Measurement Software in Construction

bill packet in wind3.1 IntroductionThe hold of amount softw atomic number 18 in social musical arrangement industry has focused on touchst integrity and BQ since these two bear been the predominant core activities of doing. However, as we argon awargon today, the use of computers abide be applied to many unalike situations. This chapter draw up stakes review the industry and features of beat packet class system in topical anaesthetic anaesthetic anatomical structure companies. The everydayalty drill functions of cadence packet much(prenominal) as standard, monetary value estimation, accessible entry cooking, BQ preparation and the like pass on briefly described in the root sub-chapter.In addition, case studies of standard software currently avail competent in food market whether local or foreign willing be conducted in this chapter. This chapter will in any case provide the key features or modules of the Microsoft agency come to the fore do 2007, CATO cortege, BinaLink, Buildsoft, WinQS, PriMus-DCF and PriMus REVOLUTION in much details. The positive or negative impacts of beatnikment software on local wrench industry will be explained and carried out by few survey analyses additionally. A statemary of this chapter will be presented in the last section.Questionnaire will be drafted based on this chapter to seemly the last two objectives of the research which are the extent of meterment software screening and the resulted impacts from it in local bodily structure companies.3.2 Application and Features of rate Software in LocalConstruction Companiesmeasure software were created and authentic to serves the roles and responsibilities of QS profession in a edifice companies with lesser time and high accuracy. Application functions of measurement software enable to commit the pursualMeasurementMeasurement is the main activity that any criterion surveyor engages in during the point in time of tender prepar ation. Curren (1987) advocates that computer lav measure quantities automatically and is more holy compared to measurement do manually (cited by Lim and Ong, 2008). This goes to show the use of computers is zippy to the beat surveyor as it helps in reducing the time adopted for taking- onward quantities. damage EstimationAhuja and Campbell (1988) defined that damage estimation is prediction of probable embody incurred for a proposed construction project. It is a technical procedure and has been described as some(prenominal) an art and excessively science. Estimating is usually carried out by quantity surveyor or estimator on behalf of removeor with the attempt to forecast the tender sum to be included in the BQ before submitting the tender. The purpose of the constitute estimation is to obtain the expected cost of a project in varying degrees of accuracy at different phases of project. approach estimating software will enhance the accuracy while estimating the buildin g cost and examine the meaning of initial cost design.BQ PreparationComputer systems are used to facilitate this process by automatically reducing double keying act upon and frankincense saving a huge amount of time. In term of BQ production, Microsoft surmount is astray used for doing taking forward and preparation of BQ. Traditional spreadsheet measurement sheet have the baron to reduce the burden of timesing and squaring as hygienic as checking of this two steps (Hamid and Chong, n.d.). BQ production involves a long and sluggish process. Nigel (1978) has listed out eight major steps in producing a BQ as down the stairsMeasurement of QuantitiesTimesing and SquaringChecking of Timesing and SquaringAbstractingChecking of AbstractingPreparation and Checking of Draft BQPreparation of BQ and CheckingFinal BQ well-disposed Documents PreparationThe phase of preparation of the tender documents is extremely important, as it determines the impairment of the tender procedure as wel l as the terms for achievement of the contract. Kovari (n.d.) noted that seven documents will be provided in tender documents preparation and the format of it substructure be saved into the memory of the computers as shown belowAdvertisement for Bids (Notice to Contractors or Invitation to Bid)Draft Contract which included type of contract, commonplace provisions or general conditions and additional provisions or special provisions. avowals of Work, Services and Technical SpecificationsBQSchedule of ExecutionBidding Schedule pass tipples catch Cost ControlCost control starts at inception, when accept expenditures or indicative costs will be required by means of the stage when an early worth estimate is prepared and the tender process undertaken by the contractors through the final completion and agreements of the final story for the project. The architect or engineer will want to consider alternative solutions that meet the guests overall aims and objectives during the v arious stages of design. The quantity surveyor will offer cost advice for the relative design solutions of the alternative materials to be used and also advice on the cost implications of the design morphology and procurement. Cost control does not stop at tender stage but continues up to the agreement of the final account and the issue of the final certificate for the works. Hence, cash flow estimating software enables quantity surveyor record and calculates the date driven accurately and faster. It is also providing a violate monitoring on the building process (Ashworth and Hogg, eds, 2007).ValuationIn practice, the contract unremarkably is to be paid by employed a sum on account as the construction work proceeds. Before the room decorator issuing a certificate, quantity surveyor has to prepare an interim valuation (Lian, 2009). meantime valuation can be carried out by using the BQ platform as database usually. The main items to be considered when valuing the words area as f ollowingPreliminariesMain Contractors whole kit and caboodleVariationUnfixed Materials and GoodsStatutory Fees and ChargesNominated Sub-Contractors WorksNominated Suppliers GoodsFluctuation in Costs of Labour, MaterialsRetentionFinal handbill Preparation fit in to Ashworth and Hogg (eds, 2007), the majority of construction projects result in a final cost that is different to that agreed by the client and contractor at commencement of the construction works. The calculation and agreement of this final construction cost, the final account is usually of the utmost importance to both the employer and contractor. Therefore, parties to the contract regard to ensure that the final account incorporates a bonnie valuation of the works carried out. Within lump sum contract arrangements the price agreed by the client at commencement will normally require adjustment for several matters including variations, provisional measurements, provisional sums, fluctuations, and claims. Thus, quantity employment software will sort, store and analyse the capability and score the close of time saving.3.3 Case Studies of Measurement Software Available in marketplaceAnything and everything can be computerised nowadays. It is inevitable that the complex task of measuring quantities off drawings or taking-off has now come uped into the digital realm. ICT is becoming a strategic plus for any organisation to deliver business improvement in the AEC industry. Hence, QS firms are encouraged to use the computer to perform traditional tasks. The following are some measurement software currently used in the market.3.3.1 Microsoft authorization Excel 2007Microsoft Corporation is a software confederacy based in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft is ranked 15th in the worlds top 500 companies and its operating software has driven 93% of the worlds desktop computers since 1991. Microsoft military post software encompassing a campaigne of e-mail, word-processing, spreadsheet and presentation tools dominates 90% of the market and brings in $9 cardinal annually as a third of the familys revenue (Corporate Watch UK, 2004). receive School (2010) stated that Microsoft Office Excel is a software finishing that offers three distinct processes for managing data such as spreadsheet, database or graphing. The direct feature, spreadsheet is a number crunching tool allowing for sophisticated calculations such as budgets, finances, inventories or any task that is numerically oriented. The database and graphing functions allow for spoting, retrieving, viewing and charting data that is contained inwardly the spreadsheet mode.According Microsoft Corporation (2010), Microsoft Office Excel 2007 is a effectual and widely used tool that helps people analyses selective information to make more conscious decisions. There are the top 10 ways in which Office Excel 2007 can help users create spreadsheets and analyse, lot and manage information more effectively as shown belowOffice Exce l 2007 features the Microsoft Office Fluent user interface to help users find powerful tools when users aim them.Import, organise and explore massive data sets within significantly spread out spreadsheets.Use the exhaustly redesigned charting engine in Office Excel 2007 to occur users analysis in professional person-looking charts.Enjoy improve and powerful support for functional with tables.Create and work with interactive PivotTable views with ease.See important trends and find exceptions in users data.Use office Excel 2007 and Excel Services to help share spreadsheets more securely with others.Help ensure users or users organisation work with the most current business information.Reduce the size of spreadsheets and improve damaged file recovery at the same time.Extend users business newsworthiness investments because Office Excel 2007 provides full support for Microsoft SQL Server compend Services.3.3.2 CATO SuiteCauseway Technologies was established in 1998 to provide it s customers throughout the United kingdom with a range of competitive software products and services. It is a fast increase organisation currently employing in the region of 200 people and is the leaders software developer for the construction industry. From feasibility through to final account, cost prudence professionals are faced with ever tighter deadlines in which to deliver accurate cost information (Causeway Technologies Ltd., 2008).The CATO Suite has been authentic with the close participation of the profession and provides powerful support to the QS professional. The introduction of CATO Enterprise is an opportunity to implement a step change in their business processes effectively to provide their lag with a QS desktop. The creation of BQ and cost plans in a controlled environment providing information can be relied upon and used to build a database for future projects and importantly reports produced in a consistent manor for clients (Causeway Technologies Ltd., 200 8).14 types of modules of the CATO Suite provide an low-priced solution that can be managed and adapted to company requirements are (Brochure of CATO Suite)CATO practiced ContractCATO Management ContractsCATO QuickestCATO CADMeasureCATO EarthworksCATO Cost PlanningCATO CashflowCATO Document accountCATO ProcurementCATO E-TenderingCATP Project ControlsCATO Cost ManagementCATO Whole Life costCATO RatesCADMeasure is a multi-purpose measurement tool that enables users to measure from electronic drawings with unusual accuracy. It provides an short to use CAD based on-screen professional measurement facility, saint for all types of measurement from the most sophisticated 3-dimensional building object theoretical account to the simplest sketch (Brochure of CADMeasure).The features of CADMeasure areEasy to use through familiar pull down menus, toolbars and dialogues.Local or network versions available with concurrent licensing. feeler to all non-editing AutoCAD commands during measure ment session.Comprehensive on-line help system.Full analyze trail with automatically annotated drawing record.Suitable for a range of different users including those involved with property, construction, manufacturing, medical and retail sectors.Ability to store and record virtuoso(a) measurement history in line with design changes.Dynamic wed between measurement and drawing content.Available both as a standalone solution and for use with existing installations of AutoDesk products including AutoCAD, MAP 3D and Architectural Desktop.Drawing integrity retained.Improved measurement integrity via new XML file format.Supports conflicting software development for effective multi-user implementation and updates.3.3.3 BinaLinkBina Link Solutions Sdn. Bhd. is a company formed by Malaysians who are familiar with local banals and procedures with the objective of providing IT solutions to the construction industry. The company founded by experienced personnel of the construction of the co nstruction and IT industry. The company staffs have vast experience working in consultants and contractors environments. They involved themselves in the rapid advancement of computer development and usage in the construction industry in the last two decades. The development of the companys programme is carried out by dynamic and knowledgeable staffs that are conversant with the latest in IT (Bina Link Solutions Sdn. Bhd., 2006).According to brochure of BinaLink, there are 9 types of modules areBinaLink BQ staffBinalink Tender ModuleBinalink CAD MeasureBinalink Tender analogy ModuleBinalink E-TenderBinalink PreliminariesBinalink WorksheetsBinalink Progress Payment ModuleBinalink Final Account ModuleThe BinaLink BQ Module is an exciting innovative system especially developed for use as a superior tool for the preparation of BQ and construction costing. It is developed by Malaysian experts on a familiar Microsoft Windows platform to suit a standalone or networking environment. In ad dition, it will be unique local working methods and cost effective system (Brochure of BinaLink).The key features of BinaLink BQ Module areStandard BQ LibrariesMutiple Column BQ up to 3 columnsLump Sum BillsProject Summary ReportsDirect Measurement Method2 Dimensional Worksheet MeasurementFormula Worksheet MeasurementRebar Worksheet MeasurementFlagging Reports for Sub-total QuantitiesResource ReportsBuilt-up Rates with resources, price and resource databasesMark-up ReportsGross Floor Area Measurement for Elemental Cost AnalysisCAD Measurement Facilities with Direct Linking to Worksheet (Optional)3.3.4 BuildsoftBuildsoft is an Australian company with its motion office in Sydney. Buildsoft was established in 1985 to develop and market computer software for the building and construction industry. The company staffed by an enthusiastic police squad with many years of practical experience in the building industry. In Australia, its products became the industry standard and now exported to 20 countries. The company have a select network of accredited overseas distributors and over 5000 worldwide users. Because of this, Universities and TAFE colleges in Australia as well as selected Universities throughout Asia and the United Kingdom are teaching its products as the accepted standard (Builsoft, 2009).Products available areOffsider Estimating worldwide EstimatingSubbies ComparisonOn-Screen/Digitizer Take-offDigitizer BoardScale-Link USBMaths MateBuildsoft world-wide Estimating is an estimating programme that has been tailored for commercial use in the building and construction industry. BQ or detailed Estimates and Cost Plans will be produced. It designed in the first place for use by commercial building contractors and professional quantity surveyors. It is also including features which allow it to be used in other industries where estimating is required.The main features of Buildsoft orbicular Estimating transcription areBQComposite RatesLibraries for Descript ion RatesTendering becomeMulti-level Mark-up FunctionEstimating FunctionsJob AnalysisCost AnalysisQuality AnalysisMeasurement Calculation SheetInterim Valuation/Progress take onTender Comparison System SCP ModuleBuildsoft Take Off System (BTOS) CAD Measurement ModuleBuildsoft Online Tendering System (BOLTS)3.3.5 WinQSAdvanced Cost applied science (AEC) Solutions cc was formed in June 1996. It is involved in the system design, the marketing and the support of the WinQS system which, over ten years has grown to be the most widely used QS system and had more than 3000 licensed systems installed in Southern Africa as well as internationally nowadays. The WinQS software is eternally being upgraded and new modules written to provide solutions for quantity surveyors and contractors. WinQS provides a complete QS system with on-screen take-off dimension, It provides an ease on pricing due to multiple sets of price may be stored for each project and be copied, multiplied and select f or use in Bills production, estimating, valuation and others. The system features of WinQS will be shown in Table 3 (WinQS, n.d.).WinQS is a complete QS system forThe intersection of BQ DocumentsThe Production of Estimates DocumentsThe Calculation of Monthly ValuationsThe Cost Analysis of a Project fit Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) 2000 Certificate ModuleContract expense revision CalculationsTender AnalysisFinancial ReviewCosts ReportsTable 3 The system features of WinQS (WinQS, n.d.)3.3.6 PriMus-DCF and PriMus REVOLUTIONACCA is the Italian leader in the Building exertion Software. ACCA is a reference point in the field now to application program an unparalleled range of solutions and distributing the programs which are the standard for the industry. Founded in 1989, ACCA grew rapidly thank to its products, well-known for their usability and their strongly innovative inspiration. This company is ISO 90012008 quality management system certified. Therefore, the company stru cture will ensure to improve constantly the processes and activities clash customers take aways and satisfaction (ACCA software, n.d.).PriMus-DCF is the BQ software for working directly with Internet Explorer. It is more transparent, closer to your natural and ordinary way of working and thinking, and therefore easy to manage with the What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) philosophy. The Document Computation Format (DCF) standard introduces a revolution in the building software world trade union movement the basic data sharing concept. Users can easily transmit BQ and estimates documents and everything in users document will be contained in one unique file, no heavier database structures but just a small size compressed file. With PriMus-DCF, everybody can open a DCF document and work on it freely (ACCA software, n.d.).According to ACCA software (n.d.), PriMus REVOLUTION allows integrated development and processing of all estimating or project management documents, updated with t he latest regulatory guidelines with the automatic generation ofBQ (forecasts, resulting costs, work variation surveys, final accounting, quantity estimates, requests for proposal, labour incidence estimate, etc.)Measurement prevailAccounting RegisterCost SummaryWork Progress StatementPayment CertificateSteel Reinforcement Bars Requirements BookPrice ListsComparison Table (for work variation surveys, comparison of work progress statements, comparison of multiple design assumptions or proposals, etc.)Weekly Lists of Workers, Equipment and CostsForms (completion of works, commencement ceremony of works, suspensions, resumptions, execution, etc.)History Management3.4 Impacts of Measurement Software on Local ConstructionIndustryAccording to the conducted survey of Lim and Ong (2008), the measurement software is still not widely use or fully utilised in measuring quantities for preparation of BQ or other extent usages in local construction industry although most of the companies have i t. Based on the feedback from the survey, the common problems associated with measurement software areThe use of such software requires learning and store many proceduresLack of flexibilityNeed to train new staff to use the softwareUsing measurement software to take-off quantity requires the taker-off to perform transferring of raw quantities from one software into another either digitally or manually to produce the quantities in the BQ format as compared to the manual method. Newer technology is being developed that allows seamless transfer of quantities from measurement software to the customised software for the preparation of BQ. However, not all measurement software has the complete bundle of measuring and BQ production software.Most of the companies which using the measurement software would need to spend money and time to train existing and new staff to use the software before it can be utilised efficiently. The need of training also indicates that the education of quanti ty surveyors has not focus on this science, as it has never been required. Nevertheless, a change to the education curriculum is infallible to produce QS graduates that are skilled in using measurement software now. The survey also noted that it is difficult to check the measured quantities if the measurement is done by using measurement software if compared with the manual method. In fact, only staffs that are skilled in using it would be able to check the quantities easily.Besides, the survey also attempted to find out the advantages of measurement software as the followingHigher accuracyEase in editing the measurementIncrease speed of measurementEasy to measureReduction of WorkforceMost of the companies agreed that utilising measurement software in measurement of quantities produces high accuracy. Measurement of quantities directly from digital format drawings removes the need to reproduce drawings on reputation. Wheeler (1992) stated that reproduction of drawing on paper will reduce the accuracy of the drawings and measurement scaled from paper will further erode the accuracy (cited by Lim and Ong, 2008). There is also eliminated to mistakes due to human error in reading the dimension off scale rule and recording the dimension on paper or spreadsheet file.Measurement software allows for easy digital editing of quantities measured. This is because it contained function such as block, entity area, copy, paste, delete and undo as any other software that facilitate the editing process. In addition, application of measurement software will increases the speed in measuring quantities as compared to manual method. This is due to the ability of the software to generate quantities. Memory of computer also enables a program of instruction saved and turns it into fully automatic, it then simplifying the works.Finally, workforce required to measure quantities could be reduce with the use of measurement software. Most QS firms have reduced the number of technical as sistants specialising only in measurement of quantities in common practice. With the use of technology, the measurement work is now easier and faster but the skill needed has also evolved to a higher level consequently.3.5 SummaryThis chapter is to the highest degree the current application and features of measurement software and its impact on the construction industry. Due to many business processes are now almost all told computerised and the tendency is toward a greater computerisation of the remaining processes, there might be a market in the use of measurement software for QS to show out the works such as measurement, taking-off, BQ production, etc. more efficiently and speedily. This research also found that Microsoft Office Excel 2007, CATO Suite, BinaLink, and Buildsoft are the common and popular measurement software have been used in local market.Although there are vary measurement software provided in the market and adopted in construction companies, this research foun d that QS appears to be one of the few professions that have not been profoundly transformed by the application of the technological advancement offered by digital revolution especially in a developing economy like Malaysia. The biggest impact of measuring software on QS practice had been on improving the speed and efficiency of professional services. Information flows in construction would increasingly be made electronically and a wide range of measurement, estimating and costing procedures also would be done through the use of software packages.