About AEODC

AEODC is a promising player in the global AEC industry providing Virtual Design & Construction services to our clients worldwide using BIM technology. Our team of architects and engineers, with a combined experience of more than 2 decades, is well-versed with the global industry standards and deliver quality projects to our clients located across the world.

Our operations are spread over United States, Canada and India with an expansion into the European market in the works.

COBie: A BIM Concept worth your attention

Knowing how Revit Architecture Modeling, Revit Structure Modeling and Revit MEP Modeling, including Construction Simulation and Spool Drawing work, the management of asset information within a construction workflow is also of utmost importance. But how is this achieved through modern tools of technology? Well, this is where the concept of COBie comes into play.

To get you familiarised with the basics, COBie inculcates a performance-based specification that stands for Construction Operations Building Information Exchange. It came into being in the United States and is put to use for managing contacts, assets, BIM applications, and more.

Understanding how Revit Architecture Modeling, Revit Structure Modeling, Point Cloud to BIM and Spool Drawings work, it is worth diving deeper into the various aspects of COBie.

What purpose does COBie stand for?

What purpose does COBie stand for?
COBie is a set of informative data put together in the form of a spreadsheet that incorporates structured data about an asset. This comes to use for facility management and thoughtful decision-making.

Within the premises of the AEC fraternity, COBie comes into being for the following purposes:
● Asset management
● Storing crucial project data
● Effective planning, designing, and construction
● Supporting operational procedures
● Curating maintenance schedule

The Relevance of COBie in BIM

A COBie spreadsheet entails information regarding the multiple aspects of a project such as facilities, spaces, floors, systems, installed equipment, and the associated documentation.

All these entries within the sheet consist of detailed information, which when hyperlinked to other entries provide easy access to the entire information. Thus, it helps in electronically capturing and storing the essential information of a project.

The Principles on which COBie is based

COBIe facilitates the switching of crucial project data from paper to a more digital and effective format. All of this is based on a concrete set of principles which are as follows:

1. Format

COBie allows the user to choose from a wide array of formats that enable spreadsheet-oriented data delivery. It facilitates the users in participating in an open BIM workflow.

2. Data Model

COBie is integrated with the IFC (Industry Foundation Class) model which helps in channelling the best industry practices through a range of construction and design technologies.

3. Classification

The incorporation of a classification system within a COBie spreadsheet is integral. It helps in the navigation of project information that can aid the users. This classification is specified by the project owner.

How does COBie benefit the multiple stakeholders within the AEC Industry?

COBie has made the streamlining of data during the handover quite easy and seamless. This, in turn, helps the stakeholders in managing and reviewing the information quite effectively.

1. Architects

COBie enables the provision of a pragmatic list of the scheduled assets within a project. This makes it easier for the architects to design with relevant project data at hand.

2. Contractors

Contractors benefit from the seamless information retrieval and organization made possible by COBie. Moreover, it helps in reducing the time and effort consumed on equipment surveys.

3. Project Managers

COBie puts together documentation about equipment and space that can be accessed by project managers for easy operations and maintenance.

Benefits of COBie

1. Holistic Data Management

Throughout the lifecycle of a project, a lot of data is collected including BOQs, RFIs, safety licences, and more. These can be holistically managed and stored with the help of COBie.

2. Seamless Data Sharing

COBie enables sharing of data across BIM authoring tools, construction management systems, and other associated toolsets. This helps in reducing errors.

3. Enhanced Information Exchange

With COBie, essential information about the project can be shared from one site to another within the AEC industry. The information can be easily exported using BIM software tools and imported using CMMS.

Summing up

COBie has infused a new-age approach to collaboration within the AEC industry. It has brought about a digital transformation in the facets of data sharing and asset management by switching the fraternity from a paper-oriented storage process to a digital management system. It has paved the way for the revolutionization of facilities, information, and operations, in the years to come.

Common Queries: Things you should know about COBie

1. What are the applications of COBie in the AEC Industry?

Following are the applications of COBie in the AEC industry:
● Data Management
● Information Exchange
● Asset Management

2. How does it help engineers?

COBie enabled the compilation of the scheduled assets within a project. This makes it easier for the architects and engineers to design with relevant project data at hand.

3. What data model does COBie entail?

COBie is integrated with the IFC (Industry Foundation Class) model which helps in channeling the best industry practices.

4. How does COBie facilitate asset management?

COBie is a set of informative data put together in the form of a spreadsheet that incorporates structured data about an asset. This facilitates asset management

5. What are some benefits of COBie?

Following are some benefits of COBie:
● Storing crucial project data
● Effective planning, designing, and construction
● Supporting operational procedures
● Enhanced information exchange
● Seamless data sharing

Author

Kamaljeet S Marwah

About the Author

Having around two decades of AEC Industry experience, Kamaljeet aims for AEODC to serve a purpose in current digital revolution Global AEC Industry is experiencing. His first experience implementing BIM technology was in Year 2008 while working on Design and Construction of worlds largest and busiest airport situated in the Capital of India - Delhi International Airport T3. Since then, Kamaljeet is a strong believer that global construction Industry needs the much needed digital transformation.

He completed his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from BIT Mesra, Ranchi, followed by MBA from Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto specializing in Corporate Finance and Strategic Management.

Date

March 6, 2024

The four pillars on which AEODC stands

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.
Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Quality
- Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
- We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
- Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.
Accuracy
- Our clients choose us for our knowledge – our team focuses on accuracy as much as it does on quality – after all what is quality without accuracy, right?
- Our submissions are detailed and aim to accurately capture the client requirements – the stated, the evident and the imperceptible.
- Our quality control process has built-in checks & balances to ensure overall accuracy of the project.

Commitment
- Our team adheres to a very high professional standard of excellence while staying committed to the core values of AEODC as well as our clients.
- Our commitment is not only to deliver a quality product but do it within the promised timeframe, every time – ‘consistency’ is key to commitment.
Communication
- The key to any successful relationship is effective communication and at AEODC, we do just that – staying connected with clients, providing accurate timely updates and actively listening to them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Communicating openly with our clients helps build trust and a deeper understanding of our clients’ requirements.
- Proactive communication not only assists us in delivering at par with our clients’ requirement but exceed their expectations time & again.

Client satisfaction is the topmost priority at AEODC.
We have a rigorous quality control process throughout the project lifecycle with special attention to complete transparency.
Our team goes above and beyond the client expectations as our end goal is not only to deliver quality but also to add value to the project by providing intelligent solutions.