News
Jidea moves to new premises
17 November 2009
Jidea Oy, developer of JCAD products, has moved to new premises in Koskenniska, Oulu. The modern office and production facilities tailored to meet the needs of Jidea are constructed in an old goods warehouse listed by the National Board of Antiquities. The building developer in the project was Hartela Forum Oy and it was designed by Arkkitehtitoimisto Huttu-Hiltunen Oy. The furniture for the facility was provided by Kinnarps. Both Hartela and Huttu-Hiltunen are experienced users of JCAD products. JCAD planning and quantity calculation software were used in the project - both are tools that are well-known and appreciated by the professionals in the field.
The Koskenniska area was awarded the prize for the best building project in Northern Finland this year. The newly completed conversion is the icing on the cake in the area with office and residential buildings with magnificent views of the Oulujoki river.
Comments from our customers
18 August 2009
Summer vacations are over. It is much more fun to get back to the rhythm of everyday work, when your tools are in order. Here are some selected comments from our JCAD customers:
"Quantities are so accurate that you can directly base your orders on them." Jouni Yrjänheikki, Sähköpalvelu J. Yrjänheikki.
"Point count functions well and is quick. Once you get hang of a suitable style and accuracy, it's easy enough to calculate wiring as well." Kari Tanskala, Kuusisalo Oy.
"Yes, especially wiring calculation becomes more accurate compared to manual calculation. You can leave out checks." Esa Lindell, Turun Sähköpalvelu Oy.
"Makes collecting quantities quite a bit easier. And since there is always a trace of calculated quantities, you're not left wondering when interruptions and changes occur. You can base orders directly on calculations."
"I have utilised 2J for construction cost estimated and usually also when determining quantities for orders."
"Determination of quantities makes more sense and is more accurate."
"I use quantum for all calculations. My sites include detached houses, schools, blocks of flats, hospitals, industrial buildings, terraced houses, etc."
"The tool has helped me a great deal. Especially determination of wiring quantities has become more accurate when compared with manual calculation. You can leave out checks now."
"I've gotten a lot of help for determination of quantities. This is much better!"
The software has made volumetric composition quicker at least with regard to calculations and it has been especially useful in calculating floor areas."
Do you want to make sure your design tools are up-to-date? Contact your nearest JCAD seller.
Significant new research results on the efficiency of JCAD quantum software
19 May 2009
In recent years, research has repeatedly proved that the JCAD quantum software solutions intended for electronic calculation of bills of quantities are tools beyond compare in their efficiency. The latest research was completed this spring. Jarno Haapamäki’s thesis in the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences was commissioned by Tekmanni Oy.
The conclusions of the research are remarkable: in line with the previous research, the savings in working time when compared to manual calculation reached almost 50% at its best. However, a particularly significant new finding concerned savings in materials. Based on comprehensive data, the quantities calculated by JCAD quantum were on average 11.4% smaller than when calculated manually. Recalculation proved that JCAD quantum had calculated the contract correctly. The research was conducted on HVAC sites but the same efficient JCAD quantum electra can do the calculations for electrical contracting as well.
In his conclusion, Haapamäki calculated the time in which JCAD quantum pays for itself. The result is worth considering carefully: 2.3 months! This result is based merely on looking at working time savings. Haapamäki continues: “Furthermore, we can assume that savings in material quantities achieved using the JCAD quantum software may improve the percentage of received HVAC contracts in the company.” In other words, the time for the software to pay itself back is even shorter if just one more contract is received due to faster and more accurate calculation.
Tekmanni Oy is a leading provider of installation and maintenance and repair services in its field.
Further information on JCAD quantum products is available from your local JCAD seller.
Jarno Haapamäki: JCAD software as a tool of quotation calculation. Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences 2009. Quotes from the thesis:
“The use of the software is easy and fast to learn. After a one-day training session, using the software is easy for even a relatively inexperienced computer user. Programme menus in Finnish promote understanding of the software and make its use clear. (p. 11) According to comparison results, we can say that the time saved in the volumetric composition phase using the JCAD quantum software is significant. When entering the volumetric information in the SAP quotation calculation software, the saved time equalled 14–46%. When comparing the material quantities, it was found that the average savings in materials was 11–15%. On the basis of the comparison, it was ascertained that the volume list acquired with the JCAD quantum software was accurate. Moreover, an error in the manual volumetric composition phase in comparison item 1 was observed on the basis of data from JCAD quantum software. Recalculation proved the volume obtained with the JCAD quantum software was correct.” (abstract, p.2)
“The possibility for errors when entering the figures manually is great, whereas the JCAD quantum programme eliminates it almost entirely. There is no possibility of a typing error because the software creates a transfer file of materials calculated, with which the materials can be directly transferred to the quotation calculation software thus eliminating one manual phase entirely from the quotation calculation.” (p. 35)
Revolutionary reform in the use of JCAD extranet
30 April 2009
Are you an avid user of Internet services? Have you been forced to register as a user on numerous different websites? Do you have to comb your mind for passwords – or have you taken a data security risk and left the remembering to Bill Gates’ programmers (that is, to Windows)? Are you aware that you are taking a conscious data security risk? Anyone using your computer may even inadvertently find themselves entering secure websites with your passwords.
JCAD extranet includes nothing confidential but there is plenty of valuable content. JCAD maintenance customers get the latest updates for their tools from there and use the JCAD extranet to make their JCAD products increasingly powerful.
In spring 2007, Jidea Oy became the world’s first software house to start delivering their software licences on a USB memory stick. This reform was particularly significant in that the same stick also included the protection key for the software –a separate key became unnecessary.
We are now launching a new service which utilises the same technology. From May 2009, customers signing a JCAD maintenance contract have received a programme on the stick that automatically installs a JCAD extranet icon on the desktop of their computer. From now on the same software will take care of signing on to the extranet. Whenever the USB stick is connected to the computer, the JCAD extranet site is accessible without user IDs and passwords. No other software house, or any web service provider for that matter, offers this kind of service. Jidea Oy has always prided itself in aiming to serve its customers better than the others – and we will continue to do so.
Further information: Antti Leikas, CEO, tel. +358 40 5666 862
A record-breaking JCAD lecture
25 March 2009
Our lecture on JCAD electrical engineering software in the auditorium of the UKK Institute in Tampere again drew a record number of attendees – at the start of the day, as many as 62 participants showed up to receive basic information on the JCAD electra and JCAD electra easy design systems. In the afternoon, numerous pairs of eyes paid particular attention to a lecture from our expert Janne Lievonen on how JCAD quantum electra software for electrical contractors’ bills of quantities can make the everyday life of contractors easier and increase their competitiveness. The icing on the cake was the briefing on our JET 2009 product, which is targeted at drafting energy certificates.
“These kinds of free events are one way of taking good care of our customers and offering those interested an opportunity to acquaint themselves with our software in more detail. Our investments in recent years in product development and services are now coming to fruition – interest in and appreciation of JCAD products is higher than ever. Despite the economic outlook, our customers have realised the added value high quality software creates for their competitiveness,” says Jarno Ollitervo, the Commercial Manager of Jidea Oy.
Our free lecture series will continue in the near future. Lectures are meant both for JCAD customers and everyone interested in JCAD products.
Updated spring course schedule is out
11 March 2009
Our course selection for the spring has been increased. Courses are scheduled to be held in Joensuu, Rovaniemi and Seinäjoki. Find out more about our comprehensive course selection here.
Free lecture on JCAD electrical engineering design software open to all
26 February 2009
We are organising a free lecture in Tampere. The event will present a refresher course on the efficient use of JCAD electrical engineering software – JCAD electra, JCAD electra easy and JCAD quantum electra.
The event will take place on Fri, 20 March, from 9 am to 2 pm, at UUK Institute, Kaupinpuistonkatu 1, 33500 TAMPERE.
Morning and afternoon coffee as well as lunch will be served at the event. The event is suitable as a refresher course for those who have already participated in training courses as well as an in-depth introduction to those wanting to acquaint themselves with the software.
The lecturer will be an expert from Jidea Oy.
Binding registration to the event can be made by calling +358 8 555 5223, or by e-mailing your contact information to asiakaspalvelu@jidea.fi.
We look forward to seeing you there!
JCAD sales reached record figures in 2008
18 February 2009
Jidea Oy’s turnover in 2008 was the company’s best result ever. The turnover grew by a whopping 34%, with the total turnover being €2.1 million. However, the fast growth diminished profitability and the profit for the financial period was smaller than expected. In addition to the rapid growth, the profit was negatively affected by the product development and financing expenditures of recent years.
It is estimated that the growth will slow down somewhat in 2009, but will still remain strong. The budgeted growth target is 12%; in particular, growth is expected to take place in HVAC and structural engineering design sectors. There is a continuous need for effective CAD design and, in particular, reliable and fast electrical calculation of bills of quantities. The JCAD product family offers robust solutions for these needs.
Jidea Oy was founded in 1985. We have sold nearly €30 million worth of JCAD software in Finland.
New version of JET 2009
29 January 2009
The latest version of JET 2009 includes clearer instructions that take into account the latest guidelines of the Ministry of the Environment regarding the definition of buildings’ gross floor areas.
New version of ScaleCAD
29 January 2009
The ScaleCAD version 4.21 includes new element types and new details. The reinforcing features have been improved and the Detail Editor includes new features. For more information, please contact your nearest ScaleCAD representative.
New appointments at Jidea
27 January 2009
Liisa Nurkkala has been named Sales Manager as of 23 January 2009. She is responsible for HVAC and construction software. She was previously a Jidea Oy Sales Engineer.
MA Ari Oinas has been named an Application Programmer. Ari was previously a Quality Designer with Qprojects Oy.
Joni Poikelin has also been named an Application Programmer.
Strong experience in Jidea Board
25 November 2008
In an extraordinary general meeting on Monday, 24 November 2008, the shareholders elected a new Board of Directors for Jidea Oy. Jorma Hanhimäki from the old Board continues. He was last employed by Jidea in 2000. Hanhimäki originally came to the company as a sales representative in 1988. A new member in the Board is Vesa Korhonen, who was in charge of the company’s financial management and later in operations management in 1990–2005. Other new Board members include Product Development Manager Tapani Hahtonen (employed by Jidea since 1988) and CEO Antti Leikas (employed by Jidea since 2006).
‘Now we have the best possible Board for Jidea,’ CEO Leikas commented on the new assembly. ‘The Board now has experience in sales, financial management and product development. Combined, the Board members have almost fifty years of experience in JCAD business and product development. We have excellent preconditions for continuing from here. The good earnings of the company since the autumn of 2007 and growth allow us to believe in the future despite the currently unstable market.’
Further information: CEO Antti Leikas, tel. +358 40 5666 862.
Jidea and Ensto start cooperation for better electrical engineering design
25 November 2008
Ensto Oy of Porvoo, Finland and Jidea Oy of Oulu, Finland have started a cooperation project where Jidea’s JCAD electrical engineering tools will be developed into a whole new modern direction. In the project, Ensto’s product model data will be included in the JCAD products to make the work of designing engineers and contractors easier. When products are included in the designing tool, the designing engineer does not have to spend time selecting separate components: instead, the designed entities are almost readymade. Designing main diagrams will also be clearly easier. The new product data implementation will benefit the customers of Jidea and Ensto at all stages of construction projects from design to installation!
The first versions of the new type of JCAD electra and JCAD electra easy products will be published in spring 2009.
Ensto Oy is part of the Finnish Ensto Group, a global industrial group specialising in the development, manufacturing, and marketing of electricity systems and electrical engineering supplies. Ensto does business in 18 countries and employs 1,500 people.
For further information on the JCAD electrical engineering design products, please visit www.jcad.fi/en/products/electrical/.