Technology

Construction Technology and Software Rundown: Week of July 24, 2017

Here’s the rundown on an app for precast modeling, a telematics app, hi-res imagery camera, fiber cement support platform and hi-speed rugged tablet. There is new software for predictive analytics and work sequencing along with a slew of partnerships and acquisitions. Don’t miss the Bluebeam eXtreme Conference and Autodesk’s new blog.
July 25, 2017
Topics
Technology

Here’s the rundown on an app for precast modeling, a telematics app, hi-res imagery camera, fiber cement support platform and hi-speed rugged tablet. There is new software for predictive analytics and work sequencing along with a slew of partnerships and acquisitions. Don’t miss the Bluebeam eXtreme Conference and Autodesk’s new blog.

Apps

Autodesk® Structural Precast Extension for Revit® 2018

Autodesk Revit now includes a structural precast extension. The BIM-centric offering for modeling and detailing precast elements promotes productivity and precision for engineers, detailers and fabricators working on typical building projects in the precast industry. As an app for Revit software, Structural Precast for Revit provides Revit users access to powerful tools for automatic rule-based segmentation, reinforcement, shop drawings and CAM files generation of precast planar concrete elements.

Gorilla Safety Telematics App Offers Deep Intelligence into Fleet Performance

Gorilla Safety’s new telematics feature provides fleets with deep intelligence into detailed performance of all vehicles within the fleet. The fleet and safety mobile app helps fleets identify trucks that idle the most or are speeding and shows the amount of time spent on duty and which drivers need a required break.

Products

Nearmap Delivers 3-D Content and Oblique Imagery, Transforming Location Content

Nearmap’s national survey program provide high-res oblique imagery and derivative 3-D products with its HyperCamera2 technology. The camera system provides a high degree of overlap from different angles for reconstructing the real world in stunning detail, producing not only high-resolution orthomosaic and oblique imagery but also surface and terrain models, natural color point clouds and textured 3-D meshes. Users can immerse themselves in 3-D textured mesh models and see different elevations and line of sight using the 3-D information.

James Hardie Launches JHinsite™ Technical Services Platform

James Hardie Building Products Inc., offers an advanced support site for its fiber cement siding commercial customers, JHinsite.com. The site offers product information, technical documents and specifications, BIM/Revit content, alternative design supplements, technical briefs, AIA Continuing Education presentation and an individualized project library.

Xplore 12” Rugged Tablet with Intel® PCIe Solid State Drives Increase Performance and Speed



Xplore Technologies souped up its Windows®-powered XSLATE R12 rugged tablet Intel® PCIe Solid State Drives (SSD). The new drives deliver a significant boost in speed, power and storage capacity for construction businesses that rely on data and graphic-intensive applications. The tablet includes an i7 vPro processor and a display protected by Gorilla Glass.

Software & In the Cloud

Touchplan Revolutionizes Complex Construction with Touchplan+Procore

Touchplan and Procore Technologies streamlined and digitized Lean with Touchplan+Procore. Teams can bounce to and from work sequencing and planning to add requests for information (RFI's); centralize everything construction projects need; utilize industry re-defining tools; and use tech and coordination techniques for early completion and under budget performance. Auto-generated reports include weekly work plans, look-ahead schedules and PPC reports. Touchplan sets up team collaboration using a tool that is as easy to use as sticky notes.

Turn Fleet Data into Predictive Analytics With ARI Fleet Management Solutions

ARI Fleet Management Solutions help contractors turn fleet data into a predictive and strategic tool for control over critical areas of fleet management. ARI systems convert vehicle, driver, maintenance supplier and telematics data into decision-making tools that pinpoint where issues are, predict their impact and empower strategic actions to increase productivity. With ARI, contractors can develop a vehicle replacement strategy and determine which vehicles are best for them, manage variable costs, benefit from predictive maintenance tools and identify at-risk drivers.

Acquisitions and Partnerships

Viewpoint Acquires Dexter + Chaney

Viewpoint is acquiring Dexter + Chaney as part of its strategy to drive the adoption of technology in construction. Viewpoint ERP and project delivery software, including Vista and ProContractor, run mission-critical processes for construction companies around the world. Dexter + Chaney’s product suite, which carries the Spectrum brand, helps construction companies manage business, operations and project management needs.

Autodesk Invests in Smartvid.io

Autodesk has invested in Smartvid.io’s construction-focused technology. Smartvid.io embraces machine learning to automate speech and image recognition, make photos and videos searchable using system generated (automated) SmartTags and provide metrics on project safety, productivity and quality. The investment is expected to accelerate the delivery of AI to the AEC industry and the built environment as a whole. Smartvid.io is also now integrated into Autodesk’s BIM 360 software.

Fastbrick Robotics Signs MOU with Caterpillar

Australian robotic technology company, Fastbrick Robotics Limited, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Caterpillar Inc. to discuss and develop a potential framework for collaboration regarding the development, manufacturing, sales and services of Fastbrick Robotics’ robotic bricklaying technology (FBR Technology).

Trimble Connected Site Solutions Integrates with Propeller's Automated Ground Targets and Visualization Platform

Trimble and Propeller Aero are collaborating on an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) analytics platform. Propeller's automated ground control targets, cloud-based visualization and rapid analysis platform will be integrated with Trimble® Connected Site® solutions to bring an end-to-end cloud-based UAS solution to civil engineering and construction contractors. Pairing Propeller's web-based interface with Trimble Connected Site solutions allows users to unlock the full value of UAS information with access to simple tools to measure surface geometry, track trends and changes across time and perform visual inspections.

Video & Cool Stuff

Autodesk Blogs on Technology and BIM

Autodesk’s infrastructure team’s new blog, Infrastructure Reimagined, highlights how technology and Building Information Modeling (BIM) are improving how infrastructure projects are designed, built and operated.

2017 Bluebeam eXtreme Conference August 14-16

Bluebeam eXtreme Conference is August 14-16 in Los Angeles, with more than 1,000 attendees from AEC firms expected to attend. The conference features more than 150 lectures, training sessions, customer panels and case studies, including 15 round table discussions and 60 presentations delivered by industry experts sharing real-world experience and innovative ideas. The 2017 eXtreme Conference schedule includes customer case study presentations panels on virtual design and construction, lean workflows, project coordination and developing training programs.

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