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AEC/MFG solutions enabling growth & success

Success Story

Applied Software Support is a Workforce Multiplier

Applied Software Support is a Workforce Multiplier

Customer challenge

Gary Hill Engineering's greatest challenge when using AutoCAD Civil 3D was learning how to make the best use of styles – the way you assemble drawings. Compared to layer-driven design using script files, Hill describes paper space and model space as a huge change in the way engineers assemble drawings and accomplish design work. “Civil 3D was a fundamental change in how you did design work,” Hill says. “Instead of layers and blocks, styles and feature lines became important.”

Project goals

The main goal of this ongoing project was to choose a trusted company to be a technical safety net. Secondary goals include: 1. Extending the company's workforce in more areas. 2. Having a trusted subject matter expert quickly within reach. Hill uses Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D for work on jobs in Texas that include residential and commercial land development, small-lot subdivision plats, hydrology/hydraulic flood studies, and forensic drainage issues.

Solution

Applied Software's Remote Technical Support Agreement: During the 2007 transition from Autodesk Land Desktop to AutoCAD Civil 3D, Hill worked with Jason Porter, Applied Software Senior Civil Technical Advisor. He found that Porter was “exceptionally good and a great asset to rely on. He’s a quality individual who does what he says he’s going to do.” Gary Hill Engineering stays busy, and Hill attributes that to having Applied Software technicians available to extend his workforce.

Business outcome

Hill observes that, with software tools, it is amazing how much work one person can do nowadays. He compares his current productivity to a whole room full of people forty years ago. Like other Applied Software technicians, Porter sometimes creates videos to address technical support issues, including one about a 10-step process for making contours from geographic information system (GIS) data. “I downloaded it, and I still use it,” Hill says.

Conclusion

The force multiplier effect of the Applied Software technical department has helped GHE maintain productivity even in challenging times. Hill characterizes Applied Software technical support as “. . . always responsive. You’re doing a good job.” That responsiveness is important to Hill, who adds, “When I need help, I really need it . . . definitely now that I’m by myself.” Applied Software URTSA provides an extension to the GHE team.

Project summary

    Duration & delivery

  • 4015
  • 2020-10-07

    Autodesk solutions

  • Civil 3D
  • AutoCAD

    Services provided

  • Technical Support

    Customer industry

  • Architecture, Engineering & Construction
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