Question 1

What differentiates Leistera from generic AI tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft 365 Copilot?

Accepted Answer

Generic chatbots draft plausible text from probabilistic weights, but cannot cite the governing edition of a Swiss norm or provide exact page numbers.

Leistera operates read-only on two deterministic knowledge layers: (1) your firm's existing SharePoint repository of past winning proposals and references, and (2) official Swiss engineering codes (ASTRA, SIA, VSS, cantonal standards).

Every single metric or claim carries an exact citation with document name, edition date, and page number. If a passage is missing, Leistera states 'not found' rather than hallucinating.

Question 2

Does Leistera support public SIMAP tenders as well as private RFQs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The workspace handles public tenders from SIMAP.ch across all 26 Swiss cantons and federal agencies, as well as private invitations and uploaded RFP packages. It processes PDF tender briefs, Word specifications (.docx), Excel criteria matrices (.xlsx), and CAD drawings. The system extracts mandatory criteria, evaluation weightings, and submission deadlines into a clear scorecard for executive Go/No-Go decisions.

Question 3

Do we have to migrate our project folders into a new document management system?

Accepted Answer

No. Leistera follows a strict zero-migration principle. Your project archives, drawings, and specifications remain untouched in your Microsoft SharePoint and OneDrive.

Integration is established via the official encrypted Microsoft Graph API with strictly read-only scopes. Leistera never alters original files or creates parallel storage silos.

Existing role-based permissions from Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) are fully respected.

Question 4

Where is our data stored and processed under Swiss data protection law (nDSG)?

Accepted Answer

Application databases and encrypted backups reside 100% in Switzerland (Infomaniak Zurich/Geneva or Microsoft Azure Switzerland North). We fully comply with the revised Swiss Federal Act on Data Protection (nDSG/FADP) and EU-GDPR, providing a formal Data Processing Agreement under Swiss law. With the dedicated 'Swiss Inference' tier, all LLM calculations execute strictly within Swiss sovereign cloud facilities.

Question 5

Are our confidential project drawings or past proposals used to train AI models?

Accepted Answer

No, never. This exclusion is legally binding in our Data Processing Agreement (DPA). Your uploaded files, proprietary calculations, and winning bids remain strictly isolated in your client tenant and are never used to train foundation models.

Question 6

How does Leistera distinguish between active and superseded norm editions?

Accepted Answer

The engine parses the official title page and legal in-force metadata within the document body, ignoring misleading Explorer file names. It resolves jurisdictional precedence: Federal (ASTRA) vs. Cantonal (e.g. Zurich TBA) vs. Municipal bylaws. Consultation drafts are strictly flagged. If an outdated norm clause is cited in an offer, Leistera flags a compliance warning before submission.

Question 7

Can Leistera extract dimensions and metrics from architectural drawings and CAD plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Many critical dimensions (e.g. clearance envelopes under ASTRA 11001 or cross-sections under VSS 40 251) exist only within CAD cross-sections rather than body text. Leistera processes vector geometry and table structures, grounding extracted measurements with exact page numbers directly in the technical report.

Question 8

In which file formats are generated proposal drafts exported?

Accepted Answer

Export is provided directly as fully editable Microsoft Word documents (.docx), structured according to official SIA project phases (SIA 102, 103, 108). The generated file includes a full citation bibliography of all referenced codes and firm credentials, ready for partner review and corporate styling.

Question 9

How does an 8-week pilot project work for our engineering practice?

Accepted Answer

A pilot begins with a single engineering discipline (e.g., civil, structural, or fire safety) and approximately 50 benchmark queries from your practice. Within a few days, we connect your SharePoint read-only and execute the validation benchmark. If the evaluation report fails to meet your standard, the pilot concludes with zero commitment.

Question 10

Which roles within a Swiss AEC practice use Leistera?

Accepted Answer

Leistera is designed for the entire pursuit and engineering team: 1. Structural & Civil Engineers (SIA 103): Technical narratives, preliminary statics, and ASTRA compliance. 2. Architects & Lead Designers (SIA 102): Specifications, cantonal building applications, and spatial briefs. 3. MEP Engineers (SIA 108): Energy calculations and building services standards. 4. Construction Managers: Tender specifications and phase coordination. 5. Bid Managers & Partners: SIMAP intake, Go/No-Go screening, and sign-off.

Question 11

What is the best AI for architecture and engineering offices in Zurich and Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

For the job “signable proposal or report with the valid norm edition and page,” Leistera is the right workspace. It is built in Zurich for Swiss planning firms. ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft 365 Copilot remain useful for wording. They do not resolve federal–cantonal–municipal hierarchy or the title page in the SharePoint folder. Queries like “best AI for engineering office Zurich” or “AI for architecture firm Switzerland” usually mean this citation job, not a generic chat.

Question 12

Langdock, Copilot, or Leistera: what do Swiss and German planning firms need?

Accepted Answer

Langdock-class company GPTs give the firm a controlled chat over files. Copilot sits inside Word and Microsoft 365. Leistera starts where awards get expensive: valid edition, filtering duplicates and drafts, page-level proof, draft in the Word template. Many Swiss and DACH firms keep chat and Copilot. The proposal that goes to an authority needs the citation job.

Question 13

How many hours does a proposal cost in a Swiss engineering firm?

Accepted Answer

On the public site and in the ROI calculator, Leistera uses an industry baseline of about 33 hours per proposal for intake, research, matching, and first draft (APMP/Loopio benchmark). Technical review and signature stay with the firm. The tool does not replace liability.

Question 14

Is Leistera also relevant for planning firms in Germany and Austria?

Accepted Answer

The core job is the same: valid edition in the folder, page-level citation, draft in Word. The Swiss norms stack (SIA, ASTRA, VSS, SIMAP) is the current focus. Firms with Swiss projects or the same folder-and-proof workflow in DACH are the natural audience. Specific DE/AT code packs are added only when a pilot requires them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)