POWER CONSTRUCTION
| "I hear a lot that there are things you just can't see. Synchro allows us to take the model, assemble it, put it to a schedule and analyze it. Synchro helps visualize potential problems and allows you to better assess the situation at any given time." -- Jim Schrader, BIM Manager Power Construction Company, LLC |
The firm serves five private-sector client types with more complex projects:
- Corporate : office, R&D, data center, distribution, parking deck, light manufacturing, training, conference, clean room, fitness, food service
- Developer: mixed-use, office, residential, hotel, distribution, medical office, outpatient, retail, entertainment, fitness, senior living, athletic, classroom, lab, residence, central plant, conference, data
- Education: center, fitness, food service, library, office, parking, performing arts, retail
- Healthcare: full range of acute care and outpatient facilities
- Hospitality: guest rooms, ballroom, conference center, lobby, administration, parking, fitness, pool, restaurant, food service, retail, senior living.
Power is intent upon gaining the many advantages of business information modelling to exceed expectations and gain repeat business from which more than 90% of Power's workload is awarded.
The Contractor
Founded in 1926 in Chicago, Power Construction Company, LLC is an 82-year old management-owned commercial construction company with a unique business model.
Power has chosen to limit its geographic reach to just the greater Chicago area. With more than $500 million in revenue each year, Power is the largest builder working exclusively in this region.
In its 82-year history, Power Construction has never been in litigation for performance matters with any client, architect or subcontractor.
Synchro Applications
Power is using Synchro primarily for construction site logistics after developing 4D construction models from shop drafts.
Jim Schrader likes the ease of use of Synchro, especially when it comes to updating files, in order to gain the benefits of 4D business information modelling.
Since November 2007 he has used Synchro at his previous company on multiple projects in healthcare, school and hotel construction projects for site logistics and scheduling prior to his coming to Power, where he introduced Synchro for BIM management.
Synchro has found a place in Power's strategic plan for virtual project management and scheduling. He is able to track through utilization the predicted and actual schedules as well as use it for site logistics. He sees value in Synchro 4D for soft clash detection.
In 2009, Jim plans to roll-out Synchro Server further to enhance site logistics for Power Construction.
Specification
Jim values the way in which the Synchro graphic engine works with its speed and the excellent ability to manipulate the file with scheduling in 4D.
With his training as an architect, Jim prefers to build the schematic model in 3D first and then link it to scheduling.
Further, he cites "huge benefits in the object engine of Synchro."
Power Construction uses the Synchro software application for a number of reasons:
- Power wants to build and rigorously test their construction models in 4D.
- It wants to be able to uncover potential problems early.
- The company uses Synchro to track and manage project scheduling.
- It deploys Synchro to manage site logistics in the field.
- Power has built Synchro into the strategic plan for its BIM and virtual construction management.
What Synchro Ltd Provides
- 4D simulation software
- Support for construction modelling techniques
- Ongoing technical support, advice and upgrades for the software.
Synchro has become a useful tool for BIM construction model development and analysis.
- Visualize potential problems with the construction model created from digitized shop drawings.
- Schedule, track and re-schedule projects quickly and easily.
- Manage site logistics efficiently in real-time in the field.
- Optimize the many benefits of business information modelling with technology designed for it.
"Synchro is extremely user-friendly," said Jim Schrader. "It's the best 4-D scheduling asset around."
To play a brief YouTube training clip about Synchro's 4D BIM construction software, simply click here.
How can Synchro help your company gain the many advantages of BIM?
These three organisations, all with more than 20 years’ experience, have developed integrated project controls for hundreds of projects in Australia and overseas. Individually acknowledged as industry leaders, they bring together extensive knowledge, experience and expertise in designing and implementing highly effective project management and project controls solutions. Fortior Global remains privately owned and is headquartered in Melbourne, with offices in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane. The company has more than 1,300 clients across Australia and New Zealand and are the largest national provider of training, support, implementation and high-skilled industry practitioners for integrated project controls.
Fortior Global was created following the merger of three project controls implementation specialists, Primavera Australia, PCS Pty Ltd and Project Management Solutions (Australia).
