Streamlined infra project management for project owners

Growing pressure for sustainability and digitalization in the infrastructure sector is raising questions for infra owners. How to control high risk projects from delivery failures, keep the schedule, stay within the budget while maintaining great quality in a public procurement environment?

Infrakit offers a centralized cloud platform for infra owners to streamline their project management.

Real-time situational awareness and progress reporting

Infrakit enables a real-time map view of the project’s progress and status in all project phases. This makes sure that the project is completed as planned, with documentation being created simultaneously. This enables you to build with less errors, reworking and claims.

Kadi Tuum, Project Manager from Estonian Transport Administration says that “from the owner’s point of view, it is very convenient to be able to record the problems that have arisen on the map with the route during the whole construction period. This makes it much easier to identify the causes of defects and resolve disputes during the warranty period. “

Read her interview here.

Shorter project delivery time with savings in total project costs

Because all project parties have access to the same information from designs to any changes of plans at the same time, projects can move forward faster without the need to send information around. This leads to savings in total project costs. All of this is possible while increasing the quality of the project.

Infrakit’s wide variety of integration partners gives you the change to choose freely which software and equipment you prefer to use.

Infrakit provides real-time progress data of infra projects for contractors

In our previous benefits blog we told you about the cost savings and heavy machinery efficiency improvements that Infrakit enables. Infrakit ensures that all project parties are working with the latest plans and schedule to avoid waste of resources and expensive errors, while improving efficiency at the worksite.

In this blog we’ll talk about real-time map view of the project status and progress.

As planned and as built

Infrakit enables easier coordination of plans and quality assurance, which leads to high quality end products that are ready and suitable for digital construction. As built aggregation enables progress and quality monitoring.

“Infrakit is used as a project bank in the project – all plans and real-time quality assignments are handled through Infrakit. This is important for the owner of the project, who wants quality recognition to take place immediately during the work and not with the traditional way of delay. Without Infrakit, quality designation would not only be delayed, but it would also require more work: quality reports and their storage in a project bank. Now there is no need for it, but all quality measurements and as-built measurements are displayed in real time when the points are taken.

At the same time, quality data can be combined with the location, ie material certificates, culverts, etc. are documented. It is possible to look at what quality measurements can be found in each case.”

Sami Laakso, Project Manager, Kreate on case Klaukkala Bypass

Real-time status and progress information

Real time situational awareness and project progress status can be found in the platform with different devices like smartphones and tablets which are easy to use on site. Project progress monitoring can be done with the help of surveying and machine control log points, photos, orthophotos and drone views.

“HSY can view photographs and completed pipeline networks through Infrakit. Photos provide valuable information on how construction is progressing. Infrakit’s orthophotos have been praised, as they provide an up-to-date situational image. During the implementation stage, supervisors can also view the photos and situational images in Infrakit on site, on their tablets.”

Tomi Mäkelä, Head Surveyor on case: Jokeri Light Rail

Infrakit Enables Cost Savings and Better Machine Efficiency for Contractors in Infra Projects

In our previous blog we talked about providing overall control over projects. Contactors need access to all project information to fulfil the requirements of project owners, which is where Infrakit can help. Infrakit transforms your projects into more controlled processes enabling a more harmonized way of working.

In this article we’ll dive into how contractors can achieve cost savings and better efficiency through Infrakit.

A common issue for contractors is staying within the budget and schedule, while fulfilling the project owner’s requirements. Infrakit ensures that all project parties are working with the latest plans and schedule to avoid waste of resources and expensive errors, while enabling you to invoice for all additional work.

Infrakit offers cost savings in the total project costs

Because of the continuous documentation for project progress, quality control and handover materials, you can easily keep track of what’s being done at your worksite and make sure that your subcontractors work efficiently. This ensures that they do the right things, keep the planned schedule and quality without overcharging you.

Machine usage data and truck haul monitoring, together with volume and schedule tracking, can boost jobsite and heavy machinery efficiency from 50% up to 90%.

“We wanted to have all the machine control in one place. The same applied to photos, models and the updating of new versions. Before, we used several programs with different portals. This meant that we had to post models several times. On Infrakit they are collected. In a turnkey contract like this, there are many models and updates. Instead of going through five different portals, it now sticks with one. Overall, this provides much more efficient machine control.”

Eirik Frimannslund on case: PEAB building E6 Moelvkrysset (in English)

Infrakit Enables Efficient Infra Project Management for Contractors

Infrakit offers a centralized cloud platform for contractors to have control over all infra construction phases easily and efficiently. Common problems for project managers are fulfilling owner’s project requirements concerning time, quality and budget. Contractors need access to all project information to fulfil the requirements.

Infrakit gives you complete control over all project phase

Infrakit transforms your projects into more controlled processes enabling a more harmonized way of working. This lets you build according to requirements with less errors, reworking and claims with the bonus of having the handover documentation available as soon as the project is finished.

All of this also applies to possible subcontractors working on your projects.

By connecting people, data and machines, Infrakit ensures that all parties are working to avoid wasted resources and
expensive errors with the latest plans and schedule. Because of our wide selection of integration partners, Infrakit can be
used independently from any equipment and software brands.

“It is very easy to distribute rights in Infrakit. Easy to manage and keep track of what both project managers and the guys in the field do. We received direct and personal training from Infrakit, and everyone knows exactly what to do.” Henrik Bertelsson on case Vestre Vei.

Handover phase is made stress-free because all the construction information can already be found in Infrakit

According to Janne Neste and Jenna Karppanen from the Streets of Kallvik case the ease of communication that comes through using Infrakit is one of the main benefits.

“Particularly when handover time approaches, Infrakit will greatly lighten the workload for all parties because all the material is in one place, and everyone has the same up-to-date information. This is especially true for large projects like this one. Without Infrakit, everyone would be faced with huge piles of paper and other material. The fact that everything is stored in one place and documents can be searched for using different codes makes the work more efficient.”

Stay tuned for the next part in our benefits series.

Read about our benefits for all infra project participants here.

Jokeri Light Rail set to finish ahead of schedule

Construction phase of Jokeri Light Rail is estimated to finish ahead of schedule next year with traffic set to start earlier than planned in 2024. Once construction is finished, the infrastructure will be thoroughly tested.

Jokeri Light Rail construction has lasted for about two years and the Espoo side of the project will be completed this year. In 2022 finishing touches will be conducted in Espoo and construction work in Helsinki will continue in Patterimäki tunnel, Eliel Saarisen road, Viikinkaari and Varikkoroad.

Patterimäki tunnel – Photo: Jokeri Light Rail

Both end stops in Keilaniemi and Itäkeskus are to be finished in 2022 as well.

Construction has been boosted in part by the Covid-19 pandemic. Less traffic has enabled construction to move faster than expected in Espoo’s Otaniemi and Leppävaara.

Faster construction has in part made it easier to stay in budget says Project Manager Juha Saarikoski on Helsingin Sanomat (18.5.2021, in Finnish). Faster completion also brings a lot of cost savings says Saarikoski.

According to Saarikoski staying within budget and schedule is important when it comes to the reputation of large infra rail projects.

“This is a big deal for both us and any future railway projects. I’ve considered it very important to take this as a positive example. Big infrastructure projects occasionally get a bad reputation in Finland.”

Check out the original article in Finnish here.

Infrakit is used in the project as a flexible collaboration tool for all parties.

Tomi Mäkelä from YIT, acting as Head Surveyor in the Jokeri Light Rail project, is an Infrakit main user. Mäkelä sees plenty of benefits in using Infrakit in this model-based project. “We use a lot of photos in construction. Supervisors, employees and excavator operators upload a steady stream of photos on construction progress into Infrakit. We currently have more than 10,000 photos of the project. This is a big number, which is getting bigger all the time. We create folders for the photos. It’s also been made as easy as possible to add photos to folders.”

Infrakit’s map view of Oulunkylä. Photo: Jokeri Light Rail

Infrakit also makes cooperation easier within the alliance. “HSY can view photographs and completed pipeline networks through Infrakit. Photos provide valuable information on how construction is progressing. Infrakit’s orthophotos have been praised, as they provide an up-to-date situational image,” says Mäkelä. “During the implementation stage, supervisors can also view the photos and situational images in Infrakit on site, on their tablets.”

Orthophotos in Infrakit powered by Pointscene
Check out our case study about this project here.
Read about Infrakit’s benefits for all parties involved in infra construction here.

Infrakit – the digitalization partner for all parties involved in infra construction

The work environment for which Infrakit was designed for is quite extensive and diverse. Many different parties are involved in infra construction processes: infra owners, designers, contractors, and sub-contractors. These parties have also different viewpoints and needs when it comes to fluent and efficient construction process. That is exactly why Infrakit has been developed for the entire infra construction life cycle.

This article explains in a nutshell how Infrakit answers some of the main challenges these different stakeholders face in day-to-day work. Throughout the 10 years we have been in the business we have learned that data flow and shared information are key elements in efficient, quality construction processes.

Infra owners’ view: schedule, costs and quality

Some of infra owners’ typical concerns include the project costs, schedule and quality of the construction. Infrakit enables real-time collaboration between the different stakeholders. With the platform the construction quality is also improved by a real-time progress monitoring for all the parties involved. Construction work can be carried out by 3D designs to enable enhanced workflow. Rework and waiting are reduced drastically, not to mention the smaller CO2 emissions on the project and more sustainable way of constructing.

Starting with a pilot project, smaller and bigger infra owners can fully digitalize their processes with the help of Infrakit services. With Infrakit the infra owners can have up to 20 % savings in total project costs.

Infrakit has enabled our customers to work more efficiently and in better cooperation. Many infra projects have been finished faster than planned and with great savings.

Read more about these projects:

• Pääskyvuorenrinne planning area in Turku Finland
• Motorway project E6 Arnkvern – Moelv in Norway
• Light rail project in Tampere Finland
• Extensive road construction site in Mustasaari Finland

Seamless information flow from design and construction phase to quality documentation

Designers need to make sure that the designs are constructable. When needed, as-built and deviation documentation should be also controlled. Additionally, how to ensure that the customer has the latest designs at their use at any given moment? With Infrakit all this is made easy. Designers can collect efficiently as-built data and hand over documentation from Infrakit. Real-time view on Infrakit benefits all parties involved because of better and instant communication, cooperation and documentation.

Contractors get quality control, risk management in pocket and easier handover phase

Contractors need to ensure the ongoing project’s profitability. Project delivery is a key element; answering to owner’s demands on costs, quality and schedule. Infrakit offers a centralized cloud platform where contractors can control all the phases, resources, tools and machine fleet of construction easily and efficiently. Real time situational awareness and project progress status can be found in the platform with different devices like smartphones and tablets which are easy to use in the site. Project progress monitoring can be done with the help of surveying and machine control log points, photos, ortophotos and drone views.

For the mass haul management Infrakit offers a powerful tool, too. You can monitor trucks in real time and get fully documented logistics automatically. In general, contractors get better quality control with less errors and rework which means less claims, too. By connecting data, people and machines Infrakit ensures that all project parties are working with the latest plans and schedule to avoid waste of resources and expensive errors.

Independent of equipment and software brands, Infrakit can be used with different types of machines and integrations. Handover phase is made stress-free because all the construction information can be already found in Infrakit.

First steps towards more digitalized infra projects

When your company is interested in digitalizing their projects, first step is to contact our sales experts and we can book a free of charge planning meeting. All the needs will be identified, and a pilot project can be planned according to customer needs. Our services team is ready to help and give guidance to our platform and every step that is made with the new, model-based construction process.

Contact information:
VP of Sales, Mr. Toni Lahtinen
Phone: +35840 720 0950
E-mail: toni.lahtinen@infrakit.com

VP of Services, Mr. Ilkka Tieaho
Phone: +35840 675 8488
E-mail: ilkka.tieaho@infrakit.com