CMD First Source

CSI Introduces BIM AudioCast Series

Alexandria, Va. (May 5, 2008) – The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) today announced that it is launching an AudioCast series focusing on Building Information Modeling (BIM). CSI is producing the bimWits series in conjunction with the buildingSMART alliance™. The programs will draw on the knowledge and “wits” of experts working with BIM.

“BIM is an evolving technology that often is vaguely defined and little understood throughout the industry,” CSI Executive Director/CEO Walter T. Marlowe P.E., CSI, CAE, said. “CSI’s new AudioCast series will feature national and international experts who will clearly explain to average practitioners how BIM affects the way they do their jobs.”

The free series, available to the public, will be posted to audio.csinet.org on the first and third Mondays of every month. Each episode will address BIM best practices and will generally run between three and eight minutes.

Today’s debut episode features an interview with Deke Smith, Executive Director of the buildingSMART Alliance.

“BIM is blurring the traditional lines among architecture, engineering and construction disciplines, creating a new view of the built environment and its participants,” Marlowe said. “This series will help every segment of the industry gain better insight into BIM, including architects, CAD operators, product manufacturers and others.”

The bimWITS AudioCasts will be available online at audio.csinet.org, the buildingSMART alliance Web site (www.buildingsmartalliance.org) and iTunes. You don’t need an iPod to hear CSI’s AudioCast  – you can listen online through your computer. You can also add the CSI AudioCast to your Web site – look for directions at audio.csinet.org.

CSI began offering its AudioCasts in early 2007. The online audio programs feature news, educational topics, interviews and best practices for the design and construction industries. Since that time, nearly 120,000 CSI AudioCast episodes have been downloaded. “CSI is dedicated to creating products and programs that help improve the project delivery process,” Marlowe said. “This new series expands CSI’s valuable AudioCast library by responding to the industry’s needs.”

About CSI
CSI is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross-section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 146 chapters and more than 15,000 members. Monthly chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renowned in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences and product shows. For more information, visit www.csinet.org

Accelerated Building Concepts Corporation Utilizes Tradesman International to Meet Staffing Needs

Accelerated Building Concepts Corporation (OTCBB:ABCC), a provider in the design, manufacturing and construction services for modular and component building facilities utilizing concrete and steel and structural insulated panels structures, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Tradesmen International, a local staffing service that specializes in the temporary workforce of skilled labor positions.

Joe Sorci, CEO and Chairman, stated: “During the third quarter of 2007, ABCC reduced its construction staff and the respective overhead to conserve its cash while protecting the Company’s bottom line. Now, with ABCC’s increased contracts in the educational facility market, it will be utilizing the resources of the specialized staffing company on a temporary basis while continuing to minimize its overhead. ABCC maintains adequate staffing for key positions. Working with a staffing company that specializes in the construction arena is the best strategy to meet our customer demands while not requiring us to add on additional liability and expenses. We continue to see an upturn in work and look forward to a long relationship with our staffing company.”

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Major construction projects over summer months will enhance colorado state university

FORT COLLINS - Beginning this summer, Colorado State University’s campus will undergo significant transformation with the launch of eight major construction projects to enhance campus and its learning, teaching and research environment.

After several years of stagnant funding for campus maintenance and construction, CSU has pulled together the resources to move forward on a number of key improvement projects. In the short term, this will mean detours and congestion on campus, and some campus green areas and open spaces will be temporarily used for construction staging areas and parking space.

“We want to alert our campus community that there will be short-term difficulties with parking and driving around campus over the next 24 months - and some of the pretty parts of campus won’t be so pretty for a while - but the situation is only temporary,” said Colorado State’s Facilities Management Director Brian Chase. “We’ll have plenty of signs around campus to direct people, and information will be available online to help people avoid problem areas during the construction period. In the long run, all of the green areas will be restored, even improved, and we’ll have greatly improved learning and living facilities for our students.”

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