Integrating BIM with ERP Systems Towards an Integrated Multi-user Interactive Database: Reverse-BIM Approach

Abstract

In the context of rapid technological advancements, the Architectural, Engineering and Construction sectors (AEC) are preparing themselves towards the enhanced level of co-ordination. This requires integration at every phase of the construction process, including design, processes, engineering services, fabrication, construction and maintenance phases––all together to help implement Level-3 Building Information Modeling (BIM). In this regard, the current understanding of BIM models is largely restricted to the graphical representation of the services, such as architectural model, structural model, plumbing model, etc. However, such decisions are confined to their respective departments before a ‘blueprint’ is released; for example, a design office may require changes to be incorporated into an architectural drawing or vice-versa. Such conflict of interests or process repetitions, particularly during planning, design and implementation stages, are identified as the main sources of significant delays in the overall project. For an integrated project delivery to overcome the fragmentation or loss of information, this paper proposes an architecture and demonstrates the feasibility of the implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system as a method to integrate the BIM processes among different departments that are using a heterogeneous environment of software packages. It is identified that the concept of ERP can be utilized not only to generate a read-only information database, but also rather reversibility in processes can be achieved by develo** an interactive (read and write) database format to reach a consensus-based decision between seemingly scattered departments. A wide range of tasks is identified to be integrated during the planning, design, construction and operation phases. This will eliminate unnecessary time delays, for example, by minimizing or eliminating rotation of ‘blueprints’, enhancing the transfer of knowledge and overcoming the information-fragmentation. With a worked-out example, it is established that the available products on BIM-ERP integration can be expanded to directly integrate structural or other heterogeneous software, but this requires realignment of processes.