What s New in Autodesk Constructware 2013 Release

Transcription

1 Autodesk Constructware 2013 What s New in Autodesk Constructware 2013 Release Figure 1. Autodesk Constructware 2013 Autodesk Constructware web-based project management software enables construction firms and owners to standardize and optimize business processes in order to deliver projects more efficiently. Constructware connects people, information, and processes to help streamline operations, manage change, and optimize execution in the field. Greater project transparency and accountability improve insight across projects of all sizes. Gain more accurate near time cost visibility with the ability to exchange project data with accounting systems. And the configurable web-based software as a service (SaaS) platform can help to reduce costs associated with implementing and managing an IT infrastructure.

2 Project Wizard Ability to copy project level information Prior to this release, a user was not able to copy project level information, such as Attributes or Routes, when creating a new project. Specifically it would only copy the Global defaults specified in the Maintenance>Data Maintenance>Module Customization module. Once the project was created the project s administrator would have to edit the project by going to each module using the Customize function. With the 2013 release, a user creating a new project can copy the following information from an existing project in Step 2 of the Project Wizard (Figure 1): General Information Attributes Routing View Options Exhibits Figure 1: Project Wizard, Step 2 Use cases: 1) The source project has several project level attributes from the Contract module that need to copied to the new project. Previously the project administrator would have navigate to the Contract module, select Customize and change the attributes for Cost Status = Approved and Document Template = testbookmarkforshortname (Figure 2). With the new copy project level feature, the use would just select the Project Specific Attributes option on Step 2 of the Project Wizard when creating the new project. Figure 2: Module Customization Project for Contracts for Attributes 2) The source project has several project level routes that need to be copied to the new project. Previously the project administrator would have to navigate to the module where the route existed and copy the route(s) to the newly created project. With the new copy project level feature, the user would just select the Project Specific Routing option on Step 2 of the Project Wizard (Figure 3) when creating the new project. 2

3 Figure 3: Module Customization Project for Contract Routing Important Note: When selecting Project Specific Attributes a window will appear (Figure 4) stating: By selecting the Project Attributes option, Project Lookup Tables and Budget and Budget Codes and Markup Formulas and Project CSI Codes will also be automatically selected. This is done because a project attribute could be derived from a Lookup Table or Budget Code or Markup Formula or CSI Code that is project specific Click OK to continue or Cancel to change your selection. Figure 4: Project Specific Attributes Window After clicking OK, the following options will be selected automatically on Step 2 of the Project Wizard when using the Project Specific Attributes feature (Figure 5). Project Specific Lookup Tables Budget and Budget Codes Markup Formulas Project CSI Codes This is done because a project attribute could be derived from one of the four areas. Figure 5: Project Wizard Step 2 3

4 Renaming Modules In previous releases, Constructware add the ability to rename a module within certain modules in Document Management and Cost Management. The module names used in Constructware are intended to represent common business processes, such as Invoices, Purchase Orders, and Contracts. This terminology works for many companies, however, it does not work for everyone. For example, a General Contractor may prefer to use Subcontracts instead of Contracts or a Construction Manager may prefer to call the Cost Events module the Potential Change Orders module. With the 2013 release, this functionality has been added to the following modules. Document Management Architectural Supplemental Instructions (ASIs) Design Review Permits Cost Management Request for Change Order Request for Quote Risk Management Safety Record To change a module name navigate to Maintenance >Data Maintenance>Module Customization. Select the desired module and click edit. Select the Labels tab. Create a copy of the Constructware Standard or edit and existing copy. On the General tab place a check in the In Use field. On the attributes tab (Figure 6) enter the new values in the Custom column. Figure 6: Change Module Name In this example (Figure 7) you can see the Safety Records module has been relabeled X_Safety Records. Figure 7: Renamed module Important Note: Any alternate module names that you define will not appear in the following locations in the application: Online help Sample templates Bookmarks Data Exchange samples, XML, and public field names Doc select pop-up filters 4

5 Issues Module Creation of Issues via API In a previous release, Constructware added the ability to exchange files within the File Director module via the WebDAV API (application programming interface) and an API for the RFI module. Continuing this theme of enabling integration between desktop, mobile, or other applications, the Issues module now has been enabled with an API. General Constructware Issues API Functions View Create Resolve Edit Copy Attach external file(s) to Issue Notify Open API Documentation Note: Constructware API documentation is stored here for your reference: It will be updated as additional interfaces are added. Issues Module Creation of Attached Files As mentioned in the previous section, Constructware has added the ability to attach a file to an Issue via the API. The ability to quickly add an attached file has also been added to the standard user interface within Constructware. An attached file can only associated or attached to a singular document and cannot reside anywhere else within the application. Previously if a user wanted to add a file to an Issue they would have uploaded the file into File Director or the Documents modules as a supporting document. Figure 8: Attached Files in Issues To add an attached file the user selects the browse button. This opens a window allowing the user to select the file they Figure 9: Maximum Number of Attached Files per Save wish to attach. The user can add up to five (5) attached files per save. If the user needs to add more than 5 attached files, they will need to save the Issue first and then continue adding the necessary files (Figure 9). 5

6 Many times, a file attached to an Issue will need to be associated to another document within Constructware. To carry out this function the process button will be utilized. Here are 2 use cases. The user wants to have the attached files on an Issue also in File Director. First click Process. Once the process wizard window opens, select File Director in the Process Into section. Then select which attached to be added to File Director. Lastly, select the folder within File Director that the file(s) will reside in. Figure 10: Processing Attached Files into File Director The user wants to create a new document by using the process function and at the same time associated the attached file(s) to the new document. First click Process. Once the process wizard window opens, select which module to process the Issue into. At the same time select Save Files into File Director option, select the Link selected file(s) to Module option, and select the folder within File Director that the file(s) will reside in. The attached files will now be associated to the newly created document as supporting documents. Miscellaneous Improvements Figure 11: Processing Attached Files into File Director and Creating New Cost Event from Issues Module Safety Record Masking & Labeling In the Safety Record module, Masking and Labeling have been enabled. The Masking and Labeling will affect the Edit page, View page, and Safety Record Log Report. Masking allows you to change the fields to Read Only or Hidden status, and Labeling allows you to change the name of the field. An administrator can enable Masking and Labeling in Maintenance > Data Maintenance > Module Customization. Autodesk Constructware [and other products] are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. 6