Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2012

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2012 has been released:-

• New installation wizard to streamline the Autodesk Quantity Takeoff installation process and to compliment the Ultimate tier of the Autodesk Building Design Suite
• User Assistance (Documentation) transition to Web Help. Includes improved search capabilities and streamlined Help reference content
• Content value combinations such as Quantity 1, Quantity, 2, WBS, or No Label are now available for in-canvas takeoff objects from the Contextual Tools toolbar. Default settings are modified from the Project Settings dialog
• Legend Improvements: You can now select "Neither" as a quantity value. Units are now left-aligned and integers are right-aligned as expected. Decimals are also right-aligned and maintain alignment with decimal points
• Default units and currency can now be specified for all projects from the Project Setup Wizard.
• Square and cubic units will now be shown in exponential form such as m² and m³
• Perimeter is a General Model Takeoff property that will populate as a Quantity 2. Visible in areas such as Takeoff Item Properties, and as a column in the Workbook
• Assignment relationships are exported with catalogs, making them available for use in other projects
• You can now specifically duplicate groups without objects
• Descriptions for groups and their subgroups can be relabeled with the same label, label and number strings, or with just number strings
• Advanced print options are available from the Print dialog. These options include the ability to send data as bitmaps to the printer
• Negative dimension values are possible
• Different versions of QTO can now run concurrently (2012, 2011, and 2010 for example)
• Memory and performance enhancements

System Requirements (32-bit & 64-bit)

A single deployment cannot target both Microsoft Windows 32 and Microsoft Windows 64 operating system architectures. To target both architectures, two separate deployments must be created. This selection can be made in the Deployment Creation dialog.

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows XP Professional
Microsoft® Windows Vista®
Microsoft® Windows 7

Web Browser
Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7.0 or higher

Processor
Intel® Pentium® IV processor, 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor (or faster)
Multiple processors supported
Dual core supported

Memory (RAM)
2 GB (minimum)
4 GB (recommended)

Hard Disk
550MB free space

Display Resolution
1024 x 768 True Color (minimum)

Display Card
128 MB Video Adaptor Card (minimum)
256 MB or greater, Direct 3D compatible 3D Video Adaptor Card (recommended)

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh
Web Developer
Global Associates
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Latest & upcoming IT trends for construction industries for completing a project successfully

Tablets, apps, the cloud, and the Internet of Things are going to be playing a major role for construction industries.

In construction, tablets are the most important devices for many contractors and builders. The tablets facilitate users to evaluate project plans remotely, verify schedules, and reference contracts. As the tablets and apps walk off side by side, many construction software providers start to use or convert it for use in another format or product. The tablets have positively turned the jobsite more associated.

Cloud services are also widespreading extensively in construction industries. The cloud technology can be applied for the applications and business processes. By utilizing cloud service the construction professionals can accumulate and access vital documents from anywhere. Cloud-based solutions empower the construction professionals to work from any Web browser or mobile apparatus. It can also enhance the communication level between different team members.
Cloud technology is applied to execute site layout, grading, drainage, earthworks balancing and computations. A contractor is able to ensure the value engineering of a design or to verify if the site can be evaluated more competently. The cloud technology also assist to work together with the in-house 3D modeling staff or estimating professionals and encompass remote access to the data they generate—all from the jobsite, all via the Internet.

Now-a-days M2M (machine-to-machine).is being popular in construction industries. This technology comes in different forms that range from condition-based service monitoring technology in the field, RFID (radio frequency identification) to facilitate tracking equipment, materials, and even workers.

Useful links
CONSTRUCTION WITH CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
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Utilize Metrix model for effective software project duration estimation

Metrix is an easy to use stochastic model to be utilized for software project duration estimation. This model applies Monte Carlo simulation over an activity graph to deal with the project duration uncertainty.

Metrix model provides great advantages as it generates a probability distribution of the software project duration without any single estimate for duration.

Rather than focusing on probability distribution functions, Metrix model facilitates the historic duration estimation of the team members with the help of Monte Carlo simulation system.

The Metrix model remove the gap among the forecasted software project duration and the real project duration.

Metrix model can anticipate the delivery date of a project function of the chronological estimation miscalculations of the same team.

The Metrix model creates an intermission for the potential project durations and a possibility distribution. So one can view the probable project durations in conjunction with the probability that certain duration will materialize.

The components of Metrix model:-

Expertise-based component: The software developer will execute a task duration estimation to be followed with task completion.

Learning oriented component: The accurateness of estimations prevail as individual task duration estimations is mechanically adjusted with historical individual estimation errors.

Mathematical-statistical component: Monte Carlo simulation is utilized to facilitate the distribution of probability for the possible project duration.

Algorithmic component: the model contains input data with which several steps & consequences are repeated and the results are defined clearly in outputs.

By applying this model the project managers can achieve better control over the project duration, related probability of a certain duration outcome. Thus project uncertainty has been trim down to a great extent.

Metrix model applied the historic duration estimation of the team members. Similar models based on Monte Carlo simulations necessitate a duration probability distribution function for each task. The Metrix model easily eliminate the probability distribution.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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RS Means adds a wing to its cost database with the launch of 2012 Annual Cost Data Publications

RS Means, a trusted name in construction cost data, has been providing accurate and the latest information for construction professional. RS Means construction cost data is updated annually to avail up-to-date labor, materials and overhead costs for construction estimating projects.

RS Means adds a new update to its cost database by launching 2012 annual cost book series which contain wide-ranging data and cost estimating reference materials to provide protect against fluctuating costs and deliver more accurate estimates.

The latest update include the following features :-

Building Construction Cost Data 2012 Book: The addition of more than 23,000 unit costs of Building Construction Cost Data for building components along with new data featuring sustainable construction costs. This publication is arranged by the latest CSI MasterFormat 2010 system with restructured and developed cost data for estimating, planning and budgeting in 2012.

Assemblies Cost Data 2012: The 27th annual edition of RSMeans Assemblies Cost Data is arranged by the UNIFORMAT II classification system for reliable estimating and reporting. It contains all of the building components necessary to build up precise assembly level cost estimates, validate unit price estimates, and bring up to date reference information and cost-planning guidelines.

Electrical Cost Data 2012: Electrical Cost Data comes up with over 13,000 entirely modernized cost entries in line with the most recent products, materials, and electrical construction methods along with energy-saving light fixtures and devices, photovoltaic, and mass notification systems. The database acts as a resourceful reference to present the latest information accessible to deal with any kind of electrical estimate.

Mechanical Cost Data 2012: Mechanical Cost Data includes materials, equipment, and labor costs to generate consistent cost estimates for the most multifaceted mechanical construction projects as well as executing feasibility studies; getting labor cost data; and analyzing costs.

Plumbing Cost Data 2012: Plumbing cost data empowers customers to evaluate rapidly through specifications and takeoffs; organize estimates associated with plumbing; apply the nation’s leading database of plumbing cost information; and arrange work schedules and estimate duration times.

To know more about the 2012 cost data series, go through RSMeans.com. Look for the 2nd edition of Green Building Cost Data and more new 2012 cost data releases from RSMeans this fall.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
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The role of quantity surveyor for construction project

Quantity Surveyors perform in the areas where major construction work is executed. They work on diversified projects like office blocks, schools, hospitals, factories to bridges, railways, oil and mining development, shipbuilding and large process engineering works for example oil refineries.

A Quantity Surveyor can also be termed as Construction Economist, or Cost Manager and is considered as a team of professional advisers to the construction industry.

As an adviser their work range from estimating and monitoring construction costs, from the phase of a project through to the completion of the construction period. After construction being completed the quantity surveyor may be utilized for other work like ax depreciation schedules, replacement cost estimation for insurance purposes and, if required, mediation and arbitration.
Quantity surveyors perform as consultants to the owner mutually for the public and private on major building and construction projects. They may also perform as scholarly in the building and construction disciplines and in financial institutions, with developers and as project managers.
The work of Quantity Surveyors are intimately related with architects, financiers, engineers, contractors, suppliers, project owners, accountants, insurance underwriters, solicitors and Courts and with all stages of government authorities.

Quantity surveyors work with the Bill of Quantities, a document utilized for categorizing the quantities of materials and labor in a construction project. BOQ is This is assessed from design drawings, applicable for tendering & progress payments by the contractors, for variations and changes and ultimately for statistics, taxation and valuation.

The quantity surveyors facilitate owners to attain his requirements at feasibility stage in most cost-effective way. A Quantity surveyor generally applies the techniques that vary from Cost Planning, Estimating, Cost Analysis, Cost-in-use Studies and Value Management to establish a project budget.

The quantity surveyor plays a vital role to make sure that the design all through design the quantity surveyor ensures that the design stays on budget through Cost Management. Necessary additions are counterbalance by identifying other savings.

After the design and drawings are completed, the quantity surveyor will set up a Bill of Quantities, to be issued with the specification utilized by contractors for submission of submit tenders. The quantity surveyors/estimators normally arrange for tenders and may price alternatives for consideration. The quantity surveyor also evaluates tenders and makes recommendations on the type of contract or special clauses in it.

Throughout construction the quantity surveyors are required to reasonably value progress payments at usual intervals. They are also asked to make assessment on changes to design or quantities raised with reference to appropriate Bill of Quantities rates. The quantity surveyor/contract administrator should organize claims on behalf of contractor for progress payments and additional work.

After completion of construction the quantity surveyor can create depreciation schedules of the various project components and give advice on pragmatic insurance replacement costs. If any construction disputes arise the quantity surveyor is often entitled to be an expert witness, and in some cases also operates as arbitrators. In this case the quantity surveyor will work for both the contractors and owners.

Besides new projects, a quantity surveyor also works for refurbishment of old buildings, alterations to existing buildings and insurance replacement estimates. In public authorities they keep up cost statistics on a state or nation-wide basis, and there are scopes for academic careers in the building disciplines.

Useful links
The role of quantity surveyor in Project Controls and in Contract
http://forum.quantity-takeoff.com/showthread.php?1064-The-role-of-quantity-surveyor-in-Project-Controls-and-in-Contract

How to be a Quantity Surveyor
http://severialdia.com/how-to-be-a-quantity-surveyor/

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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EstimatorXpress v.8 makes the estimating process fast and error free

EstimatorXpress v.8 is an exclusive estimating software that produces professional estimate with incomparable estimating speed and accuracy.

The software is ideal for builders building works as the builders can apply the software for estimating anything from new builds and extensions to renovations, conversions and smaller works.

The users will be able to link to 1000+ live material/merchant prices (along with trade discounts) with the HBXL Price Tracker™ database.

The users can also print off detailed reports and professional quotes to enhance the win rate.

With the help of numerous in-built rapid estimating calculators, EstimatorXpress will reduce the estimating time by more than half and cost & compute all materials, labour and plant to save hours of time.

The users can easily put in dimensions and quantities into on-screen drawings to provide rapid estimating. The users can also import a complete set of plans while merging EstimatorXpress with PlansXpress.

EstimatorXpress has come up with some bonus packs and these bonus packs are included in the NEW EstimatorXpress Ultimate Pack or are purchaseable separately at just £50 +VAT each.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum