Nearly 17.24% facility management / operations firms in the AEC industry used BIM in 2007, according to a survey conducted by ACEbytes. This number has increased significantly over the years. With the increasing use of BIM in the field of facility management, the BIM tools used by such firms like ArchiFM have also gained immense popularity.
Reasons for the Popularity of ArchiFM
The major reasons that ArchiFM has growing popularity lie in the features, functioning and benefits of using the application. The application comes integrated with ArchiCAD.
Functionality of ArchiFM
ArchiFM specifically fulfills the needs of facility managers and maintenance personnel. The system of the application has the following modules:
1. Asset Planner: With the asset planner, it is simple to review events to forecast long range resource plans. The important functions of this module are:
- Area management
- Asset management
- Tenant / Contract management
- Move management
2. Maintenance: The application provides website access to submit maintenance reports and track issues. It is easy to review maintenance events on equipment / space by time and status. It undertakes maintenance as breakdown maintenance and preventative maintenance.
3. Helpdesk/ Reporting Services: It is for the users / residents to report breakdown events.
Features of ArchiFM
- It offers real time data harmonization between the BIM model and the FM database and the users making sure that all the changes and reports are rapidly and correctly managed for everyone.
- ArchiFM can import BIM models from all programs using IFC files or runs natively within ArchiCAD to offer the most powerful and effective workflow.
- With the help of devices like PDAs, iPhones and iPads or uncomplicated web-browsers, maintenance workers and facility managers can quickly report equipment breakdowns or use repair manuals, service history and much more.
- Remotely made updates are circulated through the entire FM/BIM system to make sure all users can gain access to the most recent information.
Advantages of using ArchiFM
- Cost-effective planning of company workflow and procedures can be done easily.
- Work strikes can be prevented or reduced and sporadic malfunctions can be quickly and effectively repaired as well.
- Up to date status reports can be generated at any time.
- Human resources can be organized faster and with more flexibility, so the maintenance crew works more efficiently.
- Enhanced safety at workplace.
- Lower inventory costs.
- More precise cost breakdowns for client-related and physical plant-related cost centers.
- Data necessary for medium- and long-term planning can be accessed and processed directly.
- Technical equipment and facilities can be used more efficiently as a result of regular maintenance, better supervision and technical checks.
ArchiFM enables the user to successfully manage and optimize maintenance events; hence offering improved maintenance procedures, improved financial results and improved customer service to its users. Along with ArchiCAD, it offers a complete solution for building design, presentations, construction, estimation, energy analysis and facility management all on one strong platform.