M: It’s great to hear that everyone has developed their own ways of using it on their own sites. What aspects of MIIDEL have been well-received by the construction department?

Uno：In construction-related drawings, there are design drawings and construction drawings, which include various types such as piping and electrical diagrams. These drawings are constantly being revised and updated. Especially in residential construction, this includes information such as sales brochures for external release, so there are changes that have to be exchanged before the final version is reached, so it’s sometimes unclear which version is the final version.
Before introducing MIIDEL, we had to superimpose CAD data and visually check them visually one by one. However, not all drawings to be compared are CAD data, so the ability to compare with PDFs in MIIDEL has been a lifesaver. The results of the comparison are displayed in different colours, making it easy for the person doing the work to quickly understand what to focus on. The first time we used it on site, we were all impressed, and said “It’s great!” Moreover, MIIDEL’s features have also evolved, including distortion correction and partial movement, among other adjustments. These subtle improvements were very helpful when working on site.

Araki：The task of comparing drawings involves quite complex operations, but people usually think they can do it roughly, so they try, however, once started, it turns out to be a “massive amount of repetitive work”, that is not only tedious, but also prone to oversights and errors. I believe that such repetitive tasks should be delegated to machines.

M: How do you use the time you save by improving efficiency with MIIDEL?

Araki： I feel that the effect of MIIDEL is not simply about reducing time. Using MIIDEL speeds up the confirmation process, but at the same time, it may make us aware of things we hadn’t noticed before. By realizing facts that we had previously overlooked, responders are prompted to think differently, engage in new tasks, and change the overall nature of their work. If changes to the drawings go unnoticed and work progresses on-site, it leads to significant setbacks in terms of time, cost, and motivation. However, if noticed early, it allows us to point out minor design changes and request additional costs, resulting in the opposite outcome of increasing construction costs.
On the other hand, in recent years, all companies have faced the issue of employee working hours. Especially in the construction and transportation industries, there is a need to address the so-called “2024 problem” (the end of the five-year grace period for overtime work limits as part of the government’s work style reform). When the total number of hours an individual can work is determined, how to effectively use valuable time becomes a significant issue. Therefore, it’s not just about “making work easier”, but how to use time effectively is also important. This trend may become more apparent in the future.