Jane Smyth D22128314

Cloud-Enhanced Cost Optimization in Building Information Modelling Facility

Management (BIM-FM): Integrating Asset Information Models (AIMs) for Real-Time
Maintenance
Jane Smyth

School of Surveying and Construction Innovation,

Technological University Dublin, Bolton Street, Dublin 1, Ireland.
E-mail: D22128314@mytudublin.ie

Abstract ̶ In this paper, a significant challenge in facility management is discussed, namely

the lack of an affordable platform for cloud-based Asset Information Models (AIM) and
Operation and Maintenance (O&M) data storage and retrieval during runtime. Since there is
no true ownership of data over the course of a facility's or building's lifecycle, current industry
practices frequently rely on recurrent annual subscriptions.
In order to expedite project handover and the operational phase, our investigation offers a
novel solution by analysing the integration of the as-built AIM into a well-known pre-
subscribed platform. An extensive review of pertinent literature, case studies, and workplace
research—along with insights from the author's organization—have been conducted to inform
this exploration.
This research sets out to critically assess current cloud-based Facilities Management (FM)
platforms, emphasizing cost-effective solutions in particular. The research looks for platforms
that reduce the amount of training required to access O&M data through URL links within
the Federated AIM, as opposed to continuing to require yearly subscriptions.
Although different cloud-based FM platforms were surveyed in a variety of regions, the
results highlight a current deficiency in either comprehensive integration with facility
managers' current subscriptions or alignment with best practices software selections. This
paper adds to the ongoing conversation about improving the affordability and efficiency of
facility management practices by illuminating the cost dynamics of cloud-based platforms and
offering useful suggestions for a more cost-effective and sustainable handover from
construction to operational use..

Keywords ̶ Asset Information Models, Building Maintenance, Cloud based platforms, Facility
Management, IT environment for BIM in FM, Use of CDE in FM.

entering populated URL (Uniform Resource

I INTRODUCTION
Where clients decide to produce Building
Information Models (BIM) at the design stage of their
project only some proceed with developing this
modelled data through to the construction stage
(Lindblad & Guerrero, 2020). The client may be
unaware of the implications of not carrying the as-
built Asset Information Models (AIMs) from the
construction stage through to the operations phase of
the project for the Facility Management (FM) to use
(Bolshakov et al., 2023).
The clients FM team mandates that all Operation
and Maintenance (O&M) data at the handover stage
be in a Safety file. The data rich federated AIMs can
be linked to the clients cloud-based digital Safety File
(Biancardo et al., 2023) containing the AIMs. In order
to proactively maintain the project for its life cycle by
Identifier) parameters within the AIMs (Mol et al.,
2020) linked to the corresponding folder in the Safety
File.
II LITERATURE REVIEW
a) AIMs Data Requirements linking to an FM
Platform
BIM can help stakeholders at all stages throughout the
life-cycle of a built asset by merging design,
engineering, construction, operation & maintenance,
and decommissioning information into a single,
federated, "data rich" AIM. In order to move a built
asset from the design phase through to the
construction and maintenance phases, as well as to
convert a 3D model into a 4D simulation, BIM
 Jane Smyth D22128314

technology is used as summarized in Table 1 (Kivits

et al., 2013).

Table 1: The application of BIM to the asset life

cycle (adapted from Kivits et al., 2013).
Design Construction Operations/Fa- Decommis-
cilities Man- sioning
agement
Ensure Facilitate Keep track of Identify ele-
the right more produc- built asset. ments which
facility is tive crews Manage the fa- can be recycled
designed. with faster cility proac- or those which
Evaluate flow of re- tively. Such a require particu-
the design sources, and model can be lar care (e.g.,
from site manage- handed from hazardous ma-
many per- ment. one contractor terials).
spec- Enable a to another, thus Know the com-
tives. demonstra- enhancing fa- position of
Evaluate tion of the cilities manage- structures prior
the design construction ment. to demolition.
against process. Capability to
building Keep track of schedule Figure 1: Scope of ISO 19650-3:2020
codes and cost control maintenance
The Organizational Information Requirement (OIR)
sustaina- and cash and review
should serve as the foundation for any BIM project,
bility be- flow. maintenance
as per ISO 19650-3:2020 guidelines (Figure 2).
fore con- history.
These are the data needs that companies must meet
struction.
in order to accomplish their strategic goals and run
their daily operations. These are typically reflected
in management reporting requirements, such as
Where project planning using 4D BIM simulation
asset management, health and safety, and
links a project plan to the 3D elements as part of the
warranties. Specific Asset Information
construction phase. As a result, the project can be
Requirements (AIR) for BIM can be found in the
measured to show what it will look like at any given
OIR. They can be obtained from the viewpoint of
stage of its development (Kamaruzzaman et al.,
facilities operations and deal with data particular to
2023).
managing assets for a BIM project. These
The population of parameters data in AIMs will requirements need to be rooted in their
effectively aid integration of models into the structure corresponding BIM projects (May et al., 2023).
of the FMs platform. This process is still limited as
Dixit et al. (2019) reviewing its key issues and
challenges said, “application for FM tasks and
decision-making specifically seems limited because
of multiple issues relating to BIM execution and
information management, technology, cost and legal
and contractual aspects” (p. 479).
A specific BIM strategy, and its objectives, must be
developed prior to defining the requirements the ISO
19650 Part 3 2020 standard which “contains the
requirements associated with the management of
information during the delivery phase of built assets,
which will need to be reviewed and revised on a
regular basis until the best practice is established”
(Figure 1).
 Jane Smyth
Figure 2: BIM Project Information Requirements leading
to Information Models produced -
https://www.12dsynergy.com/iso-19650-guide
Figure 2 outlines the primary documents that
facilitate the digitization of works and are beneficial
to FM teams and economic operators alike. Where the
PIR, or Project Information Requirements, is a
document that outlines, on a project-by-project basis,
the data required to address the requests made in the
OIR (May et al., 2023).
Determining Exchange Information Requirements
(EIR) is essential since this information can also be
transferred via information models. Every time a BIM
project contract is awarded, the EIR is established as
it outlines the information requirements specific to
the project (Salzano et al., 2023). The information
model pertaining to the condition of the property is
handled by the Asset Information Model (AIM). The
AIM's content includes details on installation and
maintenance schedules, maintenance costs, and other
relevant information, supports the facility's strategic
and maintenance management throughout its whole
lifecycle. The Project Information Model (PIM),
contributes to the AIM helping ensure that the AIM is
followed. All of the digitization procedures and all of
the data is required to create the best possible FM for
the asset define this information model (Salzano et al.,
2023).
A framework that has been put in place to take
advantage of this opportunity is the Government Soft
Landing (GSL) approach. It offers a procedure to
guarantee that BIM is incorporated and implemented
into upcoming projects in a manner that benefits FM.
BIM is a tool that the UK BIM Framework develops
to help individuals and organizations understand the
D22128314
fundamentals of information management and to
guide and support their implementation. It is advised
that for all design and construction projects, a GSL
approach that is backed by the remaining elements of
the UK BIM Framework be taken into consideration
(Philip D. et al., 2019). Unfortunately, it's likely that
many facilities have inadequate change control and
record-keeping practices. Therefore, the idea of a
Golden Thread of high-quality information applies to
the planning, building, and operation of every facility.
Following the Golden Thread of information brings
us to the guidance in the GSL (Philip D. et al., 2019)
where the 5.5 Pre-handover stage is documented as
per BS 8536-1 stage 6 Handover and Close-Out
clause 5.7 (Table 2). For both the FM team and the
client, GSL does introduce some new activities. It's
critical to take into account the entire range of tasks
necessary in light of the size and complexity of each
unique project. Over a facility's lifetime, the initial
work and expense required to adopt a GSL approach
should yield substantial benefits (Philip D. et al.,
2019).
 Jane Smyth
Table 2 - Pre-handover stage tasks (Philip D. et al., 2019)
As Molloy et al. (2023) explains “The publication of
management systems standards in the FM
environment has created significant challenges in
implementation. Few of the World’s top 10 listed FM
companies have achieved ISO 41001 certification.”
Where is standard offers structure for creating,
putting into practice, and maintaining efficient
facilities management ISO 41011:2017 Facility
Management (FM) is the “organizational function
which integrates people, place and process within the
built environment with the purpose of improving the
quality of life of people and the productivity of the
core business”. While, the IFMA (International
Facility Management Association) defines it as “the
design, implementation and control process through
which the facilities (the buildings and services
necessary to support and facilitate the company’s
activity) are identified, specified, found and supplied
in order to provide and maintain those levels of
service able to meet business needs, creating a quality
work environment with a cost as low as possible”. It
is a complex discipline in which knowledge of
information is the basis for management activities
(Salzano et al., 2023).
b) AIM to O&M Data using a URL Link
A facility's construction and maintenance process can
be meticulously monitored thanks to BIM
technology's ability to link and make readily available
a vast amount of information (Mol et al., 2020).
Where this information is in a cloud-based container,
a URL can link data on each of the modelled entities.
Having the AIMs linked to a cloud-based platform
makes it easier, visually to see and, to access the
D22128314
assets documented information. A URL is nothing
more than the address of a given unique resource on
the Web (Salzano et al., 2023). Specifically, the MS
SharePoint page containing the folders hosting the
O&M documentation.
Microsoft SharePoint metadata contains the location
and access keys to content stored in Azure Storage, it
is also essential for gaining access to user content.
Azure SQL, which has a comprehensive business
continuity plan, is where these databases are stored
(Microsoft Learn, 2023).
MS SharePoint is run out of at least two
geographically separated Azure regions, and more if
possible, in the regions where it is available. The
service is operated in an active configuration,
meaning that users can access it from any region in
the globe. Because of capacity management and
planning, even a geography with just the bare
minimum of two regions can support the full service
load from the entire geography in the event that one
Azure region goes down (Microsoft Learn, 2023).
The MS SharePoint service is more dependable
thanks to the microservice architecture because
microservices don't have to be all located in the same
Azure regions at the same time and can operate in an
Active state. This enables us to take advantage of
capacity where it exists within a specific geographic
area, allowing us to migrate some microservices
without having to migrate the entire site in the event
that it becomes partially unavailable. Microservices
make use of Azure's built-in resilience features as
well (Microsoft Learn, 2023).
Xing et al., (2022) gives an explanation on how users
have access to specific computing power resources as
well as network information about those resources
meeting the growing demands of business. When tied
in with Salzano et al., (2023) this computing power
 Jane Smyth
resource can enhance the FM/BIM activity. FM calls
for data retrieval work through the use of a Common
Data Environment (CDE). From the construction
phase through to work management and upkeep,
building information can be communicated to all
parties through a CDE. One could argue that the main
component of BIM is the way information is
organized using a multi-dimensional model that is
shared on a digital cloud-based platform; this
effectively turns BIM into a collaborative design
approach (Biancardo et al., 2023).
To manage facilities, and related services effectively
over the course of their lives, facility managers
require accurate and easily accessible information. In
order to make it simpler to locate and assess relevant
data, future technological solutions will incorporate a
great deal more automated knowledge management
and building information modelling functions (May
et al., 2023). Hu et al., (2018) do, however, note that
the reliable application of these capabilities is still in
its infancy. Figure 3 illustrates clear plans for
transferring BIM data into functional IT systems or
reliably exchanging them with these systems through
appropriate interfaces which must be included in
information requirements. This makes it possible for
the data to be used for a range of purposes during the
building's lifetime (May et al., 2023).
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Figure 3 - Action framework for an AIM support by a
CDE (May et al., 2023)
c) Existing AIMs hosting FM Platforms
In terms of technological readiness and upskilling
practitioners in the use of digital technologies, this
suggests that the industry is presently in a good
position (Sepasgozar et al., 2023).
The operations and maintenance processes are
naturally improved by using BIM since it gives users
digital platform access to all the necessary data.
Improved access control is made possible by knowing
the information needs of each task, allowing users to
access only the information needed to complete that
particular task. Improving stakeholder collaboration
and communication was the goal of FM's adoption of
BIM (Ghadiminia et al., 2022). In a similar vein, El
Ammari & Hammad (2019) work presented a model
that employed data collection from multiple sources
to support on-site operations and maintenance tasks
by giving FM teams remote access to information.
(Hu et al., 2018) emphasize the significance of having
access to the safety file that is updated as built
information to carry out maintenance and operations
duties and emphasize how BIM helps to make
necessary information easier to obtain.
Over the past three decades, technologies and systems
like Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM)
have evolved into dependable and essential tools and
platforms that excel during the building's use phase.
A range of BIM tools and platforms are now available
to complement these, helping to bridge the
information gap between planning/construction and
use/operations. The trend of moving many of the
aforementioned apps to the cloud has been seen for
 Jane Smyth
some time in other industries and is currently making
its way to the real estate market (May et al., 2023).
In a broad sense, digitalization applications in
facilities management are referred to as "Computer
Aided Facility Management systems." Throughout its
lengthy history, CAFM has undergone a number of
changes that have set it apart from previous systems
(Koch et al., 2019).
BIM models and the FM system are observed to be
out of alignment as a project progresses through the
design and construction phases where there are
insufficient digitalization-related skills. Insufficient
references or examples of how to use BIM for
operation and facilities management documentation.
Systems incompatibility, such as the fact that clients
and the organization may not always have the same
systems and that different software will interact
(Koch et al., 2019).
Cloud environments, such as online databases and
computerized techniques, offer integrated design and
documentation processes that are pertinent to FM
both now and in the future. They are also fast,
scalable, and flexible. All along the real estate value
chain, these might, however, vary (Okoro, 2023).
Various information containers and platforms
available and currently utilized by clients and FM
companies for managing building maintenance data
and assess and their suitability for integrating AIMs
are as follows:
a) Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) have facility
management technology to optimise facility
management. If a project’s BIM data is not hosted,
from its initial stages, on ACC, as the projects CDE,
then a costly move onto this cloud-based platform
will need to be allowed for. ACC have a computerized
Maintenance Management System (CMMS) called
The BIM 360 Ops (Autodesk, 2023a): This platform
was found to assist FM in starting operations right
away and addressing the needs of their mobile
workforce. There is an additional annual subscription
required for users to access this platform. This FM
platform gathers and validates data throughout the
project lifecycle as discussed in Autodesk’s case
study: Implementing BIM 360 Ops for Arkansas
Children’s Northwest Hospital (Autodesk, 2023b).
b) IBM Maximo Application Suite can be tailored to
what the client chooses to use in this single, integrated
cloud-based platform that uses AI, IoT and analytics
to optimize performance, extend asset lifecycles and
reduce operational downtime and costs. This platform
was used by an external IT support service for all
facilities purchasing; plant preventative maintenance;
defect maintenance; performance management of
trade staff and contracts; and project management as
discussed in Maximo’s CDHB tracks half a billion
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dollars-worth of assets in IBM Maximo case
study(Szurlay & Eriksen, 2022).
c) DFM Systems integrates 3D models and BIM in
their digital safety file and building manual. The
O&M documentation stored on this platform explains
how this system is a file container for all safety file
and O&M data required for the lifecycle of the facility
(Gallagher B, 2023). There is a monthly fee to host
this data for not only the appointed party during the
construction phase but also the FM team at the
operations phase for the lifecycle of the facility.
d) Zutec have BIM enabled digital handover hosting
AIMs within their platform with links to the
integrated digital handover at a cost per users. A case
study of this platform is noted by the Federation of
Piling Specialists (FPS) digital progression guidance
note 4. Zutec was used an online CDE to collect, store
and share piling records on HS2 (Bailie & Hopkins,
2023).
Tsay et al., (2023) analysis “of the data from the
compliance process in three projects with well-
defined information requirements including
modelling standards, 10 key information quality (IQ)
criteria were identified in BIM for FM from the
owner’s perspective. According to these key criteria,
in order to enable design models to reliably support
FM, the asset information in these models needs to be
structured in such a way that ensures the following:
1. All predefined building assets are digitally
represented in the models by a virtual object
2. Digital assets are trackable by a unique ID using a
predefined attribute
3. Digital assets follow a specific classification and
naming convention predefined by the owner
4. Parent-child relationships between digital assets
are defined in the models following a hierarchical
structure predefined by the owner
5. All asset information developed during the design
is associated with a digital asset within the models
6. Required asset information is conveyed using
predefined attributes
7. Division of digital assets and their information
among separate models and work sets is coordinated
between disciplines
8. Virtual objects that are not representing a required
building asset are removed or clearly and uniformly
indicated
9. In multiphase projects, the phase information is
indicated uniformly
10. Spatial information of the digital assets meets the
predefined minimum criteria.”
 Jane Smyth
Proper considerations regarding incentives should be
made for this additional scope as owners move
forward to require BIM for the delivery of asset
information (Tsay et al., 2023).
Koch et al., (2019) looks into the aspects of digital
FM that are both enabling and restricting new hospital
projects in Scandinavia. Based on current studies, it
was noted that the construction of new buildings
seemed to present a significant chance for hospital
operations and maintenance departments to capitalize
on their degree of digitalization. CAFM systems,
BIM, additional operations-supporting software, big
data technologies, the Internet of Things, augmented
reality, digital twins, blockchains, and building
information standards are some of the technologies
assisting in the digitalization of FM. Nonetheless,
there is a pressing need to start implementing
digitalization strategies and operational hybrid
practices. These involve the development of
competencies, organization, and management, which
when combined with technology, can produce
digitalization that functions in real-world scenarios.
The FM systems include data regarding a building's
physical characteristics. A comprehensive
understanding of a building's details made possible by
BIM is a golden thread of knowledge. A CDE is also
necessary for stakeholder communications in BIM-
enabled FM (Ghadiminia et al., 2022).
By using technology, organizations can easily gather
benchmark data from their building, which facilitates
effective planning, tracking of equipment costs and
activities, and regular, cyclical, or scheduled
maintenance. This offers a chance to watch how a
building performs differently over time (Okoro,
2023).
III METHODOLOGY
The Author intends to carry out her research using
secondary research to conduct a thorough analysis of
professional literature reviews that is directly related
to evaluating the parameters and data population of
AIMs in the context of efficient FM, identifying
critical factors for effective integration. This will be
made possible by a thorough evaluation of existing
papers obtained from reliable sources through the TU
Dublin library databases. The data will incorporate
qualitative analysis of secondary analytical research
to establish where populating parameters in AIMs is
working in the context of efficient FM, identifying
key factors for effective integration.
Comprehensive research specifically pertaining to
Facilities Management (FM) of Building Information
Modelling (BIM) projects in preparation for handover
stage will be carried out by the author. A literature
review research that will evaluate where existing
D22128314
literature on the use of BIM in FM aiding facility
managers.
To investigate and determine the necessary pathways
in which the various information containers and
platforms that clients and FM companies currently
use for managing building maintenance data, the
author will evaluate the data gathered from case
studies on existing FM platforms and systems. The
Author will also evaluate whether these platforms and
containers are appropriate for integrating AIMs.
Using literature on existing researched platforms used
by FM companies where secondary research
assessing topics that match between papers, providing
familiarities.
IV FINDINGS
The lack of an affordable cloud-based platform
hosting the AIMs alongside the O&Ms data files for
facility managers during the operations phase is
examined in this paper. The living O&M data files for
a building's lifecycle should also be editable by the
FM team.
While there are multiple cloud-based containers
available hosting AIM’s in safety files with
maintenance data they are subscription fees occurred
by the client from the construction phase through the
lifecycle of the building. The cost of the as-built
federated AIM should not have to include its storage
and use in the operation phase of the project.
Prior studies will demonstrate the financial benefits of
integrating BIM with FM, but FM companies are then
faced with a variety of subscription-based FM-
specific systems to select from. There are CDE
options available to FM companies for which they are
already paying subscription fees to, but these CDE
options are not widely reported, and FM companies
are thought to be exploited where there is a perceived
knowledge gap.
A more cost-effective approach would be to store the
AIM and safety file containing the ongoing
maintenance data on an existing subscribed cloud-
based platforms CDE. The as-built federated AIM can
be stored in this type of CDE and navigated through
in a free-view BIM software package as opposed to
an annual subscription to another software.
V RECOMMENDATIONS
The AIM requirements established by the client and
their FM team in the BEP at tender stage aids greatly
at project handover. However, in order to view safety
file BIM models, building owners should not have to
factor ongoing fees to access O&M information on
core maintainable assets of a facility. There should be
multiple avenues for accessing information, such as
direct access to the file container and through the
AIM.
 Jane Smyth D22128314

A CDE was first described in BS1192:2007 and later
formalized in PAS 1192-2:2013. Now it has its own
international standard, ISO 19650. It is based on the
idea that data should only be shared under strict
control after certain checks have been completed
(AEC Hub, 2017).
Where the CDE is a cloud-based platform, for project
collaboration, it offers instantaneous, clear visibility
into the project's status. By hosting the O&M data in
a safety file on this type of CDE it makes it easier to
take early corrective action to prevent issues for all
disciplines and organisations involved in its creation
and implementation ensuring that the documentation
is formatted to comply with the requirements of ISO
19650-1 (3.3.15) standards.
The Common Data Environment is an “agreed source
of information for any given project or asset, for
collecting, managing, and disseminating each
information container through a managed process”
(ISO 19650-1 (3.3.15)). The CDE includes both a
‘CDE solution’ and a ‘CDE workflow’ (McPherson,
2023).
also utilized in the Shared state. When the CDE is
spread across multiple systems or when security is an
issue, a different information state called client shared
may be used for this data.
c) Published:
Information approved for use in the development of a
new project or the operation of an asset is used in its
published state.
The only data and information found in the Project
Information Model (PIM) at project completion or the
AIM during asset operation are those that are
published or archived.
d) Archived:
During the information management process, every
shared and published superseded container is kept in
full record in the archived state. Information that was
once dependable for more in-depth design work,
construction, or asset management is represented by
a container that is in the archived state but was
previously in the published state.

With MS SharePoint as this type of CDE, users can

store, organize, and share documents centrally,
increasing document accessibility and lowering the
possibility of data loss and duplication, guaranteeing
ongoing data privacy wherever the user is located
using the communication device of their choosing
with a pre-subscribed platform (Microsoft Learn,
2023).
The workflow of MS SharePoint as a CDE complies
with ISO 19650-1 (3.3.15) defining the four states of
a CDE within the safety file folder template (See
Figure 4 below)(AEC Hub, 2017):
a) Work in Progress (WIP):
Information is used in the WIP while it is being
developed by the task team or its creator. Only the
original task team should be able to see or access a
container in WIP:
b) Shared:
Information that has been authorized for sharing with
the appointing party, other relevant appointed parties,
or task teams is kept in the shared state. In this
condition, a container ought to be visible and
reachable by them without editable properties. The
container should be put back into WIP if editing is Figure 4 - Common Data Environment States - (AEC
necessary. Hub, 2017)
All relevant appointed parties should use containers As-built drawings, technical and product data for all
in the Shared state to verify the accuracy, trade work packages, operation and maintenance
completeness, and coherence of their own guidelines, an as-built asset register, warranty details,
information. and all compliance and commissioning certifications
are all included in this safety file. Final revision
Approved data prepared for authorization and sharing
design specifications are also included, along with
with the asset owner/operator or the project client are
additional specialized data like fire certification, risk
 Jane Smyth
assessments, emergency protocols, planning details,
and other specialized reports and surveys. Everything
is organized by information category.
As part of the BIM handover for a project, linking the
safety file to the federated as-built AIM will ensure
that the end user can easily access the handover
documentation directly through the projects CDE or a
3D model viewer. The 3D model is not overwhelmed
thanks to this integration, which creates a seamless
bridge between the 3D modelled entity and the O&M
data folder structure in the Safety File. As a result of
this innovative solution, unless the geometry has
changed, the end user can quickly update the
handover / O&M data. All as-built drawings,
technical and product data, operating and
maintenance procedures, a comprehensive as-built
asset register, warranty information, and all
compliance and commissioning certifications will be
included in the documentation found in the Digital
O&M platform.
All of this documentation is connected to the 3D
AIMs. Navisworks Freedom file format NWD files
can be used to provide BIM integration. The safety
file and the BIM model are linked, enabling users to
pick an object in the model and navigate straight to
the parent folder containing the O&M data for that
particular entity. Users can navigate through the 3D
AIM using free-ware.
Training is provided at the outset to project team
members and as required throughout the project
programme providing both site-based and remote
training for administrative users and primary users
who have defined roles on the project. Driven by
awareness of the suitability of the skillsets and
training of all personnel and liaise closely with
anyone that needs any further help and assistance.
VI CONCLUSION
The concern in modern practices that this paper
focuses on is the challenge of attaining a cost-
effective cloud-based platform to store the as-built
federated AIMs alongside the O&M data linked to
these AIMs within facility management. This paper
set out to tackle this problem by identifying the
current vacuum in the supply of a platform that strikes
a balance between affordability, ownership, and
efficiency over the course of a facility's lifecycle.
Integrating AIM into a Familiar Pre-Subscribed
Platform:
An innovative strategy with potentially broad effects
is the investigation into incorporating the as-built
AIM into a pre-subscribed platform. Our goal is to
improve operational efficiency while lowering the
learning curve that comes with new technologies by
integrating this system with the well-known
workflows of facility managers. This initiative
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recognizes that the success of any platform
integration depends on how well it integrates into
current practices, which emphasizes the significance
of user-friendly solutions.
a) Analysis of the current situation:
Valuable insights into the current state of facility
management platforms were obtained from the
thorough analysis of pertinent literature, case studies,
and workplace research. This study clarifies the
difficulties and complexity faced by facility managers
when gaining access to and using cloud-based
platforms, drawing on actual experiences from the
author's organization. This problem is global in scope,
spanning national borders and emphasizing the need
for globally relevant solutions, as evidenced by the
variety of platforms that are accessible across
geographies.
b) Critical Evaluation of Cloud-Based FM Platforms:
The importance of cost considerations in the selection
process was highlighted by a critical review of the
current cloud-based FM platforms. Though common,
the traditional model of yearly recurring subscriptions
is not cost-effective enough for long-term, sustainable
facility management. This paper thus urges a
paradigm change in favour of platforms that minimize
extra subscription fees and necessitate little training
in order to access O&M data. This is a major
divergence from traditional methods and fits in with
the way the construction and FM industries are going
through a digital transformation.
c) The Cloud-Based Platforms Cost Dynamics:
Making strategic decisions is made easier by
concentrating on the cost dynamics of cloud-based
platforms. This paper adds important insights to the
ongoing discussion on enhancing the effectiveness
and affordability of facility management practices by
illuminating the financial consequences of platform
decisions. This research emphasizes the need for a
comprehensive understanding of the economic
aspects associated with cloud-based platforms,
acknowledging that cost considerations are crucial to
the adoption and sustainability of digital solutions.
d) Guidelines for Transitioning:
This paper presents findings and makes actionable
suggestions to steer the industry toward sustainable
transitions. These recommendations go beyond
theory and provide stakeholders in facility
management with useful information. The
recommendations seek to equip facility managers
with the skills and information required for a
sustainable and affordable digital transition, from
renegotiating subscription models to utilizing current
subscriptions for the best cloud-based storage
options.
 Jane Smyth
In conclusion, this paper is a driving force behind the
evolution of facility management techniques. By
giving cost-effectiveness top priority when selecting
platforms, we set the stage for a future in facility
management that is more resilient, flexible, and
financially sustainable. This research adds to the
continuing development of digital practices in
construction, specifically facility management by
identifying present issues and outlining a path toward
revolutionary solutions. It does this by drawing on a
wide range of literature, case studies, and workplace
insights..
VII SCOPE OF FURTHER RESEARCH
There are a number of areas for future research to
enhance the recommendations above. Where MS
SharePoint is used as the CDE MS PowerApps can be
configured to manage the file naming convention.
This is ensure that file names meet ISO 19650
Information Standards for Asset Information
Management naming convention.
Absorbing a Facility Management System within
current systems in use.
Not having to install a BIM viewing software would
greatly assist the FM team. Currently PDF, DOC and
XLSX format files are viewable withing SharePoint.
A BIM model free-viewer would be a welcome
addition integrated in the current Microsoft 365 suite.
If the free-viewer can view the BIM models in there
is native format or in NWD format then the time
consuming requirement to export models to IFC
format is removed.
No longer should the requirement for Construction
Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie)
be a deliverable with a standard data format. If a
model's COBie extract is only utilized during the
project's operations phase, some other method must
be found to meet the model's information exchange
requirements.
VIII ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author wishes to acknowledge the academic
support of Mr Kevin Furlong for his academic
supervision, encouragement, valuable feedback and
support. Further gratitude is expressed to Dr. Barry
McAuley and Prof. Shannon Chance for their support
and guidance with this research.
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INDEX OF TABLES
Table 1: The application of BIM to the asset life
cycle (adapted from Kivits et al., 2013). ............... 2
Table 2 - Pre-handover stage tasks (Philip D. et al.,
2019) ..................................................................... 4
INDEX OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Scope of ISO 19650-3:2020 .................. 2
Figure 2: BIM Project Information Requirements
leading to Information Models produced -
https://www.12dsynergy.com/iso-19650-guide ..... 3
Figure 3 - Action framework for an AIM support
by a CDE (May et al., 2023) ................................. 5
Figure 4 - Common Data Environment States -
(AEC Hub, 2017) .................................................. 8