To Expand BIM and VDC Integration, R&H Construction Uses the 'Buddy System'

R&H Construction in Oregon is a full-service general contractor, specializing in vertical construction, renovations and tenant improvements projects. Already an early adopter of BIM and virtual design and construction (VDC) tools and processes, R&H seeks to expand these capabilities enterprise-wide, and to all projects. Rather than going-it-alone in the integration of new and updated software and solutions, R&H has formed a strong relationship with their local Topcon Solutions Store (TSS), an Autodesk Platinum Partner, for training, support, and business transformation consulting.

R&H Construction has multiple goals in mind such as continually update their BIM and VDC software, explore and adopt new solutions and expanding the adoption of these solutions to all of their enterprise locations. In addition to that, engaging and encouraging their subcontractors to adopt solutions compatible with their BIM/VDC environment and growth in cloud-based project management, file sharing, and change management.

“We wanted to grow our BIM capabilities, but not necessarily be on the “bleeding edge”—facing the challenges of adoption all on our own,” says Kraig O’Connor, Director of Operations, Buildings, for R&H Construction. Over the past three years, R&H has developed a close-knit business relationship with the Topcon Solutions Store (TSS) in Portland, OR. As an Autodesk Platinum Partner, TSS is able to provide front-line support and training for the Autodesk products that R&H uses. “The TSS team have just been phenomenal in supporting us,” says O’Connor. Setting up trainings on a lot of the Autodesk tools we employ in our daily project management and project control suite. It's been a great partnership and relationship that that we’ve built with Topcon and their local team over the years, and we're very thankful that they're part of our of our support and workflow network.”

TSS has brought several impactful developments to R&H. Like a custom 3-day training course, focused specifically on the how multiple products integrate in their workflows: PlanGrid, Revit, Navisworks, and more, plus Autodesk Point Layout, which they use with their Topcon total stations for construction layout. Familiar with how R&H approaches projects, TSS also keeps them apprised of new developments that could help them achieve their enterprise goals. One such solution TSS demonstrated for R&H is Autodesk Build. “We’ve been using PlanGrid for many years as a live set document management tool,” says O’Connor. “But we had been looking for way to expand our cloud-based coordination processes—and enhance change management—the demo was timely.” “We’ve already begun using Autodesk Build on some smaller projects—a beta for our company,” says O’Connor, and it is going well: “The ability to have a project repository, and a live up-to-date workflow manager in the cloud, is really powerful.”

Topcon Solutions has been integral in introducing R&H to updates and improvements in the software, and also sharing what's still in development. “The kind of insight that TSS has directly with Autodesk gets us excited about the future of the tools, like they have with Autodesk Build,” says O’Connor. “And we're definitely evaluating rolling it out as our go-to project management tool.” R&H has a growing project load and cannot afford disruptions that new solution adoptions can sometimes bring. With this close-knit support and training resource—their BIM buddies at TSS—R&H is able to continually up their game and adopt new and updated solutions without pain.