From Structural Engineer to Software Developer?

First of all: FCP stays a consulting engineering office and will not become a software developer to its full extent. FCP started to establish BIM in building projects more than ten years ago and has continuously expanded the business segment towards digital engineering, but clearly sets itself apart from software producers. “As structural engineers we know where the problems are and what a digital platform must offer so that everybody likes using it”, continued Mr. Denk. “We use the available software solutions and reasonably link them with each other. Thus, we have created a use-friendly tool for digital cooperation for the construction sector.”

The DPU resulted from an internal FCP innovation competition where more than 50 ideas were submitted by FCP employees. The DPU as winning project by Thomas Rabl supports the cooperation in BIM projects and minimizes access hurdles with BIM. For this purpose, Thomas Rabl has linked so-called interfaces (APIs) for BIM applications with other software programs. These interfaces can be individually adjusted to the respective project. For special applications FCP programs individual apps tailor-made for particular needs of the customer. Apart from the development of the software solution, FCP supports the client up to the successful conclusion of the project. The training effort is kept low and the running project costs for software utilization are clearly reduced. Basically, you can say that with the DPU up to 75 % of costs for usual CDE-software (Common Data Environment) can be saved.
 

A Platform with Many Functions

The DPU uses Microsoft Teams for complete workflows and a transparent, traceable communication. Thanks to the intuitive MS Teams interface used by many project partners already, user-friendliness and user experience are increasing. The DPU therefore enables end-to-end documentation and tracking of tasks, facilitates data exchange and optimizes workflows. Every task is recorded, scheduled, assigned to a person and only concluded when it is completed. Logs are saved as PDF so that no information is lost. Quality control also takes place in the familiar MS Teams environment. BIM functionality is also directly integrated in the user interface and thus the digital building model is available on every device and for all project participants – also on the building site.
 

With Fewer Clicks to Project Success

The DPU results in considerable cost benefits for building owners and the use of BIM is possible without any previous knowledge. In addition, building owners get full safety due to the transparency and traceability of the data and an insight into project progress any time. Construction companies and planners profit from the practical project environment on the computer and from the digital twin both on the building site and in the operation in buildings. Additional consultants can be integrated into the project process more easily subsequently. Depending on the project the interface of the DPU can be adapted in order to be able to efficiently work with the BIM model. In this process digitization and sustainability go hand in hand as the DPU also supports the reaching of the ESG targets.

The DPU is already applied in some building projects. FCP has supported the clients from the beginning and involved the project partners in the planning process. Here the DPU is applied to its full extent and in all fields of services from preliminary design up to execution.

Michael Herbek, head of project development of the BUWOG Group GmbH said, “As innovation driver we are constantly searching for new ways to optimize our processes. The Digital Project Universe in connection with BIM is an essential part of our digitization strategy and creates a completely digital work environment. It was important to us to be on board as a partner already during the development of the DPU. Consequently, we could define and immediately integrate our requirements internally as builder and developer as well as externally as client of designers and building companies by means of pilot projects, i.e., in a real project environment.”

Further information: www.dpu.fcp.at