We might be interested. I'll pass on this information to our
Construction Mgt people.

Dr. Scott C. Chase --------------------------------------------------------
Senior Lecturer                                        tel +44 141 548 3007
Department of Architecture                             fax +44 141 552 3997
University of Strathclyde
131 Rottenrow                                        [log in to unmask]
Glasgow G4 0NG, United Kingdom      http://homepages.strath.ac.uk/~cas01101

>Can anyone help me with recommendations for good Schools of Construction
>Management in the UK who can try out this amazing new software????
>
>
>
>
>---------------- CONSTRUCTOR - Graphisoft write: ----------------
>
>Graphisoft have launched a new product line based on the
>same 3D technology foundation that is in ArchiCAD 9. The flagship
>product is named Graphisoft Constructor, includes all the
>functionalities that you find in ArchiCad9, yet it is not an identical
>ArchiCAD 9, there are more to it. The needs of the architecture
>practice are fundamentally distinguished from the needs of a Contractor.
>ArchiCAD as a tool is designed to communicate design intent (with not
>only 2D drawings but also with 3D building model), therefore a great
>tool for architects. There is however, a difference between design
>intent model and construction building model in the purpose of these 3D
>models.
>
>Construction purposed building models are built to create a digital
>replica of constructing the actual building, taking construction work
>process and resources into account, and associating it with the
>respective data attributes. E.g. In ArchiCad a column is an element
>\with it's sizes, perhaps with a composite filling of concrete and
>bricks. In GS Constructor, beyond same geometry and dimensions, you have
>to create a recipe that describes how its is built, so the building
>methods are in this example re-bar, formwork, to pour concrete and a
>finish like cladding, and all these methods are broken down to resources
>labour, material and equipment. All this resources are priced
>respectively to the actual Contractors price list. Having this data
>enriched building model, you actually created a 5D construction model
>(3D+time+cost). (the fundamentals of Graphisoft's patent pending
>technology are in the above paragraph)
>
>In a nutshell, companies use our tools for 5D proposal generation,
>constructability analysis, improving speed and accuracy of estimates and
>optimizing construction sequence.  Graphisoft Construction Solutions are
>an industry first connection between design, estimating and scheduling.
>We do this by using the building model as the logical connection point.
>The model is the only place where you can predict the affect of design
>changes to project cost and schedule.
>
>Specifically -
>
>*    Skanska in the US wins more business because they prepare
>proposals that are vastly superior to their competition because their
>utilize 4D (construction simulation)
>*    Kajima in the UK, saves hundreds of thousands of pounds on
>projects through constructability analysis.
>*    YIT has cut their estimating time by a half to two thirds and at
>the same time increased their accuracy to +/- a half % on bill material
>estimates.
>
>As you can see our primary targets are large General Contractors,
>Construction Management companies and Design/Build firms. Here are the
>things we are selling, Products & Services:
>
>*    Graphisoft Constructor - includes:
>
>     *    Construction Modeling System - designed to quickly
>create accurate 3D construction models.  The resulting model reduces
>mistakes present in design documents, which results in significant
>savings in construction cost and time.
>     *    4D Sequencer - designed to automatically link the
>construction model to the project schedule.  Once linked, schedule
>alternatives can be more effectively analyzed and communicated.
>     *    GS Estimator Connector - designed to extract, link, and
>publish model information to GS Estimator
>
>*    Graphisoft Estimator - includes:
>
>     *    Model Based Estimating System - designed to extract
>accurate quantity information from the construction model and produce
>fast and accurate estimates.
>     *    Traditional Estimating System - to support the
>transition from manual takeoff based estimating to model based
>estimating, a complete set of traditional estimating features are
>included.
>     *    Production Planning & Procurement - designed to divide
>the resources created by the estimating application in production zones
>and produce scheduled procurement requirements.
>     *    5D Reporting - using the construction model as the link
>between cost and time, the system produces cost loaded schedules for
>financial analysis.
>
>*    GS Construction Services - to both ease the transition to the
>new technology and to provide additional customer support during peak
>loads, Graphisoft Construction Services will utilize the product line
>under the direction of the customer's project team.  Services include:
>
>     *    Construction Modeling
>     *    Constructability Analysis
>     *    Estimating Support
>     *    4D Sequencing Support
>     *    Production and Procurement Planning Support
>     *    Site Planning Support
>     *    5D Construction Simulation Presentations
>
>Subsequently, with these products we have also created a new job
>category. In more details you may take a look at the following white
>paper too: http://www.graphisoft.com/products/construction/white_papers/
>
>I hope that I could be informative enough, to show that creating
>graduate Construction Modellers will be critical to eliminate the
>inefficiencies of the construction industry. Thus, Graphisoft would like
>to engage the best schools and driving this paradigm change in
>partnering with them.