ATLANTA, Jan. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
Applied Software, a leading and nationally recognized Autodesk value-added reseller, announced today that it has hired architectural consultant and project manager Steve Foran, Associate AIA, as Senior Consultant in its BIM Professional Services Consulting Group (APS). In his new role, Foran will provide strategic BIM consulting and advisory services for Applied Software customers.

An architect and project manager with over 15 years experience, Foran has advised Fortune 500 corporations, federal agencies, and higher education and institutional clients by providing leadership in master planning, facility planning and programming, and the development of real estate and sustainable strategies in North America, the United Kingdom and the Far East. A skilled communicator, he has the ability to quickly comprehend a client’s challenges and in turn develop actionable strategies that are clear, precise and easy to understand.

“We’re pleased to welcome Steve to our BIM consulting group, where he will facilitate the initial visioning and goal-setting work sessions for our clients to ensure all stakeholders are aligned and working toward a common target,” said Richard Burroughs, president of Applied Software. “Steve is especially skilled in translating complex information into specific, targeted, measurable outcomes and communicating it to a variety of audiences in a clear and understandable manner.”

Prior to joining Applied Software, Foran served as senior consultant and project manager for the Advance Strategies group of the global architectural firm HOK, where he worked with clients in strategic campus master planning, workplace strategy and guidelines, facility planning and change management. Prior to HOK Advance Strategies, he was a project manager for the restoration and preservation of nationally recognized historic structures for Lord, Aeck Sargent Architects. Foran is an associate member of the American Institute of Architects and a member of the Urban Land Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architecture and a master’s degree in City Planning from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

About Applied SoftwareApplied Software is the Autodesk 2011 Reseller of the Year as well as one of the largest Autodesk resellers in the Southeastern United States. It is one of the nation’s leading providers of Building Information Modeling (BIM) services including BIM modeling, analysis, training, integration and mentoring, and provides Digital Prototyping solutions to manufacturers. Since its founding in 1982, Applied Software has helped more than 5,000 commercial, academic and government clients achieve high performance and growth. Applied Software’s comprehensive array of solutions and services includes product updates, education and a dedicated staff of sales and services professionals. Applied Software is also a recent recipient of a GSA BIM Services IDIQ Award to provide a comprehensive array of BIM services to the federal government. For further information on Applied Software, visit
www.asti.com , or call 866-899-2784.

Media Contact:Jenn HarrisonCarabiner Communications404.431.3542jharrison@carabinerpr.com

SOURCE Applied Software

Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/applied-software-adds-architectural-and-project-management-consultant-steve-foran-to-bim-team-2012-01-31

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan 31, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) –
Integrated
Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance
analysis software and consulting services for sustainable building
design, today announced Luc Delestrade, Vancouver-based Project Manager,
has been named to Canada Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Experienced
Modellers List.

Individuals on CaGBC’s Experienced Modellers List are to ensure the
integrity of LEED certification. They are acceptable as independent
third-party reviewers for the purposes of demonstrating compliance to
Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1. In addition, the
EA Prerequisite 2 and Credit 1 certification submissions (such as whole
building energy simulations, prescriptive compliance reports, etc.)
prepared by individuals on the list do not require an independent
third-party review.

Luc is an expert in both IESVE and EE4 software, and can provide
in-depth reviews of energy models for both software tools. He is able to
third-party review energy models prepared in the VE for LEED(R) Canada
certification. His expertise includes:

–
Passive systems and natural ventilation design and performance
analysis using whole building simulations

–
Whole building energy simulations including LEED energy modeling

–
Building energy consumption reduction and feasibility of energy
conservation and sustainability measures

–
Design of renewable energy systems and usage of on-site energy sources
(i.e. solar, ground-source heat pumps)

–
Daylighting design and analysis.

“With Luc on the Experienced Modellers list, we are able to offer our
customers cost competitive and timely reviews for their LEED Canada
projects,” said Don McLean, founder and CEO of IES. “As we continue to
push the ethos of integrated design as the route to achieving truly
sustainable, low-energy structures, our goal is to become a hub for
sustainable design advancements.”

Over 2,000 Canadian projects have been registered for LEED certification
since its inception. The IES Virtual Environment is accepted for
projects pursuing LEED Canada New Construction and Major Renovations
(NC) and Core and Shell (CS) certification. For more information on VE
Software for LEED Canada, visit
http://www.iesve.com/consultancy/pdf/canada-consultancy/ve-software-for-leed-canada.pdf .

IES
Consulting and its team of LEED APs is also able to provide various
levels of LEED project support, from full project management to energy
and daylighting modelling.

About IES

Integrated Environmental Solutions’ (IES) mission is to advance the
sustainability of the world’s built environment through the use of
integrated performance modelling technology, delivering resource
efficient, low-energy, zero-carbon buildings and cities for future
generations. For additional information, please visit
www.iesve.com .
You can also follow us on Twitter
and join us on Facebook
and LinkedIn
for the latest IES news, or read our blog.

SOURCE: Integrated Environmental Solutions

        Vantage Communications for IES
        Tory Patrick, +1-202-558-9826
        tpatrick@pr-vantage.com

Copyright Business Wire 2012

Article source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ies-project-manager-luc-delestrade-named-to-cagbcs-experienced-modellers-list-2012-01-31

The Omni Group will release an iPad version of its OmniPlan project management software during the first half of this year, company representatives said at Macworld | iWorld Expo. Unlike the Omni Group’s other iPad apps, OmniPlan for iPad will closely mirror the features of the Mac OS X version of the application.

Project managers who have struggled to print out large, unwieldy Gantt charts to share at meetings will appreciate the ability to tote all project data along with them. The iPad app will include screen mirroring via the Apple TV so you can show your charts on the conference room TV–no wires required.

All changes you make to your project plan on the iPad will sync to the cloud so that you can easily move from one device to another. (OmniPlan for iPad will also include change tracking so you know who changed what.) The app will support CalDAV, WebDAV, Google, and Omni Group’s OmniSync server.

OmniPlan’s look and feel have been adapted to the iPad. Drag sliders; tap on an element to adjust or activate it.The Omni Group is adapting the look-and-feel of the program for the tablet. Tap on a team member’s name to check his or her workload. Tap to filter by milestones. Drag sliders directly. Tap and slide elements of a project plan around.

The iPad app won’t offer printing, nor will you be able to import from Microsoft Project, the preeminent project management software on Windows. For that, you’ll need to have the OS X version. Pricing for the iOS app is not yet set, but company representatives said it will likely be half the desktop software’s price, along the lines of all the the Omni Group’s current iPad apps. OmniPlan 2.0.3 for the Mac costs $200.

See the Omni Group at Booth No. 802 at this week’s Macworld | iWorld show in San Francisco’s Moscone West exhibit hall.

Article source: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/248954/macworld_expo_omni_group_shows_off_ipad_version_of_omniplan.html

Keeping up with the challenges of globalization and the rapid advances in communication technology requires that companies stay nimble and leverage their resources effectively. Organizations like IBM (NYSE: IBM), SAP, and NASA have long been known for their emphasis on developing and using project managers to tap into the multiple layers of resources in order to encourage innovation.

Over the last decade or so, this need for internal innovation has spread beyond the technology world. The global downturn has increased competition across all industries, which has brought attention to the need for more efficiently tapping and leveraging internal resources to get that extra edge. As a result, the concept of project management as a professional vocation is getting more attention than ever before.  

I had the opportunity to speak with Mark Langley, CEO of the Project Management Institute (PMI) to get some insight into this growing field. PMI defines project management as “the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently”.  Langley describes a project manager’s role as “managing scarce resources more effectively” as well as “creating a common framework and language to operate from.”

Any time you need to tap resources across divisions, departments, and teams within the organization, you need to have an individual or team of individuals manage the process. This type of management requires a specialized skill set.

What Are Project Management Skills?

Project managers tend to deal more with managing horizontally in the organization as opposed to vertically, and the position requires unique skills including:

Technical Skills: Just as in most traditional management roles, project managers deal with budgeting and scheduling activities, but they must manage these activities across a range of groups requiring a great deal of coordination. As a result, one of the most critical aspects of project management is managing scope. When dealing with multiple constituencies with a variety of backgrounds and agendas, it can be easy to lose focus. Keeping all stakeholders on board and on course is a unique challenge.    

Soft Skills: Just as in any management position, project managers have to deal with conflict mediation and performance. However, project managers typically don’t have direct authority over their team members. Team members typically have traditional managers to report to; this requires project managers to rely heavily on their ability to influence and motivate action as opposed to direct it.  

Strategic Management: Project managers not only have the internal role of managing their cross-functional team, but they’re also responsible for  bringing the project to completion and ensuring that the results contribute to the larger goal of the organization. Typically there is a direct tie to the mission involving customer relations and go-to-market strategy.

An Opportunity for Veterans

In my conversation with Langley, he pointed out that project management can be a great path for new veterans. Many veterans have project management experience–just under a different name. The challenge is in the translation and repackaging of their skill sets so that hiring managers spot their skills.

Langley said that “mission-related” often translates to “projectized” and the government and military are “highly projectized environments”, which makes many veterans a natural fit in the project management world. Langley’s advice for veterans (or anyone in transition) is to:

• Take Inventory of Your Skills: Look at the criteria for becoming a project manager and compare your skills. Some military service experience actually qualifies as project management experience in the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification program.
• Translate Those Skills: Making a successful career transition hinges on your ability to translate your skills into the jargon of the industry. Check out the websites and trade publications of any industry you are considering to get a sense of the language they use to describe your skills.  
• Explore Projectized Sectors: Think about the demand side of the equation. Ask yourself what industries and companies operate in a project-oriented manner. Aerospace and defense, infrastructure/construction, and management consulting are all fields that rely heavily on project managers.    

According to Langley, project managers are in strong demand and points to the fact that salaries are continuing to climb worldwide. The latest PMI salary survey found the median salary for project managers in the U.S. is $105,000.

Michael “Dr. Woody” Woodward, PhD is a CEC certified executive coach trained in organizational psychology. Dr. Woody is author of The YOU Plan: A 5-step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy and is the founder of Human Capital Integrated (HCI), a firm focused on management and leadership development. Dr. Woody also sits on the advisory board of the Florida International University Center for Leadership.Follow Dr. Woody on Twitter and Facebook 

Article source: http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/01/30/why-veterans-make-good-project-managers/