Government manufacturing spans the entire spectrum of the product development value chain – from research and technology invention to deployment and acquisition. However, innovation and production on such a scale brings with it inevitable challenges. Agencies face constant pressure to improve tactical and technological advantage, while saving costs and reducing manufacturing lead times. They are also seeking ways to leverage next generation manufacturing processes to address the key challenges inherent in the design and manufacturing process.

Who doesn’t need more time these days? We’ve listened to your feedback and have extended the deadline for the [acronym] Magazine Public Sector CAD Awards. Thanks for all the entries so far! If you haven’t submitted your nomination you now have until Friday, December 14 to enter.

Have you entered our 2012 Public Sector CAD Awards yet? With less than a month to go until our December 1 deadline – we hope you’re thinking about entering soon! What we’re Looking For As you may know by now, we want to tell the world about your achievements in digital design. And it doesn’t just have to be about the design itself – perhaps your agency has turned to CAD software to streamline workflows, save money, enhance citizen services, or improve collaboration with stakeholders. We want to hear about those achievements too.

With roadway design and construction outsourcing costs rising and growing pressures to maximize tax dollar value, state and local governments are increasingly looking for better ways to improve transportation design projects – on a lower budget. Outsourcing has its advantages, providing convenient access to skilled expertise while helping agencies ease their workload. The process, therefore, of moving this function back in-house is often easier said than done.

It’s that time of year again! The annual Autodesk University is approaching and Autodesk Partners are gearing up for travel. Our long-time sponsor, DLT Solutions will be one of the 165 vendors at the Autodesk University Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas. Stop by booth # 538 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino to learn about Autodesk Master Government Reseller and the products and services they offer, all available on a variety of federal, state and local government contracts.

With Sandy’s passing, LiDAR has again become the talk of the geospatial community. New York City officials plan on using LiDAR technology to accurately measure the city’s elevation. They’ll do so by flying aircrafts over the city and bounce lasers off the surface to determine changes and areas that need immediate attention. The data will then be used to prepare for future hurricanes.

With roadway design and construction outsourcing costs rising and growing pressures to maximize tax dollar value, state and local governments are increasingly looking for better ways to improve transportation design projects – on a lower budget. Outsourcing has its advantages, providing convenient access to skilled expertise while helping agencies ease their workload. The process, therefore, of moving this function back in-house is often easier said than done.

Planning on entering our 2012 Public Sector CAD Awards but not sure what to include in your nomination? Worried your writing isn’t up to scratch? Let’s face it; the exercise can seem a little daunting! But an award is actually a great opportunity for you to showcase your innovation and demonstrate how you and your team has made a difference in the public sector. But we want to hear from you and make it as easy as possible for you to be a winner this year! So without further ado, here are seven tips for writing a killer award submission!

As expectation grows for the AEC industry to be more eco-friendly while satisfying government regulations, developers are now considering infiltration as part of their stormwater system. Stormwater Infiltration is currently part of a sub divisional ordinance in Pennsylvania which requires developers to explain why they are using traditional retention bases opposed to stormwater infiltration.

By Nancy Mann Jackson When a state or region experiences a major weather event such as a hurricane, blizzard or tornado, numerous agencies and organizations must work together to manage the crisis. For instance, when Hurricane Irene battered the U.S. East Coast in August 2011, thousands of workers were called into action, including fire and rescue personnel, utility workers, public health officials and workers at all levels of state and local government. Typically, each of these groups maintains its own geographical data, tracking a storm, flood or other disaster, and working in a silo to ensure its own portion of the rescue and recovery is completed.