BIM – Building Information Management

Understanding BIM?

‘BIM’ is an acronym for Building Information Management – and there seems to be a lot of buzz about this process in the construction industry right now. Some people say it is software or that it is a visual 3D model of a building or a collection of building data centralised on a database.
BIM is actually all of the above. It involves a procedure for managing and generating all project information across various platforms; before, during and after construction. This information can then be accessed via a 3D Building Information Model, which shows a digital description of all the components involved in the built asset. It is a virtual model which mirrors the actual building elements used to create the building.

Why BIM?

• Substantial savings, in both time and money
• Increased understanding and predictability – reducing risk and offers greater certainty
• Better coordination of projects
• Ease of access to building data throughout building lifecycle

The Current Perception of BIM

While there are many benefits to BIM, governments across the world are endorsing it and indeed insisting upon its inclusion in new tenders, its uptake is limited by a perception of cost and lack of return on investment. So while BIM may be specified during construction, it is often abandoned at completion. The main reasons lie in expensive software licences combined with complex and often cumbersome 3D modelling tools.

Why the Zutec BIM Tool is the answer!

Assets within your BIM model can be tagged with information gathered within Zutec during the construction and post-construction process and displayed directly on Zutec’s 3D viewer on your laptop, phone or tablet. Information such as:

• Emergency Contact Information
• Warranty Information
• Commissioning Data (if captured utilising Commissioning Module)
• Maintenance History
• Service Report History
• Service Reports
• Operation Instructions
• Maintenance Instructions

With the On-Site Data Capture module, it can be utilized to track installation progress of various items throughout the construction process such as steelwork, ductwork, pipe work and cladding. Colour coding on the BIM model outlines the progress in a graphical representation of the construction process in real time.

Zutec is designed to be open, scalable and sharable. As a result, it can integrate with various client and contractor softwares, including the following system types:

• Building Management Systems (BMS) to allow infield technicians to monitor and control critical assets
• Enterprise Resource Management (ERP) solutions to export work orders, asset costs
• Computer Aided Facilities Management Systems (CAFM)

Benefits of the Zutec BIM Tool?

• Involved with projects from inception – working closely with all of the stakeholders, including contractors, consultants, FM consultants and clients
• BIM integration tool for the facilities management and client sector
• 3D model viewer – eliminating the need for expensive software packages
• User friendly and completely intuitive so that little or no training is required
• Significant Cost Reductions
• Compliance checking
• Better project management
• Simpler procurement

With our open agnostic platform for document and data sharing – Zutec is committed to BIM and is one of the leading companies in this area. The result is an open sharable asset register on a relational database hosted in the cloud. That means capture of data, sharing of data and integration of data is rendered simple and transparent for Integration Managers.