On a construction project, a building’s assets are defined as intelligent objects in BIM models or as information-only assets in room data systems.

Usually this information is held in various places including the BIM models, schedules, spreadsheets, or as O&M documentation on cloud or desktop servers. Having it in different places makes it difficult to ensure there are no duplications or conflicting information, and time consuming to keep it all updated and correct.

eRDS Cloud provides a more robust solution by consolidating all the information into a single resource which can be validated for completeness. It combines the assets from coordinated BIM models with room data into a comprehensive cloud-based asset database that is a single point of truth for all assets both inside and outside the building including all external areas. 

During the design phase both types of assets (BIM & information only) contain basic information because specific manufacturers, suppliers, serial numbers etc. are not known at this time. More detailed information usually becomes known during construction, fit-out, and commissioning. This must be captured from site as and when it becomes available.

eRDS Cloud & Field provide the tools needed to capture information from site so the cloud asset database and the BIM models can be enriched with the accurate as-built information required for handover, FM and operations.

As well as providing a master set of information that can be relied on and enriched with more detail, having a centralised asset database provides opportunities to streamline various workflows and integration processes.

All assets can be given a unique asset-code to identify where the asset is within a building and be the common link for other computer systems such as BIM-FM, BMS and CMMS. Having the latest information in one place helps to define the scope of integration and allows it to start considerably earlier than is normal on construction projects thus ensuring an improved soft landing.

Because the asset database is populated during design and construction and enriched with as-built information during commissioning, the task of creating O&M documentation is made easier. All the information in the eRDS Cloud asset database is in a format that can be imported into CMMS systems such as Maximo or exported to a COBie file.

Taken together these benefits can save considerable man-hours and money as well as providing reliable information throughout the various project stages that can be trusted by all project stakeholders.