YES, to login to POWERBIM, it is necessary to have an Autodesk account (it is created for free at autodesk.com) and the user accessing it must have access permissions to the Hub and POWERBIM projects.

The list of files supported for display loading in POWERBIM is very extensive, all the files allowed by the Autodesk Platform Services system that you can view at this link: https://aps.autodesk.com/en/docs/model-derivative/ v2/developers_guide/supported-translations/

Although it is true that for the generation of analytical data reports with Power BI, it makes more sense to use BIM file formats and not so much 3D (rvt, ifc, dwfx, nwd, nwc, dwg that comes from BIM software).

In addition, in POWERBIM we can connect all types of files (PDF, Image, videos, etc.) to a set of grouped objects (assets) interactively, so we can generate a complete inventory and assign documentation to it.

POWERBIM has a complete GIS environment to which we can integrate layers of GIS information and layers of 3D information and data, including real-time data. First of all we can draw a 3d shape in an area within the GIS environment and relate a BIM model to it in order to be able to manage multiple assets in an area, other integrations are possible and available in the implementation process.

On the one hand POWERBIM connects to the Autodesk Construction Cloud, therefore the BIM models and documentation to which they integrate start from the Autodesk environment. On the other hand, the data layer remains in a space assigned to the client in a cloud environment installed on European servers, and the client has full control of this data in the form of Power BI reports. 

In the part of integration of data systems external to BIM, we can adapt to the needs of the client, being able to integrate with our own servers or created according to the needs. 

With POWERBIM we have been doing all kinds of integrations to systems for more than 4 years, today we can integrate to asset management systems such as BMS, EMS, CMMS, IWMS, Scada, IoT systems, ERP, Simulators and other software. Ideally, the platforms to which to integrate have an API based on web services, if not, we can make custom integrations.

POWERBIM has its own IoT infrastructure so that from the IoT panel we can create systems, create virtual devices and variables, we can even configure limit values for each of the variables. On the other hand, we need a connectivity protocol with real IoT systems (hardware). Once these devices are integrated into our infrastructure, they can be used in all client projects for multiple analytical and management functions.

Dimensions is a way of explaining typical use cases when using BIM methodology. In POWERBIM, the dimensions serve to organize the different functionalities based on the BIM dimensions, each dimension serves a purpose and is a specialty in itself:

1D – Functions of auditing databases and review of BIM models

2D – Document management functions, images, linked files

3D – Functions of 3D visualization, coordination, federation of models

4D – Project timeline management functions

5D – Management functions of measurements, budgets, sales associated with a project

6D – Own asset management and digital twin functions, when connecting with the physical entity to perform real-time or simulated data simulations and other asset management functionalities

POWERBIM allows integration with a multitude of software, including people simulation software, energy simulations, sensors, predictive analysis… POWERBIM acts as a catalyst for information and provides the data analytics layer in combination with the BIM structure and allows those data to be visualized data on the model with various visualization techniques (heat maps, cards, color groups, etc.) or on Power BI data reports interactive with the model.

POWERBIM has several stages in the contracting life cycle, designed to offer the client a quick demonstration of its operation adapted to their needs through the pilot project (the first step to start using POWERBIM), so that once the project is completed pilot, users will be able to opt for a subscription plan with those functionalities and integrations developed in the pilot project.

The cost of the pilot project is very competitive and lasts a short time (between 2 and 3 months generally). The annual subscription cost depends on the number of users that will have the editor role (€75/month) and a price per hour of data consumption once the quota included in the subscription has been exceeded (10h per month per editor user).

The great advantage of the POWERBIM subscription is that it can be used for unlimited projects (all those allowed by Autodesk Construction Cloud) and unlimited users (all those previously registered in Autodesk Construction Cloud).

*POWERBIM subscription does not include the consumption of technical support hours.

For each contracted editor user, POWERBIM allocates 10 hours per month of POWERBIM data usage for any user that has access permissions (including guest users). We have verified that an average company, which has 5 editor users, will have 50h/month of data usage assigned, which is more than enough time for the usual data management tasks in POWERBIM.

Once the quota of hours is exceeded, the administrator can purchase credits to obtain more hours of use, or wait for the following month for the credits to be recharged.

Also say that the credits that are not used in a month, accumulate for the following month, up to a limit of 200 hours.

At the moment, due to the fact that the use of POWERBIM is a pay-per-use SaaS system, it is not possible to offer free demos due to the cost involved. But we are working on a functional package that implies the possibility of offering a reduced version as a test.

We encourage interested users to request the live demo in an online meeting with our technical team and learn about the advantages of a pilot project adapted in scope and budget to suit companies in the AECO sector of any discipline or stage of the project.