The AEC world is far from the most innovative, efficient, or digitalized sector. It often appears slow to change, struggling to fully integrate new technologies, methods, and operational philosophies.
When we think about BIM, a paradox immediately arises: its first theoretical foundations date back to the 1970s, the first software appeared in the 1980s, and its adoption began in the early 2000s in the United States. Yet, even today, we find ourselves in a context that, until recently, was marked by regulatory gaps and that today, conversely, is often characterized by overlaps and confusion.
Many companies adopt tools like Revit, Archicad, and similar solutions, but the question remains: are they truly implementing BIM, or are these software programs being used as advanced “super CADs”?
Has BIM genuinely entered corporate processes and the operational DNA of companies, or does it remain merely an advanced tool in the hands of experienced designers?
The real problem in the AEC sector: information exchange
One of the main sources of waste and lost value in the construction sector concerns the difficulty of Information Exchange — that is, the transfer of information between the various stakeholders involved.
Communication within the construction process is often complex and clogged. Numerous academic papers and economic reports highlight that waste related to lost information and communication inefficiencies can reach up to 30% of the total time spent on completing a project.
The main causes are multiple: delays in accessing data, slow communication, but above all, the ambiguity of information status. Is this the latest version? Has it been verified? Has it been approved by the responsible party?
All these dynamics generate rework, delays, construction errors, and, in short, waste.
Why the “I” in information is the true revolution of BIM
If BIM introduces a revolution, it does so starting with its central letter: the “I” in Information
The goal of BIM is not simply to produce more advanced 3D models, but to manage information. Regulatory reflection, starting with BS 1192 and later integrated into ISO 19650, aims precisely to standardize information exchange and define operational guidelines for a shared method.
It is therefore essential to examine the process that governs the production and circulation of information: clear approval workflows are needed, structured methods for external exchange, and truly effective archiving systems.
The role of the Common Data Environment (CDE)
In this context, the need for a Common Data Environment (CDE) — a centralized platform for storing and exchanging project information — becomes increasingly clear.
A CDE is organized into four main areas: Work in Progress, Shared, Published, and Archive. It also introduces a fundamental concept: information status, meaning the degree of reliability and validation of the data.
Standards and corporate processes: why a tailored solution is needed
Even though ISO 19650 and UNI 11337 are highly useful for information management, each company has its own internal practices and specific needs.
Many market software solutions, to simplify complexity, adopt extremely basic structures. They often function as simple data repositories, similar to Dropbox or Google Drive folders.
But as complexity grows, it becomes necessary to implement a strong yet flexible process.
Our vision is a tailor-made approach: a system designed together with the client, perfectly aligned with the organization’s actual processes.
ED BIM is not just a CDE, but a digital collaborator built for your company. Experience with Artificial Intelligence allows rapid development of custom software solutions.
AI assistants dedicated to different construction phases
Another complexity concerns the placement of information within the construction process.
Based on operational experience and international standards, we have identified nine fundamental macro-areas, from initial briefing to facility management.
Each phase is paired with a dedicated AI assistant. This approach mitigates typical Large Language Model limitations, such as response volatility, because each assistant is specialized in a specific area and can be trained more effectively.
Towards intelligent control of information flows
ED BIM addresses the growing need for analysis and control of information flows in a construction market whose complexity is constantly increasing.
Managing information in a structured way is no longer optional; it is a strategic necessity to reduce waste, improve collaboration, and make BIM a real process — not just a tool.