Best Use of IT

Sponsored by: Autodesk

Winner

BDP

The judges praised BDP’s work for the Leigh Technology Academy as “a very innovative IT solution, making use of a range of hardware such as PDAs, smartphones and Oyster cards”, as well as harnessing youth-oriented technology such as podcasts.

The result is a place where the facilities manager can check his PDA to see CCTV footage of a delivery, open the school gates remotely and alert the kitchen staff. Pupils enter using an ID card to swipe an Oyster scanner, with which they also purchase food from cashless vending machines. Video conferencing enables pupils to share learning with specialist schools, such as with a marine biology class in California.

The school, in Dartford, is also home to a Cisco regional academy which provides industry-based training.

Runners-up

Haden Young

The design team used 3D modelling and visual rendering tools to support all stages in the development and manufacture of multi-service bulkheads integrating chilled beams in a recent project. In the development of the integrated beams, a photo-realistic visual rendering tool allowed lighting configurations to be verified and demonstrated to the client’s satisfaction.

Morgan Professional Services

MPS decided in 2007 that its business IT systems were preventing it from maximising the use of its investment. It underwent a big IT overhaul, called Project Tango, which has produced significantly increased connectivity across operations, better flexibility in deployment of resources from various locations, and improved design quality and efficiency.

Waterman Building Services

The company has developed a 3D object modelling process which has changed the way projects are designed, procured and built. Using the CAD-Duct programme, engineers can produce a 3D model of a complete building services installation which can be used in the procurement process and selection of mechanical and electrical contractors.