Vela Systems Announces Extension to Field BIM® Product: Field BIM-Interactive™

July 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Since its pioneering work on the New Meadowlands Stadium in 2008, Vela Systems has continued to innovate in the area of Field BIM®-using Building Information Model data out on the jobsite for processes like material and progress tracking, commissioning, handover and operations of facilities. Vela Systems today announced the next leap forward in capabilities with its upcoming launch of Field BIM-Interactive™. Field BIM-Interactive will enable teams to bring the visual model with them, out to the point of construction, and use it to execute on work. Field BIM-Interactive will support multiple model formats and run on iPads. The pre-release version of the product will be demonstrated at the AGC BIMForum in Chicago, IL on July 19th and 20th. Slated for Beta release later this fall, interested parties can sign up to be notified when Field BIM-Interactive is available.

Like the other parts of the Vela Systems Field Management Suite, Field BIM-Interactive has been built with the field user in mind. Key features include the ability for users to work online or offline and a simple interface that will allow users to put themselves "inside" the model. Projects may use many different types of models for different types of work. Field BIM-Interactive will support model files of various types including Autodesk Revit®, Autodesk Navisworks®, and Tekla Structures® in initial releases, with other model types including Bentley i-Model® to follow. Additionally, Field BIM-Interactive is more than a model-viewing platform. It will enable interaction with Vela's cloud-computing based software that manages object attributes and files linked to the model. Not all information will be stored in the BIM nor should it be. Vela Systems' cloud computing-based software extends BIM so its objects can be used to access data, documents and more. This combination of mobility and cloud-computing based software enables end-to-end execution of multiparty collaborative work processes such as:

   Commissioning of systems and equipment in the field with creation of a handover "facility management" model for the owner
   Update of installation progress during the course of construction
   QA/QC tracking on locations and model objects as inspections are completed
   Safety management from the model to the field for risk planning by work phase

Field BIM-Interactive meets an immediate need within the Vela Systems customer base and the industry at large. "Our customers have been asking us for the ability to interact with the visual aspects of BIM in the field, in a simple way that ties to our field workflows. They want to put themselves in the model to see what should be built, confirm what was built is correct, see behind walls and through ceilings to what should be in place, and interact with object data, including links to documents and more. As we like to say, 'you can't print BIM' and 'you can't walk around in 2D.' Field BIM-Interactive will enable end users to bring the BIM with them and put themselves inside it, merging the physical world with the virtual one," said Tim Curran, Vela Systems CEO.

And Vela Systems customers agree.

   "The development of lightweight BIM model viewers for the iPad, linked to intelligent data stored in the cloud, marks the beginning of a new era of field mobility," said Albert Zulps, AIA, LEED AP, VDC Director, Skanska USA Building.
   "The introduction of Vela Systems' Field BIM-Interactive product can open up new ways for us to leverage models we are already creating during construction and even extend their life beyond, as a handover deliverable to the owner that is interactive in the field. We are excited to start using it." Jason Reece, Sr. Manager - Technology & Process Development, Balfour Beatty.
   "Barton Malow's partnership with Vela Systems extends for over two years on a variety of projects. The ability to streamline our construction and commissioning processes by accessing, viewing, and updating BIM data in the field provides a great first step in creating real value for the Owner while minimizing traditional wasteful construction processes. We are excited that Vela has listened to our requests to bring both data and the visual aspects of the model to the field." Jason E. McFadden, Project Manager, Barton Malow Company
   "BIM is the way we do business at Barton Malow. It is really important to take the planning and coordination that is done in the trailer out into the field. Using the same views helps to streamline the process and effectively execute the work being put in place. We have already been using Vela to gather field generated data such as serial numbers to increase object intelligence." Corinne Ambler, Sr. Project Engineer, Barton Malow Company
   "Simple integration between data and geometry for the field. Even the possibility is exciting. Vela's future iPad offering could be the next step in our quest for flawless execution." Laura Handler, Director of VDC, Tocci Building Corporation

Sign up to be notified when Field BIM - Interactive Beta product will be available at http://www.velasystems.com/field-bim-interactive-signup/

# # #

About Vela Systems
Vela Systems revolutionizes the construction industry by changing the way work in the field is done and managed. Vela Systems provides field management software for construction. Unlike carrying pads of paper and tubes of drawings on the jobsite, Vela Systems combines mobile technologies at the Point of Construction® with reporting for management. Using Vela Systems measurably improves the quality and profitability of projects and companies. Construction happens in the field - Manage it.™ For additional information, visit www.velasystems.com. Vela Systems encourages construction professionals to try the Vela Field Management Suite for themselves to see how they can revolutionize the way they do and manage their work.

Media contact:

Jeff Scholes
Scholes Marketing
Phone: 978-884-9319
Email: jeff@scholesmarketing.com