It is inevitable that digital solutions will percolate within the entire industry moving forward.

Tathagata Saha

Product Success Manager at Virtuosity, A Bentley Systems' Company

How are construction software and other solutions playing a major role currently in India?

Construction software and other digital solutions play a crucial role in India. 3D authoring tools are helping produce fast, accurate, and clash-free drawings. 4D and 5D software help to deliver efficient and safe construction planning and cost tracking. Connected data environments are bringing every stakeholder under one single umbrella for streamlined communication and information exchange. Furthermore, this digitally gathered information helps provide superior project tracking with insight and data-driven decision-making. Overall, these software and solutions act as a catalyst to accelerate construction.

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

First, there are 3D modeling tools, which help create an accurate, data-rich 3D representation of the built asset. Then, there are 4D modeling tools that help associate the 3D BIM model with construction plans (work breakdown structure) generated from project management tools. These 4D tools helps create a proper visual simulation of full construction process. 5D modeling tools help with calculating and tracking costs. Additionally, there are web-based cloud solutions to host these models and files, as well as to help with coordination and collaboration among different project stakeholders. Furthermore, there are also mobile applications connected to the same cloud solution for accessing data at remote construction sites and for exchanging information from the site.

What are the dedicated digital/software solutions for different types of infrastructure construction projects offered by the company? How are these solutions beneficial for customers?

Bentley Systems offers software and solutions for every phase of a construction project—from imagining a concept, to full construction, to asset management. In the context of the construction phase, SYNCHRO 4D would be the most suitable solution.

SYNCHRO 4D is a real-time cloud solution that enables digitally enhanced construction planning and operations. It has the following components:

 SYNCHRO 4D Pro - This application displays both 3D models and the schedule in one environment to perform model-based scheduling. You can add construction equipment and paths to schedule activities to visualize conflicts and resolve them before construction, as well as to perform “what-if” analysis to reduce risks and delays by reviewing time-lapsed construction sequences. The application also allows you to identify areas that are ahead of or behind schedule through a planned-versus-actual visualization. You can turn design models into constructible models, enabling model-based workflows, such as quantity take-off (QTO) and planning and field operations, making models accessible to all construction team members.

 SYNCHRO Control - This web-based construction management hub is an easy-to-use solution for delivering information needed at a quick glance via a grid, 2D, map, and 4D model-based views. It provides form-based workflows connected by business logic to provide a simple, organized process for inputting project data.

 SYNCHRO Field - The application connects your entire project team and improves data quality through an integrated mobile application. It is armed with geolocated forms and automated weather data, which enables you to access your project data and identify the location accurately.

How prepared are infrastructure players and developers in adopting these technologies?

In India, initial adoption of digital technologies can be difficult, as the understanding of modeling-based workflows was relatively limited until a few years ago. However, things are changing, and digital adoption has sped up. As teams in India are being exposed to global projects where digital construction workflows are mandated, the requisite knowledge and understanding is expanding. The benefits of such increased exposure have gradually resulted in implementing similar technologies and workflows in projects in India too. With more digital delivery mandates for high-end major infrastructure projects, the infrastructure players are gradually upskilling themselves and moving away from traditional paper-based deliverables.

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

The construction industry in India has been growing very rapidly with a focus on government-backed infrastructure projects. To fast track projects and overcome challenges related to productivity, quality and cost control, and risk minimization, it is necessary to adopt digital solutions. Government initiatives, such as Digital India and Smart Cities Mission, are also encouraging digital transformation of the construction sector. There is an increasing trend among the big players in construction to use cloud-based solutions, generate digital rehearsals of construction projects, and use collaborative platforms to engage with project stakeholders. It is inevitable that digital solutions will percolate within the entire industry moving forward. As a result, the market for digital construction solutions is looking very bright and is expected to grow as the industry further expands its adoption.

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