BIM in FM Applications

Increasingly, real estate and facility managers are recognizing the value that using data from BIM models can provide during the operation of buildings. In response, CAFM software providers are making interfaces available to BIM software and exchanging data with these systems. This development was significantly promoted by the German Facility Management Association GEFMA by testing functions for exchanging BIM data as part of the certification of CAFM software in accordance with GEFMA guideline 444 since 2018. To date, about 70% of all certified systems have been able to successfully demonstrate the functions from the BIM catalog A15. This is an indication that BIM has arrived in the facility management (FM) sector. Here, the CAFM systems support both Open-BIM and Closed-BIM formats. However, some systems also interact directly with BIM authoring tools. In addition, the advantages of collaboration between ERP and BIM are discussed. ERP systems preferably map the organization and processes, while BIM provides a digital image of the buildings. Advantages arise in particular where access to data from the BIM model or a digital twin is required or useful from the ERP system. Finally, the advantage of using cooperative, often cloud-based platforms (in particular Common Data Environments) is discussed. The importance of standardized models for data exchange in the entire FM and real estate environment is pointed out. These platforms will in future offer the possibility of bringing data from heterogeneous IT ecosystems together centrally and evaluating them comprehensively.