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Solution

GRAITEC has helped BIM3 get up and running with the software quickly, delivering in-depth training programmes on Autodesk® Revit® MEP, BIM software for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, and project review software, Autodesk® Navisworks®. GRAITEC has taken BIM3’s team through from an essential capability right through to advanced levels. That has been key as around 90% of BIM’s projects today use Revit MEP, and most also use Navisworks.

More broadly, BIM3 now has nearly 50 licences of the Autodesk Architectural Engineering and Construction (AEC) software collection, which includes both Revit MEP and Navisworks and a range of other construction design software tools. It also has 30 licences, again sourced from GRAITEC, of what is now known as BIM Collaborate Pro (previously known as BIM 360 Design) to help deliver a collaborative BIM environment, not just internally but also across wider construction projects teams.

On most of its construction stage projects, BIM3 uses Fabrication MEP within Revit itself. It finds the libraries and content are more applicable to the level of detail it needs. It also continues to use Autodesk® AutoCAD® design software on some projects.

Across all these software solutions, GRAITEC provides BIM3 with ongoing high-quality Gold-level support. While the BIM3 team are experienced designers and have a high level of knowledge and understanding of the Autodesk software, this support has proved to be invaluable.

BIM3 has really been reaping the rewards from using the Autodesk software and from the training and support that GRAITEC has provided. Especially through the pandemic when working from home has become the norm, being able to leverage Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro has proved to be a major benefit for BIM3.

As Richard Hasell, director, BIM3, stated: “As with all design software, whenever a new version of software comes out, there can be some teething problems or issues that you can’t solve on your own. Having that gold level of cover means we have someone on the end of the phone who can either jump on and sort it out for us or escalate any queries or issues directly to Autodesk on our behalf. That’s been key as GRAITEC know who best to talk to in order to get fast answers to any queries we might have.”

The ability to seamlessly collaborate with all project stakeholders no matter where they have been based has proven to be invaluable. Travel and accommodation costs have been slashed. It has been easy to keep the wider project team up to date on progress and able to visualise future progress even without physical face-to-face meetings.

Getting project stages signed off quickly has also been much easier, and this has, in turn, driven productivity levels up. The ability to work together on projects using popular 3D design software like Revit and Navisworks has been key in fast-tracking the design work and driving operational efficiencies.

David Huke of GRAITEC pays tribute to the close working relationship between the two teams. “The way the two companies work complements each other well. There is a good mix of cultures,” he said. “They understand that we’re here to help them to help their business grow and be successful. We are successful because of their success. It’s
as simple as that. It really is a ‘win win’ situation for both
businesses.”