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December 15, 2011 End of Year Review and Specials
With gratitude to Partners and Customers, the Evolution of COBie, V4.1 Features, EastCoast’s New Offices, EOY Discount Specials
EastCoast CAD/CAM News
Dear EastCoast Customer and Friend,
David Derocher, President of EastCoast, and I want to take a moment and recognize those things we are most grateful for...
First and foremost, we are grateful to have such incredibly talented and capable employees who over the past year have worked tirelessly to assist our customers.
We are grateful to partner with people and companies who strive to distinguish themselves in their respective markets and industries. Companies like University Mechanical, Heritage Mechanical Services, Hamlin Sheet Metal, J.H. Kelly, Dee Cramer and so many others - far too many to name ...read more
Over the past seven years, we have been producing software tools to be fully interoperable and based on Open-industry standards. As a direct result of pushing the limits of open standards and interoperability, our company (and our users) are now playing an active role in defining the next emerging standard called COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange). I must say that we are so very grateful to be part of this exciting evolution of where BIM is taking us all. ...read more
We are also thrilled to have made a major improvement to our office "digs" by recently moving to a much nicer office 15 minutes down the road in Marlborough, MA. ...read more
And speaking about product releases, you will be receiving a follow-up email, in the next day or two, related to the release of Version 4.1 for our entire suite of software tools. ...read more
Lastly, if you are thinking of acquiring any more software licenses in the next 4 months, please get in touch with me asap (on or before December 30). There will not be a better time to buy software from EastCoast. But you have to write or call (503-672-7880).
As always, we want you to know that we are always available to address any questions, thoughts or issues you may have.
Most of all, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas,
Dave Quigley and David Derocher
EastCoast CAD/CAM
33 Boston Post Road West
Marlborough, MA 01752
800-334-2977 (main number)
Companies, People and Process Flow
(continued from above)
From left: Chris (COBie software engineer), and David Morris (ECO-Build 2011)
In addition to these incredibly competent contractors (more about one of them, Dee Cramer, below) there are also a handful of individuals who have had a great influence on EastCoast. The name that tops the list is David Morris, EMCOR's Director of Virtual Construction. Over the years David has never been shy to share with EastCoast his recommendations on how we can better serve our customers (of which he has been one). His suggestions and recommendations have been spot on, and it has helped us shape our company. To this end we are grateful. But it's not just us who he helps... David helps all industry people as best as he can. Besides shaping EMCOR's Virtual Construction set of workflows and technology, David also serves as Vice Chair of buildingSmart Alliance, is the Chair of National BIM Standard, the Chair of NBIMS Planning Committee, the Chair of BIM Forum Subcontractor's Subforum, and a Member of 3xPT. He works tirelessly for industry standards and the health and welfare of the industries he serves. We're are very grateful for meeting and having the chance to work so closely with him in 2011. We are truly looking forward to working with him for many more.
Companies and Processes
David Morris contributes to many efforts, as noted above, but he is not unlike many of the employees that make up the aforementioned highly accomplished contractors.
The one thing great companies have in common is great people. To this end and once again we appreciate Dee Cramer's great accomplishment, because the company's focus has always been on keeping good people. In all fairness, they accomplished their recent achievements using software other than EastCoast, but it was the people that made it happen. The company has now added a great software and workflow to the mix, with a bet that this will help them achieve even more. EastCoast couldn't be happier, and we plan to be of service throughout their positive future years.
Today's special focus is not on software, it's on the faces and processes of Dee Cramer that helped make this company the best it can be in 2011.
Steve and Glenn - CAD and Fabrication at Dee Cramer
I recently spent a day with Steve and Glenn initiating a research project on how they best integrate estimating, detailing, project management, manufacturing, back office, installation, and perhaps even Facilities Management into a pragmatic workflow.
Project Managers like Josselyn who know exactly how best to project manage complex building projects, and CAD Managers like Steve who understands all of the critical data to communicate to all of the stakeholders in a project, internal and external..
Project Managers like Josselyn who know exactly how best to project manage complex building projects, and CAD Managers like Steve who understands all of the critical data to communicate to all of the stakeholders in a project, internal and external..
Combined, Josselyn and Steve, and many others have developed practices to efficiently and consistently produce, while effectively communicating with their partners.
Executing, LEED Certified
Generating accurate and easily scheduled manufactured duct and fittings
Maximizing the valued human quotient of real people, with a passion to work hard every day for their job and their company.
Executing to the best of their abilities every day.
COBie
(continued from above)
The COBie Development Team with assorted friends enjoying a night off from last week's Standards Work at buildingSmartAlliance and ECO-Build
To begin with, the COBie standard is going to become an accepted US National Standard this coming Spring. For your interest, EastCoast has been actively engaged in this process, ensuring that your design to fabrication investment in EastCoast software, content and new practices will be kept current with these emerging Open Standards Industry requirements and demands.
In this regard, it is important for you to know that EastCoast is one of only two software publishers who have been asked to present our software's capabilities at the upcoming National Institute of Building Services and Standards 2013 Conference in Washington DC. We have been asked to demonstrate all of our capabilities and functionality to exchange COBie data in and out of our MEP tools with other "Best of Breed" Building Services tools. At the core of what continues to drive these new standards are owners and governments seeking to gain efficiencies and software interoperability everywhere they can. This is happening in all of the major economies throughout the world. Data has already been collected that demonstrates that with no additional cost, Owners can expect to save, on-average, $100-250K per year in Facility Management expenses from a 40-50K square foot facility, when the project was built using COBie.
We'll be sure to keep you posted.
Companies, People and Process Flow
(continued from above)
I plan on sending you a follow-on email on Friday of this week to notify you of the availability of our 4.1 release via software download. In order to download it, you or someone in your organization will need to have an EastCoast Customer Portal Account. If you don't yet have one, it's easy to get one. Go to mycustomerportal to register.
Why would you want to upgrade to Version 4.1?
There are many reasons; I've included the main ones below. The entire list is available within the 4.1 Release Notes (which is included in the Download Folder). We highly recommend you thoroughly read through the document to better understand the fixes and enhancements contained in the release and what the newest product upgrade will bring to you.
Major New Features in Version 4.1:
- Separate Metric and Standard environments
- Customizable Fitting views
- New Joint connectors
- DuctMaker Improved Label formatting and customization
- DuctMaker Enhanced Reporting and Great Plains Software Back Office Integration
- Hanger preferences
- Extended Estimating Interface for end users and partners
- Improved Duct spool legend
- User Interface and performance improvements for catalog uploads
- New Pipe content "drop" feature
- New Part Manager Filtering and Sorting functionality
- MEP Fabrication now converts Revit MEP piping and HVAC to AutoCAD for Pre-Fabrication and download SM Fabrication
- Improved Revit MEP to AutoCAD Mapping User Interface (HVAC and Piping)
- New piping content
- HVAC template enhancements
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