Amtech ProDesign Revit Plug In Demo

We demonstrate the ProDesign Revit plugin, which allows users to import and export electrical systems data between Revit and ProDesign.

Click for more information on ProDesign or call 0800 028 28 28.

Amtech Expands BIM Data Services To Include Intelligent Data Content for Revit MEP 2013

Amtech, the market-leading software developer for the UK Building Services Industry, is expanding its product offerings to include intelligent data content for Autodesk® Revit® MEP via Building Data™ SysQue™ (“SysQue”), pursuant to a recently announced strategic product and technology partnership between Amtech and Building Data, LLC.

SysQue managed data content, powered by the Building Data database, is a cloud-based software as a service that enables designers, engineers and contractors to design in Revit MEP using real-world, manufacturing-specific content that’s ready for fabrication and meets the detailing, fabrication, manufacturing, and installation requirements of MEP contractors.

Amtech’s new partnership with Building Data will extend Amtech’s lead in MEP Design, Estimating and Project Management software and its Information Services (Luckins) to include Building Information Modeling (BIM) with Revit MEP content — available directly through LuckinsLive, the online portal for price and labour data used by the majority of UK contractors’ estimating and purchasing systems. Using SysQue, Revit MEP 2013 is enhanced to model systems with materials and sizes based on actual manufacturer products by name and part number.

SysQue web services offered by Amtech will extend the Revit MEP BIM data to include Luckins material cost, labor values, submittal documents and procurement part numbers, and also includes Excel reporting – making the model data-rich and ready for a multitude of additional functions – including cost analysis, prefabrication, manufacturing and installation.

“Providing this additional level of real-world, manufacturer BIM data for creating detailed, constructible models directly in Revit furthers Amtech’s unique advantage of fostering product integration for improved customer productivity and efficiency,” commented Amtech’s CEO, Mark Tindall. “Going forward, our customers will be able to compile detailed Estimates or generate Bills of Material directly from their Revit MEP models – while still using the Luckins data services they’ve depended on for years.”

For more information visit the Amtech website or call 0800 028 28 28.

Taking control with technology

Managing building services can often be a challenging area for social housing landlords and their contractors. Amtech offers a range of solutions to help take control of these key operational areas, including Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR).

Amtech is the UK’s leading provider of software, data and information for building services. The company has been delivering innovative software products for over 25 years, exploiting the latest technologies to create practical solutions for everyday tasks.

As such, the company has developed a comprehensive range of products that bring a higher level of efficiency to the maintenance of key social housing assets and the management of building services projects. These range from the management of electrical Inspection & Testing certification through to broader service and maintenance operations – as well as electrical design, estimating, job costing and contract management.

Electrical Inspection & Testing
When managing the electrical safety of social housing there are two key areas to address. The first is to ensure that the required Inspection & Testing, such as the Electrical Installation Condition Reports on each dwelling, are carried out in a timely and compliant fashion.

The second is to manage the administration of these reports and resulting certificates. Amtech’s FastTest has been specifically developed to simplify the management of electrical certification, even across multi-residential buildings and extensive estates with multiple engineers working on certification projects.

Multi-user functionality
Unlike other electrical certification software FastTest gives complete control over large teams of electrical engineers working simultaneously on Inspection & Testing projects. It is capable of synchronising input from a large number of engineers at any one time, working on PCs and/or mobile devices from local or remote locations. It stores all information within a dynamic data management system, providing access to this central database so that all data is kept fully up to date.

FastTest allows engineers to create a full range of 17th Edition Amendment 1 certificates, work on live projects and add electronic signatures. It also features an automated reminder system to ensure that re-tests and instrument calibrations are never overlooked.

That’s why FastTest is the most widely used Inspection & Testing software in the UK.

Fast and accurate electrical design
Amtech’s ProDesign is the UK’s leading electrical design software, providing full electrical design and calculations to BS 7671. ProDesign is ideal for projects of all sizes from individual houses to residential blocks and provides a wide range of design options.

Crucially, ProDesign allows schematic drawings to be produced quickly and easily, while ‘what if’ scenarios can be evaluated with the click of a mouse. Seamless integration with FastTest ensures that completed designs can be exported to FastTest for production of certificates – saving many hours of work compared to manually re-entering the information.

Service and maintenance management
Amtech’s Service Manager provides complete control of planned preventative maintenance (PPM), reactive and call-out jobs and minor works – at both operational and strategic levels. A fully networkable Outlook-style interface, powerful GPS tracking and electronic on-screen mapping all combine to ensure that resources are used to maximum effect.

Service Manager Mobile can be used with a range of mobile devices to improve communications and overall efficiency while reducing paperwork and enhancing the accuracy of data collection. Improved control of the mobile workforce also facilitates the allocation of 2-hour time slots for appointments, as recommended by the Audit Commission.

Refurbishment and installation projects
Amtech’s Estimating, combined with Luckins product and pricing data services, provides a versatile estimating package that makes the production of estimates for refurbishment projects and new installations faster and more accurate. Estimates can be fine-tuned with advanced tools for managing supplier quotations and making ‘what if’ comparisons for material substitution. When combined with other modules from the Amtech range, the information from the estimate can also be used for ongoing project management with Amtech’s powerful electronic filing system.

Amtech’s extensive family of products and services also includes modules for Procurement, Job Costing, Accounts and Contract Management.

For more information visit the Amtech website or call us on 0800 028 28 28.

Article originally appeared in Inside Housing, September 2012 issue.

 

The simpler way to protect

Amtech’s Philip Grace suggests a better solution for protective device manufactures than a sheet of tracing paper!

It is not difficult to remember the time when protective device manufactures would use a sheet of tracing paper for each of the devices used in a circuit and to place these on top of each other to provide a rudimentary system for determining the circuit co-ordination.

That seems a long time ago yet even with advances in technology many contractors are still wary of carrying out a protection study on a circuit. This is now even more daunting with the proliferation of adjustable breakers being used these days – even on final circuits.

Clearly there are advantages to using adjustable devices as they give the designer the ability to tailor the protection characteristic to the circuit it protects. As a result it may be possible to reduce the overload setting on a protective device and reduce the required cable size accordingly.

A solution to this is to find an easy way of working with adjustable breakers. This is where advanced software packages come in as they can make the process so easy to use that you will not need to be an expert to use them. Therefore, the need to sub-contract specialist work such as protection coordination is greatly reduced.

Using software to design an electrical system is now fast and easy, plus there is the added benefit of being able to quickly amend designs if the client changes the specification.

How it works
Some packages contain large databases of protective devices, so you can select the exact device you are using, rather than ‘guessing’ with ‘generic’ devices, and simply drop it into the system. Another benefit of this is that tedious searches through catalogues are eliminated as the time current characteristic for each device that is stored in the software is supplied direct from the device manufacturer. Some packages even include manufacturers’ data sheets and graphical trip unit images.

Making protective device adjustments in the software is also easy. A very popular method is using a simple graph view of the devices in the circuit with the characteristics of each device shown on one screen alongside each other. This method allows overload, short circuit, instantaneous and earth fault settings to be changed simply by increasing or decreasing the values on screen until the co-ordination is acceptable. This is reflected instantly on screen.

In fact, some software will automatically determine the overload settings depending on the design current in the circuit.

The role of this type of software is to help turn complex, time consuming tasks into simple and far more intuitive processes. This includes validating adjustable breakers in seconds with complete confidence that your calculations are accurate. However, there are other benefits – not only can the time current discrimination be shown visually on screen, the whole circuit can also be checked instantly at the touch of a button, thus saving time and giving users more confidence in their designs.

This works by designing projects in the usual way, typically building a schematic by selecting symbols from the on-screen library and dragging them into the project on screen. The software contains a large database of cables, busbars and protective devices so these can be easily selected and added instantly to the project. A big advantage is that the specifications of these components are often supplied from the manufacturers, so the information is up to date, accurate and, very importantly, specific to that device. This means you will be using the exact details for each component rather than using generic devices.

Error correction
Following the design process the next step is to click the ‘Discrimination Check’ button. Then the software goes through the design and automatically checks the discrimination. If an overlap is found the software displays an error message(s). When you click on one of the error messages you are taken directly to the relevant part of the graph so you can see instantly where the error is and can rectify it in seconds.

It’s probably true to say that this type of software is one of the overlooked heroes of the electrical world. Even people using design software are often unaware of some of the capabilities it offers. This software also offers opportunities for companies who are currently ‘farming’ this type of work out because they either do not have the time or expertise. The software takes the mystique out of electrical discrimination but with the advantage of accurate results, giving you complete confidence to do this work in-house.

For more information visit the Amtech website or call us on 0800 028 28 28.

Article originally appeared in Electrical Engineering, July/August 2012 issue

SingleCable Single Circuit Calculations Software Demo

SingleCable, from Amtech, calculates individual electrical circuits quickly and easily in accordance with BS7671 IEE wiring regulations. This is a demonstration of just some of the features.

Click for more information on SingleCable or call 0800 028 28 28.

ProDesign Electrical Design Software Demo

ProDesign, from Amtech, is the leading electrical design software. This is a demonstration of just some of the features.

Click for more information on ProDesign or call 0800 028 28 28.

Be sure to check under the bonnet

When selecting or working with electrical design software it is vital to understand exactly what the software is capable of and what features are available. Philip Grace, senior support engineer at Amtech, explains.

When using a piece of software it is not unusual to think, ‘I wish it did that, because it would make my life much easier’. In addition, how many of us have been carrying out everyday tasks in a fairly laborious manner for ages, only to find that your software offered smarter ways of doing it but you just hadn’t realised they were there?

These are certainly experiences that many of us have had, and they emphasise the importance of understanding what particular software programs can and can’t do – ideally before you buy it. Purchasing software that only does half the job can be very frustrating.

Even if you’ve already invested in software, it’s worth checking whether it can already do something you think would be helpful. Often a quick call to the technical support people will make you aware of features you didn’t know existed, with the potential to save a lot of time.

For example, if you’re designing a project you will probably design the whole scheme in your design software. So the schematic will include all of the key information such as cable sizes, busbars, loads, protective devices etc.

However, there is a strong likelihood that something will change with the project that will necessitate a change after you’ve completed the electrical design. In many cases this may entail re-visiting the schematic to change a particular setting several times over.

Speeding things up
In such cases, it can be very time consuming to go back to each element to change them one at a time. Some software developers have recognised this and included a tool to speed things up, but you have to know the feature exists. In Amtech’s software, for example, it is called data entry spread control.

The way this works is that the data embedded in the schematic can be viewed in spreadsheet format so that many of the data management tools found in spreadsheets can be applied to the design. Ideally, the information should be broken down into component types, each with its own tab. The settings available are generally the same as those in the cable, load details and motor details dialogs and are contained in the same tab pages.

In this way, all of the key information is visible and can be managed using spreadsheet features such as ‘sort’ and ‘filter’. This means that the components that are going to be subjected to the same change (e.g. cables that are to change length) can be selected together. They may be in adjacent rows, so they can be selected with a ‘click and drag’, or by clicking the first row and shift clicking the last row to select all the rows in between.

If they are not adjacent, multiple items can be selected by holding down the control key and clicking on each of the rows to be selected.

Once all of the selections have been made, the required change can then be applied to all of them in a single action, thus eliminating the tortuous process of working through them individually.

This process can be repeated for every type of component that needs to be changed. Then, when those changes are saved they are represented in the schematic. Of course, it’s useful if the software flags up a warning when you are about to change multiple components, but even if you do something wrong, the ‘undo’ feature in the spreadsheet will allow the original data to be restored one step at a time, up to ten previous steps.

This process can be used for all sorts of information. For instance, it may be necessary to change the cable type for armoured cable due to unanticipated factors on-site. Again, the process described can be applied so that many changes are achieved in one action.

This is just one example of the sort of features found in some design software that can save time. So if you’re thinking of buying software it’s worth taking the time to check that it’s going to do everything you want. If you are already using design software it’s a good idea to check just what it’s capable of – perhaps undertaking some extra training to maximise the return on your investment.

For more information visit the Amtech website or call us on 0800 028 28 28.

Article originally appeared in Electrical Engineering, April 2012 issue

Are you responsible for extensive housing stock?

Then  you don’t have time to waste…

If you are responsible for the management and development of housing projects and control a support team to maintain them, then it is pretty safe to assume you are using software to manage your systems. This is particularly important with electrical and gas certification; you need to have complete control over the generation and tracking of thousands of certificates.

However, when involved in new developments electrical design software is also needed. With Amtech software, you can streamline both activities and share information to save even more time and improving accuracy.

Amtech FastTest is the market leading electrical certification software in the UK with over 15,000 licences sold. Used by local authorities and housing associations, no other package has the range of features, helpful wizards and number of reports available.

FastTest is fully networked so that certificates can be completed in the office or onsite, with all details stored for instant retrieval and built-in in reminders for when certificates are due for retest.

Amtech ProDesign is the leading electrical design and calculation software, which is easy to use and integrates with FastTest. ProDesign’s many design options provides total control, from initial design through commissioning, right up to final completion.

FastTest and ProDesign are powerful software programs in their own right. Combined, they deliver even more time and cost saving benefits. Using software packages from the same manufacturer means they work together with each other and your operation. Amtech also supplies these popular packages as a complete suite of programs called Amtech Office, which includes easy to use co-ordination and quick single cable calculation software.

Amtech is the marketing leading developer of software for the building services industry, with solutions to encompass every stage of a project, from design though to ongoing service and maintenance. The company can even provide GPS information on the location in of operatives in order to make optimum use of resources. The software range includes estimating, contract costing and management, contractor accounts and service and maintenance management.

For more information visit the Amtech website or call us on 0800 028 28 28.

Article originally appeared in Government Business Magazine, volumer 19.2 – 2012.

Suits you, sir

Getting the best from information technology means making sure it delivers the maximum benefits for your business. Nick Harper, Sales Director of Amtech explains how to ensure that happens.

One of the exciting things about new technology is that it continually develops to enable us all to do a lot more. At the same time, technology companies are changing their products and the way they offer them to the market, helping specialist companies like electrical contractors use technology in a way that suits their business. At the end of the day, technology is a tool that needs to support your business in the way that you require.

A case in point is how software is procured. This is something that has evolved considerably in the last few years and offers far more choice to users.

The traditional approach is to purchase the software, install it on your computer(s), renew the licence(s) annually and upgrade to the next version as and when necessary. So there has been a pattern of making an initial capital outlay, followed by a smaller sum for licence renewals. Many software users also invest in support contracts to ensure they get the maximum performance from their software.

For some companies this pattern works well and is what they are comfortable with. Others may find that a more flexible approach is better suited to their needs and cash flow. To that end some software developers have introduced ‘Software as a Service, or SaaS. This takes a different approach, making the software available for a small monthly fee with no capital outlay.

With SaaS there are two approaches. Large companies like Microsoft have gone down the ‘cloud computing’ route, where the software is installed on their servers and accessed via the internet. Clearly there are some advantages to having the software hosted elsewhere and accessing it isn’t an issue for large corporate organisations with ultra-resilient internet connections.

However, many smaller businesses are nervous of this approach because they are at the mercy of the reliability of their internet connection. No internet connection, no access to the software and productivity grinds to a halt.

An alternative form of SaaS offers greater peace of mind in this respect. It is still based on a small monthly fee, rather than outright purchase, but the software is installed on your own servers, in the traditional way. All of the other benefits apply; there is no capital outlay and there are no annual licence renewals – and the monthly fee covers technical support and software upgrades. So this can be seen as the best of both worlds.

For example, with this arrangement when a new version of, say, inspection & testing software become available you are automatically upgraded. This proved particularly useful for users of this service in recent months when Amendment 1 of the 17^th Edition Wiring Regulations was introduced, as the upgraded software brought them up to date with the new certification procedure and other requirements.

Saving time, saving hassle
So looking at innovative ways to procure software is one way of making life easier, but there are also other innovations that can make life easier and save a lot of time. These include greater functionality within the software, integration between different software packages and easier access to key information. Some of these innovations may also help to generate more revenue.

For example, some inspection & testing software is supplied with a cable sizing program. This can be useful when you’re testing a circuit and find something is wrong – even something common like a warm cable. Rather than simply issuing a fail report, you can offer to correct the fault by using the cable sizing programme included in your certification package. The cable sizing program will instantly show whether the cable size is suitable and gives the opportunity to compare larger or smaller cable sizes in relation to protective devices at the touch of the button. When you have finished the software will even provide a report to verify your actions. In this way, a potential issue is converted to a positive outcome where you have enhanced your service to the customer and generated a little additional revenue.

Similarly, for design and build work, once the wiring diagram has been produced in design software it can save a great deal of time if that information is imported directly into the inspection & testing software, ready for the production of certificates. On a large job this can save several days’ work, compared with entering the data into the inspection & testing software manually.

Keeping up to speed
No matter how comprehensive your software is, it is unlikely to contain all of the information you need – not least because product and specification information changes so quickly. However, all of that information will be available on the internet so the ability to access it quickly can prove very beneficial.

For instance, when working on a wiring diagram you may want to verify information on a particular product. Certainly, it is possible to go to that manufacturer’s website, trawl through the navigation and eventually find the information you want. But that can take ages, so a smarter alternative is to have links directly from the software to the information you require on a central industry database. ‘One click and you’re there’ is the way it should be.

Furthermore, the fact that everything is faster means it becomes more viable to compare different design options before making a final decision, often resulting in a better design.

The same principle applies when producing specifications, where it is vital to ensure you are working with up to date information on products and regulations. Basing a specification on three-year-old information from a technical library with out of date versions of the IEE wiring regulations is a recipe for disaster that could prove very costly.

In this case, it is essential that specification writing software includes a central, regularly updated database with the latest information from key bodies such as CIBSE and BSI. It should also make it easy to access additional information with, for example, links to key information providers and industry websites – with the ability to create your own hyperlinks if desired.

For all of these reasons it’s important to consider your requirements and then look for a solution that best fits them. If a handy cable sizing program is going to complement your inspection & testing work, then it makes sense to use one. If you would rather pay for your software monthly rather than paying out a lump sum, then that’s the way to go. At the end of the day the technology is there to serve your needs, not the other way round.

For more information, visit the Amtech website or call us on 0800 028 28 28.

Article originally appeared in WireIn Magazine, March/April 2012 issue.

Making the ‘Periodic’ Certificate work for you…..

It may not be called a Periodic Inspection Report any more but the word ‘periodic’ is still relevant to electrical contractors, says Gary Packham, Technical Support Engineer at Amtech.

From January the old Periodic Inspection Report was replaced by the new Electrical Inspection Condition Report (EICR), under Amendment 1 of the 17^th Edition. New certificate, new design, new requirements – but the word ‘periodic is still relevant and still important to all contractors who want to increase business and maximise profits as easily as possible.

Here we are in yet another recession with less work available and prices squeezed on many jobs. So how can the EICR help? Well, by harnessing technology and making it work with your business you can increase your turnover with little effort. Certainly, many contractors are already using software to help them in their work but they aren’t all using the full range of features to best effect.

Producing a lot of certificates is very time consuming and you may have already invested in software to help. There are a number of packages on the market and most will produce good looking certificates easily – but are you squeezing every pound of profit from your software?

So let’s use ‘periodic’ as an example. Most business spend a lot of money attracting new customers. Yet every business knows it’s more expensive and harder to get a new customer than to look after an existing customer where there is already a relationship of trust.

Similarly, when you produce an EIRC for the first time you have to prepare the certificate, add client and location details, enter all the boards and circuits, test the installation, enter the details and so on. Yet when the certificate is due to be re-tested the job is much easier as the donkey work has been done. The problem is keeping track of where and when certificates are due for re-testing.

This is where you can take advantage of features in your electrical certification software. Check to see if it has an automatic reminder feature sometimes called ‘Test Centre’. This is a great feature that you can customise so when you open the software the reminder screen automatically shows all the certificates due for re-test in the next 30 days – or whatever time you choose.

The software knows which certificates are due for re-test and the address of the customer. So it can generate accurate reminder letters by itself, complete with your logo and other details. All you have to do is print and post them – or email them to save even more time.

If you don’t get a reply the software then generates a second, more urgent letter. Good software packages generate up to three different reminder letters.

This means you never need to miss any re-test work again. It’s great for your turnover while also giving the customer a personal and professional service.

When the time comes to re-test you can instantly find the old certificate on your system and download it. So all the information is on hand and the job is half done before you get to site. All you need to do when you get there is check the installation.

Some packages go even further and can produce a report of the ‘Observations and Recommendations’ codes for any EICR, automatically merge them to a letter, add your company logo and electronic signature and in seconds it’s ready to print out.

The ‘Test Centre’ is so simple to use that contractors often have a non-electrical assistant in the office who can handle this, so that qualified testers don’t need to be taken off the job.

Another great way to increase sales is to extend the services you offer. Again using certification software as an example, some packages now come complete with a cable calculation program. Let’s say you are testing an installation and find a problem, even something common like a warm cable. Instead of just noting it or issuing a fail report you can now offer to correct the situation using the cable sizing software included in your certification package.

Often the customer will ask if you can rectify it; now you can say “yes”. The cable calculation program will instantly show whether the cable size is suitable and allows you to compare larger or smaller cable sizes in relation to protective devices – all at the touch of the button. When you have finished, the software will even provide a report to verify your actions. Once again you don’t have to go looking for work, it comes to you.

These are just a couple of features in electrical certification packages that can give you extra business for very little extra work. If you are thinking of purchasing such a product check the features in detail. If you are currently using this type of software but are just producing basic certificates, check your manual. You never know, you may have many great features that you did know existed, and as you’ve paid for them why not make them pay you back?

For more information visit the Amtech website.

Article originally appeared in Electrical Times – Test & Measurement Supplement, March 2012 issue.