3. COLLABORATIVE BIM MODEL SERVERS CASE STUDIES
3.4 Conclusion
This section presents case studies of both using BIM based and document based collaboration platform.
Using BIM approach for collaboration platform includes Seawater Chamber – controlled testing case study in which EDMmodelServer™ is used as a collaboration platform, and The Ark Building Project – industry case study in which NavisWorks is used to merge different discipline models.
Document based collaboration platform case studies include inquiries and interviews at INCITE, ProjectCentre, Thiess, EDMmodelServer™, Woods Bagot and Sydney Opera House.
The discussions are categorized into user management, visualization control, data management, system management and technical support. These discussions should then combine with industry needs and decision framework to develop technical requirements of model server.
In general, using EDMmodelServer™ as a collaboration platform while it is still under development raises issues including:
• Budget management of BIM cost, including software and hardware • Training
• Enrichment of the user manual and help function of BIM Model Server
• Data management including the management of file size and running time, additional storage for storing project data and specification, and linkage of information
• Data ownership management
• Operation and Management manual (O&M) / link to detailed information of the objects in the model
User management
• Current EDMbimManager™ user management provides users and groups controls with different authorities including create, delete, execute, private, write, read and none.
91 • It is suggested that
o User management could be more flexible and applicable for different users in different project life cycle.
Give some users the authorities only in some specific project life cycles which are applicable to them
o It can also provide some linked functions and extend functions, e.g. contacts and messenger, for uses of server not limited to data sharing but also online user communication.
Visualization control
• All EXPRESS Data Manager™ products have a model-driven architecture and all functionalities in the EDMmodelServer™ can be changed.
• EDMmodelServer™ consists of two main parts, including text-based information windows and a 3D model viewer. Currently, Octaga Modeller is plugged for instant viewing 3D model. Jotne EPM Technology is now modifying EDMmodelServer™. Other model viewers could be plugged into EDMmodelServer™ in the near future. • It is suggested that
o Customizability of system configurations with a flexible user interface to be suitable for and easily adopted to different needs of:
different users including designer, contractor, facility manager and client, different building project life cycle ranging from project identification to
bid, start up, design, contract, operate and manage, and different scales of collaborative projects
o User interface with drop down menus, forms, charts and so on to assess information in a collaboration project.
o EDMmodelServer™ should not only be limited in an operation window. Pop out windows might be used to accompany with the main operation window. It will increase the flexibility, usability and interactivity of EDMmodelServer™. Data management
• Data management of EDMmodelServer™ includes object properties and information delivery management (IDM). Objects of the model are presented by text-based information in repositories and 3D object-model in Model Viewer.
• Jotne EPM Technology is currently in the process of finding the solutions for GUID, IDM and scaling problems encountered in merging different discipline-specific models using EDMmodelServer™.
• It is also suggested to provide plug-in applications or mechanisms to achieve the following functions
o Ownership and control mechanisms of objects and models authorities could provide more options to different users, user groups or users in different hierarchies. It is to enhance the security of data and workflow.
o Improvement of interactivity between the text-based information and 3D models of objects to control the accurate interrelationships between objects and the model.
System management
• Currently, EDMmodelServer™ is set up and controlled by EDMsupervisor for user control and authority settings. There are still some issues which need to be addressed in using EDMmodelServer™ as a collaboration platform, such as data back up and instant communication.
92 • It is suggested to
o Adopt industry needs with the support of specific discipline, domain knowledge and IT technique. Therefore, the industry can easily understand the tool capability and reflect its usability in practice.
o Add “Conflict detection mark-ups” function to highlight possible tool compatibility issues, access right and information flow clashes.
• It is also suggested to provide
o Instant direct communication, e.g. chat room and videoconference, and indirect communication, e.g. broadcasting and email, to improve the communication for project development and control.
o Project wiki to share project information and tool usage information
o A look-up tool capability matrix, where users can search, query and check functionalities and capabilities of all BIM supporting tools such as CAD packages, analysis tools.
o Command to create tool-compatibility matrix to determine the scope of BIM usage in a project, based on the tools chosen by project partners.
Technical support
• Current Jotne EPM Technology provides helpdesk through email and telephone for EDMbimManager™.
• It is also suggested to
o Improve the help function in EDMbimManager™, e.g. interactive help window, for users to seek and obtain solutions and assistances for the problem they have in using a model server.
o Online helpdesk in case where Model server facilities are provided by a service provider.
o May also be applicable to large scale in-house projects, where this helpdesk service is supervised by a BIM manager.
o Provide interactive tutorial such as Graphisoft’s BIM tutorial
Table 3.2 compares in a summarised manner each case study in relation to key elements of Decision Framework and clearly indicate a need for each of the elements to be developed in more detail. Interestingly no case study appears to conduct a capability analysis and few firms conduct a specific BIM scoping step nor analyse tool compatibility.
Table 3.2 Cross Case Comparison in relation to elements for a Decision Framework
Case Key challenges CAD vs DMS
approach Project scoping approach compatibility Tool
Model server usage Work process maps BIM Capability BIM Decision Framework Integration INCITE • Integration of BIM environment with DMS • Providing Training & support
• Creating cultural change DMS Yes No No Yes No Potential
Newforma Project Center
• Integration of BIM environment with DMS
• Creating cultural change DMS Yes No No Unknown No Potential
Thiess • Integration of BIM environment with DMS • Culture change not an issue as Thiess
makes it mandatory for collaborators DMS
Yes Project scoping is done but sans
BIM
No No Yes No Potential– alignment with current TMS
Arup
Representative from Arup believed separate models may be needed for specific
purposes. e.g. Design, Facilities
management and construction. Opinion on IFC and collaboration model servers was not very positive.
CAD No Yes No Unknown No Potential- particularly with alignment to current KMS
Woods Bagot
Focus is at present on intra-disciplinary model. Exchange with consultants is through 2D documents. Challenge in future would be exchange of information with consultants through models.
CAD No No No Yes Yes Potential for intra-disciplinary exchange of 3D data
SOH Adopt KM strategies that are sustainable
and accepted across the organization
DMS (more of information management
than documents)
Yes Yes No Yes No Potential
HEWVC
• Isolated approaches to CAD and project information management
• Key challenge is to integrate CAD & DMS and extend it to BIM
CAD & DMS No No No No No
At present isolated efforts. Hence integration will require a fresh effort
The experiences and findings from case studies will be now be used for the development of technical requirements of a BIM model server as a collaboration platform.