Creating Custom Content using Pinnacle Series

Pinnacle Series is an interactive e-learning and productivity platform developed by Eagle Point Software that connects people to the answers they need, when they need them. From Autodesk-specific training to HR processes and procedures, this platform can support a plethora of content, tailored to your organisation’s needs. 

Our most recent Pinnacle Series webinar presented the software’s content creation capabilities, and featured Phil Sawyer, BIM and IT Director at architectural practice ADP, a proficient Pinnacle Series user who is using Pinnacle to drive their in-house skills training.

The webinar started with a presentation of the problems that this e-learning and productivity platform can help managers solve. Jeff Rouse, Content Development Manager at Eagle Point Software focused on three challenges that management staff are confronted with:

• Staff trying to complete work “their way”, often using incorrect methods
• Teaching staff to use the tools they have 
• Allowing staff to help themselves when encountering a problem, using vetted troubleshooting tools

The webinar started with a presentation of the problems that this e-learning and productivity platform can help managers solve. Jeff Rouse, Content Development Manager at Eagle Point Software focused on three challenges that management staff are confronted with:

• Staff trying to complete work “their way”, often using incorrect methods
• Teaching staff to use the tools they have
• Allowing staff to help themselves when encountering a problem, using vetted troubleshooting tools

Another aspect of Pinnacle Series that Jeff presented was the fact that content can be customised to suit the requirements and training needs of different departments. One Learning Path can focus on the Onboarding of New Employees and can include different courses from different departments (Technical, Sales etc.), whilst another could focus on the Fire Exit Procedure. This feature gives Content Managers a lot of flexibility in the way they build workflows for different types of employees.

Jeff’s presentation was followed by Phil Sawyer’s who spoke about how his company – ADP - uses Learning Paths to train staff. According to Phil, “Pinnacle Series is very good to train new people to use new software, allowing them to be productive very early on.” He also emphasised the ability to run quizzes which enable line managers to understand if employees are learning and retaining new information.

To learn more about this award-winning e-learning and productivity platform, please contact us.

To watch the webinar recording, please click on the image below.

Enabling Revit to produce BIM

There is often confusion around BIM and Revit, we often hear people saying, ‘This project is being done in BIM' but when we look a little further they often mean ‘This project is being done in Revit.’ The distinction between BIM and Revit is not clear to some.

Revit creates 3D models capable of holding real world information about the model. This information is a requirement for BIM. To produce BIM compliant models from Revit, you must first know what information you are required to deliver with your model.

Once you have this established, you need a strategy in place to populate the information and deliver it in the required format. In Revit, this will involve having Shared Parameters for the relevant information fields. Depending on the format required, the shared parameters may come from the Project Information Manager, or they may be industry standards such as COBie and NBS.

These parameters will need to be added to the Revit project when required or incorporated into your company Revit Project template.

There are also many plug-ins that can help automate this task. Ideate BIM Link, Autodesk COBie Extension, NBS Create, CTC BIM Suite to name but a few. A Dynamo graph could be configured to automate filling in some information directly, or to interface with Excel too.

Once we have an information rich model, we need to think about delivery. What format is required by the client: the native Revit model, an IFC file, an upload to a specific Common Data Environment system that will extract the information? Whichever it is, we need to plan for this and allow time to create the deliverable model.

The live, WIP Revit project will need purging, views and sheets stripped out, design options removed. The appropriate name and revision will need to be applied to the model and then issued out to the appropriate recipients in the agreed format.

In summary, using Revit to create Building Information Models is not difficult but does take planning. We need to be aware of what we’re required to deliver and have a strategy for populating the information. We have to allow for the time required to publish and share the models, this includes checking that the information is correct and approving the deliverables. 

Facilities Managers (FM) must be Engaged in the Pre-Design Process. How can CAFM Software Support?

Facilities managers (FM) must be engaged in the pre-design process

Far too often the facilities management team are not engaged with when an owner or occupier is specifying the EIR (Employer's Information Requirements) and AIR (Asset Information Requirements) for a new build. This is despite them having the greatest need for accurate buildings information at the end of the design process. This lack of involvement is leading to data being passed on in an unusable format, without the required level of detail and information, leading to costly and time consuming re-surveying of a building.

Is COBie the answer?

COBie is an international standard for building data exchange. Its most common use is in product data handover from construction to operations. Agreement to use the COBie format should theoretically stop these data issues arising.

If an FM is not engaged within the pre-design stage or does not fully understand the process, then they will not get the required columns populated in a format that they can easily import to their CAFM software.

How can software support?

Archibus facilities management software can import data directly from the design and construction model, which allows owners and occupiers to gather information above and beyond what has initially been specified. This however is not best practice, as key data may still not be captured in the model during the process, unless it is specified at the outset.

Facilities managers know what information they will need to manage a building throughout its lifetime. As more buildings are delivered through the BIM process, it becomes more apparent of the immense potential of the outputs available. To save a great deal of time and money, it is advised to involve these experts as early as possible in the specification process.

For more information about facilities management software, please visit our website http://www.excitech.co.uk/Solutions/CAFM-Software