Planning Planet Newsletter

Dear Planning Planet Members,

Please find below some messages from our sponsors...

Asta Powerproject BIM and Site Progress Mobile now available worldwide

Asta Development is pleased to announce the release of the second version of Asta Powerproject BIM, which is now available worldwide.

Asta is also adding to the capability of the recently released Site Progress Mobile with the addition of a web application to allow browser access and the mobile app is now available worldwide as well.

To register for a webinar and find out more see [1]here [1]

Until now Asta Powerproject BIM and Site Progress Mobile have only been available in the UK and Ireland, but with these latest releases both are now being extended internationally through Asta’s global reseller network. To find your nearest Asta partner see here [2]

Asta Powerproject BIM was the first product to combine 3D models and scheduling in a single, affordable 4D application. Version 2 builds on its core capability to create and play 3D visualisations along a timeline by allowing users to:

Separate 3D objects in IFC models into a number of smaller 3D elements – in order to associate separate elements with tasks in a timeline to reflect the realities of construction
Split multiple times in 3 axes
Merge IFC elements into single objects to associate them as a whole with a project tasks, where they can be managed a single item or action
Assign build sequence to sub-sections for more accurate planning
Work with locally-stored IFC files, in addition to those in the ELECO BIMCloud® which adds offline capabilities in addition to existing cloud information sharing and file transfer

The enhancements also move the product further towards 5D functionality, by providing the ability to link to the Bidcon BIM estimation tool, which is newly introduced by Asta to the UK market. If costs relating to a 3D model (IFC format) have been entered into Bidcon and uploaded to the ELECO BIMCloud the cost information can now be imported directly into the Asta Powerproject project with which it is associated. This enables automatic consumable and permanent resource allocations to represent material and labour costs to be managed alongside and in sync with the master programme. This new version is available as an additional module in release 13.0.02 of Asta Powerproject.

Site Progress Mobile will have the addition of web browser access from 1st June, adding further improvement to an already flexible site progress reporting tool. Originally designed to be a mobile tablet and smartphone-centric tool, Asta users asked for the capability to be extended onto for use on PC and laptop as well as on iOS, Android and Windows Mobile – and the company has responded. Site Progress Mobile enables users to access secure Asta Powerproject files via the cloud, and work with them regardless of the availability of site WiFi or mobile data connectivity. It thus enables site progress to be recorded in real time, boosting accuracy and timeliness of reporting and assuring business visibility.

Netpoint 5 Beta Review

Santosh Bhat [3] at Australasian Project Planning recently got a copy of the beta version of Netpoint 5. Here what he had to say…

Introduction

For those not familiar with Netpoint or the Graphical Path Method, refer to more information on the Australasian Project Planning website here [4], or go direct to the source of all Netpoint and GPM information at PMA Technologies [5].

Background

Back in October 2014, I started a LinkedIn Group for Netpoint users [6] and made a post of enhancement suggestions for Netpoint. Unbeknownst to me, the PMA technologies team were well into making the next major release of Netpoint.

At the Netpoint & GPM Conference in January 2015, the features of Netpoint 5 were presented, and now having had a chance to trial a Beta release of Netpoint 5, I’ve put together the following article reviewing some of the main new features to help those who may be moving from earlier releases – or those who may need just a little nudge to try Netpoint for their organisations or projects.

Disclaimer

As can be expected, there are some limitations of this review, Netpoint 5 is still in Beta release, no doubt there will be further modifications before a final release. Also, NetRisk was not a part of this Beta Trial, so some of the enhancements to NetRisk are not reviewed.

Activity Sizes and Patterns

Netpoint 5 now allows setting of sizes and patterns for activities.

[7]

Hello!

EcoSys would like to invite you to one of our six Project Controls Seminars [8] taking place in the next few weeks. All of our seminars will touch on Project Controls best practices being used in industries spanning Oil & Gas and utilities through Transportation and IT. We will also discuss how EcoSys EPC, the standard for enterprise project controls software, helps realize these best practices.

We encourage all project controls professionals to attend! Registration is free.

City and Date	Guest Presenter	Registration
Paris - Wed 3 June	Technip	Register Today [9]
London - Thurs 4 June	Turner & Townsend / Thames Tideway	Register Today [10]
Washington D.C. - Thurs June 11		Register Today [11]
Dubai - Tues June 16	Petrofac	Register Today [12]
Toronto - Wed June 17		Register Today [13]
Montreal - Thurs June 18		Register Today [14]

We hope to see you at one of the events [8]!

Hello. You still reading?... good, good :)

Message from PMA technologies - You are a collaborator!

[15]

Depending on the context this could be a compliment or an insult. During the second world war the Nazi’s used local government leaders to help them impose their brutal regime on conquered countries. The most infamous of these is Vidkun Quisling from Norway. His name has now become synonymous with a sell out who betrays his own people. This is not the type of collaboration we seek in today’s interactive and dynamic workplace.

Planning Planet Newsletter - 28th May 2015