Construction Technology and Software Rundown: July 20, 2018

Apps

State Water Heaters’ iCOMM Connectivity Platform is available on the State Water Heaters app on iOS- and Android-ready mobile devices. All StateULTRA FORCE® SUF® models come standard with onboard Wi-Fi, for remote connecting and interacting with ULTRA FORCE water heaters. Users can interact with one or multiple heaters on the app, adjust temperature and differential, view status and fault history, and set custom alerts.

With Bridgit Quality project management app, contractors can manage inspections by creating checklists, tracking inspection progress and identifying problems. The app automatically integrates with Bridgit Insights and Bridgit Tasks. As inspections are conducted, work can be assigned a pass or fail, and failed items can easily be escalated to Bridgit Tasks for resolution.

Products

Leica Geosystems’ MCP80, an all-in-one machine control platform, displays information about the work in process and automatically positions the tools, such as bucket, blade or drill bit to dig, grade or drill. Interchangeable between several heavy construction machines, the MCP80 control unit integrates into the common software platform, Leica MC1. Machine specific data, such as calibration values and hydraulic parameters, are stored in the Leica MDS docking station.

The SecuraTrac Mobile Defender Model S panic button fits in a pocket or can be worn on a lanyard. When the SOS button is pressed, the device functions as a two-way speakerphone and also sends a GPS location alert. If an employee is tackled or falls, the built-in fall protection sends an SOS alert without the employee having to press the button.

The EMBR (Engineering Building Mixed Reality) helmet reveals a 3D, real-time holographic rendering of the architect's plan overlaid on the building site. The helmet was developed by construction engineering company Dura Vermeer and AR software developers Recreate in conjunction with Xsens' inertial sensor and 3D motion tracking technology.

The Intel Xeon E-2100 processor is a 6-core processor targeted at entry-level workstations in the AEC community. The combination of two additional cores and higher single-core turbo frequency delivers increases in performance across workstation benchmarks. The processor offers Error Correcting Code (ECC) memory, a key feature to maximize data integrity to help improve system stability and to reduce the possibility of silent data corruption.

Software & In the Cloud

Gorilla Safety’s Enterprise Bundle has new features for larger fleets, including: Dynamic Daily Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) for customizing equipment inspection requirements; Dynamic Log View for managing the logbook; Advanced Driver Tools to notify drivers to perform checks for securing loads and correct drive time to either Personal Conveyance or Yard Moves; and Advanced Management Tools for assignment and edification of unidentified driving time, Flexible Permissions and DVIR Management solutions.

Applied Software’s eVolve® 2.0 add-on for Autodesk Revit for electrical prefab deliverable offers enhanced user interface, including a new browser ribbon, control options, visibility and filter controls for system family conduit and cable tray, and a new crosshair tool; new system family conduit workflow support; export requisition form tool to export data into Microsoft Excel; and share parameter loader and system family tracker.

WRENCH SmartProject real-time Project Control system executes project deliverables on a secure, mobile-accessible, cloud-based platform. It helps to manage manpower efficiently, track and share documents, track budgets and cost, monitor work progress in real time, enforce quality procedures, and collaborate from anywhere. SmartProject helps project managers apply EVM by recording task status, milestones, percent complete and other progress-related data automatically and in real time, so that they can accurately gauge project schedule.

UpCodes AI lets design professionals view code errors in real-time directly in Revit with a “spell check” for compliance. The software plug-in uses artificial intelligence to check BIM models code compliance by flagging violations. The company maintains a database of regulations from 26 states and the District of Columbia, which is reportedly updated in near real-time. The program will integrate with ArchiCad, SketchUp and IFC in the future.

PlanSwift construction takeoff software has a visual point-and-click interface to drag and drop individual products or assembled product groups directly onto a digitized blueprint. PlanSwift calculates the takeoffs automatically and is customizable for a variety of trades.

Partnerships & Acquisitions

ProEst is integrated with Acumatica’s cloud construction accounting software for project control. ProEst combines cost estimating, digital takeoffs and bid day analysis in a single, cloud-based solution; includes a comprehensive materials database, visual assemblies and support for cost update services; and offers the ability to refine each bid, adjust markups and run "what-if" analyses.

Procore Technologies and Sage are partnering to deepen their existing relationship and strengthen the value of the current Sage 300 Construction & Real Estate (CRE) integration. Procore, along with development partner hh2 Cloud Services, is beta testing Prime Contracts and Prime Contract Change Orders. The current integration feature set includes Cost Types, Estimates and Subcontracts, which will sync Procore Construction Financials tools with Sage 300 CRE to provide project and accounting teams access to the data they need to be more collaborative and efficient.

Autodesk has acquired Assemble Systems. Assemble Systems provides a SaaS solution that enables construction professionals to condition, query and connect BIM data to key workflows across bid management, estimating, scheduling, site management and finance. Over time, Assemble Systems' solution will be integrated with Autodesk’s new BIM 360 project management platform.

Video & Cool Stuff

Smart City IoT Innovation, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, CIT, TechNexus and Smart City Works, has selected 13 companies to develop smart cities technologies to assist public safety. The research and development work will focus on in-building sensors, unmanned aerial systems and on/off-body mobile SmartHubs, each of which will combine communications and sensors to increase responder situational awareness, building security and enhance mission-critical operations.

Skyward’s 2018 Industry Report: State of Drones in Big Business found that one in 10 companies with revenue of $50 million and over use drones, with the highest adoption in construction and engineering. More than a third of surveyed construction and engineering firms use drones today.