Tracking Building Use and Costs Over a Lifetime > ENGINEERING.com

Although much of the focus of building information modeling (BIM) was initially directed towards the efficiencies it brings to the design and construction stages of projects, advocates are increasingly emphasizing its pivotal benefits during the operating phase.

Some observers contend that the chief benefits of BIM are best realized once a project is completed, because of the efficiency and operational advantages made possible by the creation of digital models of real-world facilities and infrastructure. 

Allplan and Allfa. (Image courtesy of Allplan.)

Allplan and Allfa. (Image courtesy of Allplan.)

Companies seek to better exploit these benefits during the operating phase with the development of computer-assisted facilities management (CAFM) solutions that can integrate with BIM systems for the purpose of improved efficiency.

One example of this is Allplan Allfa, a browser-based CAFM solution for infrastructure and “technical” facility management that is capable of exchanging data with CAD or BIM systems.  

Allplan Allfa aims to ensure that building data is always accurate and up to date by directly connecting to CAD software. It also provides for interdisciplinary collaboration by using BIM+ to exchange BIM models.

The solution is already been deployed on large-scale building projects in Germany.

An example of this is Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg, one of the largest savings banks in Germany, with a balance sheet total of over 9 billion euros, customer deposits of more than 6 million euros and over 10…

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