Collaborative workflows are the key to minimizing errors and maximizing efficiency in the building and construction industry. This results in high profitability and on-time project completion.
Tekla effectively integrates into other AEC industry software through Tekla Open API™, while maintaining the highest levels of data integrity and accuracy. Tekla Open API is based on Microsoft ® .NET connection software and enables a state-of-the-art interface for collaboration between software systems.
Analysis & Design
Tekla Structures software can interface with several analysis and design (A&D) packages through Tekla Open API. In addition, Tekla Structures links with A&D packages by file transfer. Supported formats are, for example, SDNF, CIS/2 and IFC structural. If you use in-house A&D calculation spreadsheets, Tekla Structures can also link with these.
The benefits of linking with A&D packages:
- Coordination and visualization of the model, drawings and reports
- Both engineers and draftsmen can work on the same project model
- Efficient change management keeps project info up-to-date
MIS
Tekla Structures software can interface with all major MIS software in steel fabrication and with production management systems software in precast concrete manufacturing. Tekla reports, standardized formats and advanced applications are used for data transfer. Rich information included in a Tekla model can be used for cost estimation, production planning, job preparation, and more. Some of these systems can export information back to Tekla Structures to keep the model status up-to-date.
Production machines
Tekla Structures can interface with different production machinery whether steel or precast concrete.
In steel, all CNC software that import DSTV can be integrated. There are more advanced applications that can extract e.g. assembly information from the Tekla model for automatic layout/marking purposes. For precast concrete, information from a Tekla model can be transferred to communicate reinforcement, embedded materials and concrete geometry for element production.
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Project management
Information stored and centralized in Tekla software can be further enhanced by integrating critical communication and time-based management data. This ability to map critical components of project management information into corresponding intelligent model objects provides users the opportunity to create dynamic dashboard views of project status (past, present, and predictive). These dynamic links to project management applications further enhance the users of these applications to appropriately understand and visualize the true scope and context of schedule line items, change orders, payment requests, and other various areas of project discussions.
Architectural & industrial collaboration
Tekla Structures software can share model and drawing information with all major architectural and MEP modeling programs. Archicad, ADT, Revit Building, Nemetschek Allplan and Bentley Architecture are all IFC-compliant, as is Tekla Structures. Other legacy formats, such as DGN and DWG, are supported as well. These formats allow for an effective, two-way link for architects and engineers to share and coordinate project information.
Tekla Structures can interface with all major process and plant layout planning and piping design products on the market, such as PDS, PDMS, Smartplant3D and Cadmatic. The benefits of this linking are better layout coordination and structural information that supports leaner construction.
Cost estimation
Management models created in Tekla Structures software enhances the workflow to cost estimation processes. Tedious quantity take-offs, scope miscalculations, and unsystematic reporting/classification can all be avoided by leveraging Tekla quantity reporting solutions.
The intelligent model objects found in Tekla Structures serve as the nucleus of reporting for quantity calculations that feed into industry-standard cost estimation solutions. With these quantities automatically derived from Tekla Structures, the cost estimation process is effectively streamlined to further enhance alternative analysis, rapid and iterative estimation, as well as early visual constructability analysis.
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