Integration of technologies in infrastructure and construction sector.

Prajjwal Misra

Director, Rudrabhishek Infosystem Pvt Ltd (RIPL)

Construction technologies have evolved over the years. How are construction software and other soft solutions playing a major role currently in India?

The construction industry has come a long way from drafting manually on paper to using advanced design and construction management tools like Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM). Today, CAD is the default design tool for every firm in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) Industry. Advanced 3D modeling solutions like BIM are also being increasingly used in the infrastructure sector to mitigate design flaws before the construction starts, and accurately predict potential delays, material wastage during the construction process. In addition, the industry has widely adopted management tools like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to optimize inter-department workflows, cost controls etc.

What are the kind of digital solutions and technologies adopted in construction and building projects?

On the design side:

Computer Aided Design Software: Many world-renowned CAD software like BricsCAD are used across the industry to accurately model anything from buildings to highways.

Building Information Modeling Software: BIM software, like ArchiCAD etc, has widely been adopted by the industry as an upgrade from CAD software. BIM adds to the functionality of CAD by enriching the 3D model with additional information related to material quantity, scheduling etc. This automated the laborious task of estimation and scheduling in a construction project.

Automated Infra-Design Solutions: Solutions like Ferrovia and Aquaterra by CGS Labs, automates rail and water channel design reducing design project timelines drastically.

On Management side:

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): ERP were a concept originally perfected by the manufacturing industry but has since then been widely adopted by the AEC industry too. Managing multiple projects with many different stakeholders and with a very complex supply chain is a daunting task even for a large team of construction managers. ERP acts as a central hub to manage all project related tasks in an enterprise, making construction management more efficient.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): CRM software are heavily used by the real estate industry for managing the entire lifecycle of the customer starting from lead generation and marketing to deal closures.

What are the services and solutions offered by the company in construction projects?

RIPL is a leading digital transformation partner for the AEC industry. Construction industry is full of legacy design and management processes that need to be updated for the digital age. We, working with our partners in India and abroad, transform our clients' workflow, design process etc. to make them more efficient and competitive in the market.

RIPL provides multiple software based solutions and services that hugely improve the design and implementation efficiency of projects in infrastructure and construction. These include:

BricsCAD: BricsCAD is the computer aided design software that is used in AEC Industry. It offers 2D drafting, 3D modeling, and BIM capabilities. BricsCAD helps in the creation of accurate and detailed drawings & models, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of construction projects. Additionally, BricsCAD has the ability to integrate with other construction software, which can further enhance its usefulness in the industry.

ArchiCAD: ArchiCAD has significant implications for the construction industry. Its features include enhanced collaboration, BIM capabilities, sustainability analysis. These features help reduce errors and costs associated with rework and change orders, design environmentally-friendly buildings, improve project efficiency, and ultimately result in cost savings for construction firms and clients. ArchiCAD's streamlined design and construction process also allows for improved collaboration between architects, engineers, and construction professionals, reducing the risk of errors and delays.

CGS Labs: CGS Labs specializes in distributing advanced specialized software for the fields of Roads, Railways, and River Engineering. These software solutions are designed to address various aspects of planning, construction, management, and maintenance of buildings, as well as advanced weather information systems that support the upkeep of transport infrastructure.

FusionHub Cloud ERP: FusionHub Cloud ERP brings advance capabilities in AI to automate manual processes involved in many legacy ERPs, and real-time analytics to give current updates that keep you ahead of the curve. With this one can easily manage general contracts, Sub contracts, financial managements, construction accounting, payroll and service operation at one central database. As well as anyone can generate most insightful reports with a few click.

How prepared are infrastructure players and developers in adopting the latest construction software and solutions?

The industry has adopted digital solutions with an open arm, but a lot more can be done. Globally the AEC industry has raced towards the adoption of BIM solutions in their projects, but the Indian market still has a long way to go. As a result, partners like RIPL can greatly benefit the industry by making them competitive, at par with other global players.

Educating senior management about the benefits of such technologies is also required, at present. Many senior engineers graduated college in an era before computer aided designing were still in its infancy. Thus, many fail to see the impact of such technologies in their businesses. This makes corporate training crucial for the adoption of many digital solutions.

What is your outlook on the soft technologies and digital solutions market in India?

Software solution in the AEC industry is a fast-growing market. BIM adoption will lead the way followed by other emerging technologies like LiDAR sensors, etc.

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