CONNECTABIM, LLC
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

OUR MISSION IS TO HARNESS OUR CREATIVITY INTO A VIABLE SOLUTION We are professionals with more than 10 years of practical experience developing projects in CAD and BIM systems. We spelialize in implementing Revit systems and methodologies, developing professional libraries CAD / BIM and other technological resources to support productivity. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a working methodology based on a virtual model that simulates the physical and functional aspects of a building and contains information on the characteristics of each of its building components. BIM is a collaborative process, since the model is being built by the different stakeholders in the design and construction phases (architects or designers, engineers, budget makers, builders), constituting an information sharing resource and a reliable source for making decisions about a building during its life cycle. The BIM methodology assumes that the virtual model is as close to reality as possible. As it happens in reality, the role of the manufacturers is essential, because only with its products is possible to execute the constructions. The same is true of the BIM model, which requires the use of materials and equipment in digital form. Manufacturers should provide digital versions of their products in the form of BIM content or be prepared to become involved in the development of the virtual model within the BIM collaborative process. In the absence of products in BIM formats, designers tend to use generic products in their projects, to which they only associate the minimum information, as this will have to be later supplemented with the product information that is actually used. The availability of products in BIM formats allows for their selection and detailed specification in the early stages of design. In principle, there is a greater likelihood of effective application of a product on site when it is inserted and specified within a BIM model. There are different ways to integrate products into a BIM software. The most common method is to create object libraries, which represent specific products and contain your most relevant information. Inserted in the virtual model BIM, they allow to simulate the final construction, to understand its operation, to calculate its behavior and installation needs, to obtain the brand contacts, references, warranty periods, among other information. Once inserted in the virtual model, they are available to be presented to the client by the architects and designers, budgeted by the builder, managed and maintained by the developer. How to promote products through BIM? Insofar as they simulate real products and are used to develop projects, BIM objects are an extremely efficient form of dissemination. Because they are digital content they can be divulged in the websites of manufacturers and specialized portals, blogs and social networks. On the other hand, the widespread use of BIM is a recent phenomenon that captures the attention of designers, builders and developers all over the world. This is a great pretext for re-contacting old and new customers directly or promoting events around BIM and its products. CAD was a technology that was born in the early 80’s and that in the 1990s was already globally used as a tool to support project design. Although it is still used for design support, since the beginning of the century CAD has been replaced by the powerful BIM tools that manage all project information, including design. In the case of libraries, in addition to geometry, BIM objects contain information about the products, such as branding, reference, available finishes, among others. They are often interactive and allow users to select the different options and better understand the operation of the product. CAD libraries only contain the geometry of the product, usually with too much detail and in files that are not suitable for design use. However, CAD files often support the production of BIM libraries, which is another way of monetizing a previous investment. There are currently few project offices in Portugal that do not have at least one BIM software license, typically Graphisoft Archicad or Autodesk Revit. In Portugal, BIM has an increasing number of fans, and there is already an organization – BIMforum Portugal – which proposes to promote the development of the Portuguese BIM standard. Outside of Portugal BIM is used globally and we find several situations in which its use as a methodology to support construction is, or will soon be, an imposition. The United Kingdom is a close example in that by 2012 legislative imposition, by 2016 the entire industry linked to the design and construction will have to adapt and start to use BIM methodologies in the development of works for the state. In the United States, BIM is a format required by the Department of Defense for several years. In the Nordic countries, BIM is not only the most common working methodology, but the majority of these countries already have BIM national standards. Also in Eastern countries like China, Japan or Singapore, BIM is a technology long adopted. In recent years, construction worldwide has been reaching increasing magnitudes and complexities. BIM is the technology that supports this new capability and manufacturers of construction products should be part of it. The solution most commonly presented to this issue is the development of BIM object libraries, which are digital replicas of products, capable of functioning within the different BIM software and that help the process of prescription, measurement, etc. However, there are other solutions that should be considered according to the characteristics of the products, characteristics and objectives of its manufacturer, posture and relationship with the designers, market objectives, etc. The concepsysBIM is able to analyze each situation and provide advice on the best strategy to adopt in each case. How are BIM product libraries used? BIM objects are digital representations of products and in this sense they are used for the most diverse functions, from the divulgation of the products in websites until the realization of promotional films.