3Ultra Technologies

Breaking new ground with Autodesk

3Ultra Technologies was founded in 2018 but has an engineering heritage of over 55 years through its parent company, Klaus Engineering. 3Ultra Technologies launched when Directors, Rainier Krause and Paul Calitz, saw an opportunity in the South African market for a specialist design firm. Today, their main clients operate in the food and beverage industry, “We saw an opportunity in the industry to help companies visualise their processes with the help of Autodesk BIM360,” says Calitz. With the help of the Autodesk suite, 3Ultra Technologies has become one of the leading design firms in South Africa.

End-to-end service offering with AEC

3Ultra Technologies’ services include civil works, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering. “To deliver a comprehensive service to our clients, we use the entire AEC collection but most notably, BIM360. Some of our clients also make use of BIM360 so that we can ensure the integrity of our workflow to meet our deadlines,” says Calitz.

Calitz adds that integrating BIM360 into their workflow has been a total game changer for the business. “It’s not just about the improved efficiency in our workflow but the fact that we’re selling projects based on our capabilities with this software, that’s the real win for us.”

3Ultra Technologies is not just a design firm, the company prides itself on offering the full scope of services which includes project management. “We found that driving our projects is the only way for us to manage our deadlines. Everything is in BIM360 and this allows us to stay on top of every aspect of the project.”

Digital twin of a meat rendering plant. LiDAR technology used to capture accurate data – Eastern Cape, South Africa

Cost Savings

3Ultra Technologies’ review process has changed fundamentally since it switched to BIM360 and this has had a positive impact across the organisation, even extending to their clients.

“The biggest benefit we’ve seen with BIM360 is that a lot less rework is required on site while the paperless aspect of our new workflow has shown massive savings,” says Calitz.

The company has seen an impressive saving of around 8% over the total cost of a project by eliminating the need to purchase paper and ink or having to maintain printers.

In terms of direct cost saving, Calitz says that they save just over 70% on the administration costs of a project by not having to print anymore.

A further saving of 59% on laying out drawings were realised while the company now save 32% of their time, per project, on reviews, compared to before they implemented Autodesk BIM360.

When we introduce our clients and new project partners to the software, it does not take any convincing to onboard them. The software sells itself.

—Paul Calitz, Managing Director, 3Ultra Technologies

Autodesk BIM 360’s drawing review workflows eliminates all printed redline drawings.

Collaboration and Support

When 3Ultra Technologies onboarded BIM360 they looked to Prokon Software Consultants, in collaboration with the Autodesk extended Account and Customer Success team, for assistance with support and licensing. “Prokon’s support is really impressive and they pay close attention to their clients. It’s something we’ve not seen from any other reseller. You can’t put a price tag on that,” says Calitz.

Having assisted them with the transition to BIM360, Sampie Goosen, Structural Specialist at Prokon and Technical Consultant, Alastair Riddin, say the relationship is symbiotic and they offer good value to each other. Goosen adds, “We have a great relationship and provide training and support where needed but, to be honest, they are very self-sufficient.”

Goosen says, with the support of the Autodesk team, they helped 3Ultra Technologies with their workflow as well as how to extract the greatest value from BIM360 and the complex integration capabilities that come with using the entire AEC suite of tools.

Calitz agrees that this is key, making the Autodesk suite work together and offering that as a service is the best solution to winning projects and seeing them through successfully, and on time.

Using BIM 360 Docs, ensures all project collaboration on a common platform.