology-led monitoring as part of legionella prevention. Kevin Power, system architect at CENSIS, said: “It is great to see the successful use of a 5G ready IoT device wholly designed and manufactured in Scotland, by one of our biggest utility providers. We have supported M2M Cloud since the early stages of development and the business continues to go from strength to strength. The latest generation of the technology represents a big step forward in terms of ease of connectivity and will support the growing demand from businesses for digital transformation and IoT.” Archie MacGregor, Property Manager, at Scottish Water added: “The remote temperature monitoring sensors have been a major step forward in enhancing the management of H&S in our building water systems as well as offering significant benefits in reducing journeys to site and related carbon emissions. We are delighted to have M2M and CENSIS working with us in delivering these innovative solutions which completely align with our Strategic Ambitions of Net Zero Emissions and providing Great Value for our customers.” Innovation Minister Richard Lochhead said: “This is an excellent example of how Internet of Things technology can provide smart solutions to monitor essential data that helps keep the water network in Scotland safe. “Collecting this information remotely can transform this previously carbon-intensive process and demonstrates the potential for innovations to support our net zero ambitions. The deployment across all Scottish Water sites in Shetland, Orkney and Islay, with plans to extend the roll-out to a further 300 locations, shows the opportunity to scale up this technology. “Ensuring Scotland can realise the full economic benefits of the digital and data economy is fundamental to the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. As a key enabler of sustainable economic growth, digital infrastructure is a critical part of our plans for a fair, green and growing economy.” [1] Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309771205_The_cost_of_Legionellosis_and_technical_ways_forward Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Scottish government-owned train operator leverages MRI Horizon to centralise data, automate processes and drive efficiencies across station rentals ScotRail, the publicly owned Scottish railway network operator, has selected MRI Software’s Horizon solution to manage its rental and lease portfolio, comprising 220 units across 356 stations. MRI Horizon is an innovative real estate cloud solution used by leading property owners and operators in the private and public sectors to manage complex lease portfolios, improve business performance, and reduce operational risk. The decision to deploy Horizon was part of ScotRail’s digital transformation strategy, implemented after the company came into public ownership in 2022. After reviewing its processes and deciding to bring previously outsourced activity in-house, ScotRail needed to find a property management solution to gather data into a new, easy-to-use centralised system. ScotRail chose Horizon after a competitive and regulated procurement process. “Everyone involved was immediately impressed by how user-friendly Horizon was and the functionality available,” says Kerry McKerron, Senior Product and Revenue Development Manager at ScotRail. “Our team could quickly and clearly see how Horizon would fit with our processes and benefit the business. After speaking with other MRI Horizon users in the same industry who successfully use the solution, it wasn’t hard for our team to make the decision.” ScotRail has already deployed Horizon, with a team of five successfully using it day-to-day after the company and MRI worked closely together to get the system up and running as quickly as possible. ScotRail is now using Horizon to manage lease agreements with tenants that are using station spaces to run cafes, shops, and other retail outlets. Since implementing MRI Horizon, ScotRail has experienced several benefits across the organisation: “ScotRail joins a growing number of UK public sector organisations that use Horizon in different ways to manage the complexities of their property portfolios – either as landlords or occupiers,” says Garreth Cosgrave, Business Development Manager, Strategic Accounts at MRI Software. “What makes Horizon so useful for companies like ScotRail is its scalability and flexibility. It is a cloud-based solution that can fit into any organisation’s existing processes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Embarking on a journey toward a career in architecture can pave the way for a rewarding and sought-after profession post-college. Architects are the builders of tomorrow, leaving a significant imprint on our surroundings. They enhance lives and contribute to making our world a more aesthetic place to live in. If you decide to study architecture or are already an architecture student, there will be many obstacles in your way. There will be hours of lectures, tedious academic papers, and loads of other college issues that you have to take care of. However, these aren’t the main points of studying architecture in college. The main point is to earn the knowledge and skills that will help you become a professional architect in the future. To do this, you might have to find a trusted paper writing service to occasionally ask someone to write my college essay for you as you focus all your time and effort on professional growth. And in the 21st century, this means mastering the right technology. In this guide, we will tell you about the best software tools that every architecture student should master! 1. AutoCAD AutoCAD takes a deserved place in pretty much every rating of the best architecture software. This tool was released back in 1982 and still remains one of the most irreplaceable ones. The company that developed it—Autodesk, is a proven leader in software designed for architects, engineers, manufacturers, builders, designers, and production teams. So it’s definitely a must-have. With AutoCAD, you can turn your line drawings into 2D or 3D projects. The tool might be somewhat tricky to master. However, once you learn all its tricks and shortcuts, you will be able to create precise models and drawings like a pro. 2. Adobe Photoshop We bet you all know this tool. But does it have anything to do with architecture, you may wonder? Although Photoshop isn’t specifically an architecture software, it really comes in handy in this niche. Adobe Photoshop offers a plethora of creative possibilities, such as melding sketches with real-world images or infusing more texture into your illustrations. It’s no surprise then that proficiency in Photoshop is often a prerequisite in job postings, underscoring the need for students to master this skill during their college years. 3. Rhinoceros The next one on our list is one of the best-known 3D software tools out there. Rhinoceros (or Rhino 3D) was founded in 1978. For decades, it has been widely used by 3D artists, engineers, and, of course, architects. So it’s another software you must master as an architecture student. With the help of Rhino 3D, architects can freeform parametric facades, roofs, versatile shapes, and even complex structures. Once you explore this tool to the fullest, it will really come in handy in your personal projects and future career. Another thing worth noting about this program is that it is compatible with many different file formats. That is, whatever tool you use to create your 2D work, Rhino will always let you translate it into a 3D model and add more texture and visualization elements to it. 4. Adobe InDesign This program is a popular publishing and page layout design tool. It was introduced by Adobe Inc. in 1999 and has always been widely used by artists, graphic designers, marketers, and publishers. As you can easily tell, this software isn’t meant specifically for architects. Still, it is another tool that you can use to your benefit. Most commonly, architects use InDesign for portfolio organization purposes. With this tool, you will learn how to lay out your work in a cohesive and appealing way. It will help you craft an attention-grabbing portfolio that will set you aside from the competition and help you land an excellent job after you graduate. So don’t hesitate to start mastering it ASAP. Give up on boring essay writing and other homework, and devote some time to start building your winning portfolio for future success. 5. SketchUp SketchUp is another 3D modeling software on our list. It was released in 2000. The tool has plenty of design and drawing applications, including in architecture. With its help, you can add details and precision to your 2D drawings and complete a wealth of important tasks. Earlier, we mentioned the importance of learning Rhino 3D. Although SketchUp is a similar-purpose software, it also should be in every architecture student’s arsenal. Unlike other similar tools, SketchUp is known for its simplicity and user-friendliness. It is incredibly easy to master, which is why it really makes 3D modeling for everyone. Thus, it can be a perfect program to get started in 3D. Besides, it can be a great tool for performing quick and simple modeling tasks in your projects. 6. DoMyEssay Architecture is certainly a creative career that, however, requires a lot of precision. Due to this reason, one thing every architecture student must focus on while in college is acquiring hands-on experience. Working on academic and personal architecture projects must be your number one priority. But what should you do with the rest of the boring and time-consuming college tasks like essay writing? In order to keep your grades high and, at the same time, have enough time for your projects, you can enlist the help of the best essay writing services. DoMyEssay is an excellent option. This service can write, rewrite, edit, or proofread any academic assignment for you. Thus, though it’s not architecture software, this is something every architecture student needs to succeed in school. The Bottom Line In the contemporary landscape, technology is intrinsic to the field of architecture. Architects of the modern era leverage a variety of gadgets and software to streamline their work. Thus, mastery of these tools is paramount for budding professionals. The good news is you now have a clear direction to follow. Each tool highlighted in this article is an essential asset for architecture students, poised to enhance your professional desirability and simplify academic responsibilities. So, make sure to incorporate these tools into
César Flores Rodríguez, Chief Division Officer Planning & Design, Operate & Manage Division and Digital Twin Business Unit at Nemetschek Group assesses what the AEC/O industry can learn from other industries and how it can accelerate the adoption of digital twins. Digital twins have undergone a significant transformation in recent years, evolving from being just a concept to becoming increasingly advanced and influential systems. They have a broad range of industry-specific applications, including manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, and energy, and are designed to generate new value by integrating physical and digital processes. A digital twin basically is the digital replica of a physical object. And, more importantly, this virtual replica is continuously fed with real-time information from the physical object, reflecting its current state. Many industries are seeing significant benefits from the adoption of digital twins. In manufacturing, digital twins for example support the virtual prototyping and remote product diagnosis and optimize the production processes. In healthcare, simulations for complex operation rehearsals can be run, as well as non-intrusive predictive diagnostics. In aerospace digital twins can increase safety through predictive analysis’ and the optimization of design and engineering. And in the energy sector, power grids can be replicated using digital twins and the remote operation of offshore facilities can be enabled. Also, the logistics, agriculture, and retail industries already benefit from leveraging digital twins. So what’s in it for the construction industry? Our industry needs a digital transformation, that’s for sure. The goal must be to create more efficient, sustainable, and user-friendly buildings that can adapt to changing needs and environments. This will help improve productivity, reduce waste, and enhance collaboration between different teams and departments. Through real-time monitoring of physical assets, predictive maintenance can be undertaken, and the risk of errors is reduced. Furthermore, the data accumulated from digital twins can be used for better, i.e., data driven decision making to improve building efficiency. But why is there such a delay in the AEC/O industry around digital twin adoption? The most obvious answer is the siloed nature of construction project information, as the maturity and connectivity of AEC/O data sources is still developing. Construction and building management companies also have to deal with unpredictable variables that are difficult to optimize: the uniqueness of each construction project and the preferences of the building occupants. Furthermore, as the value proposition of digital twins in the AEC/O industry has been less obvious until recently, businesses leaders have been reluctant to invest the time and capital required to adopt them. Yet as real-time connectivity and automation tools have become more accessible, digital twins have moved from static representations to “smart” replicas. A static twin – such as a BIM model – already acts as a central data repository, offering an easily accessible, centralized source of data about a building’s assets. This improves productivity by providing the necessary backbone for removing data siloes and integrating assets with various systems. When that twin is enhanced with real-time connectivity – a smart twin – the result is a comprehensive building management system that enables increased responsiveness to issues and enhanced data analytics capabilities. Maintenance activities are expedited and building management is easier to forecast and optimize. The ultimate goal is to develop an “autonomous twin” through the adoption of technological advancements. The concept of an autonomous twin would enable the creation of fully bi-directional systems that allow buildings to automatically control and adjust the function of various elements, such as environmental controls, elevator movements, and access to specific areas. While this outcome is a longer-term goal, it is a viable possibility. In the meantime, business leaders can optimize the value generated by individual digital twin solutions by integrating them into a comprehensive process known as Building Lifecycle Intelligence (BLI). BLI refers to the accumulation of data across the entire construction lifecycle, which is then converted into a single, reliable source of information. This approach enables all parties involved in a project to have immediate access to the information they require, regardless of the project’s current stage in the overall lifecycle. Not only does the BLI methodology optimize processes in the short term, but it also provides several long-term benefits. For instance, the insights gained from accumulated data can inform future design decisions. For example, if a correlation is discovered between employee productivity and sunlight exposure, this information could act as the basis for future renovations or the design of new workspaces. Furthermore, the BLI model allows for cost comparisons of specific design choices. By evaluating costs against outcomes, developers can identify new strategies for improving building efficiency and reducing costs associated with specific stages of the building lifecycle. The construction industry may be lagging behind in the adoption of digital twins, but this allows its stakeholders to leverage the learnings from other industries, leading to quick and profound benefits for the entire building lifecycle. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A successful four-week Chatbot and Live Chat pilot has led housing association, Platform Housing to sign a new one-year contract with technology partners Futr AI Ltd. This new partnership will enable Platform to offer Chatbot and Live Chat services on their website so that customers can access services 24/7, at a time that suits them. “Platform’s new Chatbot and Live Chat technology, along with further proposed innovations, will fit in seamlessly alongside our traditional contact methods, helping us to deliver against our promise to make it simpler for customers to use our services and offer them more choice.” explains Michael Bruce, Director of Platform Hub and Income Management. “We have chosen to partner with AI Ltd as they provided excellent support during the trial period to integrate the technology into our systems and ultimately, we share the same mission – to simplify access to services.” In the successful trial, Platform used Chatbot technology, alongside new Live Chat software, to enable them to explore and gather data on both their customers’ preferences and their customer advisors’ user experiences. During the four-week trial period, the automated Chatbot answered 5,028 customer interactions, with only 338 of these customers requesting to speak to an advisor, via Live Chat. This meant that 4,690 potential calls to Platform’s busy customer services centre were averted, enabling their advisors to deal with customers who choose to call us and deal with more urgent enquiries. Andy Wilkins, CEO from Futr AI Ltd said, “I am thrilled to announce our partnership with Platform Housing. At Futr AI, we’re committed to powering transformative customer experiences through advanced AI, and this collaboration marks an exciting continuation of our long track record in the social housing sector. “Platform Housing’s commitment to digital innovation and customer service aligns perfectly with our mission and we’re excited to be working to set new standards for personalised, accessible service.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Travis Perkins is the first builders’ merchants to make shopping online and through its app frictionless with the launch of its Online Trade Counter and new shared access feature. The launch of Travis Perkins Online Trade Counter allows trade account holders to shop quickly and seamlessly for products they buy most at their trade prices without having to navigate through product information and payment screens, reducing the time it takes to order. The Online Trade Counter means customers only need a couple of clicks to complete their order, selecting from their regularly purchased products, and it stores billing and delivery information. This means that customers can order products straight to site more quickly than ever before. Kyle Leivers, Head of Digital at Travis Perkins says: “We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to create a better experience for our customers. We know many builders and tradespeople often purchase from a regular pool of products and want a hassle-free and frictionless route to ordering and delivering to site. They want to find the products they regularly buy quickly, be reassured it is at the same price they normally buy it at and delivered to a site of their choosing. The Online Trade Counter offers customers value, convenience and consistency above everything else.” Travis Perkins has also enabled shared access on its platform, giving firms a new way to offer access to their Trade Account for their employees. Users can choose to give their team access and set permissions based on the tasks they want them to perform. By opening their profile, customers can share their Travis Perkins account with whoever needs it. After choosing their access type, those contacts will be emailed with access details.
Caterpillar, in collaboration with Finning UK & Ireland, will exhibit its latest machines, engines and solutions on stand C-ND1/ND2 at Plantworx in Peterborough, 13-15th June 2023. Compact Equipment Four next generation of Cat® compact radius mini hydraulic excavators will be showcased, all delivering increased performance, higher breakout forces, longer service intervals and lower owner and operating costs compared to prior models. These mini excavators offer common features and consistent control layout to simplify training and operator adaptation. The exhibited Cat 308 CR with Ease of Use technologies – Indicate and E-Fence – allows operators of all experience levels to work more efficiently and consistently. Qualified operators will be able to try out the technology throughout the show, and these features will be showcased in daily 20-minute demonstrations scheduled at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00. The Cat 306 CR with TRS6 tiltrotator gives 360 degrees of rotation and 40 degrees of tilt to enable complex digging and grading without the need to reposition the machine. Daily 15-minute demonstrations will take place at 9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 15:00. The Cat 301.7 CR and Cat 302.7 CR on display offer big performance in a compact design. Both cab and canopy versions can be tilted back in minutes by using a couple of simple tools. The joysticks and travel levers tilt up with the cab, allowing unobstructed access to components for larger service and maintenance tasks. The tilt cab along with ground-level access to all the regular touchpoints for service helps reduce maintenance time and costs. Cabs are sealed and pressurised and offer a clean and quiet environment for the operator and can be equipped with heating and/or air conditioning for all-weather climate control. To support customers during the energy transition to a lower-carbon future, Caterpillar will display the battery electric Cat 906 compact wheel loader prototype powered by a Caterpillar battery prototype, which includes an onboard AC charger. Engines The Cat C3.6 industrial engine offers the perfect balance of compact size, reliability and performance. Offered in ratings ranging up to 100 kW (134 hp) @ 2200 rpm, the C3.6 meets EU Stage V / U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final emissions standards and is designed to meet the needs of many industries and applications, including earthmoving and paving equipment, pumps, compactors/rollers and compressors, among other machines. Smaller in size than its predecessor and delivering 5% more power density and 12% more torque, the C3.6 is a powerful yet compact engine, with flexible aftertreatment mounting options. It is compatible with biodiesel up to B20 and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to EN15940, to help customers power a better, more sustainable world. Caterpillar is also promoting its remanufactured Cat engines, with a C6.6 that displays the engine both before and after the rigorous remanufacturing process. Reman engines are an efficient, cost-effective solution to optimise uptime as they come fully assembled and ready to run. Remanufactured to like-new standards, Cat Reman engines are backed with the same-as-new Caterpillar warranty. Used equipment Used equipment experts from Finning will support customers who seek an alternative to buying new or are looking to sell their Cat equipment. Cat Financial Team members from Cat Financial will be available to discuss the latest leasing and financing programs as well as extended protection packages to help secure customers’ investments. Whether looking for new or used Cat machines or for repair/rebuild options to keep current machines operational, Cat Financial experts will help customers make the right decision to support their business – no matter how large or small. Recruitment The Caterpillar Talent Acquisition team will be at Plantworx to showcase the diverse careers available within the company and will be available to answer questions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
