How do you make important decisions for your company? Do you just go with your gut feeling or do you actually base your decisions on reliable data?

I mean in some cases it might be good or even refreshing to just go with the flow and make a bold decision, but in most cases when it comes to important company-wide decisions it might be a good idea to base those decisions on hard facts and reliable data.

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This is what is happening in most decisions in most industries, outside the construction industry. Why is that?

We can all agree that the life circle of a building can be very complex, there are many people involved and many different departments to take into account.

But now, in 2021, we need to start digitalising the industry, and we can do it! We just have to say goodbye to all these old school tools and stop all analogue processes. This is where BIM comes in, the first step towards a revolution in the building industry.

What is BIM?

BIM is short for Building Information Model and is basically a design file with embedded data. A link between people, technology, and processes to improve results in construction and engineering.

To be more specific is BIM a 3D model of a building, a data model that can contain all the information about the building. It has the potential to become a true digital twin. The information can be everything from a pillar on a bridge to a wall.

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Although, many companies and architects think about BIM and IFC as just a 3D model but the BIM Model is mainly a data model, where each entity can have one or more representations. What sets IFC apart from other 3D models, is the ability to have metadata added to entities and define relations between entities. For example in our GBuilder models, we define which elements are in which rooms, to which rooms doors and openings lead etc.

Think of it as a data package that, for example, contain a graphic view of the object and of course its attributes. Some properties can be geometric, such as length, height and width while others can be "metadata" such as fire class or constituent materials.
And believe it or not, the most common BIM standard, IFC, can actually be opened and read in any text editor.

However, the meaning of BIM can vary between different industries and in this article we are talking about BIM in the construction industry.

BIM vs. IFC

Building Information Model, a.k.a. BIM, is a fairly loose term, which usually means a model which does not contain just geometrical representation of the building project but also relevant meta-data about entities in the model.  BIM designs can be created using all sorts of applications that all have their own propriety format.

Industry Foundation Classes ( in short IFC) is a standardized way to describe a Building Information Model. Most design software can import and export IFC-files, so IFC provides a way to distribute and combine building information models. This in turn helps stakeholders to work together in a seamless fashion. The most common example of this is clash detection, where stakeholders can check that their designs do not clash together in the building phase.

What can BIM do for you?

Companies across the industry are now throwing old processes, business cases, contract models and silo mentality out the window to enter a new era of buildings, the era of BIM.

If you are a developer, BIM will considerably speed up your projects by streamlining your processes since it is providing you with accurate data, which will help you make better decisions. BIM will also make you a more sustainable company by decreasing your waste and emissions.
All this combined improves your customer experience.

We can now continue to develop the exciting field of BIM and build a better and more sustainable environment together...

How does GBuilder use BIM?

Since GBuilder is a BIM-based customer journey management software, we obviously use BIM a lot. But that doesn't necessarily mean that our customers and partners need to do it.

We do not require you to use BIM to work with us!

If you do not use BIM yet we will use your DWG plans and convert them into BIM models or use your own IFC files. The BIM file is used throughout the project to automate project management tasks, data creation and distribution. This will save countless hours of time and will eliminate mistakes.

We also use the BIM model for purposes like bills of materials and calculating quantities which leads to precise, flexible pricing.

If you want to know more about how we use BIM you can read more here.

Want to know more about how BIM can help you?

Get in touch with us by filling the form below and we will tell you more about how BIM can revolutionise your world!