Introduction
COBie is a uniform way to organize construction project information and is closely in connection with Building Information Modeling (BIM). Whereas, CMMS stands for Construction Maintenance Management Software designed exclusively to simplify maintenance management. The CMMS solutions allow technicians the freedom to concentrate less on paperwork and more on hands-on maintenance.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of COBie standards for efficient use of CMMS solutions.
Definition
In very simple words, though it sounds unfamiliar and strange, it is a simple format for delivering building asset data in the form of XML spreadsheets with some rules on the structuring and content of the furnished data.
It is an open standard that endorses the collection of asset data to help managers in using CMMS effectively. The contracted flow of information using COBie is as follows:
Once the construction manager defines the information, the report goes into a BIM or in other software. The data then gets exported in a COBie format which in turn is imported into the CMMS.
Advantages
Effective Data Sharing
COBie supports the effective sharing of data among facility management tools like BIM authoring tools, CMMS, and CAFM (Computer-Aided Facility Management) software. The standard helps reducing the need to re-collect data and further minimizes the number of inaccuracies between corresponding data sets used for various purposes within a facility management organization.
Data Collection
Managers can make use of COBie standards to collect data before an upgrade of new construction maintenance software. It is not necessary to get a proprietary vendor spreadsheet to support data collection. Also, it is not necessary to pay the CMMS vendor to map the in-house developed software spreadsheet. Instead, the data collection in COBie is in a recognized industry format.
Data Transfer
In the current construction industry scenario, COBie is proving as the most-effective way to transfer data after construction because the data can be exported from BIM authoring tools and get imported into a COBie enabled CMMS solution.
The Initial Stages
The use of Building Information Modeling in gaining momentum yet it is not being as a recognized industry practice. The use of BIM for maintenance and engineering departments is in very initial phases of industry adoption. But the use of BIM holds the promise of efficiently helping the construction firms while minimizing the cost.
The construction organizations have embraced need of such outstanding data collection as well as management standard since many years. Several attempts at making small improvements are always in discussion by the respective members of the COBie Project Committee. You can get all the update here.