On cloud one

Despite slower growth, the uptake of construction software is trending upward, finds CHARU BAHRI. The Indian market for software for construction companies is abuzz. Now, the fare on offer ranges from project management software to design and detailing software and software for optimising material inputs in civil works. Tech matters Takers for all kinds of construction software are growing on the back of sustained building construction activity and infrastructure development. Certainly, growth has slowed and an inflationary trend has set in but these have in turn brought challenges necessitating the greater adoption of technology. An intense focus on productivity, rising costs and intensifying competition is spurring demand for software. Spending on information technology (IT) is known to provide appreciable and immediate returns, especially where huge infrastructure projects are concerned. Well-implemented solutions can result in about 5 per cent cost savings for the project and help to keep it on schedule. According to Nilesh Gandhi, Head-ERP, CMC Ltd, "Expense control and accountability have been the key drivers for the increasing uptake of ERP software by construction companies. There is a definite increased focus to record and track information related to project schedules, costs, procurements and inventory control. Most of the larger companies have already implemented tier 1 ERP software for this purpose, and have witnessed the benefits. The action is now shifting to the mid-market companies who now see this as a meaningful investment." With the Indian GDP expected to expand by 6-8 per cent over the next five to 10 years, on the anvil are a wave of investments in government and infrastructure projects, residential buildings, commercial properties and energy and resources. All of this spells even brighter prospects for the software industry, which is why overseas vendors of specialised software are making a beeline for Indian shores. Optimistic outlook "We've seen exponential growth in adoption as well as in our presence and investments in India. We see this trend continuing in the next decade or two, such that the majority of developers leverage Aconex for their projects," says Ashok Kumar, Regional Director-ASEAN & India, Aconex, a fairly recent entrant into the Indian IT sector. Amongst the key drivers for greater adoption, Kumar cites greater awareness about best practices and technology solutions (such as Aconex for project collaboration and document management), challenging delivery schedules, budgetary constraints and the need to reduce litigation risks. Len Bettess, Quantm Channel Manager-APAC, Trimble Planning Solutions Pty Ltd, which is introducing India to the Trimble® Quantm™ Alignment Planning System, explains why he is optimistic about the uptake of the new launch: "Indian design/build consortiums will increasingly need a tool to help identify more efficient design options for stronger design and construct tenders. Staying time and cost competitiveness is a major priority nowadays as is staying responsive to the expectations of customers and stakeholders." Sunil MK, AEC Head, Autodesk India & SAARC, sees tremendous scope for AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map 3D modelling software given the focus on infrastructure development and the advantages that technology can bring to projects. "As technology can help reduce execution timelines, companies can spend more time on design and come up with much more complex forms," he observes. Opportunities for modelling software as well as Autodesk Revit-based software for architecture, structural and MEP engineering are all the more because of their fairly low current penetration levels. Growing user base Aconex is enjoying the patronage of top companies like DLF, Godrej, RMZ, Wave Infratech, IREO, Reliance Infrastructure, L&T, etc. These developers have adopted Aconex across multiple projects. Another category of takers for Aconex is overseas best-in-class architects, consultants and contractors who are partnering Indian developers for world-class construction projects in the country. "They are used to relying on a host of solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity and are looking at establishing the same working methodologies in India as they practise overseas," explains Kumar. Cloud trend A salient trend in the software sector is the increasing adoption of cloud services. In keeping with this growing user preference, Autodesk has leveraged cloud for its customers with a favourable response. Its latest range of design creation suites FY14 have been introduced on cloud allowing customers to access design anytime from anywhere. "Today, more than 15 million Autodesk customers access some aspect of their design data through the more than 25 cloud and mobile services offered through Autodesk 360," shares Sunil. "We continue to add 1 million users each month globally." Evidently, software companies are accurately feeling the pulse of the construction industry and adjusting their line to meet emerging needs. Software for BETTER COLLABORATION User: Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd Software: Aconex Online Collaboration Platform Application: Manage documentation related to the construction of three cement production plants in Assam, Karnataka and Orissa Choice of product: "We chose Aconex after assessing seven to eight systems because of the company's extensive industry knowledge," shares Puneet Arora, Executive Director of Projects, Dalmia Cement Bharat Ltd. "Aconex has considerable experience in servicing similar clients and projects, and could immediately understand our challenges." Installation: According to Arora, "Some parties initially resisted adopting Aconex because the system introduces transparency and hence greater accountability. There were also reservations about holding information in the cloud. Aconex implementation teams helped us drive a change of mindset. Over time, Aconex has helped build closer relationships with our project stakeholders." Solution positives: "With Aconex, we can instantly access, distribute, track and archive project information such as documents, drawings and correspondence, in a secure, centralised system," adds Arora. We have geographically dispersed teams, so Aconex allows faster coordination, distribution, review, and sign-off of files. The whole process is more efficient and, from a team perspective, everyone can see what's required of them. Now, we no longer rely on an e-mail client of limited bandwidth, nor do we use FTP and face the risk of someone pressing the Delete button." Definite gains: "On these three construction projects combined, Aconex has helped to manage more than 30,000 documents, 3,500 workflow processes and 110,000 items of correspondence," shares Arora. "About 95 per cent of project drawings were managed and processed on the Aconex platform. Drawing retrievals and reviews that previously took three days now occur in real time. People take faster action because processes are more transparent. Blame games don't happen and version control happens automatically. Also, managers can audit and track the status." Software for Project Management User: Ascent Builtech Pvt Ltd Software: Microsoft Project Application: Manage construction of Satya Villa De project located in Rajnagar Extension, Ghaziabad Choice of product: "We wanted a user-friendly product that can be accessed anywhere and from virtually any device," says Abhishek Rai, DGM, Contract & Planning, Ascent Builtech. "Microsoft Project runs on the Windows platform, which employees are familiar with and which practically every computer and laptop comes preloaded with. Microsoft Project makes a good choice for projects entailing extensive construction scheduling. A close second choice for this application is Primavera." Installation: "Microsoft provides us with 24/7 phone support for advanced information technology issues," says Rai. "Additionally, the Microsoft community provides online support and helps us forge connections with other customers using the same software." Solution positives: Microsoft Project helps manage every stage of the project, from developing plans to assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress made, managing budgets, and analysing workloads. Definite gains: According to Rai, "Microsoft Project is a definite step up from using Microsoft Excel for scheduling. In Excel, you have to continuously and manually adjust dates to reflect the latest project status and make accurate forecasts. In a three-month project, you could save as much as 56 hours of scheduling effort with Microsoft Project." Software for Better Alignment User: TrackStar Alliance, Australia Software: Trimble« QuantmÖ technology Application: Implementing the Queensland Rail project, including track duplication and extension, the construction of rail and road-over-rail bridges, station upgrades and power system upgrades Choice of product: According to Byron Watkins, Survey Data Manager, Thiess, a TrackStar Alliance partner, "We were looking for something that could give us quicker answers to providing different scenarios for alignments, set against any given set of constraints, in planning roads or new freight or passenger rail projects." The team chose Trimble Quantm because it was happy with the performance and vendor support for other Trimble Heavy and Highway Solutions, including Site Positioning Systems and GPS-based Grade Control Systems. Installation: Thiess's team loaded their location-specific terrain model, feature data, and geological, environmental and cultural constraints and proposed alignment into the Trimble Quantm system. If such data is available, the setup isn't time consuming. As better data becomes available during implementation, the model can be updated and alignments refined and improved. Solution positives: Trimble Quantm software is simultaneously considering the topography, engineering parameters, environmental, cultural and community issues involved in planning and construction costs. It allows teams to drive alternative cost and value changes to any given design by running æwhat if' alignment scenarios "in about a half hour, compared to days," adds Watkins. Definite gains: Thiess's project team manipulated the various alignment options to identify where changes to the design could yield the best results, such as shifting a bridge slightly in a tight corridor, or moving a retaining wall to cut costs. "I think the Trimble Quantm option dropped about a 100 m off two bridges of a combined length of 320 m," shares Watkins. "When you're talking $3,000 a sq m for bridge decks, cutting it down by a third gives you substantial savings." Software for DESIGN AND IMPROVED WORKFLOWS User: Arcop Associates, a Canadian architecture company Software: Autodesk technology BIM and Autodesk Autodesk(r) Revit(r) Architecture Application: Design of GurgaonOne, a housing project in Sector 84, of which Alpha G: Corp is the real-estate developer Choice of product: Autodesk offers solutions that enable customers to design flexibly and be more innovative. A lot of architects and designers globally are using Building Information Modelling (BIM) for designing mega construction and infrastructure projects. Installation: Customers buying Autodesk licenses secure subscription for a stipulated period of time. Subscription services include online customer support. Solution positives: Better-informed decisions, better teamwork and collaboration, access to a platform to design flexibly, and significant time-saving. Definite gains: Autodesk Revit helped the project team improve the overall design quality. A BIM approach helped everyone understand the building much earlier in the design process and the constructors did not have to generate 2D plans, elevations and roof plans to describe it to all of the other disciplines. "Autodesk BIM solutions offer valuable insight and help enhance the decision-making process, coordination and creating construction drawings significantly and control project cost almost instantaneously," says Deb Guha, CEO, Arcop Associates Pvt Ltd. To share your views on Construction Software industry, write in at feedback@ASAPPmedia.com