The First Facility Management Blog

Autodesk, Inc., and FM:Systems are joining to transition Autodesk FMDesktop customer support to FM:Systems. Under the terms of the agreement FM:Systems will provide Autodesk FMDesktop customers with extended support as well as an option to migrate to the firm’s FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite.

Building upon a shared goal to bring the benefits of BIM to the operations phases of a building’s lifecycle, the two companies will now work together to integrate BIM data from Autodesk software products with FM:Systems’ facilities software to support enhanced building operation and maintenance. Resulting applications should complement Autodesk 3D products, specifically those in the Autodesk Building Information Modeling (BIM) portfolio of products, and help customers simulate their ideas early in the design process as well as reduce time and cost in manufacturing or construction.

Existing Autodesk FMDesktop customers will be contacted by FM:Systems sales representatives to discuss their extended support and/or migration options. Customers may also call (800) 648-8030 for immediate assistance.

In late August 2009, the Open Standards Consortium for Real Estate (OSCRE), a non-profit standards development organization for the real property supply chain, announced the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has awarded OSCRE CEO Andy Fuhrman its highest honor and designation of IFMA Fellow. Fuhrman has been a member of IFMA since 1993.

The Fellows program was established by IFMA in 1992 to recognize members who have distinguished themselves by a lifetime of achievement in and around IFMA and the field of facility management. The Fellowship is the highest honor bestowed by the Association.

Examples of Mr. Fuhrman’s accomplishments include:

• Exhibiting outstanding leadership and service within IFMA contributing at the Council, Chapter, and Headquarters level;
• Establishing the OSCRE organization for the creation of interoperable data exchange standards for the real estate industry, both domestically and internationally;
• Writing facility management related articles and white papers for several real estate publications (including an upcoming article in Today’s Facility Manager);
• Developing methodologies for data collection, processing, reporting, analytics, and data exchange for strategic, operational, and tactical business processes for the practice of facilities management, commercial/corporate/public sector real estate;
• Co-founding the Virtual Builders Roundtable whose members paved the way in the use of 3D/4D/5D modeling and related business processes resulting in and documenting tangible benefits and ROI which helped launch the Building Information Modeling (BIM) revolution;
• Co-developing the Silicon Valley’s Smart Permitting program designed to streamline the building permit process/plan review process and to ensure leading high-tech businesses remain in Silicon Valley to maintain high quality of life issues by providing jobs and tax base that supports the regions infrastructure;
• Being recognized by CoreNet Global as a Luminary Award winner presented to the top 10% of its speakers and educators; and
• Acting as an industry leader in developing and use of CAD/CAFM/IWMS/CMMS technologies for private and public sector facilities management.

To date, only 79 industry professionals have been recognized as IFMA Fellows; Fellows are added each year only if there are qualified, distinguished candidates. Fuhrman is now a member of the elite core of Fellows representing the most esteemed facility management professionals, distinguished authors, prolific academicians, and leading facility management visionaries.

A newly released guide from ASHRAE on building information models and building information modeling (BIM) serves as a resource for professionals considering BIM tools and applications for their businesses.

According to An Introduction to Building Information Modeling, BIM is “a digital representation of the physical and the functional characteristics of a facility.” Unlike 2-D or 3-D CAD, BIM software uses intelligent objects to create models.

The benefits of using BIM applications are numerous, including enhanced interoperability which will improve integrated building design and integrated project delivery, according to Dave Conover, a member of the BIM Steering Committee who wrote the guide. Most important, however, is BIM’s ability “to create an accurate model that is useful throughout the entire life of the building, from initial design through occupancy and operation.”

Conover feels that that in addition to the actual benefits of the BIM process, the guide itself offers advantages in that it gives those unfamiliar with BIM “a fast and high level introduction.”

He went on to explain that even those already familiar with BIM could benefit from downloading the guide: “It provides some broad level insight into how BIM will affect the building industry in general.”

In addition to BIM’s advantages and tips for getting started with the application, the guide also includes a list of helpful software so that engineers might choose the best program for their company.

An Introduction to Building Information Modeling is available as a free download from this link: bim_guide.

Last year, Satellier Inc., announced results from its survey exploring the mindset of the development community and uncovering emerging trends in real estate development in India. The survey revealed that 93% of respondents believe there is a significant gap between international design practices and onshore construction realities for large-scale developments in India, characterized by the many challenges facing the development community today: unprecedented demand for more and better buildings, in every category of use; shortage of local architects with international experience, project overruns, reported to be in excess of 62% in the government sector (Source: Airports Authority India), insufficient number of graduates to fill the growing need for skilled talent, consultant performance issues, and slow adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM), among other pressures.

Moreover, 93% of respondents think that bridging this gap will lead to more successful projects. Significantly, 87% believe that BIM can be a key project delivery system for saving time and money during construction, and 83% believe that the appointment of a design coordinator for large-scale projects is one of the solutions that can bridge this gap.

The survey was conducted jointly with Infor-Media India, organizer of the recent Real Estate India 2008 International Conference, in New Delhi. The online survey polled developers, investors, construction personnel, architecture, and engineering firms.

Satellier CEO Michael Jansen hosted a panel at this conference to discuss the characteristics of the gap and practical remedies. The panel, comprised of leading figures from Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, Hines, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Geodesic Techniques, discussed how design-to-construction in India works today, how they are addressing the gap, and how technology, namely BIM, can improve project delivery in India.

“Clearly the development community is feeling pain and seeking real solutions, and we’re committed to helping,” said Jansen. “However, it will take the involvement of others to lift all boats quickly,” Jansen continued. “Creating a BIM Commission can be one way to share knowledge and leverage lessons learned, fast-track technology adoption, and ultimately, build better buildings, much faster.”