Inconsistent cost practices, unclear ownership, and fragmented financial workflows are common challenges for general contractors of all sizes. Fortis Construction will share how its cost management operating model was redefined through the implementation of Autodesk Cost Management, aligning roles, processes, and technology along the way. Rather than focusing on system functionality, this session will offer a deep dive into the strategic decisions, trade-offs, and lessons learned. You will leave with a practical framework for evaluating and structuring your own cost processes toward scalable, consistent, and risk-aware cost management in partnership with Autodesk Cost Management.

A diverse panel of experts will participate in this discussion on how evolving technology and insurance products have shaped the construction risk management practice in recent years to become a more strategic function of a contractor’s business model. The panel will include one product and industry expert from Autodesk, one Autodesk customer (construction risk professional), one partner from AXA XL (Autodesk’s largest construction insurance partner), and a moderator (Autodesk partnerships team). Topics discussed will include the following: advantages to different types of construction insurance products; best practices for subcontractor prequalification, risk mitigation planning, site safety, and project incident prioritization; how software and relative workflows act as the foundation of these best practices to ensure the success of your work, and the advantages of your insurance approach.

The class will highlight standards and best practices for design technology management across design firms. Firms using strategic collaboration get an enhanced return on investment (ROI) that enables them to reach and build pioneering success on the prowess of human capital. This class will showcase the processes involved in delivering the vision of firms’ management to achieve digital leadership in the industry. Design leadership has multiple facets and can be summarized as The Three Ps: Projects, Processes, and People. Design leadership is at its best when it creates best processes and standards across all projects by raising the people skills. This class will help hone and develop tomorrow’s leaders to lead the change and pioneer digital leadership across firms.

Standard construction management technologies are an inefficient use of modern tools for coordination, documentation, and acceleration during construction. S.M.A.R.T. technology enables efficiency and communication with the team anywhere in the world. This class will showcase the case study of a $1.6 billion airport project and how S.M.A.R.T. technology was implemented to streamline the construction process through virtual and augmented reality. Attendees will see firsthand how a 4K 360-degree camera was used to scan and produce point clouds for existing conditions, virtually document punch lists, and record imaging for archiving. In addition, attendees will learn how smart glasses were integrated with BIM 360 tools to review 3D models in current field conditions while virtually collaborating with designers, engineers, the contractor, and clients concurrently.

Learn about HP’s DreamColor color management technology and solutions, including our portfolio of DreamColor large format printers, displays, and mobile workstations.

In this class, we will present perspectives and practical examples from our work on implementing an innovative approach to the construction, commissioning, handover, and lifecycle management processes for a facility. Consigli, the contractor on the project, is closely working with BRG, the building owner’s workplace management consultant. The project team mapped the owner's information needs from operations backwards into the construction and commissioning process, then implemented a set of technologies to deliver on this information flow. Key technologies in use include cloud- and iPad®-based field management software from Vela Systems®, Autodesk® Navisworks®, Autodesk® Revit®, and ARCHIBUS IWMS software. This class will explore each speaker's perspective on how this comprehensive approach to gathering and managing key systems and facilities data has changed both the process of delivering the project as well as the ultimate deliverable to the owner.

Industry 4.0 is the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, Blockchain, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way we live and work.This proof of concept case study demonstrates how Blockchain technology can be adopted in the construction management process by utilizing IOT, Blockchain platform and BIM CDE (BIM 360) for martial supply chain monitor and control. In this presentation, we will cover the understanding of Blockchain technology, the process map for the implementation, the results and outcomes of the current case study.

Subcontractors have been stuck managing job opportunities and bids with manual processes and outdated digital systems, none of which are built for the modern construction professional. Hours are spent manually creating and updating spreadsheets, as well as keeping track of projects, resources, files, and deadlines. Time and resources are increasingly in short supply for subcontractors, and the inefficiencies resulting from decentralized bid-management processes continue to add risk to projects. There is a better way with BuildingConnected. In this session, you’ll learn how the BuildingConnected platform’s world-class technology centralizes and streamlines the bid-management process. You can track bid invites, who’s working on what, bid analytics, and due dates across the entire office while quickly generating 2D takeoffs and bidding out work to vendors. By reducing manual entry and tracking business performance in real time, BuildingConnected empowers you to bid smarter and secure desired work faster.

In this session, we'll explore a study by Shepherd Construction and top construction technology partners, demonstrating how software impacts contractor loss rates. Focusing on tools like Forma Build software, this research analyzed more than a decade of loss data from 1,000+ contractors to empirically show that tech-forward contractors are lower insurance risks. We'll outline the study's methodologies, its key findings, and the broader implications for risk assessment in the construction industry. Participants will gain insights into the risk management ROI from these technologies, with a focus on those that significantly reduce claims. We'll discuss actionable strategies that contractors can implement to use technology for substantial insurance premium savings. Additionally, we'll showcase how Shepherd integrates this data into its underwriting processes to benefit contractors.

VINCI Facilities, a leading provider of facilities management (FM) solutions, explores new methods for incorporating BIM data in smart-building site applications. Discover how the BIM referential can successfully improve building lifecycle management after the handover phase. We’ll show you how we use BIM 3D referential to create a data network integrated with CMS, computer-aided facilities management, building managements systems, IoT, space management, and room reservation data. We use the Forge platform to manage FM workflow and process to give the best 3D modern data visualization and functionality from simple building information view with easy geographic or technical network navigation or more complicated elements like occupancy heat map. Facility management operators are given a holistic view of a building’s internal systems, accessible on-site or remotely. This is technology that can be applied to both existing and newly constructed buildings, leading to greater operational efficiency, easier maintenance, and smarter buildings.

SSOE Group leadership panel is open to share their experiences regarding SSOE's technology journey. They will discuss how we employed a flexible formula to balance technology pace with our annual planning needs. We'll reflect on our current state, continuous improvement ideas, business drivers, and embracing new technologies. The panel will talk about the pace of change, the tools and partnerships, and how these bring both opportunities and obstacles to projects and staff. SSOE's strategy for growth, emerging market presence, and efficiency demanded investments in enterprise platforms and people, enabling us to become a more digitally mature organization. We supported the early adoption of Autodesk Forma that unlocked vast amounts of automation potential and data collection. In less than three years, we autonomously created 3,000 projects just in time for teams to begin working. Our data goals continue to grow as we explore partnerships to build better ways to transform data to users.

Have you ever said to yourself, “We pay for modern software tools, CAD managers, IT, hardware, implementation,and training, but I can’t help feeling we aren’t getting all the productivity we should have.”? In my experience, most senior management staffs have thought this at some point—but why? In this class, we’ll explore the role senior management can play in making new tools perform through motivation, CAD management intervention, implementing mission goals, customer interaction, and expectation management. Along the way, we’ll explore the key failure modes that impede technology productivity that CAD managers and users often miss. These include poor user psychology, contractual barriers, negative peer pressure, and lack of mission focus. Make no mistake, senior management really does have a role in rolling out new software technology, and this session will help you understand that role better so you can get the most from your software environment.

Technology is moving at a fast pace these days-and with it comes technology disruptions. We'll look at what has happened in the past and what is happening today and see how your firm can come up with a strategy moving forward. Some items to start thinking about: How has your firm been dealing with these disruptions? What lessons has your firm learned? Where is your firm in the "bell curve" of adoption? Are you and your staff being proactive? Are you walking and talking "return on investment" on your processes? Asking these questions and more, we'll start looking at how to connect strategies together so your firm adopts and progresses with technology, staff, and workflows. After this presentation, you will take the first of many steps in what I call the Constant Cycle of Improvement.

The vast majority misunderstand the implementation of any software. Software implementation is not always just a tool replacement; it can often become a complete overhaul of people, processes, and technology. Cost overruns can be detrimental to a project and to companies' overall financial health. Cost Management in Forma Build is a robust tool that offers complete project cost control. It simplifies complex workflows and enables a firm to establish a standardized approach to managing costs on a project. Implementation of Cost Management affects all aspects of an organization. Therefore, a strategic approach, dedicated resources, and proper expectations are necessary for successful implementation. In this session, we'll discuss the key pillars of a successful implementation, including integration into an ERP system.

Digital disruption is accelerating in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry faster than most firms can react. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is no longer the single force driving change; the complete digitization of your firm is. Learn how, as a mid-size architecture firm, Turner Fleischer Architects stopped our BIM Transformation Committee and started again with nine full-time staff, led by two partners, exclusively dedicated to using innovation in project workflows. Taking a deep dive and mapping the goals and objectives of this new Digital Practice Department showed its full permeation in all aspects of operations, and the radiating impact on the studio. A momentum and mindset change followed, the spark of which highlights a different approach to technology management that we will share with you.

Over the past several years, the construction industry has adopted new technologies to improve project development and management. However, the temporary jobsite office isn't keeping pace with the demands of today's tech-driven construction jobs. This class provides best practices for bringing technology to the jobsite, tips for turning a standard field office into a smart jobsite office, and an overview of cost savings for all parties involved. The presentation also includes recommendations for incorporating BIM processes to help streamline jobsite documentation and lessen rework requests. The best practices shared enhances jobsite collaboration and mobilization while providing solutions for technology challenges in the field. The presentation concludes with a return-on-investment analysis of the various products that are available, including William Scotsman's techsuite™.

One of the biggest challenges to a contractor is understanding the value of certain technology and the cost benefits. Technology is not a tangible item like a tool, so it can be hard to get people in management to see the benefits. The goal of this presentation is to discuss all the facets of technology cost and understand how to identify and push technology within your company.

A large number of technology point solutions attempt to address project management workflows by providing tools for managing RFIs and submittals. Unfortunately, these tools can also create additional confusion by forcing teams to switch between apps, while increasing the potential for data loss and missed communications.   Join the BIM 360 product management team to explore the capabilities of BIM 360 Build in support of project management and project controls workflows, including the management of RFIs and Submittals. This session will cover how customers can customize BIM 360 to meet the contractual procedures, communication processes, and standards set for your projects. In addition, it will provide an update on the newest capabilities in the BIM 360 Project Management module.

Several questions arose when the roles of CAD manager and (more so) building information modeling (BIM) manager became regular parts of design firms: Should this manager work on projects too? Should this person have a billable expectation? Should this role be a practitioner or someone completely unique? Should the manager be part of an architectural studio or an engineering group, or should they sit outside the design teams? Many of these questions were debated early on, and as the industry evolved, so did the CAD and BIM manager roles. What were once isolated roles became several people in a group, and responsibilities expanded from a focused software-type management to a larger umbrella of technology. With this evolution, should we again consider these questions? The one that is particularly interesting is where does this team/group sit, and who do they report to? Is it the design and project side? Is it IT? Or is it somewhere else? Please join this roundtable to share your experiences and opinions.

Despite a reported 91% medium or high level of improvement in productivity, only 27% of general contractors have moved to automate their payment application process through technology. This indicates a growing need towards adopting software automation tools to replace manual processes. With this shift in mind, it is essential for GCs to understand what to look for in subcontractor management software. This session explores the critical features, their benefits, and the overall advantages of integrating technology into subcontractor management along with sharing how these solutions actually work in conjunction with your construction accounting system.