Technology and Azures of the world lead in this space , with many large technology companies , such as IBM , coming on board with their own cloud platforms .
The large cloud companies can provide businesses with access to powerful computing at a lower cost than they are able to achieve themselves . Building one ’ s own data centre would be a prohibitive exercise . Cloud computing allows companies to access the best possible technology in the cloud and innovate in terms of the software they generate and the data analytics they build . This also allows companies to invest in more top-end software solutions . So , a company considering investing in platform solutions like MTWO , will find that hosting the software themselves will be more costly than hosting it in the cloud .
In addition , cloud computing usually has managed services associated with it . This means companies can outsource many of their IT functions – security management , patch management , release management and data backup – to be taken care of in a cloud computing environment .
This releases companies of some of their IT functionality , potentially lowering costs and allowing them to focus on their core business , whatever that may be .
MOBILE TECHNOLOGY FOR EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION Mobile technology is important for the built industry as it enables anybody with a mobile device to access information from wherever they are . This is especially helpful on construction sites as it allows site-based users to access information from the company ’ s software solutions and systems .
One example relates to the issuing of drawings . Instead of printing out a drawing at a head office and sending it to a site , these can be managed through a document management system or a BIM solution , allowing site-based staff to access the latest versions of any drawing on their tablets or other mobile device at any time .
One of the greatest delays to projects , that also drives up costs , is changes in the design or scope . While some change on a project is inevitable and better , BIM allows users to articulate the impact of the change on their schedules and costing structures , providing them with the information they need to make informed and meaningful decisions .
He says the end game is the ability to handover the as-built BIM model to the client and the operator of the asset . It should be a seamless handover of all the digital information , from the build phase into the operation phase of a project . The holy grail is to integrate everything - from design , through build and into the operation phase of one model – so that you seamlessly carry all information through the lifecycle of the project .
SIMULATING THE REAL WORLD Virtual Reality ( VR ) and Augmented Reality ( AR ) – or what we refer to as Mixed Reality – allow digital technology to simulate the real world or overlay a simulation of the real-world in a realworld context .
HoloLens ( mixed reality smart glasses ) is an example which allow users to look at a BIM model or the design of building – when they ’ re actually in the building – by bringing up the drawing of the building and superimposing it on the construction element to see what needs to be done , or whether everything has been done correctly .
They can also be used for safety training . If on-site employees need to use a piece of equipment , HoloLens technology can call up the operating instructions of the equipment and teach users how to operate it safely .
During the more recent stringent Covid-19 lockdown measures , some companies used these devices to plan their
BUILDING BETTER PROJECTS WITH BIM Enabling 5D BIM is at the heart of the RIB Group ’ s core strategy . It is the combination of 3D BIM ( a digital 3D model built during the design phase of the project , 4D ( the time it will take to complete all aspects of the project ), and 5D ( the costs related to the project ).
By combining as much design , estimation and planning information as possible during the pre-construction phase , owners , developers , engineers , consultants and construction companies can achieve optimal design and build programmes for particular assets .
The idea is to remove a significant amount of uncertainty around each project by building a digital twin . This allows role players to run various simulations before moving onto site and then build as closely to the design as possible .
RIB CCS
Andrew Skudder explains that companies who embrace digital solutions will improve their overall capabilities , performance , data management and gain the rewards over those who continue to offset action .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I April 2022 43