The 2017 Nova Ava updates took project management to a new level. The year not only brought meaningful improvements in detail, but also real innovations for your everyday life: smarter processes, a better overview and new functions that make your life easier. What exactly was new? Get an overview here.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
News & updates from March 2017
Negotiate annual LCs / framework agreements
Conveniently negotiate framework agreements
Framework agreements are regularly renegotiated with contractors. To ensure that this also works well during ongoing operations, the BOQ items of a framework agreement can be assigned different statuses in NOVA AVA: “in progress” for preparing the next request for quotation, or “completed” for submitting a quotation. In addition, several negotiation rounds can be run through for each bidder, with the BOQ items receiving further statuses such as “new price submission required” or “negotiated”.
March 17
Create project specifications from framework agreements
Project CVs with reference to framework agreement
This function is extremely practical, not only in the retail sector, but also wherever companies are commissioned to carry out project services on the basis of framework agreements: when creating a project specifications list, simply select a framework agreement and the desired contractor and, with just a few clicks, commission and invoice the services on the terms already negotiated.
March 18
Extend address information freely
Define your own address fields
You can now add your own attributes to the address information. As these are freely definable attributes, you can decide for yourself which additional information is important. Perhaps it is a department abbreviation, the link to a company’s website, the year of foundation or the availability of a certain qualification of the entrepreneur?
March 19, 2017
ausschreiben.de – free tender texts
Even more tender texts!
Great! You can now also “tap into” this text memory with NOVA AVA, we quote:
” Create Bill of Quantities with AUSSCHREIBEN.DE
- Over 730,000 tender texts and service descriptions for your AVA software, tradesman software or word processor
- Quickly and easily transfer manufacturer texts for building products to your specifications
- Tender texts free of charge for your construction tender in various data formats, for example GAEB, PDF, Word “
And in NOVA AVA, the short path from online to online is particularly convenient!
March 20
Switch views faster
Define your own column groups
In the NOVA AVA tables, columns can be shown and hidden as required. You can now also save your own column settings and switch even faster between different views of your data.
March 22
Cost estimate extended
Referencing, characteristic values and % shares
References between cost groups can now be created in the cost estimation component. This is suitable, for example, for cost planning in accordance with DIN276, in order to determine the ancillary construction costs with, for example, a 16% share of the sum of KG 300 + 400. Another new feature is the use of characteristic values as a unit for the selected cost group (GF=area to determine cost group 200 finishing). In addition, all percentage shares are now shown by default: in the total costs and in the sum of the selected elements (e.g. KG 300 + 400). Try it out now!
March 23
Creation of BOQ standard
Copying positions is now even more convenient
Now it is sufficient to select a subsequent text item and NOVA AVA automatically generates all superordinate content with the basic text item and the permanent preliminary remarks during the copying process.
March 24
Quantity determination – rounding options
Round off quantities for the tender
The result of the quantity takeoff calculated for a BOQ item can now be rounded to whole numbers, 10s or 100s for the tender.
March 25
BOQ inspection according to HVA-StB
New BOQ exam setting
Anyone who creates Bill of Quantities in accordance with the HVA-StB guidelines knows that mere GAEB conformity is not enough. The special requirements according to the STLK guidelines for the structure of a BOQ can now be checked at the click of a mouse with the new BOQ check.
March 26
Dynamic position proposals
Search & find like in Google
Everyone knows this from search engines:
type a few letters and suitable suggestions are generated.
We have now also implemented this in NOVA AVA – start writing your short text and NOVA AVA searches the database for all matching texts as you type. From the dynamic results list with long text preview, all you have to do is click on the match you are looking for and your position is ready!
March 27
Dynamically reference BOQ items
References between BOQ items
The example of the “Allowance” item makes it clear: Allowance for item 1.1.25 -> and what happens if the BOQ has to be renumbered and item 1.1.25 becomes 1.1.45, for example? Well, NOVA AVA takes care of that – the intelligent references between items are updated fully automatically in the long text.
March 28
Graphical cost analysis with new diagrams
A picture says more than a thousand numbers!
The cost analysis in NOVA AVA is a powerful tool. It allows you to keep an eye on cost development across all phases of project management, aggregated globally and down to the smallest item detail. But admittedly: Not everyone really enjoys analyzing and comparing figures. So we have packed the complex work into smart and dynamic diagrams. There are not only bar and column charts … our favorite is the spiderweb chart!
March 29
The crystal ball function for construction accounting and controlling
Should – is – and what will be?
Correctly forecast costs: a good cost forecast is not just the result of the classic target/actual comparison between the order and the work performed. In NOVA AVA, you can now forecast the expected upcoming quantities of the individual service items or the percentage increase in services for entire BOQ areas. The costs calculated from this show which funds need to be made available in the short term (e.g. until the next installment payment is due) and in the long term (for the final invoice). This means you have tomorrow’s cost development under control today and score points with the controllers!
March 30
April 2017: Adjustments to the push options
New print list: Bidder information list
Compact list of bidder details
In this new print list, all required text information to be provided by the bidder is summarized in a compact format. This format is particularly requested by contracting authorities in conjunction with a long text list.
Print options for cost estimate & Bill of Quantities
Even more flexibility for documents
The design and desired content of a document is an individual matter. So we have activated further options for the output, from now on you can:
in the print list Cost estimate
- Show lines to show a better distinction between the cost groups and their values
- Output the recorded comments for each cost group for complete documentation
in the printed Bill of Quantities
- Show partial costs, e.g. per cost unit, either in the tender blank for queries – or in the cost calculation, quotation and order lists to display the individual costs at item level and totaled for BOQ areas and total net amount
- Switch carry-over lines so that the carry-over for the current and following page can be printed in the tender BOQ
- Bidder queries (bidder gaps), these can now be optionally switched off in the long text. This is useful if this information is requested via the new print list Bidder details list
April 27
News in May: New subscription prices from July 1, 2017
With NOVA AVA, we have been offering the first real AVA web application since 2014. Many architecture and engineering firms, as well as large public and private clients, have registered for our construction software – for good reasons. NOVA AVA is convenient and practical to use, runs regardless of location, on all end devices, is the only AVA software in the construction industry to offer all the advantages of cloud computing – and is constantly being developed and improved by us: all information on updates and innovations in recent years can be found here on our blog, for example.
Quality has its price – and we are no different. This is mainly because we will continue to expand the content of our offering in the future and, of course, remain technically state of the art at all times.
In addition, the rising costs of operating the hardware and server infrastructure have prompted us to adjust our prices for the first time. From July 1, 2017, the following net package prices (user/month) will apply to new orders and automatic subscription renewals:
Starter 49 €
Easy 69 €
Business 89 €
Our price guarantee: All new orders and subscription renewals made before July 1, 2017 will be billed at the previous costs. So if you book an annual subscription by June 30, 2017, you can still use NOVA AVA for a whole year at the old conditions!
May 2
New project filters, new supplement management component & much more: features in October 2017
New print lists for cost determination evaluations
DIN276-oriented evaluations across all phases
With the new version, the cost development can now be documented even more comprehensively in printouts. Similar to the cost planning list, the cost analysis module now provides evaluations of all phases in the construction progress (e.g. cost estimate BOQ, award, supplements, performance status, …) structured according to DIN276 or your own cost structures.
New project filters
Keeping an overview
This is now much easier with the new project filters. Powerful search and filter functions are now available in the project overview, Googlemap and cost analysis. You can save your filters and use them at any time for research and evaluations in a matter of seconds.
Cost analysis – cost planning & reference values
Cost analysis with new evaluations
Previously, only one cost plan could be included in the evaluation in the cost analysis; from now on, all statements contained in the project, such as cost framework, cost estimate and cost calculation, are available for comparison. The new variability also comes with a new evaluation option: by freely selecting the reference column, you can now see percentage changes in costs across all phases at a glance.
Cost planning – allocate award units (BOQ)
Cost planning – a bridge from DIN276 to the award units (BOQ)
In cost planning, you can now assign an award unit (BOQ) of the project to each cost group. On the one hand, NOVA AVA can automatically determine the budgets of your tender specifications and, on the other hand, fill them with the items entered in the cost planning. Fast and practical.
Price comparison list – with interactive graphics
Compare faster with the new graphics!
A price comparison list is full of figures. If you want to present the award proposal to your client as clearly as possible, it’s best to create a few graphics – or simply let NOVA AVA do it for you! The special feature: the graphical price comparison list is interactive, from the offer to the title sum, you can decide with every click in which level of detail you want to evaluate. All the classics from bar charts to compass roses are available.
Cost planning – use comparative projects now
Cost estimate from experience
As soon as you have some projects in NOVA AVA, you can use them as comparative values to quickly calculate your current project. With unlimited evaluation of your comparison projects (filterable according to any criteria) for minimum, average, median and maximum prices, cost estimation – e.g. according to DIN276 – is even easier based on your own experience. The special feature: when selecting the comparative costs, you can rely on planned, order or settlement values, NOVA AVA automatically calculates the cost parameters based on the respective assignments and generates suggestions for all cost groups.
Text selection fields in the item text
Text selection field or stop point!
Often only one or more dimensions change in the item long text. In order to be able to edit this information quickly and reliably, it is now possible to define text selection fields with list entries in the template or master BOQ. Linked to the intelligent BOQ check, these text selection fields in the long text can then be filled with an entry from the assigned value list.
Lot-by-lot award and billing specifications
Split Bill of Quantities into lots
Now you can divide a Bill of Quantities into lots, i.e. into several intended award units, in the BOQ creation component. After the invitation to tender and the request for quotations, all evaluation options are available in the price comparison list. The lots can now be evaluated individually or in combination and assigned to the selected providers. Once the lots have been awarded, you will receive a billing BOQ for each contractor for construction management and the project-related cost analysis.
October 27
New supplement management component
Fully document supplements
Every change to an order is a supplement! To meet precisely this requirement, we have now created an additional component and implemented the functions for supplements there. This ranges from the omitted item to the commissioning of contingencies or alternatives as well as changes to quantities and/or prices through to the creation of new services. Convenient and easy to use – for transparent and fully documented addendum management.
New measurement recording component
The fastest way to record performance!
Have the contractor report the services provided directly? This is now possible with the new measurement module in NOVA AVA! You can activate the service entry mask for the contractor with a click: there, he enters the item quantities performed as an increase or cumulative in his password-protected area. Optionally, the services rendered can also be recorded in the form of REB23.003-based measurements and processed via integrated interfaces to X31 and D11.
As the client or their representative, you can conveniently check the entry sheets and decide on the approval and thus the invoice value. Great features such as commenting on recorded services with text and images make NOVA AVA service recording a unique tool. Suitable for all projects and framework agreements. Included for NOVA AVA customers from the Business package and free of charge for contractors!
New stylish print templates for all components
Designer work!
We have commissioned an agency to design the new NOVA AVA print lists. The result is impressive: you can now choose from four more modern templates! And if that’s not enough, you can of course derive your own document layouts from them or design them completely freely.
October 28
As we all know, the best is saved for last: The highlight of the Nova Ava Updates 2017 follows in December
Import BKI cost planning
New BKI interface!
If you create cost plans with BKI, you can search for comparable projects and create cost estimates according to DIN276.
And so that this information can also be used in the further AVA process, NOVA AVA now has a new import function. At the touch of a button, all relevant key data for the project (room volumes, areas, …) as well as the quantity and cost information in accordance with DIN276 are transferred from BKI.
December 10
Beta version: NOVA AVA BIM Add-On is live!
The big BIM beta test starts now
The beta test for the NOVA AVA BIM add-on will run until March 15, 2018 – a full three months – and we are already looking forward to your feedback!
Here are the basic functions in the video: https://youtu.be/7t0nJoHm-rc
What do you like, what’s missing, what needs to be expanded, where are the problems? Just write to us or give us a call. The more criticism and ideas we get from you, the better the BIM add-on can become!
All customers and demo testers can use the BIM components free of charge during the beta phase. And during this time, we will continue to work on the functions, taking your input and suggestions into account.
December 14