Estimating Solutions:
Build your metal building better
Posted
03/1/2009
Industries are
becoming more technological across the board, including metal
building construction. As a strategic move in a tech-savvy world,
software is a new resource to be even more savvy and
efficient.
In 2008, Houston-based Metallic Building Co., a division of NCI
Building Systems, introduced Optima, proprietary estimating pricing
software. Optima is an intuitive, design-driven pricing program
intended to improve and expedite the estimating of metal building
projects.
Optima supports easier navigation and guides users in building
design to help them customize projects to achieve the most
efficient layout. Created with the builder in mind, the pricing
software utilizes the same design engine as production software for
greater thoroughness. When using Optima, the builder has access to
expanded parameters, benefits from a wide array of accessory
options and a whole suite of finish options.
Optima also allows builders to see multiple dimension buildings
instead of piecing together numerous sketches like in the past. The
software not only collects data to ensure accuracy of order
placement but enables the builder to customize quotes to meet their
clients' requirements and budget.
"In an aggressive market it is imperative to price projects faster
than before," said Dave Barber, director of training for NCI
Building Systems. "Metallic does a great job of staying abreast of
the technology to help us be successful, cost-effective and
service-oriented."
Metallic is continually refining Optima to offer more flexibility
as the industry becomes more competitive. To demonstrate the
software's real-world application, builders can use Optima in
tandem with Google Sketch Up 6 (sketchup.google.com). So if a user
chooses, he can use this online tool, take a virtual walk through
his designed building and even place the metal building project on
the actual site with Google Earth (earth.google.com). Other
technical features of the system include:
• Expanded geometry parameters to price:
• Up to a 60-foot (18-m) mean eave height.
• Up to a 6:12 roof pitch.
• Up to 40-foot (12-m) bay spacing.
• On-the-spot pricing capability for custom-design projects.
• Builder-specified deflection criteria to accommodate special
design needs.
• Generating multiple drawings, such as:
•Preliminary anchor rod plan drawings and details.
• 2-D building layout.
• Frame cross sections.
• Comprehensive 3-D.
• Architectural elevations.
To learn more about Optima, e-mail sales@metallic.com.
sales@metallic.com; earth.google.com; sketchup.google.com