December 2013 - Issue 13   

 

  

A little over a year ago we took a gamble by investing in a BIM solution and rolling it out across our business.

 

Yes, BIM was being promoted quite heavily and the Government was upping the ante by mandating the use of 3D BIM for public projects from 2016, so it wasn't a complete shot in the dark. However we all know how easily Government decisions can change and being early adopters poses the risk of jumping on the wrong, and potentially rather expensive, bandwagon. It was a major commitment involving the software licences, a new server and supporting IT equipment as well as ongoing training along with the disruption that it inevitably caused to our normal business practices.

 

I won't pretend it was easy and there were times when I did wonder if we'd made the right decision, but as this year draws to a close I can now say with confidence that our gamble has paid off.

 

We've moved our solution to The Cloud so it can be more easily accessed from any of our UK locations or on-site. More critically, we now have a number of completed BIM projects under our belt with more in progress. As regular readers of this email will know there have been challenges and the process of education, both within our industry and with clients, continues, but BIM is now a key part of our service portfolio to such an extent that it has prompted us to restructure our business.

 

Of course we'll continue to offer what might be termed 'traditional' PQS services, but BIM gives us the opportunity to take on different projects, add more value, lower the risk profile of the business we take and differentiate ourselves by being a more responsive, agile and supportive practice. That translates into a stronger business that is better equipped to change, grow and profit as the industry around it evolves.

 

To return to the title of this email, if you have yet to adopt BIM is this the time to start the wheels rolling and embrace the now proven opportunity it offers in 2014? It's just the position we were in a year ago, but the difference is that back then the industry was only just waking up to BIM's potential and it was several months before a genuine BIM opportunity came our way.

 

Of course in some ways it's still early days so we're looking for partners to join us on future projects as, working with other BIM practices, we can offer an end-to-end service that is hard to find at the moment, giving us all competitive advantage.

 

That's my challenge to you. Are you ready to really embrace BIM as we have and make the most of the chance to be at the forefront of a technology that, without doubt, is changing the way we work? There'll be winners and losers along the way. I know which side DSG intends to be on!

 

So if you'd like to talk about partnering or perhaps discuss specific projects or other BIM-related issues I'd love to hear from you. Perhaps we can set up a meeting early in the new year?

 

In this last BIM update for 2013 we are releasing the tutorial video Vico Office Modules which gives an overview of the basics of the system we use. You can find all the previous videos on our website or YouTube channel. Click here to view videos 

 

Now it's just for me to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. 

 

Steven Gosling - Managing Director  

 

For more information about BIM please contact Bernadette Lord, our BIM Specialist on 01635 277670 or via email at BIM@dsgquantitysurveyors.co.uk
Our website has a lot of useful information on our BIM solution. Please click here to view. www.dsgquantitysurveyors.co.uk

DSG Quantity Surveyors provides support for clients across the UK from its head office in Newbury and regional offices in Coventry and Manchester. Founded as a traditional quantity surveying practice, we offer the full range of services based around traditional values and high levels of customer service. We were also one of the first practices to fully embrace BIM and now offer a 5D BIM solution, with skilled personnel that have a strong grasp of the technology as well as an understanding of the different approach that is needed to ensure the most effective application of BIM throughout the project.

Through investment in people, process and technology our mission is to provide the most effective, high quality service to every client. Whether it's a traditionally-based individual development or a complex, multi-million pound Government procurement contract delivered by a consortium of providers, we will apply the same rigorous approach from start to finish.

• Trust: our people have the skills and technology to handle any project.
• Value: we focus on continuous improvement to save you time and   money.
• Certainty: we have the national resources to ensure that we always deliver.

For the architect we ensure that the design process becomes more efficient, with greater control and tracking of modifications, whilst the client has a more accurate and clear view of the final building.
For the contractor we make sure that bills of quantity become more detailed and accurate, reducing waste and enabling more efficient, timely site management.
For the stakeholder we make it easier to assess the impact of changes before committing to them and there is greater confidence that the project will be delivered to specification, on time and within budget.

Our focus is always on seeking new ways to deliver greater value and this approach provides the best result at every stage of the construction lifecycle.

Thanks you for taking the time to read our latest BIM Update. I hope you have found it useful and interesting. Please email us should you require any specific help with a BIM project or more detail on any item in this issue.

Steven Gosling

DSG Quantity Surveyors 

Why not call us to discuss your next project on -

In This Issue

The winner of our Xmas 2013 Survey Hamper is Martin Dew

Interserve Construction Ltd.

Thanks to all those who took part. 

Catch up with past issues of our BIM Updates by clicking here and going to our Archive.  BIM Archive

Cadline Ltd is a Platinum Awarded Autodesk Partner specialising in the supply of innovative design technology and associated consultancy, integration and professional services covering Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Process and Plant and Structural Analysis.
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