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AEC Tech News (#310)
16 Feb, 2012 By: Cadalyst StaffHP Z1 Breaks Out of the Workstation Mold
The industry's first 27" all-in-one workstation features pop-open access and a slew of options in a streamlined, space-saving package.
By Cyrena Respini-Irwin and Nancy Spurling Johnson
Last year, HP added a smaller form factor to its workstation line with the Z210 SFF. Although it was 65% smaller than its full-size sibling, the Z210 CMT, it was still a rectangular box. But this week, the hardware giant unveiled a new form factor that's a radical departure from its traditional towers: the HP Z1 all-in-one professional workstation. Although its internal configuration is similar to the Z210, its exterior is not — the Z1's display and computer are wedded in a single unit that sits atop a hinged, adjustable stand. "It's a game-changer," said Tom Salomone, worldwide marketing manager for HP.
 The HP Z1's slim profile and all-in-one design make it an ideal candidate for confined workspaces. |
The Z1 takes a cue from Apple's iMac design, but pushes the computing power to a level that will support CAD professionals: The ISV-certified machine is built around quad-core Intel Xeon processors, NVIDIA Quadro graphics, and ECC (error-correcting code) memory. "First and foremost, we thought about the CAD environment," said Josh Peterson, HP's director of worlwide product marketing, Commercial Solutions. Peterson went on to explain that the Z1 is well suited to mechanical engineering, architectural, and civil and structural engineering uses.
Accessible Design
The Z1's compact, streamlined design is ideal for tight workspaces including home offices and cubicles; it can even be mounted on a wall, with the addition of a VESA-mount display arm. In addition, the all-in-one design and wireless keyboard and mouse do away with cord chaos. "All that clutter hampers productivity — it hampers creativity," said Peterson. "We felt the all-in-one form factor could really change the way people work and operate."
Productivity is king, but appearances also matter to workstation users, especially those architects and engineers who are judged on their aesthetic sensibility. "They're in the business of designing things and making them look good, so they want a workspace that makes them look good," explained Autodesk Senior Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer Chris Bradshaw. In addition to reducing visual clutter, the Z1 sports a shell of brushed aluminum and edge-to-edge glass that's intended to complement those environments. Read more »
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Cyrena Respini-Irwin is Cadalyst's senior editor. Nancy Spurling Johnson is Cadalyst's editor in chief.
IMAGINiT Technologies' Clarity Software Enhances BIM Collaboration
Autodesk Revit Server–based solution can provide dispersed teams and property owners with additional security, task automation, and reporting capabilities.
By Cadalyst Staff
Rand Worldwide's IMAGINiT Technologies division released a new web-based solution for Autodesk Revit Server users yesterday. IMAGINiT Clarity imaginit.com/clarity software enables AEC team members and external partners in multiple locations to securely share one centrally located BIM (building information modeling) model. The software features online dashboard controls, programmable security settings, and a variety of automated time-saving solutions for tracking and reporting progress.
"To the best of my knowledge, we are first people releasing an application on top of Revit Server that does all this ... we the only ones that are thinking of it as a platform," said Beau Turner, IMAGINiT's director of business development, building solutions, and one of Clarity's creators.
Turner explained that Clarity enhances and expands upon Revit Server's capabilities in multiple areas, including:
Installation. It's time-consuming to get Revit Server up and running, said Turner. Users can install Clarity along with Revit Server to get remote sites up and running in minutes. Read more »
Mark Your Calendar: AEC Events
Associated General Contractors of America Convention
March 13–17, 2012
Honolulu, Hawaii
AGC's 93rd Annual Convention is an opportunity to learn about the latest construction industry best practices and gain insight into new legislative regulations. Read more »
Fiatech 2012
April 2–4, 2012
Miami, Florida
This year, the theme for Fiatech's Annual Technology Conference and Showcase is Fiatech Heat: Innovation that Builds the World. Read more »
San Antonio BIMForum
April 25–26, 2012
San Antonio, Texas
The spring BIMForum will focus on how virtual design and construction deliverables are used to solve specific problems, save a project time or money, enable better decisions, and enhance quality. Read more »
For a complete list of CAD meetings, conferences, training sessions, and more, check out our calendar of events on Cadalyst.com. Are you hosting an event that you would like to include in our calendar? Submit details at least two weeks in advance to news@cadalyst.com.
What’s New at Cadalyst.com
CADspeed Blog Post:
Share Your FirePro Graphics Experience and Win a AMD FirePro V5900
Nothing gets us more excited at CADspeed than the idea of free hardware, so check out AMD's Experience FirePro! Sweepstakes from February 13-27, 2012. Read more »
Setting a CAD Speed Record
Do you really need a high-end graphics card? Read more »
CAD Manager's Toolbox: Build a Better Budget
You already know you'll need to buy new hardware and software this year — now you've got to tell management about it. Read more »
Choose the Right CAD Workstation Components
You've got a limited budget for new hardware — learn how to get the most performance bang for your buck! Read more »
Does Government GIS Data Belong to the People?
A California court case showcases the importance of public access to tax-funded databases. Read more »
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