Smarter and more efficient installation and always up-to-date information. In line with this ambition, Vleugels Beveiliging is gradually switching to fully digital business operations. Trimble's software programs are making an important contribution to this.
Vleugels Beveiliging develops, implements, and maintains sustainable security solutions for individuals, businesses, and institutions. From fire alarm systems, alarm systems, fog machines, and access control to camera surveillance systems. “We know from experience that every security solution requires precision and customization,” says project manager Michael Vleugels. "We like to assess the situation on site, where we make an inventory of the possibilities based on the customer's wishes and the insurer's requirements. In other cases, we work on the basis of specifications, where we make suggestions for improvement. For example, with a view to a more efficient, safer, or more practical installation design. We also provide the associated (fire alarm) calculations and estimates. A great reference project is the new Toolnation warehouse, which we designed and drew entirely with Stabicad. As a supplier of power tools, Toolnation benefits from secure storage. Thanks to Stabicad, we were able to provide an excellent solution. By adding exactly the right symbols for the security system to our drawing, all parties involved will know exactly where the installations need to be placed, eliminating any communication issues.
Significant time savings
For its installation designs, Vleugels Beveiliging used AutoCAD for many years, and later Stabicad LT, which was developed specifically for electrical and mechanical installers. One reason for this was that this software saves a tremendous amount of time. “The program automatically calculates how many pieces of a particular component are included in a design,” says Vleugels. "This is a godsend, because it eliminates the need to plot (print) technical drawings and count them yourself. In addition, the software provides insight. For example, when we work on behalf of an electrical installer, in many cases this installer carries out the cabling work themselves. We create the design for this, after which the installer can use our drawings and the automatically generated installation diagrams to install the correct cabling in the right places. Based on the drawings, the end customer can also see exactly what is being delivered for their investment and how the installations are being constructed. We are completely transparent in this regard."
New (drawing) needs
“As an organization, we deliberately chose Stabicad LT because it is an excellent entry-level drawing package. Moreover, we did not yet need most of the functionalities offered by Stabicad for AutoCAD,” emphasizes Vleugels. “This has now changed, and we are going to make the switch to Stabicad for AutoCAD, mainly because of the coding function. Our organization has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, which has created new (drawing) needs.” As an example of a time-saving feature, he mentions the automatic numbering of components. “Recently, we have started drawing all new projects in Stabicad LT. We have also taken the first steps in Trimble Connect, a cloud platform for collaboration and information sharing, particularly in BIM projects.”
Up-to-date project information
During construction projects, Vleugels Beveiliging often also provides some project support, checking whether the electrical installer's cabling has been carried out in accordance with the drawings. In the event of design changes, suitable solutions are also sought. “To organize this properly, up-to-date project information is essential,” says Vleugels. "At the moment, the installation drawings are still being plotted. As project manager, I still take hard copies of the project drawings with me to the projects. That means that when design changes are made, new drawings still have to be plotted, collected, and added. Trimble Connect offers a solution for this in the short term. Because the Trimble Connect cloud platform is directly connected to our StabiBASE document management tool, we always have up-to-date drawings and information at our disposal. The next step is to also provide the technicians on site with a tablet, creating a completely paperless construction site."
Image: Magazijn Toolnation
According to Vleugels Beveiliging, digitization is the future of construction. "This digitization goes much further than, for example, digital work orders and schedules. In addition to digital design and control, we see opportunities for digital logbooks, for example. We also want to optimize our collaboration with partners in this area over the next year and a half. Many of our chain partners already work with Stabicad for AutoCAD or Stabicad for Revit. This will enable us to start up great collaborations in the future and exchange information in Trimble Connect. In this case, there is no longer any need to email drawings around. In addition, all relevant parties will automatically receive a notification when changes are made to the drawings. This way, everyone can maintain an overview, clashes and failure costs are prevented, and the end result is elevated to the highest level.
