General Questions

• Where are my projects stored?
  • On the ONUMA Server
• What formats can schemes be exported in?
  • IFC for import to other IFC Applications such as Revit and Archicad
  • Excel CSV Files
  • Google Earth KML files
  • 3Ds from the space level with furniture
  • 3Ds for import to SketchUp
• What formats can schemes be imported in?
  • Excel CSV
  • BIM IFC (staring in June 2007)
  • Google Earth Shape file for property Lines
  • XML from Archicad with optional Add On
• What platforms are supported?
  • PC and Mac
  • ONUMA has focused on creating as cross platform a solution as possible, and will continue to enhance the capabilities on both the PC and the Mac side.
  • Due to limitations on some of the graphical plug ins, there are some limitations on the Macintosh side to edit location of furniture and equipment at the room level.

What is OPS™?

• OPS™ was created by Architects and Programmers to use on Architecture and Planning Projects
• OPS™ was created five years ago as an in an house tool at ONUMA, Inc.
• Who can use OPS™?
  • OPS™ is created for wide range of users from owners, planners, facility managers, architects, security specialists, scenario planners, interior designers, furniture and equipment manufacturers and others.
• How are project documents and models stored in OPS™.
  • OPS™ is an online database which creates project documents and reports on the fly. In other words as users interact with OPS™ and request reports, the reports, documents and even 3D and 2D models are generated from the database at that instance. This allows for simultaneous real time interaction with multiple users, schemes and projects. This differs greatly from "document" management web sites that store static documents, files, 2D and 3D content.
• Does OPS™ Compete against other desktop BIM Applications such as Revit and Archicad?
  • No, OPS™ is a unique web based BIM tool that works side by side with other desktop applications.
• Why do I need OPS™ if we already use Revit, Archicad or other BIM solutions?
  • Desktop BIM Solutions focus on single projects. OPS™ is a model server that can manage hundreds or thousands of projects.
  • Data and graphics in BIM project is valuable. OPS™ makes it easy to share critical data with users that are not proficient in desktop BIM Applications. For example creating a simple list of spaces and areas is simple to do in OPS by selecting the report.
• Does OPS™ create construction documents?
  • No, offline BIM tools such as Revit or Archicad do. Linking the project requirements and then sending those to Revit or Archicad allows for tracking of project requirements into the construction documentation.

Learning OPS™

• How long does it take to learn to use OPS™?
  • OPS™ is designed to be very easy to use and learn for the basic functions.
  • Users in the case study for the US Coast Guard were trained to use OPS in one 4 hour session.
  • Other users have been self taught.
  • OPS™ has many levels of use, all integrated together. You can start with basic functions and work your way up. Multiple users can interact at various levels, based on their knowledge and expertise.
• OPS™ has many features, and functions that I do not use, is there a version that does not include all this functionality?
  • Yes, there is a free viewer version, that allows you to view shared schemes, create reports and export data.
  • The goal of OPS™ is to maximize the value of data and knowledge and link to as many other relevant parts of the process. This includes views into data from many different user's perspectives. For example, an architect may be interested in the layout of a project for a client, but the client's financial officer may only be interested in the bottom line of cost and area. Each of these users has a view into various part of the OPS™ interface. The ONUMA team, has created user interfaces from these various viewpoints. Depending on the access level you have and the interfaces that are available to you, other viewpoints are visible. This overlap of data is critical to the overall success of OPS. Just like the Internet has various views into data, OPS™ too has that ability.

Sharing Projects and Schemes

• Can I share OPS™ Schemes with someone that does not have access to OPS™?
  • Yes, there are several methods using OPS Editor Pro™
    • By sharing the scheme with the public, the scheme then becomes accessible through the OPS WFS.
      http://www.onuma.com/products/WebFeatureServices.php
    • By exporting an IFC file and sending it to the other user
    • By exporting a KML file and sending it to anther user, or posting it to the Google 3D Warehouse
• If I share my scheme, can others edit it?
  • No, they can only view, create reports or duplicate them.
  • After duplicating the scheme one can then edit it as their own scheme.
  • One can also "send" their scheme to another editor, at which point they pass ownership and editing rights to that person.
  • Is is also possible to "send" a scheme to another editor and also keep a duplicate scheme for yourself.
• What is an OPS™ Studio?
  • A Studio is a group of 5 or more users, that have a space on the OPS™ server that is unique to their team.
  • A studio can be thought of as a group within an office.
  • Studio team member can create and share templates and schemes with other Studio team members.
  • Each 5 editors that are added get a "credit" for one extra Studio that can be shared by as many or as few of the other editors as desired
  • Individual Studio members or OPS™ Editors can also send a "view" message to other editors outside of their Studio.
  • Schemes can also be shared outside the Stuido using OPS™ Web Services.
• Is there a limit to how many Editors can be part of a Studio?
  • No there is no limit. Groups of 5 can be added.
• How many projects and schemes can I create with one account?
  • Unlimited projects and schemes.
  • Each OPS™ Editor account can create multiple schemes and projects up to a limit of 5,000 spaces.
  • Users can delete, backup old schemes to create new spaces if you go over 5,000.
  • OPS™ Studio can have up to 50,000 spaces
  • OPS™ Enterprise accounts allow unlimited spaces
  • Additional licenses can also be purchased for extra space

Managing Templates and Standards

• What is the difference between a template or shared scheme?
  • Any editor can decide to share a scheme, at which point it becomes available to others in that studio of OPS™.
  • A template is treated as a standard, or a starting point, that a group leader can decide to define. This can then be edited by that leader at a future time as the standards evolve. Other editors can then use that template as a starting point when creating a new scheme of a site, building, or individual space.
• I see Pre-made templates on OPS™, can I create my own?
  • The templates in OPS™ are starting points to give you an idea of what is possible. New ones will be added by the ONUMA team over time.
  • The intent is that each user will create their own template and create a customized version of OPS™ for your specific needs.
• Can templates or projects be imported from other BIM applications?
  • Yes, you can create templates from other BIM applications such as Revit or Arhicad and imported into OPS™. *this feature will be added in June of 2007 and will require an additional plug in to use with OPS Editor Pro and above.

Saving and Backup

• How are schemes and data saved?
  • The OPS™ automatically saves all edits to schemes that users make. Saving occurs at every step as you move from interface to interface. The saves are happening directly to the OPS™ database in real time.
• Can I undo an edit that has been made?
  • All edits are automatically saved.
  • Edits on the same user interface level, such as site plan, or floor plan, can be "reverted" to the original state as long as you do not go away from that interface. Select the "revert" button to return to the last saved version.
  • It is recommended and encouraged to make duplicate schemes before making major edits. This will allow you to compare one scheme against the other.
• I cannot move a building, space or furniture.
  • You must be the owner of the scheme to edit. Duplicate the scheme if it is not yours first.
  • You must be in "edit" mode to edit. Select the "Edit" button above the graphical interface.
• Can I backup a scheme to my desktop PC?
  • Yes, select "Export" and save a "Backup To File" at the site level. This will save all buildings and data on a site. You can later on import this Backup to the project to create the entire scheme. This format is intended as a full backup of all data in the particular scheme, See other formats for partial exports below.
  • You can also export in other formats such as XML, KML and IFC, for importing back to OPS or importing to other compliant applications. Each save out format has limitations on the type of data that is exported due to limits on the client application or decisions on what to export from OPS™ to that format. For example, exporting to Google Earth through KML does not save out the furniture and equipment of spaces. The Backup file mentioned above saves out all geometries and attributes.

Working with Other Applications

• What standards does OPS™ use?
  • OPS™ is built on open standards, which allows us to work with many other applications built on open standards. It also allows users to move their data from OPS to other applications even if they are competitors of OPS.
  • Building Smart, International Alliance for Interoperability, Open Geospatial Consortium, http Standards, all allow for the sharing of data on a common standard in many applications. This is the future of transparency and working on open standards. We at ONUMA, Inc. encourage and support this, it is better for our clients and a much more sustainable view of managing knowledge and information.
• What desktop BIM Applications are supported?
  • Revit, Archicad, and other IFC Compliant BIM Applications
• Do I need a desktop BIM Application to use OPS™?
  • No, OPS™ can run without a desktop BIM application.
  • OPS Complements desktop BIM applications by managing multiple projects and schemes in one database

OPS™, BIM and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• What is a Geographic or Geospatial Information System?
  • It is a way to locate things in space or a map. Being able to point to a place on earth and say "my building, or space, or furniture is here" allows you to interact with the other relevant data in that location.
  • GIS has been around for many years, and now with tools such as Google Earth, which is a GIS tool, it is possible for a person without any experience in GIS to use.
• How does OPS™ relate to GIS?
  • Google Earth shapes that define property lines can be imported to OPS™ to located schemes geospatially.
  • Schemes can be exported to Google Earth.
  • OPS™ was used in the first public demonstration of linking BIM to GIS for the Open Geospatial Consortium OWS4 Testbed in Dec. of 2006. Schemes in the OPS™ database were made available live using OGC Web Feature Serivces (WFS). The links to the OPS™ WFS can be viewed here:http://onuma.com/products/WfsCatalog.php.
  • The OPS™ WFS allows other applications such as Google Earth and OGC Complaint applications to dynmically get BIM data or OGC data in real time directly from the OPS™ server.
  • Hundreds or thousands of BIM schemes can be accessed in real time as multiple users are creating them, by analysts all over the world through open standard protocols.

Safety and Security

• How can my projects be secure if they are on the web?
  • Projects are only visible to you until you decide to share them with one other person, the studio group, or published to the public. The decision is yours to what level you would like to share.
  • All projects, schemes, data and user interface with data to OPS is using a secure web site (https) like the banks use. This is more secure than email and any data entered into OPS is encrypted while it is sent to and from the server.
• I forgot my password, how do I log in?
  • Go the OPS™ Log in page: https://www.onuma.com/products/OpsLogin.php and select the link "Forgot your password". Enter your user name and the password will be emailed to you.
  • Never send your user name and password in one email to anyone. As noted above email is not secure.

Licensing

• Does each user need a license?
  • Yes, each user needs a license.
  • To encourage all user levels to have their own license ONUMA has kept the licensing costs low. We discourage any sharing of log ins to OPS™. Multiple log ins with the same user name will create confusion. Treat OPS™ as your own email account.
• Can I log in from my computer at the office and at home?
  • Yes, any computer linked to the Internet can log in to OPS with a user name and password.
• Is a free viewer available?
  • Each licensed editor can authorize unlimited viewers to access schemes and projects
• Is a local version that does not need connection to the Internet available?
  • Yes, with the Enterprise version a local network can access and edit OPS™.
  • ONUMA encourages the use of OPS™ as a live online system.
• When a new version of OPS™ is available, do I have to install new software?
  • No, most feature in OPS™ are coming from a web serer. There is no software to install apart from a few standard plug ins for the web browser and all updates appear automatically as they become available.
  • Some local software installation is needed for additional functionality such as linking to desktop BIM applications.
• If my license to OPS™ expires will I have access to my projects and schemes?
  • No, projects and schemes will be archived for one year.
• If I stop my license to OPS™ for less than 12 months, will they be accessible when I reactivate?
  • Yes, projects and schemes will be available for 12 months. Users, whose license has lapsed for less than 12 months will be able to access them after starting the license again.

Troubleshooting

• The graphical view of the site plan, floor plan, or space plan do not show up.
  • You need the free GDL and SVG plug in to view graphics.
• OPS is constantly being updated with new features.
  • Please report all problems and wish lists to ONUMA, Inc.