Bim and Erp: Finding Similarities on Two Distinct Concepts

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is an emerging paradigm on the AEC/FM (Architecture, Engineering and Construction/Facilities Management) field specially focused on the technical aspects of the design of a building. BIM enabled tools are mainly used by architects and engineers. On the other hand, ERP systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) are a more mature technology whose use is widespread in many industries, including Construction. Although ERP origins are linked to the planning of manufacturing processes encompassing both MRP (Materials Requirement Planning) and MRP II (Manufacturing Resource Planning) systems, its great success is due to the integration of accounting, financial management and analysis modules to other administrative areas of a corporation as well as to production-related ones. Its prototypical user is the executive officer. Therefore, its focus is not technical, but on management. It is clear that ERP and BIM are two different concepts with distinct functions. Even so, they both are software systems with a broad scope on the organization. The goal of this work is to comparatively analyze these systems to identify their similarities and differences, trying to learn strategies for BIM to overcome possible unidentified barriers it may face on the AEC industry based on the path ERP systems previously followed. The facets analyzed here include their history, system architecture, integrated knowledge, data and component integration, interoperability and customization, among others. New opportunities for further integration of technical information from BIM with the management information of ERP systems exist and may lead to discovery of new knowledge in the realm of AEC enterprises.