AMIC Reduces CAD Workload by 60% and Boosts Surveying Efficiency with ZWCAD

AMIC: Expert in Bridge Surveying and Seismic Diagnosis in Japan

The company’s commitment to high-quality services has earned it recognition, including the Excellence Award at the Disaster Prevention and Sustainability Awards and DX Certification by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. With a focus on disaster prevention and sustainability, AMIC continues to contribute to safer, more resilient public infrastructure in Japan.

Rising CAD Costs and Workflow Inefficiencies

When AutoCAD revised its pricing model, AMIC faced significant challenges, resulting in higher costs and fewer licenses. As licenses were shared across the team, productivity suffered. Takuya Onishi, Manager of the Civil Engineering Group, explains, "The cost burden became an issue with the price revision of AutoCAD. With fewer licenses, we had to share them, which led to decreased operational efficiency."

In addition, AMIC encountered inefficiencies due to the manual transfer of CAD drawing data to Excel via the VBA interface, where their custom secondary development program was utilized. Takuya Onishi remarks, "We used the VBA interface to transfer CAD drawing data to Excel through our custom-developed program, but the process was time-consuming and error-prone, adding a considerable burden to our workflow."

Even though AMIC knew they had to switch CAD, they were worried about what the change might bring. They were especially concerned about the switch to a new CAD solution, particularly regarding file compatibility and the potential disruption to established workflows. Akihiko Sakanaka, from AMIC’s Civil Engineering Group, recalls, "We were unsure if switching to another product would cause compatibility issues or disrupt our workflows, which was a concern during the transition."

Seamless Integration and Significant Cost Savings with ZWCAD

After evaluating several solutions, AMIC turned to ZWCAD, which offered the same functionality as AutoCAD at a much lower cost, with the added benefit of a perpetual license model.

ZWCAD’s compatibility with DWG files allows AMIC to use their existing design data without disruption. The familiar interface and smooth operation made the transition simple. Takuya Onishi remarks, "ZWCAD provides the same functionality as AutoCAD, and the transition was smooth. The cost savings have allowed us to implement the necessary number of 2D CAD licenses, significantly improving productivity."

Assessing Bridge Damage for Solution Planning with ZWCAD

To further streamline operations, AMIC upgraded some licenses to ZWCAD Pro, unlocking VBA functionality to automate data transfer from CAD to Excel, greatly reducing the time spent on manual checks and improving overall efficiency.

Achieving 60% Reduction in Workload and Boosted Productivity

After adopting ZWCAD, AMIC has experienced a 60% reduced workload, significantly boosting productivity. By switching to ZWCAD’s perpetual licensing model, the company can purchase the necessary licenses without increasing costs, leading to better resource allocation.

The VBA functionality in ZWCAD Pro automates the data transfer from CAD to Excel, reducing manual errors and saving time. Takuya Onishi explains, "With ZWCAD Pro, we can streamline our data checking and correction processes. It has significantly reduced the workload, allowing us to focus on tasks that offer more value to the business." As a result, AMIC takes on new projects and expands its business.

Damage issues on bridge surfaces illustration completed in ZWCAD

Additionally, ZWCAD’s high-speed performance enables AMIC to handle large and complex design files effortlessly, improving overall efficiency. "ZWCAD handles large files without a hitch, speeding up our design process and making our overall workflow much more efficient," Akihiko Sakanaka adds.

Fueling AMIC’s Efficiency and Ongoing Success with ZWCAD

Integrating ZWCAD into its operations has improved AMIC’s workflow and boosted productivity, allowing the company to expand its project scope. As AMIC continues to expand its capabilities, ZWCAD remains a crucial tool in maintaining high standards for infrastructure surveying and non-destructive testing, while also enabling the company to efficiently manage future projects.