What's New: OFCDesk Connect Features

You can view your designs within the Connect web interface before you start your render.

Show your true colors

Now you can view your designs on the web with enhanced clarity and vibrant color, before you render.

After opening your uploaded design in Connect, you can apply finishes and see the results in stunning color.  You will see the colors applied to all designs that have associated color swatches.

This will help you visualize your designs even better, before sending them to be rendered.  

Revit materials in color: All of the colors that you have applied in CAP, or in the Connect interface, will be attached to the Revit Families that you translate through color materials. 

This means that your customers who use Revit will be able easily change materials inside designs you send them, visualized the way that you created them....with color. 

Take a better picture

Before you render, you can place the camera anywhere you want in the space.

Our Connect camera, found in the viewer window, is new and improved. 

There are no limitations as to where you can place the camera. This allows you full control over what portion of the design you would like to render.

Zoom in nice and close. Pull all the way back, or view from underneath the object, for a long shot of your design.  The choice is yours.

Here is the finished product, after it has been rendered:

Click HERE to learn more about Connect.

3 Reasons Why Your Customers Love Typicals

Render by ofcdesk Connect

Often known as "configurations," "planning ideas," or "planning starters,"  what I call "Typicals" are one of the most powerful selling tools available to you as a manufacturer or dealer.

Lets take a look at the benefits that Typicals offer your customers.

Typical Configurations are pre-configured product arrangements that are often created for marketing materials.  Typicals are also popular for AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp product symbols and are a key part of your symbol content strategy.

These appealing product arrangements help your customers understand how your product lines come together in a practical way in a designed space.

Typicals for Furniture manufacturers are similar to the mannequins used in the clothing industry. That pair of jeans looks a lot better when its paired with a nice shirt and a sweater.

This is why you rarely see a single piece of furniture displayed on its own at NeoCon: give your products some complimentary "friends" and watch your customers flock to your showroom display.

This Typical concept carries over to how your design customers work with your products in a virtual space.

Here are some reasons why Typicals should be a part of your symbol content strategy:

Render by ofcdesk Connect

1. Typicals give your customers a place to begin.

The majority of your customers don't have the deep understanding that you do about your products. They don't understand how product number xxxx-xxx fits with product number yyy-yy.

Symbol Typicals put your products in context and help designers see how the parts come together. From there, they can change the arrangement, as needed, by swapping out individual products.

Render by ofcdesk Connect

2. Typicals show how multiple product lines can come together.

Typicals aren't limited to one product line.  You as the manufacturer can mix and match different products in your Typicals to add variety and introduce another product line to the designer.

For example: a designer may have seen an image of your chair and downloaded the Typical that contains the chair.  The Typical that you offered them may also contain a table from an entirely different product line.

Now your customer has been introduced to this new table product line.  Cross selling at its finest.

Render by ofcdesk Connect

3. Typicals are fast.

Whether a designer is in a dealership or an architecture firm, its understood that time is money.

Giving a designer the ability to download a pre-configured Typical right away will save them time. Don't make your potential customer sift through long lists of individual products to figure out how they come together.

Remember, they don't know the details of your products--they just want something that looks nice at the right price.

So what now?

Typicals are important to the design process--not having them could mean leaving money on the table (no furniture pun intended).

Here are some simple steps that you can take to prepare your Typicals right away:

1. Build them: Use your existing Typical arrangements and reproduce them with your AutoCAD, Revit, and/or SketchUp symbols.  If you can't create them all on your own, hire a service to create them for you.  Also, focus on creating Typicals for your most popular product lines first, if you're unable to build them all at once.
2. Create enticing Typical images: Create images for each Typical, so designers can see what they will download and eventually use in their design.  Keep the images clean and place them in a white environment, so the background is not distracting.  See the above images as an examples of Typical renders.
3. Put them on your website: Create a web page on your site where designers can download your Typicals.  Name the Typicals something like "design starters" or "planning starters." 

Do you already have Typicals?  How do they help you sell more?

7 Signs Dealers Need to Invest in Revit Technology

Contract manufacturers and commercial furniture dealers always ask us about the value of investing in Revit technology for their businesses.  The most common question is:  "Is Revit a fad?"

In other posts, we've proven time and time again that Revit technology in the commercial furniture industry is not a fad.  Your clients’ demand for Revit designs is only going to grow in the coming months.   

From conversations that we've had with our clients, I've compiled seven, clear signs that it's time to invest in Revit technology, if you're a dealer.  Read through the following list and ask yourself:  is this something I need to look at?

1. You received an RFP for a project that required you to provide your designs using Revit symbols.

This is the simplest reason to invest in Revit technology.  Your potential customers who have considered you for a project have decided to reach out to you for a chance to win their job.

Most importantly, they see your company as forward thinking enough to offer them the technology they need to help them with their project.  Don't let them down.

2. Your client has told you that they are using Revit.

Clients who use Revit might not always tell you.  This doesn't mean you can overlook the design tools they use.  Anytime you share designs with them they're going to put in more hours to take your design and bring it into their Revit projects.  This process can be taxing and time consuming for your client.

You'll add more work for them and not know it, as they may view you as a company who could not help them.

Ask your clients and see what design tools they use, and then, as you make the transition to Revit technology, you can be prepared to win them over with new capabilities.

3. You've never received a customer request for your designs in Revit... ever.

This is a problem.  If you've never received a request, beware.  This could mean one of two things:  your competitors are receiving those bigger Revit bids, or your clients don't think you have the ability to work with Revit technology.

Either way, there is an opportunity to help your client by understanding their design process, so that you are considered for Revit bids.

4. You're looking for new services to offer your clients.

Competition is high in the dealer world, so businesses are looking for new ways to stand out.  Enabling your business to offer Revit technology to your clients is a potential new revenue stream.

Provide ways you can save your clients' time with Revit designs in the beginning or during the project.  They may be willing to pay a little more, to give you some of their Revit work.

5. The manufacturers you represent have created Revit symbols.

The manufacturers you represent are just like you, businesses looking to increase profits.

If you find that the manufacturers you represent do offer Revit symbols, it's a good sign that they have researched to find that their customers are requesting Revit content from them.

6. You had to turn down a project because you didn't have the ability to offer Revit designs.

If the RFP or bid requires Revit designs and you don't have them, someone else is going to win the bid.  In our experiences, dealers are reactive and not proactive about responding to Revit bids.

Plan ahead and be ready to respond with confidence to those RFPs by having your Revit tools in line. 

7. The number of requests for your designs in Revit has increased in the last three months

When it comes to Revit technology for your business, it's important to assess the demand.  Is it the right time to invest in Revit technology?

You need to justify your investment in Revit technology.  The final and simplest answer to this question is:  If the number of Revit requests has increased in the last three to six months, it's time to invest in Revit technology.

The Revit tidal wave is coming, so prepare for the splash.

Ofcdesk uses new Autodesk technology to help contract furniture dealers speak the same language as their customers.

Chicago, IL (June 1, 2015) Ofcdesk llc, a member of the Autodesk Developer Network, released Ofcdesk Connect, a tool that translates 20/20 CAP Studio® designs to Autodesk Revit® designs, using new Autodesk cloud and web browser technology.

“We’d been hearing complaints for years about the disconnect between commercial office furniture dealers and designers using Revit®,” said Ofcdesk’s CEO, Mauricio Ritzmann, “so we decided to apply new Autodesk technology to make it easier for the two parties to share designs.”

Utilizing the new Autodesk technology, Ofcdesk developed Connect, a primarily web-based system that translates 20/20 CAP Studio® and AutoCAD® layouts to an equivalent native Revit® layout.  The user can view the final output in their web browser and email the Revit® file to their clients.

Ofcdesk’s new Connect software uses translation technology originally created for Ofcdesk IDC. The IDC plugin won Ofcdesk the Best of NeoCon Gold Award for Software Technologies in 2014.

While planning to sell the IDC plugin to the contract office furniture dealer market, Ofcdesk’s CTO, Fernando Malard, attended an exclusive cloud accelerator where Autodesk developers were invited to work together on their product ideas, using the new platform.

“This new technology helps Ofcdesk leverage all of IDC’s features in the cloud. By using the Autodesk Cloud API, Ofcdesk Connect will help dealers translate AutoCAD® designs to Revit®, collect information, and manage projects, all in a web browser,” Fernando said.

 “Because most of the Connect interface uses a web browser, we can offer a subscription model that means more price flexibility for dealers.” Ritzmann said.

A designer at a dealer can subscribe at connect.ofcdesk.com, download a simple plugin for AutoCAD®, select their CAP Studio® design, and upload it to the Connect web page, all for a minimal monthly fee.  From there, the Ofcdesk server will translate their CAP Studio® layout to the equivalent layout, using Revit® symbols.

Ritzmann added, “The Connect process makes it easy for a commercial office furniture dealer who doesn’t want a large upfront investment in Revit® technology, to be able to share their designs with their customers in a more cost effective way.”

Connect subscriptions are available at: http://connect.ofcdesk.com/

Interview: Dan Hughes Revit/BIM Marketer

We recently spoke to Dan Hughes from the Bradley Corporation.  

Dan is a prominent speaker, consultant, author, blogger, and expert in the world of Revit/BIM.  We chatted about how he has helped grow Bradley's brand by leveraging their Revit/BIM presence among the architectural community.  

Dan offers advice on ways that the contract furniture industry could learn from MEP manufacturers, when it comes to marketing BIM.

First, I'd like to hear your thoughts on how contract furniture manufacturers could use their knowledge of BIM and Revit symbols to better reach their customers?

 Realize that architects, engineers, contractors and facility owners have or
are evolving to use variations of BIM processes.

The BIM process works best when EVERYONE on the project team is using BIM, including vendors and suppliers.

 Federal and state projects had many of the first BIM mandates -- which
meant you couldn't use CAD if your organization was chosen.Those public BIM mandates evolved into private BIM mandates, for projects by the larger design and construction firms.

 Basically, CAD content would not be accepted if your firm was chosen for
these projects.

 In December 2012, the global construction firm Balfour Beatty was featured
in a construction magazine article.

 Balfour Beatty announced that over the next 12 months, they were going to
reduce their vender supply-chain by 1/3 --from 15,000 to 10,000 vendors.

 BIM was going to be the qualifier --to determine whether a vendor
organization would remain in the Balfour Beatty supply chain.

 I've seen projects that previously allowed Furniture, Fixture & Equipment
(FFE) suppliers provide their content to the project in 2D CAD -- forced
into a BIM mandate on those suppliers.

Deliver your work in a BIM or risk exclusion on the project.

 The facility owners can better manage their assets (FM) in a BIM
format...which demonstrates foresight by the contract furniture
manufacturer to partner into the Owner's BIM workflow for their facilities.

Download the 2012 McGraw-Hill  SmartMarket Survey| Business Value of BIM

A big concern that I hear from manufacturers is "Revit
may go away" or "Revit is a fad."  What are your thoughts on the staying
power of Revit?

 Here are a few  points that may dispel those concerns:

Software Standard: AutoCAD 1.x (1984) and Revit 4.0 (2002) were the first
Autodesk software versions I used.
 
Company Standard: Autodesk has been a solid partner to the AECO industry
since the mid-80s. I've been an Autodesk software user for 30 years. For 15
of those years, I sold, trained and supported their software with my
Autodesk Dealership.

 AutoCAD is still here -and Revit is now being packaged as a complete suite
(architecture, MEP, structure) with a strategy of becoming an all inclusive
cloud based application.

 Product Positioning: Strategically, Autodesk setup AutoCAD and Revit as 2 separate "platform" products --which means they could evolve and develop
applications around each software's unique strengths and processes.

 Just like AutoCAD, Revit now boasts dozens of 3rd party applications to
support its clients' unique applications.

 Revit LT (2013 & 2014), similar to AutoCAD LT success addresses the "Entry-level market". Revit LT will undoubtedly increase the training and use of Revit in the market. Autodesk provided an cross-grade option so users can cross-grade to a full license of Revit at a savings.

 In my opinion, the Revit LT user will rely more on "pre-built"
manufacturers Revit models to use their less expensive Revit. They want to
access a model and don't require all the high end features of a full Revit
license.

Higher Ed Programs: More than 100 architectural & engineering colleges \ universities have integrated Revit into their curriculum. Technical & junior colleges have done likewise.

Compare the LinkedIn architect, engineer and contractor "Help Wanted" --CAD vs Revit job postings on --- the majority are looking for Revit experience
as the qualifier for the job.

What are some ways that Bradley has used their Revit symbols and BIM experience to grow the Bradley brand?

 Our primary focus has been to deliver "everything Bradley" in a  digital
format. That would include Revit files, 3-Part-Specifications, CAD files,
Tech Data sheets, Revit material libraries, and tech support via bradleybim.com blog.

 So our BIM Initiative is not an island -but its integrated into Bradley's
manufacturing processes; while serving our clients' Revit-BIM workflow
processes.

 Our Revit library is available on the web in multiple locations and our
Reps provide flash drives to our clients at the local level.

What has been the reaction you've received from Bradley
customers since you've started providing Revit content?

 In 2012, we had 3 million Bradley Revit models downloaded --with 4.5
million downloaded so far in 2013.

 Our focus has been; create a reliable Revit model around consistent
standards; that a BIM \ VDC Manager could confidently place in their Revit
project.

I travel with our Bradley Reps on client visits and usually have 12-14
association (ASPE, AIA, CSI, AGC) BIM presentations nationally per year.

 These face-to-face client meetings, help us validate and adjust our
modeling - data processes to accommodate our clients needs.

 Our BradleyBIM.com blog greets 5,500-6,000 unique visitors per month. It
provides our clients  a transparent review of Bradley Revit modeling processes; that they can use for their internal Revit modeling processes.

 24/7/365 technical support for common customer service calls and to
contact our BIM Team.

 Short tutorials they can use personally or as Lunch & Learn material for
their staff.

 Bradley clients are pleasantly surprised when they review Bradley's level
of technical commitment --to serve as a partner in their Revit project
workflow.

 You have a great blog post where you've broken down the
value of having manufacturer supplied Revit symbols for an A+D firm, in cost
savings.

Could you explain briefly how you came to this
breakdown in cost savings for A+D firms?

 We've outlined Bradley's significant processes for correctly constructing a
Revit family on our Bradley BIM FAQs page.

 We've created a 1,000 Revit models and I've trained more than 130
professionals to assume the role of BIM \ VDC Manager within their
organizations.

We can validate the time + labor costs using the timeline to perform Revit Family Creation tasks, the salary calculations survey that Autodesk User Group International annually posts for a trained BIM \ VDC Manager.  An assumption that most BIM\VDC Managers already have pre-built,  time-saving templates and standards

 From that we can calculate the hourly costs to properly build a Revit
model.

 We've had clients share with us; that our cost number is a bit conservative
--their time + labor costs are much higher.

 
Dan Hughes joined the Bradley BIM Team in March 2010 as a part-time Revit BIM Consultant; to oversee the Revit family creation & quality control processes for the Bradley Revit Family Library. The library currently includes more than 1000 plumbing and specialty equipment Revit families representing tens of thousands of Bradley commercial toilet room products.  In May 2012, he joined Bradley Corporation full-time as the BIM Strategist serving Bradley Sales, Engineering, Marketing and Client Care departments.

Interview: Linette Kilbourn, Interior Designer using Revit



 

 

We recently chatted with interior designer Linette Kilbourn about Revit / BIM and how she uses Revit for her designs. She also gave advice for contract furniture manufacturers who are looking to offer their products in Revit.   

Linette has over 20 years experience in corporate interior design and has worked for top design firms including HOK, RHK Design, and Gensler.

How do you see Revit/BIM benefiting Interior Designers in A+D firms as a tool and a process?

 

Personally, I feel that the benefit for interior designers is even more than for architects.  First, we can immediately see the space in 3D, even right after the plan is drawn.  Secondly, we can import pre-created Revit families that substantially speeds up the design process.  And in addition, we can use the BIM feature to verify quantities in the CD phase. 

 

 

On a technical level, what challenges are you confronted with, as designer, if you don't have Revit/BIM symbols for your Revit projects?

Accurate Revit families are extremely important to ensure that the actual furniture can fit in the space well.  This is so important when laying out systems furniture.  If we do not have the Revit symbols from the manufacturer, we have to create them ourselves, which can cost us hours of lost time.

There is a reason why clients continually see the same furniture over and over again in every Revit rendering or wireframe.  There are thousands of Revit families of furniture out there, but they are very difficult to find and tedious to download.  

What sorts of things are designers at A+D firms doing if they don't have the appropriate Revit/BIM symbols for their projects?
 

We use whatever manufacturers product that is most similar.   Then if the client sees it in the 3D, they may prefer to use the other product.  This is not the ideal situation for designers, as we want them to love the furniture we have selected!
 

Where are designers in A+D firms going to find their Revit symbols?
 

Best if easily obtained on the internet, rather than a CD.  In general, most of our work is done on a PC, so apps are not that useful at this time.

 

How has the emergence of Revit/BIM changed the relationship between the contract furniture dealer and designer in A+D firms?

 

The problem we are running into is that most furniture dealerships are still using AutoCAD, or worse, their own proprietary programs.  This creates a huge problem when incorporating their data into our Revit files.  Often it is imported, and then becomes very cumbersome to change when the interior architecture changes.   In addition, the BIM properties are lost, so quantities cannot be checked by the designers.

A popular question that I get from manufacturers: at what phases in a design project are Revit symbols from contract furniture manufacturers used?

 

I use Revit from the very beginning of a project, therefore it is extremely important that I have access to the Revit families at this stage.  

 

What are some positive ways that you've seen contract furniture manufacturers embrace Revit/BIM?

These days, designers are more likely to select furniture from the internet, rather than the office library.   The best websites have the option to download furniture symbols while browsing each item. 

 

Any final thoughts or advice that you would like to share with the contract furniture industry about Revit/BIM?

 

Almost all firms are now standardized on Revit or are planning to in the future.  The best way to ensure your product will be used in projects is to provide easy access to the Revit families, so the product can be displayed accurately from the very beginning of the design stage.

 




Linette Kilbourn is Managing Director at KDR with over 20 years experience in corporate interior design.  She has most recently worked as a Designer at HOK, Managing Director at RHK Design in their Shanghai office,  and as a Senior Designer at Gensler.