There’s been quite a lot of discussion within our Micrographics Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) technical department with regard to taking proactive as opposed to reactive action to reach out to the users of our products and services. This discussion was initiated because one of our new technical consultants received some feedback from their friends in the industry that it was unclear as to what exactly Micrographics offer. That was a bit of a shock to me since I have been advising on a variety of projects worth billions in a BIM perspective.
When you carefully consider our signatures, you will notice that in addition to our personal Autodesk Certifications, we partner with:
- Autodesk (Gold Partner)
- Prokon
- IdeaStatiCa®
- Lumion
- Hewlett Packard (HP)
So, while much of our focus is concerned with our partnerships, our services encompass a much larger sphere of influence. Hopefully you will get to know us better through future interaction with our technical specialists. In the interim, please consider the following brief introduction.
To place the Autodesk solutions into perspective in the AECO industry, one must look at the global picture and then relate that back to South Africa. Internationally, governments and other owner operators construct digital twins to maximize the return on their built assets over the life of the asset. This depends on building information models (graphical, non-graphical and documentation). The processes are well established, and their benefits are well known. They have been practiced worldwide for well over a decade and have now been formalized in an International Standards Organization standard, ISO 19650. Here follows a brief description of the information models.
BIM – The building information models are what most of our clients concern their time with. They are authored using Autodesk software during the design phase and are sometimes hosted on the common data environment of the Autodesk Construction Cloud, which hosts collaboration and coordination in compliance with UK BIM Level 2 requirements.
PIM – The project information model is created during construction and is created on the Autodesk construction cloud. It records preconstruction communication and the gathering of as-built information. One may set up the cost module to help with changing order and risk forecasting. Mange operations on site with snag lists, schedules and logical plans.
AIM – The asset information model gathers data necessary to manage the installed machinery, systems and other items that are of operations and maintenance interest.
Digital Twin – collation of information for digital operations and maintenance and gathering data streams from transducers to manage real-time feedback. Eptura and Datum 360 leverage this digital twin.
South Africa is not Britain. We do not have the same operational environment, purchase power or skills base. While some of our clients are aware of the global picture and are at the forefront of driving digital adoption, many do not have the luxury of resources to pay attention to the bigger picture and are more concerned with their own discipline and professional liability. This is perfectly acceptable, but there is also recognition that they are required to interface with other disciplines in an information process on a common data environment. They may not understand how to do this. Micrographics We are there to get them established in the common data environment as soon as possible and in compliance with the BIM Protocol.
Then we have clients that need to establish the projects and BIM protocols and manage processes that are new to them. Micrographics lead our clients through this. We consult and advise and scale the solution to their needs.
We also advise existing Principals with improving their processes. We have invested a lot of research and development in scaling our solutions in-house and believe we can host the largest possible project on the common data environment.
Regardless of your level of responsibility or interest in the BIM processes that drive modernization of the construction industry (and offer financial benefits), your first port-of-call may be to simply take a pre-sales meeting with us. Micrographics strongly advises the presence of technical representatives at pre-sales meetings to make sure that the correct software is sold to our customers. It is a sign of failure on our part if software we sell ends up “on the shelf” (not used). Since our time is limited during a typical pre-sales meeting, we ask pertinent questions of the prospective customer to make sure that the client receives the relevant product capability. We can quickly recommend the correct software, and we strive to offer value (if a customer does not know of a cheaper alternative within the Autodesk ecosystem, we would recommend that to them, making sure they understand the limitations). Then again, we are also able to point out where an increase in productivity would benefit the customer to purchase a more expensive subscription (the cost benefit makes it worth it). In short, our role is to provide trusted technical advice, not a sales pitch. And remember that we also have our mechanical department. Together we advise on anything from mining to food processing plants.
If a deep dive is required, we recommend you contract us to perform Business Process Assessment (BPA), during which we investigate your technical processes and write a report on our findings. This report includes proactive steps you can take to improve your productivity and is rated on a graph comparing difficulty of implementation to benefit of implementation. Having us lead you through the implementation and troubleshooting along the way is. To my mind, it is still the best way forward for those that need to adopt BIM solutions.
Alternatively, you can contact us on an ad-hoc basis.
We also have the IT and Hardware Sales teams to recommend hardware to run the Autodesk software. This is critical as insufficient hardware specifications tend to waste and inordinate amount of time.
There is a financing arm to our business that can help your cash flow if you qualify.
When you picture Micrographics, imagine a one-stop-shop for your drafting and training needs. The only design space we do not provide support in is media and entertainment.
If you need help adopting the AEC Collection or the Autodesk Construction Cloud in your practice or if you are looking to invest in hardware, please contact Micrographics so that we may be of assistance.
