At ARKANCE, our mission is clear: to create and deliver innovative solutions tailored to our clients’ specific needs. For over 30 years, this mission has been upheld by Agacad, one of the four ARKANCE Group development teams, creator of the Be.Smart Building solution line, and major contributor to the Be.Smart software portfolio.
We aim to be a trusted partner in transforming the construction industry with cutting-edge technology and expert guidance. Our commitment to customer support and product development is highlighted by our recent collaboration with HercuTech, a leading US manufacturer of sustainable prefabricated wall panels. Tom Dorner, BIM Specialist at HercuTech, based in Tempe, Arizona, USA, visited our office in Lithuania for direct training and consultation to adapt the Be.Smart Metal Framing solution to the company’s specific needs.
When HercuTech reached out for help with our Metal Framing product, we saw an opportunity to showcase our commitment to customer satisfaction. This article highlights the cooperative journey that leads to a user-specific workflow automation, showcasing Agacad’s relentless efforts to meet and exceed customer expectations.
Understanding the client’s unique needs
HercuTech is known for its revolutionary HercuWall® system, a panelized wall solution that combines strength, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Its prefabricated wall panels, made of EPS foam reinforced with patented steel HercuStrip™ technology and a weather-resistant barrier, are assembled on-site and filled with concrete. This innovative system not only meets stringent hurricane codes but also significantly reduces bills for cooling by up to 50%.
To achieve its vision of sustainable home design, HercuTech relies heavily on Autodesk Revit software for its designs. “Revit was chosen because it’s an industry-standard program that a lot of architects and engineers are using in the building industry,” says Tom Dorner, BIM Specialist at HercuTech.
However, HercuTech faced challenges integrating its unique building materials and sustainable design processes with Revit, its primary software. Dorner elaborated on the company’s struggles: “We had originally chosen a path of custom programming an add-in, but it lacked efficiency and automation, particularly for tasks like dimensioning drawings, creating sheets, and placing views. We needed an out-of-the-box solution that could address these gaps effectively.”
As a result, HercuTech decided to try our Be.Smart Metal Framing solution. While this productivity toolset provided a solid foundation, it required user-specific library and workflow to fully align with HercuTech’s prefabricated building designs. This prompted the need for live training and consultation at Agacad’s office in Lithuania.
The visit and collaboration
The client’s visit to Lithuania was pivotal for both parties. Bringing samples of its wall panel for real-life demonstration, HercuTech aimed to bridge the gap between theory and practice. The face-to-face interaction enabled clearer communication, immediate problem-solving, and hands-on exploration of potential solutions.
Andrius Čupkovas, Solution Specialist at Agacad, led the efforts to understand HercuTech’s needs and guided the exploration of user-specific automation rules. His expertise and dedication were crucial in navigating the complexities of adapting the Metal Framing solution to fit HercuTech’s unique prefabricated building designs.
“I’ve spent the week here in Lithuania at Agacad’s office working with your team to use out of the box software to configure a solution that works for our wall panels. In a week we basically solved what we couldn’t solve in two to three years of a custom programming solution,” shares Dorner about the live collaboration.
Adaptations and solutions
Throughout the client’s week-long visit, Agacad’s team worked diligently to adapt the Metal Framing solution to HercuTech’s unique needs. The primary focus was on enhancing the software to accommodate HercuWall™ systems seamlessly. Key adaptations were agreed upon:
- Wall panel design: Aligning the software to handle the specific dimensions of HercuWall® insulated panels.
- Automated HercuStrip™ steelwork modeling: Creating modeling automation rules that would populate insulation panels with HercuTech’s unique patented HercuStrip™ steel studs.
- Documentation automation: Introducing automation features to streamline repetitive tasks like dimensioning drawings, creating sheets, and placing views on the sheets.
These changes will not only address HercuTech’s immediate challenges but also position the firm for greater efficiency and productivity in its sustainable building projects. “We wanted an ‘off-the-shelf’ solution that kept pace with industry technology and reduced the need for constant manual adjustments. The adaptations made by Agacad have exceeded our expectations, allowing us to focus on delivering high-quality, sustainable buildings,” explains Dorner.
The future of collaboration
The successful collaboration between HercuTech and Agacad marks the beginning of an ongoing relationship centered on innovation and continuous improvement. Both teams are committed to exploring further enhancements and ensuring that the solutions evolve with the changing needs of the construction industry.
“The level of support and responsiveness from Agacad has been outstanding. We’re excited about the future possibilities and look forward to continued collaboration,” says Dorner.
Andrius Čupkovas emphasized the importance of this continued relationship: “Our partnership with HercuTech is just the beginning. We are excited to continue working together to explore innovative workflows that not only meet their needs but also benefit other clients facing similar challenges.”
Conclusion
The journey from initial contact to a unique workflow exemplifies Agacad’s dedication to understanding and meeting the unique needs of our clients. HercuTech’s visit to our office resulted in the adoption of Metal Framing solution to innovative and sustainable construction projects.
We invite our readers to share their thoughts and feedback on this collaborative approach. If you’re interested in exploring how ARKANCE Be.Smart solutions can meet your company’s specific needs, don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can shape the future of construction technology.
Ready to see what Be.Smart can do for you? Take a trial of our solutions for the Building industry today, and experience the power of productivity toolsets designed with the needs of AEC specialists in mind. And if you have specific requirements, let us know – your feedback could shape our next innovation.
