2024 Construction Technology Virtual Series

Join the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) for a Construction Technology Virtual Series hosted by ZenTek Consultants, and held in conjunction with our Construction Technology Expo, presented by Microsol Resources. This year's Construction Technology Virtual Education Series will feature two webinars on November 6 and 7, from 12pm to 1:30pm.

GBCA Construction Technology Expo All-Access holders will have access to the full Virtual Education Series.

An Introduction to Power BI
Wednesday, November 6, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

If you are still using Excel to track project information there’s a better and faster way, by using Microsoft Power BI. Excel has a lot of graphic limitations, but Power BI eliminates those issues and lets you compile data from multiple sources, like PROCORE, your accounting system, or nearly any other data source. Once compiled, you can then generate easy to understand visual reports for your organization . You can create and monitor all your projects on a dashboard or get down to the specifics and view details like current RFI status & when it was updated last – all from within Power BI. This lets any member of your team, from superintendent to executive, easily view the data they need, when they need it. 

In this class, we’ll explain:

• What is Power BI?
• Similarities and differences compared to Excel
• Creating a visual report together with example data
• Demonstrate an interactive dashboard showing both project & company information

Digging into Dynamo for Civil 3D
Thursday, November 7, 12:00pm – 1:30pm

This training will introduce you to the concept of visual programming using Dynamo to assemble logical workflows and the automation of tasks. 

Read more… 

Dynamo is a tool that allows you to reach into the Civil 3D API to produce scripts or macros without having to learn a programming language.  Dynamo consists of blocks of algorithms we can arrange and string together to create and manipulate AutoCAD and/or Civil 3D data by automating iterative tasks, placing or replacing objects, visualizing results, and using external data to impact our design thereby creating new tools to improve our efficiency and productivity. 

Training Topics:

• Explore the Dynamo interface 
• Understand the components of Dynamo 
• Learn how scripts are assembled 
• Discover how external data can be harnessed to create Civil 3D data via Dynamo 

Presenters:

David Mills

David Mills has been working within the construction industry for nearly a decade. He has developed commercial and healthcare projects ranging from $100,000 to $100,000,000+, while working in various positions, including Estimator, Project Engineer, Field Engineer, and Assistant Project Manager. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was an Owner’s Representative on a large healthcare campus in Michigan. This project had several Construction Managers on it using different software products, which Mr. Mills successfully taught team members to use efficiently.

Mr. Mills joined ZenTek Consultants as a Technology Specialist in early 2023. During his time at ZenTek, he has developed custom solutions and training for clients, as well as written numerous articles and blogs on using Bluebeam and Procore efficiently. His knowledge of software does not end at Bluebeam and Procore, as he is proficient in Microsoft Office, Revit, PlanSwift, PlanGrid, Smartsheet, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.

Cyndy Davenport

Cyndy Davenport has been in the AEC industry for 30+ years in the area of design and technology solutions. Most recently, as a technology specialist, she has provided implementation services and technical support for strategic software directives such as virtual design and visualization for civil engineers and company communication and collaboration platforms.

Ms. Davenport’s experience prior to consulting is in civil engineering design, surveying, and construction. Her project experience includes site planning and overall infrastructure design (streets and utilities) in the federal, commercial, industrial, and residential markets, as well as highly specialized alignment design such as oil and gas pipelines, duct banks, and transportation development.

Ms. Davenport’s technology proficiency also relates to laser scanning, GIS initiatives, BIM interoperability, and visualization harnessing the interoperability of AutoCAD & Civil 3D, Infraworks, Revit, ArcGIS, and TwinMotion. Her endeavors have also involved me with Autodesk Gold Support, network administration, CAD management, project management, and software customization.

On the side, Ms. Davenport has co-authored three books that have been used as texts in many universities: Mastering Civil 3D 2014, 2015, and 2016. She has also served as an instructor in past years at Autodesk University.

For more information, contact Meg Ginsberg at mginsberg@gbca.com.

All individuals registering and attending this event, by virtue of their registration or attendance, agree to GBCA’s Code of Conduct, Image Release, and Registration and Event Cancellation policies posted HERE.