Model WebViewer: the key to involving stakeholders at Plegt-Vos 

Imagine: involved stakeholders, a smooth BIM process and seamless collaboration within projects. That is exactly what the new BIMcollab WebViewer contributes to within Plegt-Vos. In this inspiring customer story, Koen Meinema and Wilfred Boogerd explain how BIMcollab Zoom, BIMcollab Nexus and the Model WebViewer ensure centralized communication, easy stakeholder involvement and integral collaboration within their projects.

Plegt-Vos is a Dutch construction company with a vision: contributing to the living and working enjoyment of customers and employees. They focus on the development, construction, and sustainability of homes for various target groups. By using innovative methods, such as building with modular construction elements from their own factory, they contribute to the industrialization of residential construction. Their expertise includes both new construction and renovation projects. These projects range from energy-efficient housing portfolios for housing associations to the repair and futureproofing of homes in the earthquake area in Groningen, The Netherlands.  

To manage their ambitious projects and promote collaboration around the BIM model, Plegt-Vos relies on the use of various tools. BIMcollab Nexus, BIMcollab Zoom, and the new Model WebViewer, play an essential role in involving stakeholders and improving collaboration.  

The evolution of BIMcollab at Plegt-Vos 

Plegt-Vos has been using BIMcollab Nexus and Zoom within the ‘stacked construction’ department for several years to manage and coordinate issues and improve model quality. Wilfred explains how these tools are integrated into their workflow: “We already used many Nexus licenses for BIM coordination. Eventually, we were given a free license to BIMcollab Zoom. Our BIM manager at the time decided to try Zoom and was excited about its possibilities. We decided to roll out Zoom internally and now have over 30 Zoom licenses. The intuitive tool is used by various disciplines within our team and has significantly improved the quality of our models. Additionally, since the beginning of this year we have implemented the WebViewer into our process. The WebViewer enables us to easily share our models with everyone, even external stakeholders.  

Koen adds: “Besides, we have recently been able to automatically synchronize the models from the WebViewer within Nexus with BIMcollab Zoom. This ensures that the entire project team looks at the same information in both Nexus and Zoom.” 

Centralized communication with BIMcollab 

In recent years, BIMcollab Nexus and Zoom have contributed to a centralized communication process that facilitates the easy involvement of internal and external stakeholders and improves project quality. As Koen says: “The smooth integration between Zoom and Nexus is of immense value to us. If you consider the number of issues in an average project, using BIMcollab saves a lot of time. Clashes found in Zoom are saved as issues in Nexus, and the corresponding visual information is added. It is immediately clear to team members and project stakeholders what the issue is and how it can be solved.  

In addition, a centralized, cloud-based platform such as BIMcollab Nexus guarantees that we can always find what has been communicated and agreed upon. It simplifies our model checking process and allows us to see whether actions have been carried out and issues have been resolved.”

Involving stakeholders with the Model WebViewer 

The Model WebViewer adds a new dimension to the BIM process within Plegt-Vos. Koen explains how the viewer simplifies involving stakeholders: “Sometimes, our projects include people who initially have little experience with BIM software, or don’t have the opportunity to use it. However, they don’t have to install any software to be able to use the WebViewer. Anyone can easily open the model in the browser, enabling both internal and external stakeholders to join the project and actively use the model.” 

Wilfred further emphasizes the impact of the Model WebViewer on collaboration: 

With the WebViewer we can involve clients, constructors, and project managers early in the process, stimulating integral collaboration. Everyone has access to the same information which empowers us to work more efficiently and speed up decision-making

 
BIMcollab in practice: the Almanak project in Utrecht, The Netherlands 

An example of the successful implementation of BIMcollab is the Almanak project in Utrecht; a large-scale apartment building with a challenging construction site located next to a bicycle bridge. The project includes 66 apartments and 12 ground-level homes. 

Wilfred illustrates: “We used BIMcollab Zoom and Nexus to create a high-quality model. We then linked the model to a 4D planner to simulate what is happening on the construction site, as well as to determine the construction sequence. We optimized the construction site and were able to accurately visualize the construction of the building. If it turns out model elements need to be adjusted, we use BIMcollab Nexus and the BCF Managers to communicate and coordinate design adjustments to our suppliers.

We aim to further implement the WebViewer in this project too. Our goal is to involve parties that currently make little to no use of model viewers. The user-friendliness of the WebViewer lowers the threshold for using a model to clarify the project. It allows stakeholders and suppliers to view and understand issues, including parties that are not accustomed to working with models. This way we can ensure more involvement in the project.” 

The WebViewer for better cost analyses and aftercare

Besides improving project engagement, the Model WebViewer brings additional benefits. Wilfred talks about Plegt-Vos’ plans to utilize the WebViewer for cost analyses: “When we request quotes from external parties, we add quantities from BIMcollab Zoom using Lists. It helps us specify the quantities of objects to be built. We want to enable these external parties to view and check quantities with the WebViewer, so they can accurately tailor their quotes to our expectations.”

Currently, the WebViewer assists with aftercare once a project is completed. Koen explains: “After completion, our projects are transferred to the aftercare department. Not everyone in that department has the technical knowledge to work with BIM software. However, the Model WebViewer is easy to use by anyone and has proven to be a helpful tool. If the aftercare department receives a service report, e.g. a leak in a recently completed apartment complex, they can use the WebViewer to quickly gain insight into the location of the problem and its potential causes.” 

The complete model is transferred to the aftercare department and is ready to explore in the WebViewer. They can easily move through it without requiring complex technical knowledge. It’s that simple.

Close collaboration between Plegt-Vos and BIMcollab 

Finally, Wilfred and Koen emphasize the close collaboration with BIMcollab and KUBUS and the continuous improvements implemented based on their feedback. As Koen concludes: “BIMcollab listens to our feedback. We see improvements in every software update. As users, we can directly influence the development of BIMcollab’s suite of tools. That is extremely valuable.”