Shedding light on unique perspective, Manideep Saha, Head - AEC, Autodesk India & SAARC, speaks about geospatial softwares' and the possibilities offered by geospatial softwares’.

Q. What is geo spatial software and what are the potential possibilities of the geospatial range of software’?

MS. The sectors that are largely served by the geospatial industry are utilities, government infrastructure, airports and transportation. Organizations that are adopting geospatial software applications have to clearly look at converging these applications with their Design/CAD applications as well as their core business applications to extract maximum benefit out of their investments.

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software is a powerful infrastructure mapping tool for delivering CAD and Geospatial information quickly, easily, and cost-effectively on the web. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise helps to maximize the value of design and spatial data by enabling information sharing with customers and internal teams, as well as integrating with enterprise applications. Autodesk MapGuide  harnesses the innovation of a broad community of developers, backed by commercial-grade quality assurance and support. Simple to develop and deploy, Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise provides a powerful API (application programming interface) for creating spatial applications, support for multiple development environments and direct connectivity to a wide range of data types that help ensure easy access to information organization-wide.

Autodesk Topobase software, built on AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map 3D and Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software, stores design and spatial information in centralized database, providing engineering, GIS and field operations teams with easy access to accurate asset information. Autodesk Topobase has over 50 new utility features, including wastewater inspection workflows that integrate network management and video, network schematic generation and the ability to visualize the inside of network structures, such as transformer stations. It also works with more versions of Oracle databases, and includes specialized l modules for managing water, wastewater, gas and electric assets, all in onebox.

Q. What are the new features that shall be incorporated in geospatial software’?

MS. Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise lets users develop and deploy web-based applications that quickly and easily distribute spatial and design data. The enhanced functionality include- 

• Improved rendering options allow the use of multiple rendering engines; GD and AGG to render the AJAX based maps. 
• Users can publish elevation data from AutoCAD® Map 3D software directly into MapGuide Enterprise for use in Web mapping applications. 
• Improved support for custom symbology and line-styles that enable richer cartographic map output in Web mapping applications. 

Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise offers more powerful and uniform expression support. It includes a more powerful expression language and a robust set of functions that work across all Feature Data Objects (FDO) data providers. 

It also has the following features- 

Flexible Web Layout Templates

• The new Flexible Web Layout technology helps accelerate the development of web mapping applications created with MapGuide Enterprise 2009 and MapGuide Open Source 2.0. 
• Flexible Web Layout templates and application code “widgets” help separate design and development tasks and serve as building blocks for both Web designers and application developers to create rich Web mapping applications.
• Flexible Web Layout includes support for:
• Overview maps
• Improved tools for selection measure
• Feature digitizing

Autodesk MapGuide Studio software, the authoring environment for Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise software, now supports creation of applications with Flexible Web Layouts and makes it easy for developers to switch between a set of design templates and click-and-drag application functionality options.

Better Performance & Stability

• Faster, more scalable resource database that improves performance on complex and large scale enterprise implementations.
• Native Integration with web servers as an ISAPI extension for IIS and Apache Module for Apache Web Server, which improves the stability and performance of applications.
• Better interactive selection and new and improved API functions resulting in quicker responses and a better user experience.

Q. How does Autodesk’s Geospatial Solutions businesses in India operate – what is the focus of Autodesk business in India?

MS. Few years back, we had set some ambitious targets for ourselves from a revenue growth stand point as well certain key qualitative parameters; while a large part of which have been achieved however there are areas wherein we need to gear up. We have looked at certain key industry segments to focus on. We have invested in developing our capacity and capability in reaching out to all these customers and serve them well. The good news is that these investments have been paying off well in the immediate term and will continue to help us grow over the medium and long term.  However our real growth lies over the next three to five years because I don’t think we have yet reached out to all the folks out there who need high-precision yet user-friendly geospatial tools that so effectively combine CAD and GIS, great Infrastructure Modeling tools that we offer at Autodesk AEC.

Q. What is the future of the geospatial industry in India?

MS. This question needs to be answered in two parts. First is, where will the revenues grow amongst the mature industries and/or segments? And second is which are the high growth areas where the current usage is low? So, let me address these two separately. Matured markets that will continue to be a large source of revenue, will essentially be utilities, telecom and government infrastructure, because these are areas that will continue to be big focus areas in years to come. A few catalysts, for instance, development of infrastructure for the international events like Commonwealth Games and other such events will spur large investments in these segments. An emerging high growth area that we clearly see for the infrastructure design and geospatial industry is Sustainable Design in urban cities. You might have observed there are already quite a few initiatives in this area, both in India and elsewhere, and especially in cities that have a combination of a lot of as-built data as well as where there is a need to refurbish and build a lot of infrastructure. Autodesk AEC business unit has taken a substantial step in this regard in helping the city of Salzburg, Austria in creating a Digital City Model. The basic idea is to create 3D digital city infrastructure design on a high precision geospatial platform. These are just some of the new growth areas for infrastructure mapping technology, and I think these may be good paths for India to adopt and move forward. Other areas where there is substantial potential are mobile computing and sales force automation. Last but not least, the power & telecom sectors continue to be big growth drivers that are very effectively leveraging infrastructure mapping data for significantly improving customer service levels and their ability to offer a lot of value added services that helps them stand apart from competition for sectors that have been privatized or corporatized.

We are very upbeat. Infrastructure Mapping technology is surely a key focus area at Autodesk. In my personal opinion, this technology has the potential to become as ubiquitous and as popular as office automation software, ERP or CRM. In fact, vis-à-vis the revolution that we saw the IT industry go through over the last 10-15 years back, this industry may be poised for a similar revolution over the next 3 to 5 years.

But having said that and may be at the risk of being repetitive I would reiterate that if we really want to make a success out of this  technology, it would be through a tight convergence with mainstream IT so that users can optimize and leverage the huge investments that they have been making, both on GIS and IT.

Design Based Softwares

Q. After BIM what are the new platforms that Autodesk is developing for the AEC industry?

MS. Autodesk already has two world class platforms that serve as a basis in the infrastructure design space – AutoCAD and Revit. And then we have purpose built products like AutoCAD Map, AutoCAD Architecture, AutoCAD MEP on the AutoCAD platform and Revit Architecture, Revit MEP and Revit Structure on the Revit Platform. Going beyond modeling and construction documentation, products like Navisworks are significantly adding to the ability of design & construction professionals to visualize the designs in 3D, and set right any defects or clashes, as well as manage the projects much more scientifically.

I would say- Sustainable Design & Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) are two key revolutions that the building and construction industry is going through today. This reflects the growing interest in promoting Model Based Design and tightly integrated collaborative workflows among building and infrastructure design and construction professionals for improving design outcomes.

Autodesk provides the tools that help customers make smarter, more sustainable design decisions. By simulating the real-world performance of projects, customers can explore more design alternatives earlier in the design process while improving economic performance and optimizing energy, water, land, and material use. Through project performance analysis, designers can address sustainability challenges with resource-efficient design and better understand and minimize a project’s environmental impact, all while delivering innovative and achievable solutions for a more sustainable world.

Integrated project delivery, enabled by building information modeling (BIM), rests on cross-functional project teams collaborating on a building’s design, construction and lifecycle management for optimized owner outcomes—using collaborative, model-based technology as a platform. As per the definition of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), IPD is project delivery approach that integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants to optimize project results, increase value to the owner, reduce waste and maximize efficiency through all phases of design, fabrication, and construction.

The broad issues fueling the move towards IPD include:

A shift toward globalized work processes: The building product supply chain is becoming heavily globalized, making cost predictions more complex and demand for building materials more unpredictable. Outsourcing and shifting demographics are globalizing the workforce along with fueling the need for new competencies relating to collaborative processes while simultaneously creating a new set of potential competitors worldwide.

The need for increased productivity and low margins: Declining construction productivity is diminishing the ability to execute building projects reliably and profitably thereby fueling the demand for more controlled building outcomes.

The demand for sustainability: Sustainable building design hinges on the ability to gain insight into construction outcomes through analysis, prediction and optimization of the design to reduce environmental impact through reduced energy consumption, carbon footprint and use of fresh water. As a result, sustainable building standards are expanding and evolving to address performance-based assessments that encompass a building’s entire lifecycle.

The increasing complexity of buildings themselves: Building projects themselves are increasingly complex endeavors; driven by ever more dramatic building forms, complicated supply chains, new project delivery standards, regulatory restrictions, project interactions amongst large teams of project specialists and owner demands.

In context of the above, a basic principle of IPD is the reliance on knowledge integration. Given that IPD encompasses highly collaborative processes that rely on the collective expertise of the extended project stakeholders (including designers, builders, subcontractors and owners) contributed throughout the design process but particularly in the early stages of design, the ramifications of design decisions can be understood and thereby increase the likelihood of project success. The resulting increase in project knowledge creates a better understanding of a project earlier in the design process, enabling owners and their IPD team to more effectively assess their project options and consider how to align them with their business goals. This should, in theory, result in a project that more accurately reflects their requirements.

The next aspect to consider is how architects, engineers and builders respond. Architects, engineers and builders are responding to owners’ demands by adopting new processes, forging collaborative partnerships and utilizing new technologies. Increasingly, AEC firms are transitioning to collaborative processes built on the use of digital models to inform and progress the project design and to aid construction. These processes are characterized by increased involvement of project planning, communication and risk management in a comprehensive and open manner during design and construction. Also, new partnerships (including proactive, timely owner engagement) that rely on collaborative digital models to facilitate decision-making are creating a new breed of construction/lifecycle-minded designers and design-minded builders. These builders are together managing the project with process and outcome metrics and putting increased emphasis on the consideration of value and cost.

New tools and technologies are key enablers of the integration of design practice and construction. These include:

• BIM design tools - providing platforms for integrated processes built on coordinated reliable information and resulting in enhanced coordination, fewer RFIs and change orders, and less rework.
• 3D and 4D visualization - enhancing scope definition, stakeholder engagement, and decision making.
• Model-based analysis - using BIM-based data and digital analytical tools to understand project energy consumption, structural performance, cost estimates and other inferential reasoning from the design while it is underway.
• 4D modeling - coordinating construction and increasing the reliability of schedules.
• Fabrication from 3D models - resulting in elimination of shop drawings; better tolerance, lead time, and safety; and faster field assembly.
• Model-based bills of materials - providing faster, more accurate takeoffs for cost estimating, energy analysis, etc.
• Laser scanning - capturing existing (as-built) conditions that can be combined with BIM to provide reliable as-built models.

More so, flexible project structures coupled with collaboration technology will facilitate the integration of global, extended project teams and allow organizations to find talent anywhere and shift work to remote locations as needed—increasing the overall flexibility of the building industry’s workforce.

Q. How will the Autodesk software’ transform the workflow and the concepts in design development and detailing?

MS. As a pioneering design software leader, Autodesk is committed to providing the right tool to the right professional, be it a 2D platform or 3D. The advantages that accrue by using Autodesk products are as follows:

Time Saving: Three-dimensional design technology helps improve the design process that in turn benefits business. Manufacturers find that migrating from 2D to 3D tools makes design work more efficiently and accurately, producing better overall design quality and fewer (expensive) errors. Exploration of new design ideas becomes easier because engineers don’t have to spend time making new 2D drawings in order to look at design alternatives. The use of 3D tools also helps to communicate concepts to a diverse audience.

Handling complex designs: New 3D modeling tools make it possible to create and modify some of the most challenging objects by using design. These 3D applications produce accurate representations of highly complex designs. 3D tools perform interference detection and calculate weight and mass. These automated functions make it faster and easier to change designs. All of these capabilities mean that 3D models can be created and updated easily and quickly.

Collaboration between various entities: Three-dimensional design technology helps infrastructure companies communicate and collaborate better with various entities. 3D technology helps minimize misinterpretations between infrastructure companies and contractors, architects and structural engineers by providing early and accurate 3D solid models.