ArcGIS GeoBIM Brings Spatial Context to AEC Operations

Esri has released ArcGIS GeoBIM to expand the ability for BIM teams to benefit from GIS. This is the latest step in the partnership between the global leader in location intelligence and Autodesk. The two companies have consistently produced new technology integrating the power of mapping into the BIM process since they first joined forces in 2017.

Global construction challenges, from affordable housing availability to infrastructure stress as a result of climate change, have increased in recent years. As a result, governments and commercial organizations will need to invest trillions of dollars in the next decade in mitigation and recovery processes. By adopting building information modelling (BIM) and geographic information system (GIS) technology, the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry improved construction, design and operations efficiency.

Geospatial context for AEC professionals

ArcGIS GeoBIM provides an innovative, easy-to-use web-based experience for AEC teams to explore and collaborate using data from multiple systems in a geospatial context. ArcGIS GeoBIM connects to Autodesk BIM Collaborate Pro, a cloud-based design collaboration, coordination and model coauthoring software built on the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

“With many global initiatives under way to improve construction, design and planning practices, it is critical that today’s AEC professionals can collaborate together with a common view of assets in a geospatial context,” said Jack Dangermond, Esri founder and president. “The ability to operate without siloed data provides AEC professionals with the flexibility they need to work together and meet the challenges of building in the future on an unprecedented scale.”

ArcGIS GeoBIM will provide project leaders and stakeholders in industries like infrastructure, construction, planning, water and transportation with a common view of asset locations, costs, issues, risks and timelines throughout the project life cycle.

Bringing data and information from multiple platforms together

“Autodesk and Esri’s cloud-to-cloud connection gives our shared customers a unified experience and the information they need at their fingertips – regardless of whether it’s BIM or GIS data,” said Amy Bunszel, Autodesk executive vice president of AEC Design Solutions. “This will improve efficiency and decision-making during planning, construction and operations. Ultimately, our collaboration will help enable the industry to deliver more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.”

AEC team members can track design, coordination, quality, safety and commissioning issues by linking data from Autodesk BIM Collaborate with ArcGIS GeoBIM.

“What we need is a single, authoritative source of truth access point for everyone on our team, a way to bring data and information together that originates from multiple formats,” said Darin Welch, HNTB associate vice president and national geospatial and virtual engagement manager. “Esri’s ArcGIS GeoBIM connection to the Autodesk Construction Cloud combines survey, design and planning workflows that offer a blended BIM-GIS data experience that equips our team with more informed decision-making.”