CFL and SoftwareOne join forces to innovate in the management of rail infrastructure projects in Luxembourg

Better infrastructure starts with digitisation

The CFL Group, with its workforce of 5,000 employees, holds the distinction of being the largest employer in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It bears the responsibility of managing and operating the entirety of Luxembourg's rail network, encompassing both passenger and freight services.

The CFL Group's infrastructure management is responsible for handling the rail network, which includes operating, maintaining, renewing, modernising and extending the network's fixed installations through infrastructure projects. These projects aim to anticipate tomorrow's mobility by adapting the rail network and infrastructure to customers' future needs. Safety is an absolute and non-negotiable priority for the Group, which places customers and their mobility needs at the heart of its strategy. CFL also wants to be at the forefront of innovation and ensure the highest quality in its projects and, consequently, in its services.

To ensure the success of its increasingly complex infrastructure projects, the CFL Group has set itself the strategic objective of capitalising on a digital project management process using the MTWO platform in collaboration with SoftwareOne. This enables the management of new infrastructure projects to incorporate 3D visualisation of elements (digital mock-up - BIM), 4D time parameters and 5D financial monitoring.

MTWO & SoftwareOne, first major partnership

The MTWO Construction Cloud platform proved to be the most suitable for retrieving and integrating the various information from the Autodesk Construction Cloud environment, which is used as a collaborative tool during the project design phase. CFL's BIM strategy aligns perfectly with the MTWO Construction Cloud, facilitating a smooth transition of data from modelling and design in software like Revit, all the way to the project's construction and delivery phases. All the tools and data are grouped together in a single cloud that automates (internal and external) collaboration on projects.

CFL chose SoftwareOne because of its extensive expertise and experience in IT solutions for the construction sector. The MTWO platform, robust and specially developed for the construction sector, was exactly what CFL needed. SoftwareOne's user-friendly interface, advanced functionalities and personalised support convinced the Group.

Following a comprehensive evaluation of several options, SoftwareOne distinguished itself with its extensive sector expertise, customer-centric approach and demonstrated track record.

Launch and continued deployment of BIM in Luxembourg

The collaboration between CFL and SoftwareOne has resulted in the first step in the successful implementation of the MTWO Construction Cloud for the management of Luxembourg rail infrastructure projects. Following a full proof of concept, CFL and SoftwareOne are now preparing to implement pilot projects. Together, they are determined to establish a benchmark for innovation, standardization and efficiency in infrastructure project management in the Grand Duchy.

Corentin Noël (Technical Engineer - CFL): "The BIM strategy for the implementation of new projects by CFL's Project Infrastructure department is not intended to stop at modelling and design (mock-up - BIM - 3D), but to go a step further by integrating the 4D time and 5D financial parameters. Whereas we used to manually convert our processes from design to construction, in the future we will be able to manage and control all projects more quickly and in a structured way. The MTWO is literally a 'construction cloud', enabling us to design, build, orchestrate and collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners on the same project. The first test phase is going well, the implementation is on track and we're already looking forward to further developments after the roll-out."

Tomé Maio (BIM Manager - CFL): "We're going to take a major step towards digital transformation by digitising our project management processes so as to achieve a 'Single Source of Truth' or data standardisation in the field of rail infrastructure and construction in general. Thanks to this digitisation, we will be able to manage unforeseen events more effectively, and to keep to the budget and the initial deadline as well. Another virtue of digitisation is that it automates processes and guarantees interoperability between software. We can now further develop our plans to modernise the entire rail infrastructure in Luxembourg.”

Kevin Richardson (Country Leader - MTWO Benelux): "This partnership confirms our ambition to work with CFL to standardise the digitisation norm in the Luxembourg market. Everyone wants to digitise in their own way, but we are aiming for uniformity with our common BIM strategy. Together, we are analysing the projects that CFL want to carry out and the direction that the BIM strategy should take. Change management is an important factor in this digital transformation, and here too we are happy to support our CFL partner. Together with MTWO, we are setting the standard for BIM in Luxembourg.”