Linking BIM with ERP for maximum benefit in construction
Adhering
to deadlines in a large-scale construction project is as essential as working
within the budget. Every team working on a full-scale construction project,
either public or private, knows the importance of completing and handing over
the site on time. Anyone operating in the construction industry can vouch for
the high pressure around sticking to the deadlines and minding the budget. None
of the involved parties from builders, architects, labour, to management
appreciate delays. But more often than not, unforeseen circumstances arise and
mess with the deadlines.
This is
where the combination of ERP and BIM can play a role. If optimally used,
construction companies can save on time and money by putting the project back
on track with the help of ERP and BIM.
What is
ERP?
In our
context, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is business solution software that
maps the various processes and workflows in the project, lists tasks and
assigns responsibilities, and allows greater visibility and trackability at all
times. In essence, it provides powerful analytics using data from various
construction processes.
It takes
an army of people to make a successful enterprise and the construction industry
is no different. Construction ERP integrates diverse software systems used by
various teams into one comprehensive solution by pulling together all the
relevant information and provides the construction/project managers with a set
of insights and tools for driving the efficient execution of the project.
In this
perspective, the success of a construction project lies in efficient project
planning and accurate data management. This can be achieved by integrating BIM
models and the ERP management solution.
Benefits
of Integrating BIM and ERP
The
world is increasingly shifting towards the digital age and it’s clear that
technology is going to play a critical role in the success of every industry,
including construction. The companies that utilize technology to its optimum
level will survive and thrive. Of course, this suggests that the traditional
ways of working cannot find solutions for issues arising in the technological
age. One of the biggest obstacles in this digital age is the management of the
humongous volume and variety of data created at every step of a construction project.
As you
become dependent on digital means to drive efficiency then questions about data
become important to consider. Is the data accurate? Is it relevant? Is it
current? Is it useful to deliver insights? Are those insights actionable? What
is the impact of those actions? And so on.
Integrating
BIM and ERP allows integration of actions and controls through effective
communication of information that is made available to everyone from a central
location. Always-on access to updated data will enable managers to get
transparency into the real state of the project and then assist with making
profitable business decisions.
Of
course, there’s much more to ERP and BIM integration than just collating data.
Let’s look at the other crucial benefits of integrating ERP and BIM in a
construction project:
1.
Financial Management
Contractual
work is the norm in the construction industry. Tender bids are issued for
large-scale projects. Accurate estimates of material and labour are key in both
situations. The BIM + ERP combo can be used to derive accurate estimations for
every item in the BOM and for the effort involved in delivering the project
too. These calculations are more precise and accurate. This helps achieve more
profitable, predictable project resource planning.
2.
Enabling Better Performance
Communication
is an essential factor in deciding the success of a construction project. The
integration of BIM and ERP provides a centralized source of information for
every person working on the project. It feeds into defined workflows so that
the right people get the right info when needed. The updates are made and
recorded in real-time, thereby eradicating errors due to the time lag in
communication. What if scenarios can be analysed quickly along with its implication
downstream This helps the people and teams deliver better and be accountable
for their efforts.
3.
Avoiding contractual conflicts
The
solution helps in avoiding contractual conflicts with the client. It does this
by creating a baseline estimate and then keeping track of inventory, raw
material requirement, workforce, finances, and budgets of the project against
the estimates. The meticulous analysis of the construction facets leaves little
to no room for misunderstanding and helps drive more timely interventions if
deviations become inevitable.
4.
Streamlining data across projects
Handling
multiple projects or multiple facets of a single project at a given time is
bound to create confusion in communicating information and instruction within
the organization. Going through data for numerous projects on excel sheets and
various other software amongst different departments is a cumbersome task. The
BIM + ERP solution streamlines this chaos into one centralized source that is
accessible for every employee of the organization. It helps break down the
chaos into smaller, more manageable tasks, and allows individuals and teams to
address them better.
5.
Increased efficiency and productivity
A
centralized source of information for everything from cost estimations,
inventory management, human resources, project management to facility
operational management helps to increase the efficiency of the project.
Provisioning resources based on these accurate estimates ensures that there is
less downtime due to material or resource unavailability.
It's
fair to say that better planning is the backbone of more efficient execution in
a construction project. From that standpoint, the future of the construction
industry may lie in the integration of BIM and ERP-driven business strategies.
Such seamless integration of BIM and ERP may well help drive higher ROI for the
projects undertaken by a construction company.
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