The FirmSSFM International, a Hawaii-based firm founded in 1959, provides an extensive array of professional services, including structural and civil engineering, urban and regional planning, environmental, water, wastewaster, transportation, architectural planning and design, and project and construction management in Hawaii and the Pacific region. With a staff of more than 100 professional managers, engineers, architects, and technicians, SSFM is headquartered in Honolulu and also has offices in the Philippine capital Manila, the island of Saipan in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, as well as on the Hawaiian Islands of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai. Working with a variety of clients, SSFM undertakes a broad range of projects—from airports and high-rise buildings to resort and residential development.

To provide the highest quality of service to its clients, SSFM uses the most advanced software solutions and views technology as both an integral part of its business as well as a competitive advantage in its market. The relative isolation of the Hawaiian Islands makes the strategic adoption of technology even more important. “Attaining and maintaining a competitive edge, and attracting the right talent, are some of the biggest challenges facing a firm like ours,” remarks Mike Matsumoto, president

and CEO of SSFM. “Our clients rightly expect us to use cutting-edge solutions and project delivery methods on their projects. We apply only the best resources in our practices—both from a personnel standpoint and a technology standpoint.”

As a technology leader, SSFM had been an AutoCAD® Land Desktop software user for many years and was an early adopter of AutoCAD Civil 3D software— a surveying, design, analysis, and construction documentation solution for civil engineering.

Technology Wave“There’s no question that 3D modeling is the next innovation—the wave of the future—for civil engineering solutions,” says Stacey Miyamoto, director of knowledge-based systems at SSFM. In fact, the model at the core of the AutoCAD Civil 3D software that links design and production drafting convinced SSFM to move from AutoCAD Land Desktop to Civil 3D software. The software’s visualization capabilities—which enable designers and clients to visualize a project in 3D and therefore gain a better understanding of it—as well as its integrated data management environment and extensive range of civil engineering applications were also factors in the firm’s decision to move to Civil 3D.

Competitive advantage.

SSFM turns to AutoCAD® Civil 3D® software to attain and maintain a competitive edge.

SSFM InternationalCustomer Success Story

AutoCAD® Civil 3D®

With AutoCAD Civil 3D, we can spend more time on design and less time worrying about drafting—improving the overall quality of the service we provide to our clients. —Mike Matsumoto

President and CEOSSFM International

The turnaround time by our engineers was four to five times faster than it would have been using AutoCAD Land Desktop.—Stacey Miyamoto

Director of Knowledge- Based Systems SSFM International

Top-Down ImplementationThe decision to migrate to AutoCAD Civil 3D software was a top-down directive. “Change is always difficult and can make people anxious,” remarks Matsumoto. “For an initiative like this one, we felt that it needed to be a company-wide implementation.” In retrospect, SSFM sees this approach as one of the crucial success factors for its implementation of Civil 3D software. “We did it together—the entire firm—so we could all learn from each other,” remarks Miyamoto.

A Quick StartFor the transition, SSFM took advantage of the AutoCAD Civil 3D Quick Start program—a bundled service offering provided by Autodesk Consulting. The Civil 3D Quick Start program began with a week-long preparation period that included: the creation of an implementation plan; a workflow analysis; software installation, setup, and configuration; and customization of the standard Civil 3D styles, libraries, and subassemblies.

The implementation plan included a proficiency pyramid that mapped out what level of training was required for staff. This led to a tiered, 12-month training plan—starting with a basic software training class that the entire staff went through together. Several months later, a group of power-users went through intermediate training, followed by advanced training several months after that. It was important to SSFM that the whole staff had, at a minimum, basic knowledge of the software. They even had to pass a proficiency test to make sure

that everyone had acclimated to the new software environment.

SSFM staff also used (and still use) a variety of other resources to supplement their formal Autodesk-led training, including; Autodesk training webcasts, an internal user group, vBooks training guides (online, searchable product training books that include screen capture videos), and frequent use of both Autodesk and internal discussion boards relating to Civil 3D software.

Project CoordinationIn addition to implementing the AutoCAD Civil 3D, SSFM has implemented Autodesk® Vault software—a data management and version control solution that is integrated with Civil 3D and provides an effective way for engineering teams to simultaneously share design objects within the same project. When SSFM began migration to Civil 3D, Autodesk Vault was not yet integrated, so the team used data shortcuts to share project data.

“When Autodesk Vault was made available, we tried it on a pilot project and realized it had great potential to enhance the workflow between our multiple offices—increasing both our design accuracy, work efficiency, and project team coordination,” says Rebecca Ferguson, lead civil engineer. At that point, SSFM decided to implement Autodesk Vault, in combination with infrastructure upgrades such as a new T1 line between its office in Manila and its headquarters office in Honolulu,

which houses the Autodesk Vault server. SSFM also implemented network “appliances” from Riverbed Technology: hardware and software solutions that speed up the performance of applications and data across wide area networks (WANs).

Workflow Changes“Before we were exposed to the concept of data shortcuts or Vault, we were working in a completely different mindset,” explains Ferguson. “We have tried to have multiple engineers and designers in multiple offices work on the same project—and it has always been a cumbersome task.” With Autodesk Vault, SSFM has been experimenting with different workflows to find the one that suits its team and projects. “Our workflow is still evolving, but we’re already becoming more comfortable with segmenting drawing files in a much different way. Before we were limited to using xrefs, but now we’re working with what could be called smart xrefs,” remarks Ferguson.

By using Autodesk Vault, SSFM can now split up a project that uses one existing surface—enabling multiple designers in different offices to work on it at the same time. “For example, we’re currently working on a sewer project where many designers are taking pieces of the alignments and producing construction documents that all reference the same existing surface,” says Ferguson. “With these new workflow methods, it’s easier for us to avoid potential design errors—because updates to the references are automatically incorporated throughout the documentation set.”

sections. The turnaround time by our engineers was four to five times faster than it would have been using AutoCAD Land Desktop.” That sort of improvement was typical throughout the project. “Civil 3D allowed us to do everything faster. The length of many of our design activities went from weeks to days,” says Matsumoto.

Model-Based Design and VisualizationThe use of a 3D model, to drive documentation and to better understand the developing design, was another key feature for SSFM on this project. Early on in the project, SSFM had the mass grading all modeled in AutoCAD Civil 3D and wanted to show the client a virtual drive-through on some of the internal roads. To create the drive-through, SSFM used Rapid Design Visualization (RDV), which is an add-on application developed by RDV Systems that enables the creation of a fully interactive visualization environment directly from an Civil 3D project. “We used RDV to drape roads on the surface model, color all the backgrounds, and then create an animation sequence—setting the, speed of the animation to match the maximum design

speed of a car being driven on the road and setting the vantage point of the animation to match the height of a driver’s eyes,” recounts Matsumoto.

Based on the animation sequence, which simulated the visual experience that the driver of a car traveling at that speed would have, the client could easily “see” that the design speed of the road should be decreased—allowing the road to take a more natural course through the existing terrain, thereby minimizing its effect on the parcels abutting the road. This would reduce the environmental impact of the project by keeping as much of the site as possible in its natural state.

Through the use of the Civil 3D model, SSFM and its client were better able to visualize the design—even in this very early stage of the design process. “We just wouldn’t have been able to make that sort of decision if we weren’t using a 3D model as the basis for our design,” states Matsumoto. The resulting design changes were then easily incorporated into the model and automatically reflected in the existing documentation.

Project ChallengesSince adopting AutoCAD Civil 3D, SSFM has completed more than 75 projects using the software, and is currently working on one of its largest Civil 3D projects: a large land development project on the Big Island of Hawaii. The 1,060-acre project is a planned community of more than 2,000 homes—with more than 300 units set aside for affordable housing—that will be built in Waikoloa. The entire project is expected to be built out within a decade, and will include a golf course, a shopping mall, a 30-acre site for a public school, and more than 30 acres of parks as well as walking and biking paths.

“The site is on very rough terrain, primarily lava, with an internal road system, two major intersections to a state highway, not to mention about 20 stream crossings for roads as well as pedestrian and golf cart paths,” says Matsumoto. As a result the project encompassed a broad spectrum of civil engineering disciplines—road and site design, drainage, utilities, and so forth. In addition, the number of project iterations was commensurate with the project size. Civil 3D software provided SSFM with a comprehensive design application to tackle such a diverse project, as well as the agility needed to quickly respond to design changes.

Project Efficiencies“AutoCAD Civil 3D gave us a series of efficiencies on this project,” reports Miyamoto. “For example, all those stream crossings required fairly detailed cross

Downstream BenefitsAutoCAD Civil 3D software also created efficiencies in the project’s downstream workflows. “We have a design-assist relationship with one of our contractors who leverages our Civil 3D project for their GPS-guided equipment,” explains Matsumoto. In the past, SSFM provided the contractor with hard-copy plans, and the contractor created a terrain model in its own software to determine quantities. “Because we are both using Civil 3D, our contractor is able to quickly verify our cut and fill quantities, eliminating unnecessary rework” says Matsumoto. “So far, we’re the only engineering firm in the state that’s been able to supply 3D source files to that contractor. Once we start the mass grading, he’s going to be using our source files for his GPS equipment.”

SSFM views the benefits of Civil 3D not only as a competitive advantage for itself but also a lifecycle benefit for its clients. “One of the benefits of a 3D model is the ability of the extended design team to use the 3D design data for their own purposes, which improves the overall quality of the project for the client,” says Matsumoto. “On this project, we were able to share our design files with the contractor, and he could use it for quantity takeoff and pricing.”

Going forward, SSFM hopes to collaborate with the contractor and receive final construction data back. “I can envision using Civil 3D to create as-built models, with information such as cost information, final grading, contractors’ submittals, and the as-built locations of all infrastructure. Civil 3D makes it possible to create these types of deliverables—providing tremendous benefit to the owner and giving us a unique competitive advantage,” says Matsumoto.

The ResultSince early 2006, SSFM has standardized on AutoCAD Civil 3D, with 30 users spread throughout all of its offices. Although most of the firm’s projects to date have been land development projects, SSFM is plan-ning to use the software on some upcoming large transportation projects for the local Department of Transportation.

The firm’s use of Civil 3D has had some unexpected benefits, such as the ability to recruit new engineers and designers to the firm. SSFM typically relies on recruiting efforts at local job fairs and universities, and has an active intern program with the University of Hawaii. In all of its dealings with prospective talent, the firm highlights its use of cutting-edge technology, particularly Civil 3D software. “One of our newest lead engineers reported that she chose our firm based on our commitment to Civil 3D,” remarks Miyamoto.

SSFM is convinced that Civil 3D software, with its 3D dynamic modeling capabilities and the automatic link between design and documentation, is the competitive advantage that will keep the firm at the top of its market for many years to come. “With Civil 3D, we can spend more time on design and less time worrying about drafting—improving the overall quality of the service we provide to our clients,” says Matsumoto.

“Based on the success of using Civil 3D on this project, the general contractor has already recommended us to several other developers,” says Matsumoto. “That type of referral is priceless and proves to me the value of AutoCAD Civil 3D.”

Autodesk, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.© 2008 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved. BROA1-000000-MZ0O

To learn more about Civil 3D, visit www.autodesk.com/civil3d.

To learn more about the Autodesk Civil 3D Quick Start program, visit Autodesk Consulting at www.autodesk.com/consulting.

Based on the success of using AutoCAD Civil 3D on this project, the general contractor has recommended us to several other developers. That type of referral is priceless and proves to me the value of AutoCAD Civil 3D.—Mike Matsumoto

President and CEOSSFM International