CDE and Strategy
The CDE – Common Data Environment – Can be defined as an application, generally available in the cloud, accessible from any device (PC, tablet or smartphone) from which it is possible to manage in a structured and unique way project management, site or building maintenance information, as well as promoting collaboration between users.
Il BIM (Building Information Modeling) ) is now commonly regarded as the evolution that is changing more than anything else the way we work at every stage of the building process: planning, design, construction and management, The CDE allows you to distribute data and create value for the whole chain of users involved in the process.
With the advent of BIM, data, even for our industry, can be considered the economic foundation on which to build a new way of doing business: Those who are able to manage and exploit this new state will find themselves at the heart of the production of wealth, the others out.
Very soon the following motto will prevail: No Data – No business.
In summary I think these are the reasons why BIM is revolutionizing our industry and is commonly considered the digital engine of evolution of the construction industry.
In a relatively short period of time, whatever our role may be within the building construction and management process, wherever you may find yourself in the supply chain to which we belong, it will be necessary, even for our industry, to be able to use, manage and exploit digital information.
Each user will be able to make their own contributions allowing everyone with their own specific expertise to enrich the level of data and knowledge of the final product. Generating value for all including the too often forgotten end user.
BIM model generation tools (eg. Revit, Archicad etc.) are able to produce, especially in the early stages of the building process, a large amount of data. Which enable the generation of value even in the later stages of the process. Unfortunately, very often, this heritage remains unused or underutilized for lack of better tools to manage this data outside of the application that created them.
The tool that makes accessible to all this data (each user with responsibility, and dedicated access permissions) actually already exists. Is called CDE – Common Data Environment.
The use of a tool such as CDE, combined with the use of BIM (Building Information Modelling), can provide, if properly managed, large cost savings, defined construction times and more efficient building management.
In fact CDE allows all users involved in the building/management process to share in real-time a single database which is always available and up to date. It facilitates collaboration between team members. By voiding the duplication of information and minimizing the possible occurrence of errors at every stage of the life-cycle of a work.
The main areas covered by a CDE are: Document Management; Task Management and Asset Management; all these activities, if properly integrated into a BIM process, are able to offer greater efficiency and control in any activities of the process.
To achieve the best results it is also essential that strategic choices for the correct preparation of work management are made and shared in the early phases as much as possible.
All choices and the consequent planned activities must be shared in real time so as to allow a high level of collaboration between all users. The use of a CDE in this case ensures greater efficiency in terms of data exchange. In addiction to a higher level of cooperation between all users involved in the decision-making process.
Collaboration among team members so as to avoid duplication of information and minimizing the chance of errors occurring at each stage of the life-cycle
To generate wealth and value, data originating from the planning and project phases must be channeled as quickly as possible. Without interruption further along the process, where it can be aggregated, distributed and updated. So as to be available without continuity issues for production processes during the construction phase or maintenance issues during building management and operational phases.
The introduction of BIM also brings with it the ability to map and manage precisely data exchange among team members. Tracing each individual’s activities over time, monitoring accordingly time, cost and the quality of production. Also in this case if CDE if properly used, it is able to ensure in real-time a higher level of efficiency and control of the activity and even offer accurate feedback on the state of completion of the works.
The adoption of a CDE finally overcomes geographical barriers and allows, for example, the creation of an extended team, also from different countries or continents. The possibility offered by CDE to collaborate remotely using a shared technology platform offers the ‘opportunities to create new business opportunities reducing management costs.
Building in the Cloud is designed to meet precisely these needs. Share and manage building data as well as ensure greater efficiency in team activities.
Building in the Cloud is the first solution fully developed in Italy, dedicated to the construction industry. The goal is optimize the return on investment of BIM design.
With this new service Lemsys – manufacturer of Building in the Cloud – makes available to all users in the building sector (designers, builders and owners) an innovative tool. The service is usable provided there is an available Internet connection – from any devices (PC, Tablet or Smartphone).
The service is available immediately without the need for any installation. Simply by accessing the site www.buildingincloud.net:: After registration, the service is available immediately and without charge. Once the free trial period has expired the service can be easily and permanently activated, without loss of data. The cost is € 9 per month for an unlimited number of concurrent users.
Try it free for a month.