Trimble launches free version of construction project management software
15 November 2024
From its annual Dimensions user conference and expo in Las Vegas, US, construction software and surveying equipment firm Trimble announced a free version of its construction management software ProjectSight.
Trimble CEO Rob Painter, VP Mark Schwartz and VP Ron Bisio, pictured from left, at Trimble Dimensions 2024 in Las Vegas. (Image: Mitchell Keller)
ProjectSight is a centralised, real-time solution for managing and sharing project information, including documents and drawings. Trimble said contractors use the application to collaborate within their teams and with other contractors, architects, engineers and project owners to gain efficiency and minimise risk.
In the spirit of the setting for Dimensions, Mark Schwartz – Trimble’s vice president of AECO software – told Construction Briefing the move to offer ProjectSight free to the industry is, in part, a strategic bet.
“There’s a large chunk of this industry that still doesn’t use any technology,” noted Schwartz.
Offering ProjectSight for free to the industry, he said, should in part encourage those laggard companies to modernise.
Driven by artificial intelligence, Jon Fingland, vice president and general manager for Trimble construction software solutions, said of ProjectSight, “[It] removes barriers to entry and presents a simple way to experience the project management benefits.
“Some contractors have viewed powerful construction management tools like ProjectSight as too expensive or complicated. We envision a future where all contractors use this type of solution to access up-to-date information, collaborate, streamline workflows and make critical business and project decisions more effectively.”
The strategy is not new to Trimble, however. Schwartz informed Construction Briefing that prior Trimble programmes like SketchUp and Connect were also first trialled to the public for free.
“We have to put this technology in the hands of everybody,” said Schwartz. “We can’t let money or contracting or other things be a barrier to getting some benefit form this technology.
“That’s the bet. We’re just going to remove all the barriers. Once people start using the technology and seeing the benefits… stuff like that is going to be a difference-maker.”
The 2024 Trimble Dimensions expo hall. (Image: Mitchell Keller)
ProjectSight’s advanced AI features
Trimble’s ProjectSight AI-driven capabilities were developed in collaboration with Microsoft.
“Trimble integrates Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to add automation to project management workflows, improve efficiency and accuracy, and free up construction professionals to spend more time on critical tasks rather than administrative work,” Trimble said.
A new ProjectSight drawing import feature uses AI to read and extract critical drawing information.
“The specialised drawing tool goes beyond standard optical character recognition with an engine that can read the name, revision number and content more holistically,” Fingland explained. “This makes it much faster to upload, validate and publish drawing sets without re-keying information.”
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