By: Rob Southon, CTO August 11, 2020
Background
Since the release of Platform 2.0: Objects and Properties in August 2019, VEERUM's product team has been working closely with our clients to identify pain points and digital solutions during each stage of the asset lifecycle. With our diverse client base leveraging VEERUM’s platform during design, engineering, construction, and operation phases, our team has built an intuitive digital platform that provides immediate value throughout the entire lifecycle.
VEERUM’s Platform 2.0: Objects and Properties feature set added the ability for our clients to add object properties to their 2D and 3D models. Objects can be created around any area in the 3D virtual site. For example, you can create component level objects for flanges, pumps, bolts, etc.; and larger areas such as muster points, staging areas, facility, and zones. This transformed our Asset Visualization Platform into the Asset Visualization and Information Platform.
With release 3.0: User Created Objects, VEERUM has put more power into the hands of the experts: your team. The whole asset team can virtually create and access site information via a common 3D viewing environment, offering the next generation of remote collaboration.
User Created Objects: Next generation collaboration
With User Created Objects, we put the keys to asset information in your hands. You can now instantaneously create and update objects within the Platform. All changes are automatically updated in the cloud, keeping all users up to date with the latest object information. Platform users can add, organize, edit, connect, and search for user created asset information in the context of the cloud-hosted 3D site. Additional conversation tools enable real-time remote collaboration for globally dispersed teams.
Examples of information you can add:
Links to your document management systems
Drawings
Site photos (standard and panoramic)
Videos
Status
Maintenance reports
Manuals
Dates
And more!
As visual learners, organizing your asset data in a common 3D environment improves collaboration, information retention, and acts as a verified system of record for asset stakeholders. Our enterprise subscription model includes unlimited users, enabling non-intrusive access to asset data for all stakeholders and 3rd party contractors. This immediate, on-demand site access transforms how your teams work together and make timely decisions.
Let’s see how it works:
Using a bounding box, you can create an object in any location in the 3D viewer.
Choose what level of workscope to link that object to. This will determine when the object appears in the search results for all users, and how it connects to different objects.
Add information about that object using customizable categories, keys, and values
Further customize your object by naming it, changing its colour and adding icons.
Saving your User Created Object will immediately add the object and all associated information to the search query for all users.
VEERUM’s clients are already leveraging user created objects for several use cases in their organizations and on specific projects.
Use case: 3D visual content management system
VEERUM’s clients are using the Platform as a 3D content management system for document organization and verification. Traditionally, asset data is stored in unlinked document management systems causing data silos and confusion within the organization. Rather than relying on shared folders and endless lists of documents, our platform provides asset stakeholders with a brand new way to search for and access site information. Organizing information in a 3D viewer provides additional context for confident, timely decision making. Current communication tools leave project stakeholders in the dark with the current status of their asset. VEERUM’s built in collaboration tools enable asset stakeholders to quickly identify and resolve issues in the 3D visualization platform.
Use case: Remote virtual walkthroughs
Asset owners can set up remote virtual walkthroughs directly in the cloud-hosted platform and give site access to off-site stakeholders. These can be site walkthroughs, safety orientations, or virtual access for contractors for bidding activities. Workscope access can be restricted for each individual to maintain data integrity and security within the organization. This reduces the need for expensive, restrictive, and risky site visits, and makes on-site time more productive. In a time where physical distancing protocols and remote collaboration are top priorities for organizations, digital tools like VEERUM are vital to enabling business continuity through COVID-19 and into the new normal.
Use case: Remote engineering model reviews
With remote access to site reality, VEERUM analytics, and design 3D models, engineers can use VEERUM’s platform as the centerpiece of remote model review sessions. Engineers can go into the virtual site prior to the regular model review meetings and add User Created Objects to the 3D virtual site and provide visual context for discussion. Users around the world are using VEERUM’s platform to collaborate in a 3D common viewing environment while working remotely. This global access improves productivity during remote model reviews and improves issue resolution time.
Use case: Construction phase planning
Asset owners can virtually simulate shutdown and turnaround projects to ensure all off-site fabricated parts fit prior to shipping. User Created Objects adds an additional collaboration tool for stakeholders during project delivery. Adding maintenance reports and associated documents to 3D models gives an extra layer of context when making decisions remotely. Our clients value certainty during these short shutdown windows, as each day of lost production can equate to millions of dollars in revenue.
Supporting the future of AI / ML in asset ownership
VEERUM’s user created objects solution supports your future AI / ML initiatives by aggregating your asset data into a verified digital system of record. In order to support your future AI / ML strategy, you need to make proactive investments to aggregate and verify your data. Start today by following the steps below:
Step 1: Collecting data
In order to implement an AI / ML strategy, you first need to collect all asset data for the system to begin learning. VEERUM’s core platform offering is designed to store and organize data sets that are traditionally siloed across organizations.
Step 2: Displaying and verifying data
To train the AI, organizations need to ensure the data is not only collected, but verified by asset stakeholders. The easiest way to undertake this step is to organize the data in a 3D visual context. VEERUM organizes and displays all asset data into a 3D visualization platform. From there, you can identify what gaps in data you are missing with a visual verification and use User Created Objects to fill in data gaps.
Step 3: Organizing and labelling data
To properly train the algorithm, users must organize and label data to train the AI system. End users and 3rd party contractors can quickly label 3D data sets for easy organization. VEERUM’s premium services offer data labelling and organizing so you are ready for AI/ML as soon as the technology is available for market implementation.
User Created Objects is already adding value across the asset lifecycle for VEERUM’s existing clients. If you’re interested in how it can apply to your project, reach out to us at veerum.com/demo.