BIMcollab Twin

Architecture

Availability

1. BIMcollab is a SAAS application.
2. BIMcollab Twin is a web-based application. It can be used directly in the internet browser without installing any plug-ins. It can be opened on any web browser with at least 5% market share.
   
3. The application is accessible 24/7.
   
4. The application is available for desktop, tablets and mobile devices.
   
5. For implementation and user testing, an acceptance and publication environment is available.

Licenses

General

1. The BIMcollab Twin license plan is based on one user per license model.
   
2. BIMcollab Twin licenses are available without the need to purchase any other software licenses.
   
3. Unlimited number of projects is available in all BIMcollab Twin plans. A single user can be active in an unlimited number of projects.
4. The minimum number of licenses to purchase is 10.
   
5. Free view-only users are available in varying quantities per plan.
   
6. Storage capacity per user is 10GB per user in the Essential plan, and unlimited in the Premium and Ultimate plan.
   

Security

Security in detail

1. In this article you can find a detailed list of the most frequently requested information by IT departments regarding the security of BIMcollab.
   

Log-in

1. Oauth2 industry standard protocol for authorization is implemented.
2. Users can enable the use of SSO (Single Sign-on) through Microsoft or Surf Connect.
   
3. Two Factor Authentication is available, and can be enforced for all users.
   

Safety and standards

1. Attack and penetration tests are conducted annually.
   
2. BIMcollab is ISO-27001 certified as of November 2022.
   

Space Settings

Spatial structure

1. Documents are linked to the spatial structure of the asset (location, plots, buildings, parts and storeys). This provides beter categorization of documents, and increases their findability.
2. Create a Location for each asset or object. All related information is stored within this location, or further grouped into projects and project phases.
   
3. Locations can be further grouped into Location Groups, either by their geographical location or type and functions.
   

User structure

1. User access is controlled through User Roles. With User Roles, Administrators give each user access only to information and functions needed for the work to be performed.
   
2. User in their specific User Roles are grouped in Teams. Teams are then added to projects. A single user can be a part of multiple teams and in different roles.
   
3. Teams can be assigned to multiple projects and phases.
4. For each user, a user log is kept of what documents and information have been accessed, uploaded, deleted and modified. This log can be downloaded in .xlsx format.

Metadata

1. Metadata is a set of data requested upon the upload of documents that make each file distinguishable from the others and this set is called metadata. 
   
2. To ensure a level of quality, some metadata fields are mandatory to fill in when uploading documents.
   
3. Additional metadata fields can be added through Custom fields.
   

Languages

1. The application is available in the following languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese. The language is set at the Space level by the administrator, but each user can set their preferred language.
   

Documents

Sharing

1. Share all documents and files with the project team so that all team members are always working on the same information.
2. Upload documents in bulk using a drag-and-drop window. Documents can be uploaded along with an Excel Upload List, where the metadata is already populated, eliminating the need to add data manually.
   
3. Documents are uploaded once. 
4. All documents can be downloaded by authorized users. Bulk downloads are also available.

Document types

1. Confidential documents:  Make certain documents visible only for specific users. Users with the User Role permission to see confidential documents can access them.
   
2. Archive: Documents that are not currently relevant can be archived. Documents can be placed in bulk in the archive if necessary. Archived documents can also be reactivated.
   
3. Frozen documents: Documents can be frozen. In the frozen state, details of the document can no longer be modified, and no new versions can be uploaded. 
4. Placeholders: Determine in advance which documents need to be created, and create Placeholders for future documents that need to be uploaded.

Filtering and searching

1. Search documents using a specific term in the search bar.
   
2. Filter documents per their metadata information to quickly access the relevant documents.
   
3. With Saved Filters you save the filter settings as a personal or shared filers. This way, you and your team can quickly find relevant documents with pre-saved filters.
4. Adjustable columns help determine the order of metadata columns and which are visible and which are not. Save these along with the filters.
   
5. You can group documents with Smart Folders. Smart folders are based on metadata so one document can be present in different folders, meaning you only need to upload and manage the document once.

Viewing

1. Documents can be previewed online, in the following file formats: PDF, DWG, IFC, JPG and PNG.
   
2. IFC files can be viewed in the online WebViewer. WebViewer is a high performing, streaming Model viewer for very large datasets, helping multidisciplinary design and construction teams get insight into designs for buildings or infrastructure projects.
3. DWG Viewer: Twin has a viewer to view DWG files. Xref files are automatically loaded and also displayed in the viewer.
   
4. It is possible to generate PDF files directly from the DWG viewer.

File formats

1. There is no restriction on file formats that can be uploaded to Twin. 
   

Version Control

1. With Twin it is easy to ensure that you are work with the latest version of a document. When uploading a document, Twin automatically registers when a new version is uploaded. Previous versions are always available for reference if needed.
   

Linking 

1. Linking Documents: By creating a link, relationships can be established between documents. When downfolding, there is a choice to download related documents as well.
   
2. Linking to 3D objects: In the BIM viewer, documents can be linked to IFC objects in WebViewer.
   
3. A single document can be linked to multiple document sets or work packages.

Documents General

1. All metadata can be exported in an Excel file.  You can also generate an Excel list based on the downloadable documents.
   
2. Reports: An overview lists of documents can be exported to Excel.
3. Document number verification: Document numbers can be checked against a preset syntax (Regular Expressions). Documents that do not comply cannot be uploaded.
   
4. Document naming convention: Is a set of rules used to consistently name project documents. The same naming rules apply to everyone who uploads documents to the active project phase.
5. Control by QR code: PDF documents can be provided with a QR code. Reading the QR code indicates whether you are working with the correct version of the document.
   
6. Activity log: For a document, all actions and changes are recorded so that it is possible to trace exactly what happened to the document.
   

Document Sets

General

1. Bundle documents with Document Sets.
   
2. Create document sets based on the latest document version. Reduce administrative overhead by creating document sets based on a document version and tracking which document version was used for permit or bid requests.
   
3. Add a QR code to the documents sets that can be read on site. For example, the QR code can be used in the field to retrieve all the documentation for an electrical panel or air handling unit.
   
4. Easily download all of the documents in a set at once.
   

Workflows

Checking Documents

1. Workflows are designed to translate the various processes within a project into an automatic workflow. 
   
2. A set workflow starts when a new document is posted that meets the predefined requirements based on document metadata.
   
3. The workflows can schedule checking steps, including an Audit Round and a Review. 
   
4. Add notifications to any step of he workflow. The notification is sent by e-mail to one or multiple recipients, and it is also stored in the user's personal dashboard. 
   
5. Workflows can be set up to have multiple required team members or departments review the document at the same time, or to schedule who needs to review the document and when.
   
6. Control the schedule and progress of the review by setting a deadline for each step.

Stamp and QR code

1. A digital stamp can be placed for each step of the workflow.
2. A stamp can contain a QR code. A QR code can be placed as part of the stamp for approval. Or a QR code in the stamp can be used to verify that this version of the document is the current version.
   

Communication

General

1. Communication on BIMcollab Twin is public and visible for all parties involved who have access to the project. Everyone working on the project has insight into all open questions and tasks.
2. A question, note or a task item can be created in two places in BIMcollab Twin.
   

Types of Communication

1. Questions can be posted about items that require answers. When the responsible party has provided an answer, the sender can indicate whether the response has been approved.
   
2. Tasks are an action point given to a specific user. For example, a request can be to complete information or adjust geometry. When the responsible party has completed the action, he can indicate this in the system and the sender can check whether the response can be approved.
   
3. Notes can be added to almost any item within BIMcollab Twin. A note represent an additional remark, and no workflow can be linked to it. However, a note can notified about a note though the 'Informed' field.
   
4. Notifications are automatically created when you are listed as a Receiver of a new communication item. 
   
5. Revisions are used to assign a document (or a set of documents) to be revised and track the process. Once a revision is assigned to a user, the document(s) in the revision are frozen. 
   

Communication Status

1. Communication items, specifically Questions and Tasks, are items enter a coordination workflow that often has multiple rounds of back and forth communication. Below are the statuses they can have in this process:

Annotations and attachments

1. Though communication items, you can add additional annotations to PDF files.
   
2. To further clarify items, attachments can be added to the communication.
   

Overview, filter and export

1. The project dashboard page provides a clear overview of all open items that you and your team are responsible for.
   
2. Communication items can be easily filtered by communication item type, status, responsibility, as well as Labels.
   
3. Communication items are created in specific levels of the spatial and project structure. As such, a list of all items per specific location, project or project phase can be created, for an easy insight into your projects.
   
4. All communication can be exported to an Excel file.
   
5. An audit trail is maintained of all changes to communication items so that the history of the communication can be tracked.
   

Model WebViewer

Functionalities

1. BIMcollab Model WebViewer currently supports the following file types: IFC models (.IFC, .IFCZIP).
   
2. Multiple IFC files can be loaded and viewed at the same time.
   
3. You can hide/unhide individual models, as well as specific object categories.
   
4. Individual models and specific objects can be isolated.
   
5. Documents can be linked to specific objects in the model.
   
6. Models can be grouped and categorized by using Model Tags.

Tools

1. There are two options that can be used in BIMcollab WebViewer to create measurements: Laser Measurement, Point to point measurement and Coordinate measurement.
   
2. You can create model cross sections using the section box and section plane features.
3. Navigation bar offers a detailed insight into the constituent components of the models through the "Objects" section.
4. The property panel provides a list of relevant non-graphical properties such as summary, location and IFC property sets.
   

API

Resources

1. In this article you can find a human-friendly quick start description of the BIMcollab Twin Public API.
   
2. Here you can read more about the BIMcollab Developer SDK.
   

Support

General

1. Support via email, video calls and live chat(regular business hours in the CET time zone) is available.
   
2. Access to BIMcollab Help Center with FAQs and useful tutorials and guide articles.
3. Free trainings and courses through the BIMcollab Academy.

Model Quality

General

1. Information Delivery Specification (IDS) is a computer interpretable file format which defines the Data Exchange Requirements for BIM. With BIMcollab it is possible to define the requirements, share them with stakeholders and check the application of model based requirements.
   
2. Smart issues are BCF issues that have BIMcollab Zoom clashes linked to them.  They know which clashes they represent, and the status of the clash is automatically updated. The list of clashes reported in a single smart issue and their latest status is visible in BIMcollab Nexus.
   
3. Shared results from Lists feature in Zoom can be viewed in the project in BIMcollab Nexus. That means that data take-offs and quantities from the models can be viewed in the web browser through BIMcollab Nexus.

Issue Management

General

1. BIMcollab Nexus is a BCF format issue management platform.
   
2. BCF issues can be created and retrieved in the web browser, as well as in the WebViewer or directly in the modeling and checking BIM softwares.
   
3. Synchronize issues across all team members and devices in real-time.
4. Each issue has a full legal audit trail with issue history.
   
5. Automatic email notifications for issue updates and assignments are sent to users.

BCF properties

1. Standard BCF Issue properties like Milestone, Areas, Labels, Type, Priority, Due Dates, Responsible, etc., are available.
   
2. Additional custom properties (list and free fields) are available, to add project-specific data.
   
3. Properties selected by project leaders can be made mandatory for users to fill in during issue creation.
   
4. Users can added to Groups, and issues can be made confidential and visible for certain groups only.
   
5. To assure high quality resolution of issues, users can be set to Approve the final resolutions.
   
6. Users can add comments and engage in discussions directly within issues.

Filter, import and export

1. Issues can be filtered, sorted and searched. Custom filters can be saved and reused at later date.
   
2. Issues can be imported in BCF format.
   
3. Issues can be exported in BCF, XLS, CVS, and PDF file format. Issue reports can be created in mentioned file formats.
   
4. Issues can be deleted from the space, with the full audit trail and history being removed.

Project Management

General

BIMcollab Zoom

Installation

General

1. BIMcollab Zoom is a this desktop application, a download and installation of the application is necessary.  
   
2. It is is available for both Windows and Apple OS X. You can read more about the systems requirements here.
   
3. BIMcollab Zoom 4.2 and later versions are fully compatible with Apple Silicon chips with ARM processor.
   
4. It can be used on a Windows touch screen device. Gestures like two finger pan, pinch to zoom and selecting are supported.
   
5. It is available in a Citrix environment.
   
6. It is available in an offline mode.

Language

1. BIMcollab Nexus is available the following languages: English, German, Dutch, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese.

Subscription

Free mode and subscription options

1. Free version of BIMcollab Zoom can be downloaded by anyone. It includes opening multiple IFC files, model viewing and annotations, integrated BCF issue management in connection with BIMcollab Nexus, as well as visual model validation through Smart Views. You can read about the extensive list of free mode features here.
   
2. License mode: Acquiring a paid Zoom license brings access to extra features like sharing files through a shared project folder, shared checking rules, clash detection, batch generation of IFC issues and automatic update of issue status, checking your model against IDS (Information Delivery Specification), data and quantity take offs, structuring and re-organizing IFC data, and more. You can read about the extensive list of free mode features here.
   

License Types

1. Single license: individual licenses without a BIMcollab Nexus subscription. These licenses are linked to one email address and cannot be shared. Best option for individual users or large companies with many users. 
   
2. Floating license: a part of a BIMcollab Nexus subscription, where they are managed. They can be shared among 4 users, but can only be used by 1 user at a time. 
   

Trial

1. A 30 day free Trial of all Zoom functionalities can be acquired here.

File Formats

Model Management

Loading files

1. Zoom can open an unlimited number of files.
   
2. Merge models from different disciplines to create a federated model.
3. It is possible to create a shared folder from a sharing application (like Dropbox, OneDrive etc.) or a shared server. Files shared in project folder will be automatically opened in BIMcollab Zoom when team members connect to the project, making sure all users are working with the latest models.
4. For efficient testing and learning experience, Zoom offers an example project which consist of nine IFC models.
   
5. When working with a project created in BIMcollab Nexus, you can load models from the WebViewer directly into Zoom.
   
6. To organize and group models, prefixes can be added to files. Then the models are sorted by prefixes.

Exporting files

Model Viewing

IDS Property Validation

1. You can perform an IDS (Information Delivery Specification) check in BIMcollab Zoom. It works by comparing the BIM data against specified criteria to identify discrepancies.
   
2. IDS requirements that are missing or not matching can be reported to BCF issues.

Model Data

BCF Issue Coordination

Collaborate

1. BCF issues can be created directly from the 3d window in Zoom and reported to your BIMcollab Nexus project.
   
2. BCF issues can be imported and exported to a BCP file in an offline workflow outside of the BIMcollab workflow.
3. Issues in Zoom can be found though Visual Analysis, by manually reviewing and navigating through the models. Or through an Automated Analysis, like Smart Views, IDS checks or Clash detection.
   
4. All issue-management features of BIMcollab can be found in the issue tab, when connected to a BIMcollab project.
5. Issues can be filtered by BCF issue properties.
   

Smart Issues

1. When connected to a project on BIMcollab Nexus, clashes found with the clash detection can be reported to Smart Issues.
   
2. Smart Issues know the clashes they represent, to which elements they belong, and what their status in BIMcollab Zoom is.
3. The issues can automatically be updated according to the latest status of the clashes.
   
4. It is possible to automatically update the status of multiple (all) clashes at once.
5. The 3D view in BIMcollab Zoom gives feedback on status if the clash, whether the clash is still active or resolved when zooming to the issue.
   
6. It is not possible to report the same clash twice, avoiding the duplicate clashes and issues. Because the Smart Issues are shared to BIMcollab Nexus, it is impossible to accidentally report any already reported clashes, even if the same clash is detected across multiple clash rules.
   
7. You can follow the progress of reported conflicts in BIMcollab Nexus as well. Smart issues contain an overview of clashes and statues of said clashes directly in the Nexus project as well.
   

Automation

1. You can automate tasks to be performed automatically when you are away from your computer, with Zoom Nightshift.
   
2. Nightshift can automatically perform scheduled tasks like: Open models or Add to project, Connect to project, Filter issues, Update issues, Run and share all Lists, or Synchronize projects.
3. It automates actions in Zoom using JSON script files in combination with the Windows Task Scheduler.
   

Sharing

General

1. When connected to a BIMcollab Nexus project, Clash detection, Smart Views, List, and Smart properties rules can be stored on a project basis and are shared with the whole team.
   
2. Rules from any projects can be easily exported/imported into other projects.
   
3. General rules for all features can be applied to any model that contains IFC properties listed in the rules.