As the BIM-VDC Director at Steinberg Hart, I strive to stay current on the latest BIM trends and technologies and recommend those appropriate for our company to my team and company leadership. My decision to move forward with a recommendation is predicated by two factors, the specific project delivery type and the actual deliverables per the agreement or contract with the client. Inherently speaking, the project delivery type is the biggest determining factor since it provides an outline on what the deliverables are and how will they be measured for the purpose of value engineering.
Effectively Measuring Return on Investment of IdeateApps and BIM
Ideate Software is pleased to present this blog post by our customer, Gautam Shenoy, BIM-VDC Director at Steinberg Hart.
A good example is that of a GMP (or GMax) contract used frequently in Design Build projects. The guaranteed maximum price (GMP) is a type of contract that requires the Design-Build team to have a tangible set of documents identifying efficient quantities and values. This in turn informs the estimating process, thereby allowing a ‘maximum price’ to be determined.
When I find a tool that will help our process, I need team and leadership buy in. For team buy in, I show how the technology will streamline processes, save time, and improve quality. For leadership buy in, I justify the expense by demonstrating a positive ROI based on its inference on the fee, time invested, and time spent.
From extensive experience, I have identified three different methods of measuring ROI that work in different situations. The “task” method is the one I used to demonstrate the value of IdeateApps to company leadership, who agreed that each of the 100 or so Revit users on our team should have access to the time- and money-saving applications.
Here are details of the three methods:
Task-based ROI
- Overview:
- Determine how much time a task takes using the current process
- Estimate how much time it will take using the new technology
- Assign a dollar amount to the time (in both categories)
- Multiply that amount by the number of times the task is performed over all the phases such as Schematic Design, Design Development and Construction documents
- Calculate the amounts in each category
- Subtract the two and show savings
- Use this method in these situations:
- Large scale implementation of plugin(s) while factoring costs
- In instances where a technology budget is not available to purchase multiple seats
- Where firmwide implementation is needed and leadership needs to review costs
Here is the table I used to determine and present the cost savings achieved by using IdeateApps:
Phase-based ROI
- Overview:
- Determine how much information needs to be provided in a set
- Estimate how much time it will take using a traditional method
- Estimate how much time it will take using the new technology
- Assign a dollar amount to the time (in both categories)
- Calculate the amount saved
- Multiple that amount by the number of times the task is performed over a single phase such as Design Development or Construction documents
- Use this method in these situations:
- Large set of inventory items need to be swapped / replaced / retagged
- Piloting a plugin for test purposes
- Smaller scale project implementation
Fee Calculation ROI
- Overview:
- Determine typical tasks (Eg. Tagging, using stickies, creating views, sheets, resolving warnings)
- Assign a dollar amount to the time (in both categories)
- Multiple that amount by the number of times the task is performed over one phase
- Use this method in these situations:
- A plugin is to be piloted onto a new potential project which has a really limited budget
- Additional services need to be requested
- Large scale rectifications are needed due to drastic changes in design intent and criteria
In each case, make sure you clearly explain via notes why the procedures are comparable yet the time and hence costs are dramatically different.
By taking the time to calculate ROI and truly understand how money is currently spent and how it can be saved, you will be well-prepared to have a discussion with leadership about your recommendations.
IdeateApps is a collection of tools that simplify the tasks that daily Revit users perform most often. Visit our website for more information on our Revit productivity tools. Give them a try with a free trial version, or subscribe today.
What is a Named User license?
A Named User license is assigned to one specific person rather than shared across a network. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see the License Wizard section of the Graitec Licensing Help Center.
Are Ideate Suites replacing Ideate Software Bundles?
Yes. Going forward, Ideate Suites replace Ideate Software Bundles.
What's the difference between the Ideate Software Bundle and the Ideate Suite?
Both include the same five tools: IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky and Ideate StyleManager. What changes is how many people can use them at the same time.
- Bundle: Each tool is licensed separately, so different people can work in different tools at once. For example, with one Bundle, five people could each use a different tool at the same time.
- Suite: One license covers all five tools for one person at a time. That person can move freely between every tool. While they're using the Suite, it isn't available to anyone else on that license until they finish.
A Named User Suite is assigned to one specific person. A Cloud Floating Suite can be shared across your team, one person at a time.
Will my team need more licenses?
If several people on your team use different Ideate tools at the same time, you may need more than one Suite license. Contact us and we'll review your team's usage and help you choose the right setup.
Can I still buy an Ideate Software Bundle?
No. Bundles are no longer available for purchase. New purchases are offered as follows:
- Ideate Suite: Named User or Cloud Floating
- Enterprise Suite: Cloud Floating
- Active Host: Cloud Floating
- Automation: Cloud Floating
- Individual products: Named User or Cloud Floating (IdeateApps, Ideate BIMLink, Ideate Explorer, Ideate Sticky, and Ideate StyleManager)
Can I still buy IdeateApps, BIMLink, Explorer, Sticky, or StyleManager individually?
Yes. Individual products are available as Named User or Cloud Floating licenses.
Will floating (network) licenses still be available?
Yes. Cloud Floating licenses are available for Ideate Suite, Enterprise Suite, Active Host, individual products, and Automation.
My organization has strict security requirements or no internet access. Can I still get a FlexLM license?
Yes. FlexLM remains available for organizations with security requirements, such as environments without internet access. FlexLM is not available through the online store, so please contact your account manager to purchase.
I'm an existing customer. What happens to my current license/s?
Your existing Ideate Software subscription is moving to our new licensing system at no cost. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
- Standalone licenses become Named User licenses. Set up your Named Users in the Graitec Advantage Portal.
- Cloud Floating (network) licenses become Cloud Floating Suite licenses. Deploy the latest release as you have in the past, using the new license code in your migration email.
- Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes an Ideate Suite.
To keep using Ideate, update to the latest release and activate your new license by March 31, 2027. Older Ideate licenses will stop working in Q2 2027.
Using Ideate with Revit 2022 or earlier? Contact ideatesupport@graitec.com to review your options. For account questions, contact sales@ideatesoftware.com.
I have a Bundle today. What will I receive when I move to the new licensing?
Conversions are one for one. Each Ideate Software Bundle becomes one Ideate Suite, and each network Bundle becomes one Cloud Floating Suite. Your license quantities and expiration dates stay the same.
I have several products that renew on different dates. How will that be handled?
We're finalizing how to handle accounts with multiple renewal dates. Contact sales@ideatesoftware.com and we'll review your account with you.
Where do I manage my licenses?
In the Graitec Advantage Portal. Based on customer requests, starting with the latest Ideate release, license management and license usage information are handled in Graitec Advantage, outside of Revit. We recommend bookmarking the portal.
- Named User licenses: Assign licenses to people on your team in Graitec Advantage.
- Cloud Floating Suite licenses: Deploy the latest release with your new license code as you have in the past, then manage licenses in Graitec Advantage.
Watch the Graitec Advantage walkthrough
Can I transfer a Named User license to another person?
Yes. There's no limit on the total number of transfers, but each license can be transferred up to two times within a 30-day period.
How are licenses issued?
Each product on your order is issued as its own license once your order is processed. To try a product before buying, contact us to request an evaluation license.
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