|
Now,
Odeh, who continues to work
for the city-parish, has a
booming business on the side,
as OptaSoft technology is
quickly being adopted by municipalities,
architecture firms and designers
nationwide. In addition, he
recently donated OptaSoft's
software packages and future
upgrades, worth more than
$207,000, to the LSU College
of Engineering for use by
the Department of Construction
Management and Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering.
OptaSoft
's first product is "Commercial
Building Inspector," a software
package that automates the
plan review process, thereby
increasing productivity in
the review of building plans.
According to Odeh, the software
can reduce review time by
50-75 percent, depending on
the complexity of a given
plan. Odeh explained that
the construction industry
is dependent upon the issuance
of building permits and these
permits can only be issued
after the building plans have
been reviewed for compliance
with applicable building codes,
in particular the International
Building Code, the accepted
standard in the industry.
The review process still used
in most cities involves a
lengthy manual review of the
codes and analysis of the
individual interpretations
made by designers and contractors.
"The
software streamlines the communication
between architects and developers
and the municipalities that
issue permits," said Odeh,
who earned his bachelor's
degree from LSU in 2000. "Architects
draw up the plans and use
the software to test them
(against the building code)
and make corrections before
sending them along to the
city. Meanwhile, the software
serves as a tool for a municipality's
reviewers, guiding them through
the review process and reducing
the time and effort needed
to conduct a thorough review.
Essentially, it allows both
sides to communicate in the
same 'language.'"
The
software, he said, turns
a days-long process into
one that takes only a matter
of hours.
Odeh,
a native of Kuwait, started
developing the mathematical
formulas and computer logic
behind the software shortly
after coming up with the
idea in 2001. In developing
the basis for the new software,
he utilized some of the
technology behind AnalyzeThat.net,
a Web site he created while
working on his degree at
LSU. The site, http://www.analyzethat.net,
offers a step-by-step tool
for college or high-school
students to analyze electrical
circuits or mathematical
problems.
As
he went about developing
the idea, he contacted a
local Web and software company
about hosting services.
It was through this contact
that Odeh met Mike Giddens,
a programmer and Web designer
who would eventually become
his partner in creating
OptaSoft . Together, Odeh
and Giddens spent three
years toiling during their
after-work hours to perfect
their product. Conveniently,
Odeh sold his employers
on the product and the city-parish
began beta-testing some
OptaSoft software that Odeh
and Giddens donated.
Once
the duo discovered how well
the software functioned
and worked out the kinks,
they set out to secure an
ingredient crucial to the
success of any start-up
business: customers. So
far, Odeh said, the fledgling
company's marketing effort
has consisted only of a
Web site, some targeted
advertising and word of
mouth, but the results have
been extremely successful.
Companies and municipalities
in Michigan, Maryland, Minnesota
and elsewhere have purchased
OptaSoft software, and more
inquiries are coming in
all the time, he said.
"The
product is so good that
we expect a 'wow' when someone
sees it, and we expect them
to pass it on," Odeh said.
"Seeing that 'wow' is a
great reward in and of itself.
It's gratifying to see your
idea used and appreciated."
"Odeh
is not only grateful for
the interest his product
has engendered in customers,
but for the educational
experience that inspired
him to pursue his idea.
To show his appreciation,
and to aid and encourage
LSU students who are pursuing
their dreams, he decided
to provide some 100 licenses
for the OptaSoft software
to LSU and two departments
in LSU's College of Engineering.
Via a donation to the LSU
Foundation, 95 licenses
will go to the Department
of Construction Management
and five will be allocated
to the Department of Civil
& Environmental Engineering.
In addition to the 100 software
units, the donation includes
annual maintenance contracts
and installation and training.
"Today,
effective education relies
heavily on specialized software
that solves a particular
problem. This generous donation
will enhance the quality
of the educational programs
in Construction Management
and Civil & Environmental
Engineering," said Zaki
Bassiouni, dean of the College
of Engineering. "We are
truly grateful to Eiad for
his wonderful contribution."
"We
are greatly appreciative
of Eiad's generosity and
support of the College of
Engineering. His software
will allow construction
management and civil engineering
students to broaden their
skills, making them more
attractive candidates to
potential employers," added
Tammy Abshire, associate
director of development,
College of Engineering.
"Eiad's dedication and commitment
to education is to be commended
and we are truly proud of
his entrepreneurial spirit.
He is an inspiration and
role model for our undergraduate
engineering students."
"Eventually,
Odeh said, he would also
like to find a way to get
students – young programmers,
designers and such – involved
in his company through internship
arrangements or temporary
employment."
"College
degrees are an important
tool for improving your
life," said Odeh. "But hard
work, persistence, dedication
and loyalty are all a part
of the recipe for success."
For more information on
OptaSoft , visit http://www.OptaSoft
.com. For more on the donation
or LSU's College of Engineering,
contact Tammy Vieira Abshire
at 225-578-5706.
|
