Construction
PRWeb | September 01, 2023
PlanHub, the leading preconstruction software as a service (SaaS) company, is excited to announce that Takeoff Core, previously released as a cloud-based, integrated takeoff software built into PlanHub, is now also available as a standalone. Takeoff Core helps subcontractors perform takeoffs efficiently, eliminating the need for manual work, outdated desktop software, and complicated digital solutions.
In preconstruction, time is money. The more time it takes to perform takeoffs and submit bids, the more subcontractors risk losing out on valuable revenue opportunities. Manual methods and locally installed desktop software can slow down takeoff processes, and many digital solutions currently on the market can be overly complex and not user-friendly.
Takeoff Core relieves bottlenecks in the pre-construction workflow with automation that makes measuring and estimating faster and more accurate than traditional methods. It features a simple, user-friendly interface and intuitive measuring tools, so getting started is hassle-free.
“We wanted to create an easy-to-use tool that helps subcontractors jumpstart their takeoff in minutes,” says Darius Shafie, Product Manager at PlanHub. “Takeoff Core does not require extensive onboarding or additional user training, so subcontractors can create takeoffs in as little as 15 minutes.”
Accuracy is everything when it comes to takeoffs—manual takeoffs are more error-prone, and incorrect measurements can lead to insufficient (or excess) materials, costing difficulties, and lost project revenue. With Takeoff Core, subcontractors can modernize their takeoff process with a digital solution that helps mitigate risks by providing better takeoff accuracy than traditional pen and paper or outdated desktop solutions.
Takeoff Core offers subcontractors a centralized hub to manage their takeoffs in a single place simply by uploading projects and their associated files. Team members can see takeoff statuses and collaborate in real time, regardless of where they are located. And because Takeoff Core is cloud-based, there is no software to upgrade or make manual updates to—it easily scales as a business achieves growth.
"At PlanHub, our goal is to simplify preconstruction for everyone. Following overwhelming positive feedback from our subcontractor network using the new Takeoff Core, we are excited to make it available to all construction professionals, whether they have a contractor account with us or not. With Takeoff Core, we're giving contractors of all sizes powerful user-friendly tools to save time and work more efficiently," shares Ro Bhatia, CEO of PlanHub
About PlanHub
PlanHub is the data-driven platform transforming the preconstruction landscape within the construction industry. By empowering construction professionals with data insights and easy to use tools, PlanHub enables them to forge strong business relationships, streamline pre-construction processes, and make informed decisions effortlessly. PlanHub provides faster, simpler, and unmatched accuracy, laying a solid foundation for the rest of the construction process.https://planhub.com
Read More
Robotics and Automation, Engineering Tech
PR Newswire | August 23, 2023
FlowForma®, the leading provider of enterprise-class process automation tools for Microsoft 365®, is excited to announce that Breheny Civil Engineering are digitalising their business processes to overcome process challenges within their organisation using the award-winning FlowForma Process Automation tool
Breheny, a large-scale civil engineering firm, works on a wide range of projects including highways, marine, utilities, and environmental. In what is a highly regulated industry, the company sought a complete end-to-end process automation solution to digitalise its business processes within various departments of the organisation.
With an existing SharePoint environment already in place, the team needed a solution which could seamlessly slot into their current software stack. Having already compiled a detailed digitalisation plan with pain point processes ripe for automation, Breheny Civil Engineering soon discovered the 100% no code FlowForma Process Automation tool and knew they had selected the right option to digitalise both complex and simple business processes.
Procuring an easy-to-use process automation solution that could also be adopted quickly by employees was key for Breheny Civil Engineering. Featuring forms, workflow, and document generation all in one place, the FlowForma Process Automation tool is preferred by road, rail and highway construction firms for its ease-of-use, BIM compliance support, and unrivalled return on investment as processes are digitalised with speed, with most seeingresults within 6 weeks.
The business has taken its first steps on its digital transformation journey with 'Site Checklists,' 'Site Audits,' 'Plant Inspections' and 'Hot Works Permits' already fully automated, with approximately another 100 processes already identified for digitalisation across multiple departments.
Additionally, Breheny Civil Engineering are utilising the FlowForma Construction Process Accelerator which empowers users with a wide variety of ready-to-use, fully editable, process templates for digitalising common construction processes. The Construction Accelerator features process templates for addressing tasks such as: 'Field Change Request,' 'Concrete Pre-Pour Check Sheet,' 'Labour Requisition,' 'Materials Requisition,' 'Hot Work Permit,' 'Safety Observation,' and more.
"We have a lengthy list of use cases identified across the business for digitalisation. We are working with the FlowForma team on their SureStart onboarding program to help us ramp up quickly and deliver fast results. We are excited to work with FlowForma and the operational efficiencies their tool can provide for our entire organisation. It is a game changer for the business!" said a spokesperson at Breheny Civil Engineering.
Processes such as 'Concrete Pour' and 'Permit to Break Ground' have been identified to quickly improve visibility and governance site-wide, with 'Site Diaries' and 'Inspection Reports' processes also in the pipeline for development.
As with any large-scale construction organisation, collaboration is a common challenge. Employees are deployed across multiple offices or on-site in disparate locations, often remotely, with little to no connectivity to get work completed. As a result, the FlowForma Mobile App has become a key component in the toolbelt of firms across the industry thanks to its clever offsite capability, allowing processes to be completed and uploaded later when back online.
Olivia Bushe, Chief Executive Officer, FlowForma added: "The construction industry is an area where FlowForma is assisting multiple organisations to overcome current challenges such as the labour skills shortage, project over runs, and resiliency across the sector, producing huge results. Going forward, Breheny Civil Engineering will be much more efficient and productive with enhanced visibility of what stage each business process is at. Teams will have much more insight into project timescales and budgetary elements. The complete audit trail will also ensure compliance requirements are met."
About Breheny Civil Engineering
Established in 1963, Breheny is one of the largest family-owned civil engineering companies in the UK, with over 400 employees and a plant fleet containing over 3,000 items of plant and equipment.
Breheny Civil Engineering has developed to provide civil engineering services to almost two-thirds of the UK from its offices in Suffolk, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Hampshire, and Oxfordshire.
About FlowForma
FlowForma, the leading provider of Process Automation tools for Microsoft 365® is revolutionising the construction industry with an innovative approach to developing award-winning products that empower users to create and streamline processes smarter and faster, utilising the familiar SharePoint platform, without any coding.
FlowForma is a Microsoft Gold Partner with over 200,000 global users of its product. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with offices in New York, Boston, and London, FlowForma is motivated by its values to innovate, evolve, and achieve with employees, customers, and partners.
Read More
Engineering Tech
PR Newswire | August 28, 2023
Michael Baker International, a global leader in engineering, planning and consulting services, announced today that the firm has acquired Tidal Basin, a leading comprehensive emergency and disaster management consulting firm. Tidal Basin will continue to operate as a stand-alone entity and will complement Michael Baker's efforts to support the nation's recovery efforts and rebuild infrastructure to be safer and more resilient.
"We are excited to welcome Tidal Basin as a sister company to Michael Baker. This relationship is a tremendous opportunity for the two firms to work closely together to drive more value for a shared client base that encompasses more than 90 locations across the country," said Thomas J. Campbell, Chairman of Michael Baker International and Founder and Managing Partner of DC Capital Partners. "Both firms bring added strength to the market with complementary resources and capabilities to take on larger resiliency projects while delivering the exceptional client service for which they are known."
This new relationship pairs the depth and breadth of Michael Baker's engineering and consulting expertise with Tidal Basin's extensive experience and comprehensive suite of services relative to preparedness, mitigation, response, recovery and program management - which are increasingly important as public and private entities contend with volatile climate activity and man-made emergencies. Tidal Basin has served as a vital resource during times of crisis, including public health emergencies and other unforeseen events. Working more closely together will allow both firms to provide even stronger program and technical management expertise and resources to clients, including governments, businesses and communities.
Michael Baker and Tidal Basin have a history of working together on projects throughout the country, including planning projects targeting wildfires in California and infrastructure projects in Colorado and New York. The new relationship between the firms creates many avenues to leverage synergies and growth opportunities across Michael Baker's five distinct verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). Growth opportunities exist through the strong relationship both organizations have with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), while pursuing additional business across all Federal agencies. This includes expanding relationships with federal civilian agencies, state and local entities, departments of transportation nationwide as well as projects in the broadband services, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and geographic information systems (GIS) sectors, among others.
Tidal Basin is led by founder and CEO Daniel A. Craig, a leader with extensive experience with FEMA and the disaster consulting and post-disaster recovery industries. He has advised the White House and more than a dozen governors and state administrations on recovery, housing, and long-term economic recovery strategies. Mr. Craig also served as a presidentially appointed Associate Administrator for FEMA's Recovery Division where he was responsible for overseeing the federal government's recovery efforts on all presidentially declared events including the Space Shuttle Columbia crash, the wildfires of 2003, and the hurricanes of 2004 and 2005. Mr. Craig is supported by a deep team of industry experts and experienced professionals including Amy K. Baker, Executive Vice President, Government Consulting; Melissa J. Gordon, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions and Stephen T. Surace, President and Chief Financial Officer. Currently, the Tidal Basin team is leveraging its technology enabled solutions to expedite recovery efforts related to the tragic Maui wildfires.
The McLean Group acted as financial advisor and Davis Wright Tremaine LLP acted as legal advisor to Tidal Basin in connection with the transaction. Arnold & Porter, LLP acted as transaction counsel and White & Case, LLP acted as debt counsel to DC Capital.
About Michael Baker International
Michael Baker International is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services spanning five distinct Verticals: Infrastructure, Design-Build Services, Federal Programs and Services, Consulting and Technology Solutions (CTS) and Sustainable and Resilient Solutions (SRS). The firm's Practices encompass all facets of infrastructure, including design and civil engineering for diverse bridge, highway, water, rail and transit and aviation projects, as well as planning, architecture, environmental and construction and program management. For more than 80 years, the company has been a trusted partner to clients, providing comprehensive services and solutions, delivering expertise and quality, and embracing emerging technologies and the latest innovations – like intelligent transportation, engineered models and public safety software as a service (SaaS).
Read More