Tekla Corporation and US mobile field software provider Vela Systems have created a joint solution uniting 4D building information modeling with RFID-enabled field solution. The solution has been estimated to yield $1 million cost savings for the new Meadowlands stadium project in New Jersey.
Vela Systems, a developer of mobile field software for the AECO (architecture, engineering, contractor and owner) industry, and Tekla Corporation, a leading building information modeling (BIM) solutions provider for the building and construction industry, have announced a joint software solution that brings dramatic new management capabilities to construction projects.
The solution marries Vela’s patent-pending field administration software with the Tekla Structures software solution for construction management. When enabled with field software and radio frequency identification (RFID), stakeholders in a construction project can manage critical-path building components and visualize the supply chain through a real-time, 4D simulation, in which the fourth dimension is time. The joint 'Field BIM' solution enables the AECO industry to feed into the building information model the constantly changing status of the supply chain on site.
The new Tekla/Vela solution was integrated with RFID to meet the needs of Skanska Building USA as it oversees the $998 million design-build project to construct the new open-air Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey, the future home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. Through the use of patent-pending RFID technology to tag and track materials, Skanska has used the joint Tekla/Vela solution to capture important information about building materials from vendors and merged it in the 3D model in real-time. As a result, Skanska expects to expedite the Meadowlands building schedule by 10 days, producing $1 million in cost savings.
“This solution is giving us a precise view of production management,” said David Campbell, vice president for Skanska USA. “Bringing together RFID, BIM and field software together into a single solution has vastly improved our ability to track materials along the entire process, from the plant to erection in the structure.”
“Vela Systems has been used to manage safety inspections, deliver construction documents electronically to field personnel, account for the cost of construction quality, ensure punch list items are completed, and more,” said Tim Curran, Vela Systems’ CEO. “Now, by combining our solution with Tekla’s BIM software, AECO leaders enhance their decision-making with a total grasp on the materials available for construction. Our customers’ ideas and needs continue to drive us to innovate and introduce new standards in construction technology.”
"Integrating BIM & RFID shows a genuine advancement of project management technologies,” said Stacy Scopano, Business Development Manager of the contractor segment at Tekla Corporation. “Making critical aspects of supply chain management and field coordination centralized – and now even visual – represents a very significant step forward for technology-enhanced project control.”
The Tekla/Vela solution is available immediately and is being jointly marketed by Vela Systems and Tekla Corporation.
For more information, contact:
Stacy Scopano, Tekla, Inc; tel. +1 678 925 4839, stacy.scopano (a) tekla.com
Victoria Salomon, Vela Systems, Inc; tel. +1 888 835 2797 ext 315, vsalomon (a) velasystems.com
Distrubution: Tekla website
Tekla Corporation
Tekla is an international software company whose model-based software products make customers’ core processes more effective in building and construction, energy distribution, infrastructure management, and water supply. Tekla Corporation has area offices and partner organizations worldwide. International operations account for 80% of net sales. Founded in 1966, Tekla is one of the oldest software companies in Finland.
Tekla Structures
By enabling the creation of the most accurately detailed and data-rich structural models, Tekla provides the building and construction industry the best constructability on the market. Tekla Structures is premium-brand building information modeling (BIM) software that streamlines the delivery process of design, detailing, fabrication, and construction organizations. Its ability to process extensive amounts of data enables highly constructable 3D and 4D models that apply to every stage of design and construction and represent the 'as-built' condition of a building. Tekla Structures effectively integrates into any best-of-breed software driven collaborative workflow, which is the key to minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency, resulting in high profitability and on-time project completion. Tekla Structures encompasses specialized configurations for structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, precast concrete detailers and manufacturers, as well as construction companies. More information at www.tekla.com
Vela Systems
Vela Systems’ team is a combination of real estate, design and construction industry knowledge with software and technology expertise, including over 60 years managing construction and capital projects and representing over $1B in project costs. Vela Systems includes senior level involvement in numerous software companies, specializing in web-based workflow, document and process collaboration. The company was founded to empower the key stakeholders in the AEC industry with mobile information technologies: powerful, focused, and easy-to-use software. More information at www.velasystems.com.