5 ways BIMcollab Zoom creates a connected BIM workflow

In today’s BIM world, OpenBIM is a must in most projects. Delivering and receiving projects in OpenBIM enables efficient model-based collaboration between stakeholders. Using buildingSMART’s open IFC format, stakeholders can always work together on a model, without being limited to specific modelling software. To further enhance the collaboration process, we consider 5 ways in which BIMcollab Zoom can help you achieve a connected workflow when validating BIM models. 

1) Always use the correct files

When you are working in a team, you want everybody to use the correct files to avoid redundant tasks, double-checking, and duplicated issues. BIMcollab Zoom can help you do that that through the project folder functionality. It enables you to link a shared folder to a project in BIMcollab Nexus. This way, the correct IFC files will automatically be opened in BIMcollab Zoom when you connect to the project. It ensures that all team members will always use the most up-to-date files.

Learn more in this helpcenter article.

2) Detect and solve issues as a team

Projects can get large and complex, and issues are bound to surface. By connecting BIMcollab Zoom to an issue management platform such as BIMcollab Nexus, you can ensure smooth and effective communication around the issues. By connecting to the BIMcollab ecosystem, you can assign, communicate, update, and solve issues freely within your team, and you are not restricted to using specific software for this to happen!  

Let’s consider an example: you are checking the fire resistance and detect elements that do not contain this data yet. You isolate these elements in Zoom and create an issue asking for this information. You assign it and the modeler(s) automatically receive a notification. Thanks to the BCF file, the issue is directly linked to positions and objects in the model, and accessible directly from the modelling software the modelers use. It enables them to add the fire resistance data quickly, solving the issue in no time. Even better, if you are connected to BIMcollab Nexus, the issue you have created will be a Smart Issue, meaning it knows exactly what clashes it represents, and when it is reported or solved. Once the updated models are uploaded, Zoom will automatically check the Smart Issue and will update or even close it when the issue is solved! 

3) Share Smart Views, Clash Rules and Lists 

When several people in the team are using Zoom, you need to make sure everybody uses the same rules. When connected to a project in Nexus, you can share settings such as Smart Views, Clash Rules and Lists with your team so everybody involved will have access to the correct information. If you decide to change or adapt the Rules, they will be updated for every single user next time they connect to the Nexus. To help you keep the Shared folder (available in Smart Views, Clash Rules and Lists) up to date, you can grant users edit rights. You and your inner circle can work shoulder to shoulder, to push the project forward. Easy, synchronised, and effective. 

4) Share Up-To-Date Model Data 

We can all agree, there is no BIM without the Information embedded in the project and elements. With BIMcollab Zoom, you can check IFC models and extract information via Lists with all the desired data grouped efficiently. Once you decide which information is interesting to be shown in a List, you can share this information with the team just as you share Smart Views and Clash Rules: by connecting to your project in BIMcollab Nexus.  

But what if you work with team members who are not using Zoom, but are interested in the data you extract from the model? No problem: by connecting Zoom to BIMcollab Nexus, your Lists will also be available online. All they need to do is log in to the project in BIMcollab Nexus via the web browser.  

Besides, to get even more insight into the information in your model, BIMcollab Nexus can connect to Power BI. You can create customized data dashboards to fit your needs. By visualizing your data, you and your stakeholders can better understand the model information, resulting in improved communication and collaboration.  

5) Involve stakeholders with Zoom Viewer 

In every project, there will be users and stakeholders without BIM knowledge, but who do want to view the 3D model. That is where Zoom Viewer comes in handy. The Zoom Viewer is free to download and is easy to use by anyone. Connect it to BIMcollab Nexus and any stakeholder can view and validate the model. It is an effective way to involve stakeholders in your project and get them on board with the progress.  

A connected workflow for improved collaboration 

BIMcollab Zoom is a brilliant tool, but you can make it even more helpful by connecting it to a BIMcollab Nexus project. Together, they enable you to create a connected workflow that improves communication, involves stakeholders and helps push decisions to early stages of the project.