I’ve recently written an article on Revit Community that focuses on the basics about how IWMS can be the enabler for a true BIM based lifecycle approach to managing your facilities. You can access the full article by clicking on this link. It’s been widely accepted that BIM is more than just a 3D model and is actually a process that involves the creation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of a building. This includes both 3D geometry as well as a tremendous amount of information about the elements which make up the elements of the model.
Model creation and maintenance during design and construction is typically managed by design and engineering teams which has the huge advantage of having many resources care for and update the model. The downside to this is that AEC teams are typically transitory in nature meaning they come together for the project and often disband once the project is compete. This leaves building owners and occupiers with a dilemma about who will care for and maintain a model once occupancy begins. All too often models are discarded as facilities teams simply don’t have the resources or skill-sets required to maintain the BIM especially if the model is solely maintained in the original design authoring tool like Revit.
IWMS offers a solution to this problem by securely distributing responsibility of maintaining the Building Information Model (BIM) throughout a buildings life-cycle. This is done via the Cloud and is enabled by connecting the geometry of the model to the information about the model in a way that provides access to what is essentially an easily maintainable digital operating and reporting manual for the building. This approach ensures that models stay healthy and accurate and provides a framework for allowing specific subject matter experts such as space planners, maintenance teams and AEC consultants a simple yet powerful way for them to each provide their own unique expertise and insight into managing a building with a BIM based life-cycle approach.
