FEATURE | SWG
SOFTWARE SYNERGY: INTEGRATING BIM AND CAFM
As of April 2016, it is mandatory for all public sector projects to use fully collaborative 3D Building Information Modelling (BIM). Consequently, all public
sector FMs and their private sector partners should have fully implemented the technology. Gary Watkins, CEO for Service Works Group explains how best to combine it with existing CAFM systems.
In the past, the FM sector has faced some challenges when dealing with BIM, with some organisations being slow to adopt the technology, driven by scepticism of the benefits that it offers. However, by integrating BIM with Computer Aided Facilities Management systems (CAFM) FMs are able to receive real, meaningful data to support their function and the wider business.
BIM allows for the optimal design, construction, operation and maintenance of a building. It is both a process and a technology approach that uses a single coherent system of 3D computer models to accommodate a collaborative process. Through these models BIM provides a data rich experience, such as digital simulations of the design, build and operate processes. It is also used for information modelling and data management (storing details of all the components within a facility, from the building fabric to assets and equipment) in a collaborative environment; allowing better informed decision making, enhanced visibility and improved communications.
Following the launch of the Government’s BIM strategy in 2011, the then Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude, made great claims of how the dynamics of the construction supply chain would change and that BIM would become a vanguard of the digital construction era. At that time, this meant very little to FMs but, over the last five years, the adoption of BIM and the increased integration with existing CAFM systems has revealed that the key benefits are:
• Better quality and standardised data: The time needed to establish a functioning FM software system is reduced as BIM provides an accurate source of building and asset data. The information can be combined to create more robust and reliable reporting for senior management.
• One source of information: Provided data is kept up-to- date and there are no discrepancies between BIM and CAFM software, one digital document can be produced.
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• Reduced costs: Data can be handed over to the FM team immediately following project completion, reducing the cost of traditional data capture from design/ construction information.
• Improved performance: Problems can be identified quickly and predictions can be made on asset and equipment failure.
To make integration as smooth as possible, many leading FM software providers have developed interfaces for their products that can import BIM data. The Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) allows BIM information to be imported into a CAFM system. In terms of data collection, this saves time, reduces cost and improves the accuracy of the data.
BIM data can also be leveraged to maintain asset and spatial data. Some FM software packages are capable of overlaying data from BIM onto dynamic floor plans, allowing accurate move management and scenario planning.
Integrating BIM and CAFM is a simple task due to the interfaces built into FM software and its wide-ranging benefits are still being realised. While the new legislation only mandates public sector projects to use BIM, the next step is to implement it into the private sector.
Now that the deadline for implementing BIM has passed, many companies will look to start moving to BIM Level 3, signifying a single project model that will be shared by all collaborative parties. From there, trailblazers will begin to adopt 4D and 5D BIM in relation to time and cost management and, with the development of augmented reality, new possibilities will develop. The time has never been greater for FMs to address how BIM fits into their operations – or risk being left behind.
www.swg.com TOMORROW’S FM YEARBOOK 2016/17
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