hashtagBIM

In an architecture office, a project's specifications (which walls, doors, windows or slabs are used, and with which technical parameters) usually live scattered across spreadsheets, documents and the model in the design software. When someone changes something, the other sources fall behind.

For BIMUtils we built hashtagBIM: a SaaS platform that keeps the company's specification library in one place and links it directly to the model in the architecture software.

The specification library#

Building elements are organised as a tree, with their technical parameters, values inherited down the levels, classifications and units. Each project picks its elements from the library, with its own codes and values, and changes made by any team member reach everyone at once.

The model and the platform talk directly#

We also built the server side of the plug-ins for architecture software. The model in the design program is linked to its project on the platform and updated on demand or live, so specifications never go stale: there is one source of truth.

The project covers:

• the web app, on desktop and on phones;
• the API and real-time communication;
• plug-ins for architecture software;
• several workspaces per company, with roles and access rights;
• sharing with outside collaborators;
• an audit journal and exports;
• single sign-on and per-seat licensing.

How it connects to the other BIMUtils products#

hashtagBIM is part of an ecosystem we built for BIMUtils:

• people use the same account for every product, through BIMUtils ID;
• each organisation's rights (how many seats, which edition, for what period) come automatically from BIMUtils Licence Manager, and the platform sends back its daily usage.