According to the American Institute of Architects, the term Building Information Modeling (BIM) was coined by Jerry Laiserinto describe "3D, object-oriented, AEC-specific CAD" - digital representation of the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in digital format. This covers not just geometry, but also definition of building components (including manufacturers' details), documentation (such as specifications) and of the process of construction and operation of facillities. Quantities can easily be extracted. The American Institute of Architects has further defined BIM as "a model-based technology linked with a database of project information", and this reflects the general reliance on database technology as the foundation.
The term itself is not in favor throughout the construction industry, and it is yet to be seen whether it will win over alternatives, which include:
1.Virtual Building Environment (VBE)
2.Virtual Building
3.BuildingSMART
BIM is often associated with IFCs (
Proponents claim that BIM offers:
Improved productivity due to easy retrieval of information
Embedding and linking of vital information such as vendors for specific materials, location of details and quantities required for estimation and tendering
Increased speed of delivery
Reduced costs
In August 2004 the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a report entitled "Cost Analysis of Inadequate Interoperability in the U.S. Capital Facilities Industry" (NIST GCR 04-867 (PDF), which came to the conclusion that, as a conservative estimate, $15.8 billion is lost annually by the U.S. capital facilities industry resulting from inadequate interoperability due to "the highly fragmented nature of the industry, the industry’s continued paperbased business practices, a lack of standardization, and inconsistent technology adoption among stakeholders".
