At IFMA Boston’s FMForward Deep Dive, Existing Conditions and GPRS explored how advanced digital documentation technologies like 3D laser scanning, BIM, and SiteMapare revolutionizing facilities management (FM). Sessions addressed how integrating high-accuracy data into FM workflows enhances assessments, streamlines data access, and improves decision-making for long-term operational efficiency.

Start Accurate, Stay Accurate: Laser Scanning and BIM

Philip Smith, Technology Solutions Lead at Existing Conditions, underscored the critical role of accurate as-built documentation in reducing inefficiencies, lowering costs, and improving facility decision-making. A real-time poll confirmed that “inconsistent updates” remain one of the biggest challenges for FM teams, reinforcing the need for high-quality, continuously updated digital records.

This session set the foundation for a deeper analysis of how reality capture technology and 3D BIM modeling integration enhance facility operations, with subsequent presentations illustrating real-world applications

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 Data-Driven Approach to FM

LLB Architects, in collaboration with Neal Bijlani, Facility Assessment Director at the time and now leading Pragmaticam, redefined traditional facility audits at Dexter Southfield Preparatory School. The project leveraged Existing Conditions' 3D laser scanning of 15 buildings – encompassing approximately 380,000 square feet to create a high-fidelity 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 the growing demand for accessible, standardized facility 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, presented at FMForward Deep Dive.

Enno Fritsch, Principal at LLB Architects, reinforced the value of 3D BIM modeling in FM workflows, highlighting its role in contractor and owner coordination, space planning, and as-built documentation through a unified model.

SiteMap^®: Next-Generation Facility Documentation

Matt Mikolajczyk, Market Segment Leader for SiteMap^®(patent pending) at GPRS, demonstrated how this GIS software simplifies facility documentation and data retrieval.

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

Mikolajczyk detailed how Existing Conditions provides above-ground situational awareness, while GPRS leverages ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic induction, and other subsurface mapping tools to offer a complete above- and below-ground 3D model. This integrated data enables seamless planning and collaboration across a facility’s lifecycle.

Drone Technology in Facilities Management

Philip Smith examined the expanding role of drone technology in FM, discussing various drone types, data acquisition methods, and their applications in façade evaluations, site documentation, and master planning.

He detailed how automated flight paths provide consistent imagery, while RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) modules enhance data accuracy. These advancements provide FM teams with precise, high-resolution aerial data, facilitating better assessments and long-term planning.

FM System Integration & Plan Room Digitization

Smith also covered the integration of 3D BIM and 2D CAD data into FM platforms, ensuring a centralized and continuously updated source of truth for facility teams.

A case study from Williams College demonstrated how 3D Revit models supported an accessibility study, allowing teams to track data in Revit, export it to CSV, and maintain remote access during COVID-19 restrictions.

Mikolajczyk introduced SiteMap’s intuitive document centralization capabilities, enabling seamless digital record management:

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

Additionally, Rhett Teller, Market Segment Leader for Facilities at GPRS, presented a University of Toledo case study that showed the importance of utility locating and digitization. A key takeaway from the discussion:

“Who owns this data? The answer is you – you have a single source of truth for your building documentation.”

Advancing Facilities Management with Reality Capture Technology

FMForward Deep Dive 2024 highlighted how reality capture technology and digital documentation are reshaping facilities management. The Dexter Southfield case study and expert insights reinforced the role of 3D laser scanning, 3D BIM, and SiteMap^® in equipping FM teams with reliable data for better decision-making.

As technology progresses, Existing Conditions, now part of GPRS, continues to lead the industry, delivering high quality as-built documentation that keep facilities professionals ahead in an increasingly data-driven environment.

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.

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