Mitch Callard takes care of specifications at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions Australia, connecting with clients with the information they need when they need it. The Perth, WA-based Callard uses a BIM-enabled solution to streamline his work, increase efficiency in his interactions with architects, and win more projects.
“One advantage the region has is that no other manufacturers are working strongly in the BIM space. And because we have a BIM-enabled solution – Openings Studio – that has allowed us to speak to firms we previously haven’t worked with,” says Callard.
Having worked as a locksmith and a distributor, he can easily explain products and installations to architects. He also understands how product information can be used beyond just the design and specification using building information modelling.
Commonly known as BIM, building information modelling allows specification writers, architects and owners to share information about a building and associated products across the design-bid-build phases. While Perth has a stable construction sector, especially for education and healthcare buildings, the demand for BIM-based projects is still evolving. With Openings Studio, Callard believes he has an advantage over competitors.
Openings Studio is a BIM-enabled solution that allows Callard to make the specification writing process faster, easier and more streamlined.
“That’s why I serve as the BIM champion for Western Australia. Creating specifications in Openings Studio allows me to write the spec and communicate with the architect in one environment.
“A lot of architects don’t trust software they’re unfamiliar with. But I explain that Openings Studio has been around for more than a decade in the U.S. and is globally-supported. That gives me a chance to talk about our capabilities and services. And when I mention we can do Autodesk Revit data transfers, that really excites them.”
The team still gets a lot of standard specification projects. But whenever Revit is used, Callard suggests that the firm begin with a small project to make sure that the process and workflows make sense to all users. When trialling Openings Studio, a project with about 10-50 doors is a good start.
Callard recalls helping onboard a 484-door project for an aged care facility.
“The architect wanted to get a feel for how the information was being managed. And when she was satisfied, we were able to analyse the four buildings and get the rest of the hardware pushed through. Sometimes it just comes down to confidence.”
After that trial, the architect sent several more 400-500 door projects to him, solidifying the relationship between the architect and ASSA ABLOY.
Staying connected with client firms has also helped Callard accelerate the number of projects that use Openings Studio.
“Especially since this year we’re looking at a goal of more than 75 projects, it’s been really helpful to stay connected,” he said. “The marketing materials and all of my presentations reference the Knowledge Base. And the new features and product release updates that come out give me something to continuously discuss and represent.”
