ICC signs Memorandum of Understanding with OptaSoft


The International Code Council (ICC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OptaSoft , a joint initiative with the goal of providing world class software solutions in the areas of building construction plan design and plan review to regulatory agencies and the Architectural – Engineering Community (AEC) throughout the domestic and international market place. 

ICC is extending its marketing assistance to OptaSoft to provide its software services to ICC’s customer base of 40,000 members and greater than 200,000 current customers.

ICC and OptaSoft are working toward a cooperative exchange of information that will lead to specific programs of mutual interest to better serve the ICC membership and building construction industry.

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by ICC.

"We are delighted to work with a world-class organization such as the International Code Council and to be able to assist in the joint initiative of providing building code knowledge for our industry through automated plan review software, an effort translating into improved safety within the built environment," said OptaSoft President and CEO Eiad M. Odeh.

OptaSoft was established in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 2002. The company develops, markets, and licenses commercial building plan review application software to architects, engineers, local governments and construction consultants, delivering business benefits such as reduced operations costs and improved project management.  The company’s premier software, Commercial Building Inspector ®"cbi", is a plan review solution that brings together computer automation and building codes to empower plan reviewers and designers to achieve a quantum leap in turnaround time, productivity and quality. 

OptaSoft’s innovative technology, Commercial Building Inspector^® software, eases the complexity of understanding the code's intent by guiding the reviewer through the review process and identifying code related problems in the early plan design/review stages, dramatically reducing the time and effort needed to conduct a thorough review. Several days of typical review time have been reduced to a few hours. The software’s process can be utilized to improve the quality of plan submittal by including a detailed or summary report of the project, which facilitates gaining the broadest possible acceptance of commercial building permits and eliminates the re-submittal process.  This achieves a significant improvement in productivity and consistency in the planning and review process for the building industry.

OptaSoft is working with the International Code Council (ICC) and the International Code Council Foundation (ICCF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to alleviating the devastating effects of natural disasters and other building tragedies by promoting ideas, methods and technologies that encourage the construction of durable, sustainable buildings and homes.  The International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) is a subsidiary of the International Code Council (ICC).

As a result, OptaSoft will donate 10% of member sales to the International Code Council Foundation. "The International Code Council Foundation appreciates OptaSoft's support, which contributes to the Foundation's mission to help protect property and human life worldwide," said Foundation President Paul Myers.