A Building Information Modeling (BIM) model is a digital representation of a building or infrastructure project's physical and functional characteristics. Key features of a BIM model include: Physical Characteristics: Information on the building's geometry, dimensions, materials, and construction methods. Functional Characteristics: Details about the building's purpose, occupancy types, and space requirements. Construction Schedule: Data on start and end dates for construction phases, resources, and materials needed. Cost: Information on project costs and individual component expenses.Sustainability Performance: Insights into energy efficiency, water usage, and environmental impact. Collaborative Platform: A shared knowledge resource for stakeholders to access and contribute to project data, promoting better decision-making and coordination. These aspects collectively make BIM models essential tools for improving construction project outcomes, enhancing efficiency, reducing risks, and promoting sustainability in the industry.

BIM, Building Information Modeling

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is the foundation of the most important digital revolution in the construction sector (AECO).

Find out how important it is to plan, design and build highly efficient buildings.

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What is BIM? | Why choose BIM? | Capture the full value of BIM

On this page

What is BIM?
Why choose BIM?
Capture the full value of BIM

What is BIM?

BIM stands for Building Information Modelling (BIM acronym) and indicates the digital construction information system composed of the 3D model integrated with the physical, performance and functional data of the building.

The true power of BIM is contained in the possibility of generating a dynamic, interdisciplinary and shared BIM information model that contains information referring to the construction's entire life cycle, from design to construction through to its demolition and disposal.

Video Building Information Modeling | ACCA software

Why choose BIM?

BIM is increasingly becoming a consolidated reality.

More and more companies choose to make the most of the possibilities offered by BIM technology to improve their business and offer sustainable solutions for the benefit of customers and the entire world.

The use of BIM, in fact, offers important benefits to AEC companies from various points of view:

Business growth
With BIM technology, the building is "built" before its physical realization through a virtual model and the collaboration of all the actors involved in the project, this allows to obtain optimized workflows and better final results that increase customer satisfaction and help AEC companies to position themselves more easily as industry leaders.

Environmental sustainability
What characterizes a BIM model is the fact that every object in the building can be linked to a large amount of information.
Having access to all this information allows you to design buildings with high efficiency performance requirements, minimize waste and material consumption.

Reduction of errors and reworks
Working with the BIM methodology on a single model, where the different disciplines interact between each other, allows you to reduce errors and reworks improving project management.

Maximum operational efficiency
The multidisciplinary and shared BIM model improves collaboration, optimizes data sharing and significantly reduces design time.

Capture the full value of BIM with cloud and openBIM | ACCA software

Capture the full value of BIM with the cloud and the openBIM^® approach

Maximum interoperability in a BIM process is made possible with two elements:

openBIM^®;
a collaborative cloud-based BIM platform.

OpenBIM^® is a working methodology based on interoperability and collaboration between all disciplines through the IFC standard format created and promoted by buildingSMART international.

The IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open data format, not controlled by any individual operator, created to transmit all building asset related information throughout its entire life cycle.

Through an OpenBIM approach, it's possible to expand the benefits of BIM, making the information model central to the process and not to the software with proprietary formats.

OpenBIM®, therefore, guarantees high standards of collaboration and coordination regardless of the software used, and leaves each professional involved in the BIM process free to work with the software they prefer.

This means that BIM becomes more democratic with open collaboration spaces and tools that can also work with standard open formats.

The amount of information that can be shared within in a BIM process can truly become limitless and the best way to store, manage and exchange such information is through a cloud-based platform.

A collaborative BIM platform enables AEC teams to collaborate in real time and securely, simplifying workflows, centralizing data, making workflows faster and more efficient.

Learn more about IFC Open-BIM
BIM vs OpenBIM^®: discover the differences

The Essential tools to design and build with BIM

BIM cannot ignore the use of BIM software capable of generating virtual models specific to each individual discipline and, at the same time, capable of communicating with all participants in the process.

Three different types of BIM software are necessary to create a BIM model:

BIM authoring for creating the 3D model (architecture, structures, MEP, etc.);
BIM tools to aggregate data (construction times, costs, energy performance aspects, etc.) to the BIM model
BIM management system to organize processes and data in a single collaborative cloud environment where architects, engineers, surveyors, builders, maintainers and owners can work together and collaborate effectively.

The guarantee of maximum interoperability in the BIM process can only be achieved when using IFC tools which are IFC-certified by buildingSMART international. Using software certified by BuildingSMART facilitates collaboration between all professionals involved and optimizes entire workflows.

ACCA is the first Italian AEC software company to have certified its software according to the IFC standard and is the only company that can boast the largest number of certified software ensuring consistent and reliable quality IFC data exchanges.

Are you a professional?
Do you deal with architecture, engineering, health and safety, quantity surveying, energy saving, plant engineering, maintenance?
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Are you a student or a teacher | ACCA software

Are you a student or a teacher?
Do you teach technical disciplines? Do you attend a technical institute? Do you study engineering or architecture at university?
Get familiar with BIM technology and get onboard with ACCA's BIM Educational versions.

Discover the BIM Educationals

BIM FAQ

Why Building Information Modeling is Important?

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is crucial in the construction industry due to its transformative impact on project outcomes. Here are key reasons why BIM is important:

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication: BIM facilitates real-time collaboration among project team members, improving coordination and communication.
Risk Reduction and Cost Savings: BIM helps identify and resolve potential problems before construction, reducing the risk of cost overruns and delays.
Improved Productivity and Efficiency: BIM streamlines construction processes by automating tasks like clash detection, enhancing productivity.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact: BIM assesses sustainability performance, aiding in reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Lifecycle Management: BIM provides valuable insights throughout a building's lifespan, from design to maintenance, enhancing operational efficiency.

What is a BIM Model?

A Building Information Modeling (BIM) model is a digital representation of a building or infrastructure project's physical and functional characteristics. Key features of a BIM model include:

Physical Characteristics: Information on the building's geometry, dimensions, materials, and construction methods.
Functional Characteristics: Details about the building's purpose, occupancy types, and space requirements.
Construction Schedule: Data on start and end dates for construction phases, resources, and materials needed.
Cost: Information on project costs and individual component expenses.
Sustainability Performance: Insights into energy efficiency, water usage, and environmental impact.
Collaborative Platform: A shared knowledge resource for stakeholders to access and contribute to project data, promoting better decision-making and coordination.

These aspects collectively make BIM models essential tools for improving construction project outcomes, enhancing efficiency, reducing risks, and promoting sustainability in the industry.

Our BIM authoring software, Building Information Modelling solutions, BIM tools software and BIM coordination software

ACCA software offers a wide range of BIM authoring software and BIM tools integrated into the BIM process, ready for any interoperability requirement required by the openBIM^® approach, certified for the IFC standard format by buildingSMART international.

BIM Management System

The integrated BIM system (Building Information Management) of applications and functions to manage the digitization of buildings and infrastructures in an easy, secure, shared and collaborative way.

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BIM collaboration platform

The BIM collaborative platform to manage information and procedures in a single data sharing environment (CDE). Navigable BIM model (freeMDD), control of each step (GATE).

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freeware

BIM viewer and more

The free IFC file viewer with which you open, edit, convert and export in the IFC format also AutoCAD^® 3D model files (dwg viewer), SketchUp^® (skp viewer) and also write IFC parameters.

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BIM Clash Detection

The BIM Clash Detection software for checking BIM element interferences and conflicts management between different IFC-Open BIM models, such as the architectural, structural or MEP system.

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Advanced IFC-Open BIM editor

The application to work on the geometry and properties of a BIM 3D model directly in the IFC format.

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Building Design

The 3D building design software to develop your projects together with extraordinary archviz presentations, control project construction scheduling aspects and costs, collaborate in the BIM process in total security.

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Construction Cost Estimates BoQs, Rate Analysis and Price Lists

The ideal software for designers and companies who want to optimize their construction cost management activities.

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Design of Structures

The software for structural analysis in civil engineering offers extraordinary advantages compared to other programs that are not updated with BIM technology.

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Scaffolding Design and Safety

CerTus SCAFFOLDING is the BIM authoring software for scaffolding design and drafting of the of the scaffolding assembly, use and dismantling plan.

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Solar PV System Design

The BIM software for photovoltaic systems design already used for thousands of different types of installations all over the world.

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Dynamic energy analysis and simulation

All the power of the EnergyPlus™ calculation engine and the simplicity of BIM/3D modelling in a unique software solution.

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Numerical calculations of thermal bridges and mould growt risk assessment

The Thermal Bridge software that uses finite element analysis, fully compliant with the EN ISO 10211:2008, EN ISO 14683:2008 and EN ISO 13788:2013 technical standards.

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Transforming BIM to openBIM^®

The N.1 IFC openBIM^® Expert, the company with the highest number of IFC-certified software in the world.

Award Winner 2019-2020
Special Mention 2023