Existing Conditions Sponsors FMForward Deep Dive

At IFMA Boston’s FMForward Deep Dive, Existing Conditions and GPRS explored how digital documentation tools like 3D laser scanning, BIM, and SiteMap^® are transforming facilities management. Presentations covered various topics, from enhancing facility assessments and streamlining data retrieval to integrating 3D BIM and 2D CAD with FM systems, all aimed at improving decision-making, efficiency, and long-term planning for FM teams.

Start Accurate, Stay Accurate: Laser Scanning and BIM

Philip Smith, Technology Solutions Lead at Existing Conditions, stressed the importance of precise as-built documentation. Smith emphasized how accurate data reduces inefficiencies, lowers costs, and improves decision-making. A live poll confirmed that “inconsistent updates” remain a top challenge for FM teams.

This session set the stage for a deeper exploration of how reality capture technology and 3D BIM integration can enhance facilities management. The following presentations further illustrate these innovations and their impact on FM teams.

Left to right: Smith, IFMA Boston Board Members Ashley White and Andrew DelPrete, during the NavVis IVION virtual site visit tour of Babson College at FMForward Deep Dive.

Dexter Southfield Case Study: A 3D Revit Model for Digital FM

LLB Architects and their former Facility Assessment Director Neal Bijlani, who now leads Pragmaticam, worked to replace the traditional “facilities audit” at Dexter Southfield Preparatory School with a dynamic, continuously updateable database available for regular inquiry. This project encompassed having Existing Conditions 3D laser scan 15 buildings and approximately 380,000 square feet for a space inventory and facility condition assessment.

“The great baseline of accurate 3D laser scan data that Existing Conditions provides – we only want to layer more onto that to make it a robust service for FMs,” said Bijlani.

Bijlani emphasized how institutions seek reliable, democratized access to data:

“What we’re attempting to do is create a list of reliable takeoff information, and that’s why we love partnering with Existing Conditions.”

3D Revit and 3D point cloud of the Clay Center at Dexter Southfield Preparatory School, which was presented at FMForward Deep Dive.

Enno Fritsch, Principal at LLB Architects, emphasized the value of 3D BIM, noting that contractors and owners can benefit from the 3D Revit model by enabling space planning, coordination drawings, and as-builts through a single process.

SiteMap^®: The Future of FM Documentation

Matt Mikolajczyk, Market Segment Leader for SiteMap^®  at GPRS, demonstrated how SiteMap^®(patent pending) enhances facility documentation retrieval.

“You click a link, and it launches a virtual tour with no special software required,” explained Mikolajczyk.

Mikolajczyk explained how Existing Conditions provides line-of-sight, while at GPRS, we’re using tools like GPR, electromagnetic induction, and others to see what is below the surface. GPRS can add that layer of context to create a full 360-degree above and below-ground 3D model that can be used for planning and site collaboration throughout a facility’s life cycle.

Drone Technology

Smith led a presentation on the role of drones in facilities management. He covered the different types of drones, the data they capture, and their benefits for building façade evaluations and master planning. Smith explained how automated flight paths ensure comprehensive image capture and how the RTK module enhances accuracy.

This technology enables facilities teams to capture high-resolution imagery efficiently, supporting accurate assessments and informed decision-making for long-term maintenance and planning.

FM System Integration & Plan Room Digitization

Smith discussed integrating BIM and CAD data into FM systems, ensuring a single source of truth for project teams.

He mentioned how Williams College used our 3D Revit models for a campus-wide accessibility study – tracking data in Revit, exporting it to CSV, and ensuring remote access during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The session also covered best practices for digitizing legacy documents and centralizing records, ensuring teams can efficiently access and update critical information. Mikolajczyk presented SiteMap’s capabilities for streamlined facility documentation, emphasizing its user-friendly design:

“We focused on simplicity because we really want the whole team to contribute,” said Mikolajczyk.

Rhett Teller, Market Segment Leader for Facilities at GPRS shared a case study from the University of Toledo, illustrating the impact of comprehensive utility locating and digitization. The discussion reinforced the importance of data ownership and accessibility: “Who owns this data?” The answer is you – you have a single source of truth for your building documentation.

Driving Facilities Management Forward

FMForward Deep Dive highlighted how reality capture technology and digital documentation enhance facilities management. Through expert insights and the Dexter Southfield case study, we showcased how 3D laser scanning, 3D BIM, and SiteMap^® equip FM teams with accurate data for smarter decision-making. As technology evolves, Existing Conditions, now part of GPRS, remains dedicated to delivering high-quality information to keep facilities teams ahead in a data-driven industry.

Read more about FMForward Deep Dive 2024 on IFMA Boston here.

Read more about FMForward Deep Dive 2024 on the New England Real Estate Journal here.