Month: March 2018

The construction environment is becoming more dynamic with technology add-ins, making this industry highly competitive. The Mechanical, Electrical and Piping systems (MEP) services have to keep in the beat with tech revolution, as this represents a big weight in a building project. 3D modelling in the MEP service can contribute to elevating the offerings and efficiency level along with more benefits to explore. The coordination between owners, architects and engineers can be more optimised in a common communication platform throughout the construction project.

About MEP in construction

MEP modelling creates mechanical, electrical and piping systems in a building model. MEP services in a building are one of the most important engineering services that are required for building projects. Before executing the construction projects, MEP services need to provide detailed layouts of different components. This where 3D modelling step in by generating effective live models that contain precise information and clarity about each an every component, including the materials and tools being involved and much more specifications.

What can 3D modelling offer to MEP services?

MEP Modeller can help building engineers and architects to create a more detailed building model with ductworks and other MEP systems modelled in 3D model, in order to achieve a better coordination between building engineers and architects.

• Improved coordination of services – through the production of a virtual model
• Early identification and rectification of coordination issues, resulting in the reduction of installation time and costs
• Reduces waste and man-hours by reducing on-site modifications/variations
• Supports the manufacturing and fabrication processes through the integration of manufacturing, estimating and scheduling technology
• Improves quality: With precise and accurate visuals, early detection of possible faults can enhance building services
• Increases productivity:  visualise component in 3D at the initial stage itself with changes to be instantly eliminating the need to revisit the design at a later stage
• Easy documentation:  The entire process of documenting component designs easy, as it comes preloaded with flexible documentation options
• Automatic redrawing of design:  Automatically redraws lines and dashes of the parts hidden from other parts of the design.
• Better visualisation for clients: components can be animated and the working can be observed. Visual graphics helps the customer understand the features and properties of the component better.
• Saving of data and drawings: The designs created can be saved for future reference with already some standard components for future designs creation
• Multiplicity in the MEP Modelling toolbox: Transitions, junctions and inline elements are easily connected to MEP components with each other.

Enhance coordination among building trades

Realising the benefits that prefabricated and off-site manufacturing brings to a construction project. An early coordination in the process helps MEP contractors and engineers to maximise efficiency, by deploying the fastest and safest path to integrated construction processes. The construction project can be fully coordinated with 3D MEP services models enabling the professional and construction team to validate, optimise and coordinate design information within a virtual environment.

Technology revolution is making construction suppliers abide by digital transformation and provide digital content for Building Information Modeling (BIM) models. Suppliers can provide digital support towards a co-designer and co-creator approach. With integration of construction information already during the design process, BIM can be achieved.

About Building Information Model

Building Information Modeling (BIM) involves access to a common platform containing digital planning of construction projects. All stakeholders involved in a construction project will have access to the data and therefore creating a connected working ecosystem among builders, suppliers, architects, engineers, and other stakeholders. The data platform offers a digital planning with details and adds in a greater collaboration between suppliers, designers and contractors. With collaboration, the workflow in the construction industry will be clearer, detailed, leading towards more efficiency.

BIM makes construction suppliers involved

BIM integrates information flows among multi-disciplinary teams and enhances project control.  An early involvement and discussions with project suppliers increases project performance as they become co-designers and co-creators in the whole project phase.The suppliers are not considered strategic by the contractors/consultants and are involved late in the project in the current traditional method giving rise to different clash at different point of time during the project.

Construction suppliers need to take the step forward in the technology era

Building materials suppliers will now need to make products compatible with the standards of leading BIM platform providers in their markets; digitise their catalogue (it does not have to include full detail at the start); develop new pricing models to enable cross-selling of materials and so of whole systems (selling should focus more on modularity including component compatibility); digitise their marketing for integration into BIM platforms.

Construction suppliers with BIM adaptabilities can be ahead of competitors

• Match players using BIM in the market – Suppliers using BIM technology will be able to match architects and engineers using BIM thus having an upper hand over those not using BIM. With the right product data in the appropriate format, the consideration for such suppliers will surely not be missed for projects. Construction suppliers with the traditional business model will surely be at threat in today’s technology evolution age.
• Lock product at an early stage – with the right product placement on BIM platforms, producers and suppliers can lock in product use into early design decisions. They will benefit over the long term because architects and engineers will reuse their preferred BIM-designed objects, such as a design for a facade.
• Availability of information for action taking– setting several options for the information management and visualisation within the BIM environment.
• Efficient material logistics – BIM embedded be details, material information can easily identify required products.  And if the contractor has already linked the BIM model to a schedule, it is even possible to provide the correct amount of material to the job site at the correct time. Logistics could even be extended beyond single items so that there are complete preassemblies (like façade elements, installation parts) sent to the job site.

With potential of gathering tremendous amount of data, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) offers the opportunity to enhance supply chain management through; improved security, faster shipping and better processes. IIoT connects the unconnected with machine-to-machine connections trapping data automatically.

The need for the logistics sector to tap in IIoT

 With globalisation and more global movement of goods, the logistics sector is getting more and more competitive. Cost reduction and efficiency can be the two competencies that can lift up a logistic company position ahead of its competitors.

Digital transformation in term of IIoT technology is the best-fitted solution adapted for this sector to achieve cost reduction and efficiency goals. With communication getting faster and closer, consumers and businesses have direct access to each other around the globe and getting the automatic data sharing is the key element that IIoT offers to this sector.

Traditionally data more precisely exact data without human interaction has been difficult, if not impossible to collect. Once the data was collected, it had to be sorted and analysed manually for it to make a real impact on the business bottom line.  It is where IIoT brings in the magic with it potential to make meaningful data sharing among stakeholders in the process.

The reaping benefits of IIoT by Logistic operators;

• Automatic data exchange can pinpoint underuse resources and make plans to optimise resources efficiently resulting in cost reduction.
• Machine to machine connections enables cutting-edge communication ships at sea, directing them to their docking position.
• Unloading and loading trucks can be directed to available parking with precise information, thus managing congestion and enhancing efficiency in the port.
• Alarm sensors powered with IIoT technology can be used to detect theft and improve the security of cargo in the port.
• Tracking environment conditions for storage conditions of cargos through humidity, temperature and specific conditions can be monitored with  IIoT sensors

As a customer, you can also tap-in the benefits of IIoT

• Transparency and integrity control (right products, at the right time, place, quantity, condition and at the right cost) with automatic data exchange.
• Detailed shipment tracking with transparency in real time.
• Monitor the status of assets, parcels, and people in real time throughout the value chain.

Use cases for IIoT in the logistics industry

The use of IIoT applications, like Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), is used in several ports in the United States ensures transparency in logistics and helps in efforts to counter terrorism. The technology provides safe transit of goods to their respective destination. Freight managers are in a position to determine the exact location of items in port using RFID tags. The connection of all devices at the port allows mining and integration of data and clear visibility of all areas of the port. Mined data from port allows the ports to enhance customer relations. The IIoT allows the ports to collect and process data for decision-making and performance optimization. IoT-based technologies, like GPS, track the movement of containers in and outside the port to ensure they are safe. Others, like CCTV, allow a precise and real-time monitoring of port operations, providing visibility and transparency.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) brings dynamics to manufacturing

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is the application of IoT in the manufacturing industry with focus on the transfer and management of critical data and insights. Industries where IIoT is most predominant; energy, transportation, water and manufacturing with reliable propositions.

IIoT potentials in transforming operations and heading twowards  a connected system :

• Real time visibility into quality and compliance data
• Real time visibility into the status of all processes and manufacturing data
• Automated alerts based on predefined conditions
• Ability to schedule predictive maintenance of assets
• Ability to connect manufacturing data with IoT data

Possibilities offer when implementing IIoT

Digitalisation – Connecting processes, people and systems, to increase integration of technology in the  operational channel leading to higher productivity and less faults. The combination of these factors leads to industrial transformation for an automated and streamline manufacturing process

Flexibility – Irrespective of size manufacturer can install control and manufacturing applications from a centralized platform.

Operational Intelligence – For an optimal view in operations, data can be retrieved from various systems for better decision-making leading to higher operational performance.

Predictive Analytics – Automated business information for improved product quality and predictive asset maintenance before the breakdown occurs.

Scalability – Manufacturers need to understand the value proposition. Strategic IIoT demands that manufacturers take a fresh look at scalable manufacturing and apply it to the production process to optimise the overall cost.

Field Service Management – Ability to locate technicians for tasks as per requirements, such as availability, skills, and location. The technician gets real time detail reports of faults and reaches the factory with appropriate tools and parts.

Smart Building Solutions offer reduced property costs, meaningful data to make business-critical decisions and increased building occupants well being. In all the processes involve in turning a building automated, ICT lies as one of the foundations for connected applications to function in buildings.  Connected building renders asset more reliable and promotes efficiency.  Reducing energy consumption is recognised in modern buildings as a significant design criterion.

About the basic of Smart buildings

Today we talk of smart living organism connected buildings with automated processes instead of the common traditional buildings. Sensors, actuators and microchips are the main principles that manage the functioning of the building through collection of data. In all the processes involve in turning a building smart, ICT lies as one of the basic foundation for automated  applications to function in buildings .  Reducing energy consumption is recognised as a significant design criterion for modern buildings.   The longevity, energy efficiency and comfort the offering of innovative buildings.

ICT solutions implementation for smart buildings

Applying Information Communication Technology (ICT) solutions for control systems and building automation promises efficiency and sustainability. Building control systems enable the integrated interaction of a number of technological elements such as HVAC, lighting, safety equipment etc. Advances in nanotechnologies, sensors, wireless communications and data processing enable embedding of ambient intelligence in building.

The enabling role of ICT in modern buildings:

• Intelligent modules: Modules embedded with electronic chips, as well as the appropriate resources to achieve local computing and interact with the outside, therefore being able to manage appropriate protocols so as to acquire and supply real-time visibility into energy data.
• Efficient communications: Allow sensors, actuators and intelligent units to communicate among them and with services over the network. They have to be based on protocols that are standardised and open.
• Smart BMS/ECMS: Building management systems (BMS) and energy control management systems (ECMS) rely on embedded intelligent modules and efficient communications.
• Multimodal interactive interfaces: The ultimate objective of those interfaces is to make the in-house network as simple to use as possible. These interfaces should also be means to share ambient information spaces or ambient working environments. They should adapt to the available attention of users, avoiding overloading their ‘cognitive bandwidth’ with unnecessary warnings or redundant feedbacks.
• Wired/wireless sensors: Lots of various remote-controlled devices, with the use of such devices (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, audio-video equipments, etc.) being currently investigated in the built environment through preliminary deployment and experimentations.

Turning buildings innovative and enjoy the flexibility features

• With the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in building systems, through connected temperature control, power management, lighting, and spaces, it allows better smarter performance. Data analytics  enable a continual listening and efficient  management of buildings.