Customer Story: CAPA

Certified Systems Integrator CAPA is a Tokyo-based software company focused on developing CAD and design applications for the construction, manufacturing, and civil engineering industries. Founded in 1983, the firm specializes in BIM (Building Information Modeling), CIM (computer integrated manufacturing), and CAD customization. CAPA is also an Autodesk Authorized Developer, and offers software solutions for artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things, web and cloud development, and virtual, augmented, and extended reality (VR/AR/XR).

Challenge

Collaboration on construction sites between multiple teams from different firms has historically been a struggle. Owners, managers, office staff, and site workers do what they can to keep up with project status and maintain clear communication with clients, but a lack of a single, unified software system often means information slips through the cracks. Firms have to invest in new systems and hardware to be able to match those of the other stakeholders. And on-site teams have limited access to desktop machines to keep current on design changes, material orders, and other project data. Too often, this all leads to errors and rework, overrun budgets, and late project delivery.

How CAPA solved it with APS

CAPA addressed the challenges head-on when customer OBAYASHI Corporation ran into these problems at a dam construction site. CAPA understood that shifting the project data from disparate hardware and software systems to the cloud would be key to improving collaboration.

The firm designed a management system for BIM and built it on Autodesk Platform Services. CAPA chose APS APIs due to compatibility with the firm’s software and the models CAPA handles. The system is designed to use data output from Eagle Plus, a construction concrete placement management system that OBAYASHI was using. Using this system, project data is maintained in a single, cloud-based location. Whether on-site or in the office, all stakeholders can access the 3D model and check the construction status on a single system, and on any device—eliminating the need for extra, costly hardware and software investment, and improving access for on-site workers with mobile devices.

CAPA uses the Data Management API to extract model data and store it in the cloud-based location. The Model Derivative API then converts the model files—with the capacity to convert more than 70 different formats—into a viewable format. The Viewer API then presents the files as a 3D model in any web-based browser on any device.

This APS-powered streamlining of project data helps to eliminate costly errors caused by out-of-date information. If there’s a question at the project site, stakeholders can immediately pull out their devices and check on the project status for a resolution. Changes to the model are updated instantly across platforms, while projects are able to better stick to budgets and schedules.

Autodesk Platform Services highlights include the following:

Consolidates all project data in a single place.
Provides web-based access to 3D project model, regardless of location.
Eliminates need for costly hardware and software updates.

"Since we mainly used Civil3D and Navisworks for 3D models and the assignment of attribute information, we judged that BIM360 and its core Autodesk Platform Services functions would be useful for sharing information with users who often do not own software, such as clients and subcontractors." - OBAYASHI Corporation