About us
Here we want to talk about our product, its idea and exactly how we think it helps create new digital services and products for the construction market.
Experts from three related fields – AEC Consultants, IT Developers and Data Managers joined forces to solve the problem of making data from various proprietary CAD systems available
In our work, we were constantly faced with the challenge of unloading, loading, converting, cleaning, and other data manipulation to simply get the right set of data to our requirements at the end and start solving a business problem using it.
In fact, 80% of our resources were spent on getting the material we needed, from which we could make quality digital BIM solutions for the business. That said, our experience with data management in other industries shows us the opposite trend. The free exchange of data based on existing open formats today allows the creation of entire ecosystems in finance, trade, and logistics.
In 2013, the Open Data Charter was signed at the G8 Summit. The Charter prescribes that the data published must comply with these principles:
All the prerequisites for working with open data on a global level have been around for quite some time, every industry has its own evolutionary path towards open data, we believe that time is now in the AEC industry.
If you have data you can work with, the choice of tools is only limited by your capabilities and strategy.
Our mission
We are focused on the automation and digitalization of the AEC industry based on open-source software
We understand that without data it is impossible to digitize the industry processes
We analyze and identify areas of intersection of different companies and industries, and solve problems common to the industry
We solve this problem gradually from the very beginning, so the first thing we started with is automatic export of data from models into an easy-to-read representation
We are creating an open digital bim platform to foster collaboration, automation, and digitalization of data-driven construction processes without human involvement
We are ready to provide partnership consulting to maximize automation and digitalization of BIM processes
Our goal is an open digital platform in data-driven construction
About the product
We’ve created a product that doesn’t waste time and resources uploading and cleansing data from proprietary CAD systems that you collect during the design phase, CAD systems are great for gathering the necessary information in a convenient way for initial project evaluation. But then comes the most important and expensive phases of the project, which require a lot of focus and a wide range of tools to control resources and organize process management.
Technically, OpenDataBIM converter is a vendor-independent ETL system (extract, transform, load – ETL), which converts files, such as Revit and IFC into a single unified CSV (XML, XLS) and DAE (XML) representation and allows you to build simple and convenient digital services from open data using open source software – data-centric CDE and corporate BIM data warehouses, creating digital platforms with a microservice architecture.
OpenDataBIM converter is not a plug-in or script for Revit, but an independent stand-alone application that can work within a closed network without connection to the outside world and requires no components from Autodesk or other vendors.
OpenDataBIM converter could be called a Google Translate (complex data decoder) in the AEC industry, we take closed data in proprietary formats that are difficult to understand and interpret and give you cleaned, finished data in open formats to fine tune your business processes. You can use any disruptive technology – AI, ML, BIG DATA, BI, etc. – for further customization. You get an unlimited amount of engineering data in convenient formats and focus your attention solely on finding the most effective ways to apply it. Accept that nowadays, due to the global shortage of human resources in the IT field, it is necessary to properly prioritize the work and get the most out of the available resources.
All you need to do is just install our converter on your server
Target audience
The table below shows the categories of customers who have contacted us and their main motivating factors for contacting us:
The table shows that each category is driven by its own business objectives and very often a comprehensive approach is required to meet the needs. For example, to integrate BIM-ERP processes or create digital services IT development lacks the requirements or specifications in the area of cost management of the investment project. Or an investor, with a clear understanding of its business value, cannot formulate basic requirements for data sets and collaborative process organization for information production within the asset ownership phase at the first step. To solve these problems, there are standards and specifications that help you and I take the first step and not to invent a bicycle for the digitalization of the AEC industry
OpenDataBIM support for major engineering information co-production standards
With all the variety of tasks and the choice of tools and approach to the realization of our goals in projects or operations, we as experts must have reliable guidelines to obtain a predictable result. Of course, no one disputes the genius of each individual person, but in the overwhelming majority of cases we have to deal with a heterogeneous variety of human competences and capabilities in the implementation of a task. Simply put, to realize our goals, we must build a predictable process and be able to control it at different phases. To just understand whether things are going according to our plan or not.
In developing the OpenDataBIM converter, we focused on the four leading standards for co-production of engineering information from our point of view. So that the users of our solution have a basic level of necessary knowledge to start digitizing construction industry processes. OpenDataBIM converter supports these standards, and we hope to make a significant contribution to the practical implementation of their principles. So, let’s list them:
OpenBIM
The OpenBIM concept is not a full standard in itself, but the principles of the concept have inspired us. The use of unlimited open data exchange formats according to the principles of this concept allows the creation of ecosystems for the implementation of practical tasks at all stages of the life cycle of an asset.
The principles of OpenBIM recognize that:
Interoperability is the key to digital transformation in the embedded asset industry
Open and neutral standards should be developed to facilitate interoperability
Reliable data exchange depends on independent quality criteria
Collaboration workflows are improved by open and flexible data formats
Flexible technology choices create more value for all stakeholders
Sustainability is ensured by long-term data interoperability standards
OpenDataBIM Converter extends the set of open data formats currently used by experts (openBIM allows digital workflows based on vendor-independent formats such as IFC, BCF, COBie, CityGML, gbXML).
Our product, through a single unified JSON (XML, CSV, XLS) and DAE representation, provides even greater vendor-independence and almost unlimited choice of means for implementing the business logic of digital services. You can use any low-code platforms to create your own enterprise BIM platforms based on open data formats.
Using OpenDataBIM Converter based on OpenBIM principles provides another very important function. Open formats like JSON (XML, CSV, XLS) and DAE allow integration between different types of applications without much effort to support integration mechanisms.
You can directly integrate CAD, ERP, CMMS, ECM, PDM and other data-level systems, regardless of vendor.
We wouldn’t want to criticize the individual formats that are used to implement the OpenBIM concept right now, experts know all the limitations that these formats have. We are talking about an alternative that already exists. And of course we will do our best to continue developing our product based on OpenBIM principles because we believe this concept has no alternative for the implementation of the digital interaction environment.
ISO 19650
A very important series of standards for implementing engineering information handling model processes at all stages of the life cycle. ISO 19650 allows you to build logical information transfer processes and a role model of interaction at every stage from planning to asset maintenance to ESG strategy management.
The process model is the context for the data, data is the lifeblood of processes, but without a vein system the management structure loses all meaning. OpenDataBIM supports the principles of process management based on the ISO 19650 series of standards and considers the application of this standard a key success factor in implementing digital transformation in the AEC industry.
The Hierarchy of Information Requirements diagram below shows the logic and role of the process model, all requirements starting with organizational (OIR) must be supported by clear and simple ways to communicate information according to the role model. The purpose of this schema implementation is to ensure an end-to-end information exchange process (depending on strategic goals – project Capex management, Opex asset planning after construction phase, Handover etc.)
OpenDataBim converter allows you to use standard unified data exchange formats JSON (XML, CSV, XLS) to support production processes. These formats are already exchange standards in any organization, corporate information systems and their APIs have been working with these formats for many years. Creating a corporate CDE based on OpenDataBIM open data exchange formats allows organizing a single repository of project and asset data for further integration with the corporate IT landscape.
Describing information requirements within the scope of ISO 19650 standards using open data exchange formats is a shift in focus from enabling technical data exchange to creating new digital tools and services. Time is what is most valuable, and we must manage it carefully.
Describing information requirements within the scope of ISO 19650 standards using open data exchange formats is a shift in focus from enabling technical data exchange to creating new digital tools and services. Time is what is most valuable, and we must manage it carefully.
COBIE
We are moving to the next standard – COBie, which we support and consider key at the stage of management and ownership of the built asset. In order to properly plan the OPEX of an asset, we need to collect all the necessary information at the construction stage and transfer it to the asset manager at the operation and maintenance stage, so that he, using various IWMS, ACM, CMMS systems, will organize the maintenance process of this facility.
In practice, you can often see the following picture, the information is transmitted in paper form
Digitizing information from paper documents can take years, which naturally affects the efficiency of the maintenance process. In addition, we should not forget that the maintenance process itself is closely related to other corporate processes – procurement, logistics, price forecasting, budgeting, etc. These processes are often automated in other corporate systems, and we must think about the possibility of end-to-end data exchange, for example between IWMS and ERP systems
COBie standard solves this problem to the full extent by filling in the tabular data format to its specification. This way the Handover process can be transformed from document-centric to data-centric, resulting in significant savings in maintenance resources of up to 10% annually. Two types of assets are included in COBie: equipment and facilities.
While vendor data for installed products and equipment can be accessed directly. Also, information for the real estate inventory can be provided with a COBie, this is often used for government real estate accounting tasks. COBie is a machine-readable data format (without the use of graphic information) with its own specification, it is ideal for organizing asset management data exchange.
Another important fact about COBie, this specification is now considered as a basic one in ISO/CD 19650-4 Organization and digitization of information about buildings and civil engineering works, including building information modelling (BIM) – Information management using building information modelling – Part 4: Information exchange
With the OpenDataBim converter you can do more than just upload data directly from proprietary formats and forget about intermediate layers such as IFC. You can build a direct COBie data exchange with your corporate CMMS as a web service. By using open data formats (JSON, XML, CSV, XLS) OpenDataBim converter allows you to insist on a COBie upload specification with the fields and values you need without being bound to a vendor’s solution. So, you can develop your CMMS system based on OSS for asset management based on the COBie standard, providing integration with corporate information systems at the data level.
CFIHOS
CFIHOS (Capital Facilities Information Transfer Specification) for Manufacturing Industries.
This standard to some extent can be called an analogue of COBie for industrial facilities. The goals of these standards are similar – effective information transfer, the only difference is the scale and scope of information and investments. If COBie is designed primarily for civilian objects, the CFIHOS operates exclusively in the industry, where the scale of losses due to inefficiency of information transfer processes is estimated from 5 to 8% of the total budget of the investment project, and that is not counting losses due to delays in production, in absolute terms – tens of millions of dollars.
CFIHOS is a USPI-NL standard that defines the information an owner-operator needs to operate, maintain and modify industrial process facilities, including oil and gas, process and chemical, energy, pulp and paper, food and beverage. The specification applies throughout the value chain and includes the information needed to meet regulatory requirements.
The CFIHOS project is based on the Engineering Information Specification (EIS) developed by Shell, which has used the specification for about eight years to specify the information it must pass on from contractors to populate its asset lifecycle management systems. The Smart Plant Foundation shell implementation for a few shell objects already incorporates this corporate EIS shell specification.
CIFHOS is a practical implementation of ISO 15926. It includes standards, workflows, and tools to aid in the effective communication of engineering information to operations and maintenance:
Model contracts to facilitate requirements specification and acceptance procedures for:
Builders and field contractors
Suppliers
Standards specifying information and formats to be provided to Owner/Operator:
Engineering
Builders and field contractors
Suppliers
Product Class Library, including:
Standard appliance names, pumps, vessels, etc
Specification parameters for the above
Definition of deliverable data for all of the above
The following data exchange formats are officially recommended within the scope of this standard – Turtle, JSON, XML, CSV or TSV. IFC format is not supported by this standard as it does not provide the necessary classes of information objects for the industry.
So, these formats are fully supported by OpenDataBIM converter, in fact, providing the requirements of the standard necessary amount of data for organizing the transfer of information about the asset. The example below shows a schematic diagram of CFIHOS data mapping, which shows the role of OpenDataBIM converter. With the data pre-processed by the converter you can organize the digital process of information transfer between construction phases using vendor-independent development and integration platforms.
So, we thought it important to tell you about the OpenDataBIM supported standards in the field of collaborative engineering information production. We hope it will allow you to take your first steps with our converter into the universe of digitalization of the AEC industry. All the basic information you need to take the first step is inside the described standards and specifications
For our part, we will help you in the realization of your ideas and plans. Our site has a BIM-uses section where we will describe in detail and lay out the source code of the implemented BIM-uses using our OpenDataBIM converter.
We have about 10 BIM-uses to implement: Design Reviews, 5D Cost Estimation, 4D Phase Planning, BIM for procurement, Energy Analysis, Analyze Lighting Performance, Sustainability Evaluation, Building Maintenance Scheduling, Building Systems Analysis, Asset Management FM, Space Management and Tracking
Also, you can ask questions and test conversion using the services on the site.
WeI hope this information was useful for you, we are always open to cooperation.
OpenDataBIM team
