The Next Frontier for BIM: Interoperability With GIS

By now the use of a building information model (BIM) as the optimal tool for facility design and construction is an accepted fact. The benefits of BIM technology and related business practices are well-established. But the design and construction processes are just part of any facility’s lifecycle. And, like any technology, BIM does not exist in a vacuum. Other technologies exist that can assist facility owners and operators in solving problems over a facility’s lifecycle. One such tool is a geographic information system (GIS). This article explores the functions and roles of both BIM and GIS and defines the effort that exists within the buildingSMART alliance™ (bSa) to bring these technologies together to maximize the value of both.