UNLOCKING THE TRUE VALUE OF Insights from SDS2 users on

maximizing performance and

YOUR STEEL DETAILING SOFTWARE driving results
Mueller Office \ Travis County, Texas
Project by International Design Services, Inc.

CONTENTS

03 INTRODUCTION

05 CHAPTER 1
Taking back your time
with no compromise

08 CHAPTER 2
Boosting shop efficiency

12 CHAPTER 3
Building project connectivity
and interoperability

17 CHAPTER 4
Maximizing returns for
business success

20 CHAPTER 5
Real projects, real results

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 2

THE DEMANDS OF DATA-
DRIVEN CONSTRUCTION

As the pressure for speed, accuracy, and innovation in steel

construction rises, steel detailers-and
-and the software tools
they leverage-take on increasingly important roles in a steel
projects.
projects

From design and engineering to fabrication and construction,

the industry is increasingly reliant on the adaptive use of
technology to keep up with demand. Modeling and drafting
software and the data it produces have become keystones to
project success.

Fabricators need reliable data to stay plugged in to the BIM

pipeline and integrate with MRP and MIS software to optimize
their shops. And the detailers who produce that data are
increasingly called on to manage projects, coordinate with
other stakeholders, and know the ins and outs of the entire
construction process.

With broadening impact comes bigger decisions for detailers

and fabricators. Where do you invest your resources? And
how do you measure your returns?

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 3

ABOUT SUMMARY OF SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
THIS REPORT All survey responses were self-reported, and all subsequent references to customers, users, groups, or
companies hereafter refer to the population surveyed unless noted otherwise.

Where they work

This report offers an in-depth look
at how SDS2 customers are utilizing
61% 39%
AT A DETAILING COMPANY AT A FABRICATION SHOP
their 3D steel detailing software to
elevate their business’ efficiency and
value. We surveyed over 280 SDS2
Average LESS THAN 100 24%
customers, from some of the largest
project
fabrication shops to one-man detailing 100 - 200 25%
companies, to get a more complete
tonnage
picture of steel detailing software 200 - 400 18%
utilization and value. 400 - 800 17%

The results are clear: the true returns 800+ 16%

on your software investment extend 10 20 30 100
far beyond the initial price tag.

Your steel detailing solution can be a Project INDUSTRIAL 76%

real partner for your business, helping sectors
you drive efficiency, streamline COMMERCIAL 94%
collaboration, and ultimately raise
GOVERNMENT 41%
your bottom line.
HEALTHCARE 46%

OIL & GAS 21%

OTHER 11%
20 40 60 80 100

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 4

CHAPTE R 1

TAKING BACK
YOUR TIME WITH
NO COMPROMISE
“[SDS2 is a] fantastic program for a small
department such as ours. We have a small staff,
and this has allowed us to utilize our limited
resources to the greatest extent possible.
Many functions in SDS2 reduce the amount
each member needs to be touched. [This],
along with so many automated processes has
[helped us] streamline projects, meet deadlines
better, and keep customers happy.”

Corey Juden,
Anderson Steel Supply, Inc.
SPEED, ACCURACY,
AND RELIABILITY

The demands you face as a steel detailer or fabricator are

contradictory—in essence, you’re expected to do more 93%
with less, and do it perfectly.

Automated steel detailing software can help you fast- of participants report being at least 25%
track some of your most time-consuming tasks without
sacrificing accuracy or reliability. SDS2 offers some
faster at completing projects with SDS2.
of the most intelligent and powerful automation on
the market, and you can customize the automation to
fabrication preferences to ensure each job is as cost- and 25 - 50% FASTER 15%
labor-efficient as possible. This means that not only are
you saving time on the detailing, but you’re also making
smarter decisions that impact the entire project.
51 - 75% FASTER 22%

A key example is our automated connection capabilities. 76 - 100% FASTER 38%

As you model, connections are built automatically
according to the framing condition, saving detailers +100% FASTER 18%
from hours of otherwise tedious modeling and providing
intelligent checks to ensure the design will pass error-free % OF PARTICIPANTS
through fabrication and erection.

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 6

AUTOMATED GET IT DONE FASTER. GET IT DONE RIGHT.
FEATURES Almost all participants reported faster task completion across the board with
SDS2. For each of the tasks noted below, a strong majority of participants
noted being over 25 to over 100% faster with SDS2.

Packed with intelligent automation and

time-saving detailing tools, SDS2 helps Creating shop drawings
users complete tasks faster while also
20% 19% 31% 20% 90%
improving accuracy and reducing errors.
Here are a few of our top automated
features:
Modeling/designing connections
• Steel connections 11% 26% 31% 23% 91%
› Designed as you model, ready for
engineering review
Modeling structural members
› Updated automatically as framing
conditions are changed 10% 22% 38% 26% 96%
• Erectability checks and adjustments
• Piecemarking Modeling miscellaneous members
• Shop drawings 18% 25% 24% 17% 84%
• Customizable detailing templates
• Bill of Material
Creating reports
• CNC file generation 12% 17% 35% 26% 90%

26 - 50% FASTER 51 - 75% FASTER 76 - 100% FASTER +100% FASTER

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 7

CHAPTE R 2

BOOSTING SHOP
EFFICIENCY
“SDS2 is the single most significant system in
our company. We use it for estimating/sales,
detailing, planning erection sequences, and
CNC. If I had to start over, it would be the first
thing I’d buy.”

Mark Karpinsky,
New Jersey Iron

86%
of participants say SDS2
helps increase efficiency
for shops they work for.
EMPLOYED BY FABRICATION SHOP 89%
EMPLOYED BY DETAILING COMPANY 83%
LOWER PROJECT COSTS
WITH SMARTER DESIGN
Whether you’re working for a shop or at a detailing
company, meeting the needs of the fabricator are critical
to your success.
A good detailing operation with a fast, accurate software
can drive shop optimization, from production timelines to
material and labor costs.
That’s why the automated and time-saving processes in
SDS2 are powered by fabrication preferences. Our design
automation emulates the practical thought processes of
detailers, fabricators, and even erectors in the field.
It gives you complete control over not only connection
types, but also bolt sizes, bolt spacing, plate thickness,
and other specifications that can be standardized and
automated to match the equipment and preferences of
whatever fabricator you’re working for.
THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 9
MODELING TIPS FOR
SHOP OPTIMIZATION

1. Standardize materials in the model, such as plate

thicknesses, to reduce waste and streamline labor in
your shop.
2. Compare alternative designs for cost-optimized
connections and models.
3. Expand bolt spacing to minimize shop labor and the
number of bolts while still meeting or exceeding
design loads.
4. Establish auto standard connections, defined
according to framing conditions, to minimize the
number of different connections used on a project
and streamline shop activity.
5. Utilize setup options to quickly adapt connection
design to the equipment you’ll be using, whether
automated or manual.
6. Take advantage of erectability checks to avoid field
errors and rework.

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 10


“The income from using this
type of software, it grows
exponentially. It just depends
on how much you’re willing
to work, how much work is
available, and what kind of
relationships you have with
your customers. ”
Joe Sullivan,
Structural Detail, LLC
SHOP OPTIMIZATION FOR
SUBCONTRACT DETAILERS
As a subcontract detailer, your long-term success depends upon
the work you get from fabricators, whether that means building
up a broad customer base or tailoring your work to a few select
clients.
While actual shop optimization may be out of your hands, your
efficiency and deliverables can make a big impact, which means
better returns for your business.
Take it from SDS2 customer Joe Sullivan, who started his own
detailing company after running a fab shop for nearly twenty
years. “If you’ve got expertise in the business, and you’re using
products like SDS2 to sharpen and maximize everything you
know, you’re in demand,” he said.
With shop-specific setup options for automation, field-accurate
design automation, and value-added data deliverables, SDS2
sets you up for customer satisfaction job after job.
Deloitte Summit Tower \ Vancouver, Canada
Project by Supermetal Structures, Inc.

CHAPTE R 3

BUILDING PROJECT
CONNECTIVITY AND
INTEROPERABILITY
“The smartest move I made for my business was
going with SDS2. It allowed me to compete
for larger projects, and having the ability to
produce CNC data and be part of BIM projects
was extremely helpful.”

Darko Stankovic,
Darko Detailing Services, LLC
 COLLABORATION IN 3D

Improving your own bottom line is one thing, but as

players in the construction industry today, connectivity
and interoperability are growing buzzwords for
fabricators and detailers as well.

In the age of BIM and growing digitalization, the 3D

model has become an industry standard and a key tool
in collaboration.

Even one-man detailing companies need reliable

contact with their fabricator. Of our users working
at detailing companies, over 90 percent report using
the SDS2 model to communicate with the project
fabricator.

Among teams and between stakeholders, effective

collaboration becomes even more important.

Kankakee Welcome Center

Project by Arteras, Inc.
THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 13
THE BENEFITS OF LIVE,
MULTIUSER SOFTWARE

Collaboration begins with your own teams. With Among participants who used
perhaps the exception of solo detailers, effective data
management is central to project workflows, and each SDS2’s live multiuser modeling:
detailing solution is likely to have its own tips and tricks
for dividing and coordinating work among your team.

Among the top detailing solutions available, most

operate on a model sharing system, requiring users to
“read in” and “write out” changes and opening the door
to conflicts when the last user to save “wins.”
85% were able to more efficiently
divide workloads.

SDS2 is unique in its capacity for live multiuser

modeling—meaning you can work in the same model
at the same time as other users and see each other’s
updates in real time. As a result, many of our users
have been able to collaborate more efficiently and
effectively, including some through remote working
opportunities—an especially critical factor amid the
challenges of the pandemic.
54% say it enabled opportunities
for remote working.

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 14

We asked our users: STAKEHOLDER USERS RESPONDING FROM:
Which stakeholders do DETAILING COMPANY FABRICATION SHOP
you use the SDS2 model
Project Owner
to communicate with on 13% 22%

projects?

As you might guess, for those working Engineer of Record 55% 49%
at detailing companies, the primary
point of contact is the fabricator.

But, as with their counterparts

working in fabrication shops, many General Contractor 45% 65%

participants also noted using the

SDS2 model—or an IFC export of the
model—to collaborate with a variety of
other project stakeholders, including Erector 34% 48%
engineers, other subcontract detailers,
general contractors, erectors, and
project owners.

Here’s a breakdown of their responses. Subcontract Detailers 46% 49%

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 15

SDS2 PARTNER DESIGN AND AUTOMATED
DETAILING FABRICATION
INTEGRATIONS › Autodesk Revit EQUIPMENT &
› CoreBrace SOFTWARE
› Durafuse Frames › AGT Robotics
When it comes to interoperability and today’s › Hexagon › Bend-Tech
construction landscape, it’s important to remember that › Magnus › Controlled Automation
your steel detailing solution doesn’t operate in a vaccuum. › MiTek (formerly › Daito
SidePlate) › EMI
To maximize efficiency, it’s important for your software › RISA › FICEP
to accept design files and data from a wide variety of › Simpson Strong-Tie › HGG
sources, as well as output data that is compatible with › Voice2Cad › Lightning Rail
many downstream systems, from the fabricators’ MIS and
› Lincoln Electric
MRP systems to their automated shop equipment.
MRP, MIS, & › Peddinghaus
As an openBIM product, SDS2 is continually building TRACKING › PEP Technology
partnerships with the industry’s top technology solutions SYSTEMS › Shop Data Systems
to support your interconnected workflows and maximize › InfoSight › SigmaNEST
the value of your model. › P2 Programs › Vernon Tool
› Radley Corporation › Voortman
Included here is a list of some of SDS2’s key partner › Zeman
integrations and compatible technology systems. Learn › Steel Projects
more at sds2.com/integrations. › STRUMIS
› Tekla PowerFab

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 16

CHAPTE R 4

MAXIMIZING
RETURNS FOR
BUSINESS SUCCESS
“Every release gets better. With tools that are
being added, it increases speed each time. We
are a small company, but on big jobs it has
helped us a lot.”

Donald Kelly,
Interstate Steel Corporation
THE BOTTOM LINE

It’s clear that there are many ways software can GROWTH
help boost your performance and save you time and
money. Over time, this can make a big difference for
your company’s overall success, however you like to
measure it.
63% have been able to take on more projects.

To help give you a better understanding of the

bottom-line returns of their steel detailing
software, we asked our users: How has your
business been impacted as a result of adopting 59% have been able to take on larger projects.
SDS2?

While software is only one small facet of a

business’ success amid an array of internal and
external factors, many users attributed SDS2 to
improvements in key performance areas, most CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
notably in growth and customer satisfaction.
Additionally, 41 percent noted increased profits,
and 29 percent say they have a competitive
advantage when it comes to winning projects.
70% say customers are more satisfied with their work.

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 18

We asked our users: 100

How long did it take you

to see productivity gains 35
32%
after adopting SDS2?

As expected, there was a fairly

25
wide spread in users’ answers.
SDS2 is an incredibly powerful tool, 21%
and users start out with different 19%
levels of industry and software 18%
experience.
15
Even so, the majority of users—over
70 percent—saw productivity gains 10%
within one year of adoption. More

8 - 12 MONTHS
impressive yet is that the winning
1 - 3 MONTHS

4 - 7 MONTHS
answer encompassed the small-

1 - 2 YEARS

2+ YEARS
5
est time frame: just one to three
months.

While even long-time users are still

discovering new tricks, it’s clear
that SDS2 is paying off for many in
the short-term, too. 71% of participants saw
productivity gains within one year.

THE TRUE VALUE OF SDS2 19

Salesforce Tower \ Chicago, Illinois
Project by Ovation Services, LLC

CHAPTE R 5

REAL PROJECTS,
REAL RESULTS
Don’t just take our word for it. SDS2 customers have
delivered inspiring projects all over the world, using the
power of SDS2’s modeling and automation to save time,
minimize costs, and solve problems at every phase in the
project.

In this chapter, we’ll highlight the wide variety of work our

customers have completed and hear in their own words how
SDS2 helped them achieve success.

The project details and testimonials shown were all

submitted to the SDS2 Solid Steel Awards.
JOSLYN ART MUSEUM
EXPANSION

“SDS2 was often the leading

software for the project teams to
understand difficult geometric
conditions. Because of the
complex geometry, SDS2 was
first utilized to come up with
connection concepts that were
then reviewed by the engineering
teams. When architecture and
engineering software could not
adequately define geometry,
SDS2 was used to bring the
design intent into focus. ”

DETAILER KL&A
TONNAGE 1,450
FEATURES
› Rolled, curved staircase
› Curved floor geometry
› Rolling roof geometry
› Cantilevered entrance

21
BELMONT UNIVERSITY
WELCOME CENTER

“A large piece to the success

and the execution of this project
was the implementation and
use of the SDS2 software. Load
Planning & Site Planning were
used to plan by sequence and
floor elevation, specifically using
the Site Planning portion to allow
us to identify critical lifts prior to
the project even starting.”

DETAILER COOPER STEEL

TONNAGE 905
FEATURES
› Six-story project
› Existing underground parking
structure
› No-brace framing
› Moment welded connections

22
SHELL ROCK SOY
PROCESSING PLANT

“When detailing projects of this

scale, the benefits of using SDS2
are beyond measure. From the
creation of shop and erection
drawings, CNC’s, KISS files,
and countless reports, SDS2
has made this project run very
smoothly from detailing, to
fabrication, to field.”

DETAILER MID AMERICA STEEL

TONNAGE 1,450
FEATURES
› Multi-level project
› Support for floor grating
› Stair towers
› Secondary platforms and bridges
› Rooftop duct support framing
› Girt system

23
COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT

“This is the largest project we’ve

detailed for this fabricator,
and it went together without
a hitch. All connections were
SDS2-supplied, including the
many connections going into the
foundation walls. The ability for
SDS2 to support sloping columns
helped a great deal in detailing all
of the canopies, as well as being
able to model rolled stairs.”

DETAILER ADCO DETAILING

TONNAGE 320
FEATURES
› Curved, rolled staircase
› Sloped pipe columns
› Sloped canopies
› Ladders

24
 SDS2 by ALLPLAN is a leading provider of steel
design and planning software. A product of
ALLPLAN, we support steel projects in the BIM
cycle from design to construction and empower our
users to deliver at the highest levels of quality and
efficiency.

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