Building Information Modeling and BIM Coalition

What is BIM and How can BIM Coalition Help?

BIM, which stands for Building Information Modeling, is revolutionizing our projects during the design, documentation, delivery, and construction process in the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction, (AEC) industry. If done properly, BIM has the potential of delivering a better designed, greener and environmentally friendly building both on-time and under budget with information and documentation that owners, facilities managers, and other interested parties can also leverage for the lifecycle of the building.

But how does one smoothly transition to this new process, which is arguably more about Building Information Management, as affordably as possible without causing a Building Information Migraine? That's where our experts with real world experience at BIM Coalition can assist by offering the proper vision, training, implementation and support services which can be customized to meet your needs.

A Unique Business Model at BIM Coalition

After years of experience successfully leading several firms of various sizes in their BIM quest from inside the company ranks, our visionaries founded BIM Coalition. We have taken those experiences (and the headaches and frustrations that have often accompanied them) to create a BIM training, consulting, and support business that 'gets it.' We're real people who have worked by your sides, speak your lingo, and because of this we have a much better chance at understanding how you think and operate. To help you better understand how we think we are different from other businesses - we have shared some of our philosophies below.

BIM Coalition Offers You Affordable Virtual BIM Training, Consulting and Support Services

We keep our costs affordable by keeping our company completely virtual. From computer screen sharing and remote control, to teleconferences and video conferences - we can make ourselves virtually available to you anywhere in the world.

What does this mean for you?

Ultimately a client pays for all aspects of a business (or at least a successful business) either directly through billing, or indirectly built into hour rates.

Our workforce is virtual. We work from home, meaning you don't need to pay for our fancy offices, catered lunches, or corporate retreats.

Our staff is freelance based. We get paid when we are used and you don't have to pay a built in up-charge to account for 'downtime'.

Most of our staff hasn't quit their day jobs. Meaning they are our there working for a company like yours. They don't need additional healthcare, 401k matching, or paid vacations. You have to keep that in mind when setting your fees, however we don't have to worry about it! In fact, some of them are able to even use their companies resources including software and PCs keeping our costs as low as possible. And the companies are often thrilled to have their staff engaged as it helps them develop as professional leaders which ultimately benefits their company directly!

Again, we are completely virtual. There is no need for travel, so you are not hit with travel expenses or travel time (and remember… just because you are not billed for these expenses directly - just means you are paying for them indirectly even if they are just walking 10 mins from 3 blocks away!)

This philosophy is a win-win for everyone involved, we can ask for less money out of your pocket, have less expenses to pay, and ultimately can offer our experts the money they deserve to keep them engaged with BIM Coalition.

BIM Coalition Offers you Pay-As-You Go BIM Training, Support and Consulting Services

At BIM Coalition, we believe in pay-as-you-go training and consulting services. No need to make out a big commitment check or deposit that most other consulting services require. No need to pay for all of your training in one chunk up front. Just pay for the services as you sign up for them!

We've watched some of the largest consulting companies consistently want an annual commitment from you, in a pay-up-front-use-it-or-lose-it mentality, and then all-of-a-sudden they are unable to schedule time for you for several weeks or worst yet months! And unless you are trying to beat 'Uncle Sam' in a year end tax strategy, who really wants to part with their money before they have to?

Now, of course, if you'd like to offer us a big check up front, we're certainly not going to say 'no' - but that's most likely not necessary to get the services that you need. We do however offer significant discounts to our rates for those who can commit to an entire project or contract.

We also believe in offering discounts for loyalty. For instance at BIM Coalition, we believe the person, or group of people, who are consistently signing up for additional training segments should be rewarded through pricing adjustments for their loyalty - no need to be some big corporate company to benefit!

BIM Coalition gives you access to a variety of BIM Experts with Real World Experience

Let's think about the Architectural, Engineering, Construction, and Facilities Management industry. Is there really a single individual or firm out there with expertise in all areas of this massive complex industry? Even during the days of the Master Architect - skilled laborers and tradesmen brought their expertise to the process. Today, pickup one of your contracts and count how many parties are involved. Now add to this the BIM Process with 20+ (perhaps even 100+ or 1000+) software applications to meet the needs of the entire industry and where does that leave us?

No Individual, Firm or Organization Can Claim to be a Full BIM Expert

Yes you are hearing it (hopefully not for the first time) here from BIM Coalition. A company that offers BIM training, consulting, and support services by BIM experts with real world experience. Our visionaries recognized this and made it part of our unique business model. It was so important that it became not only part of our vision, but part of our name:

Coalition: "A temporary alliance of distinct parties, persons, or states for joint action" (www.merriam-webster.com)

Don't get us wrong - your full time overhead BIM leaders should be treated as your local deities and given salaries, opportunities, and corner offices to match. But like ancient Roman and Greek mythology - several specialized gods are needed - there is no BIM Zeus (and we at BIM Coalition are not going to self-diatize).

In fact we want you to keep your BIM Leaders… We just want to borrow them when appropriate. As we've already determined.. no one company can possibly be an expert in everything - even BIM.. we leverage other professionals out there. Our vision allows your leaders to also share their knowledge allowing them and/or your firm to profit and benefit from the arrangement. If in the back of your mind you're thinking (what? why would we share our expertise isn't that our advantage?) it's time for a splash in the face of 21st century reality - the proper use of BIM and other related technologies can have profound effects on the prosperity of our industry and world too large for any one business to achieve on their own - we need each other.

Now that you know a little bit about Our Philosophy and how we are different - we hope you will explore ouR Online training and consulting services or even join our team!

News and Announcements

Welcome to BIM Coalition's Website!

June 06, 2010

REMINDER TO REGISTER for BIM: Facts, Fiction, Future where we will discuss the truth behind the implementation, legal, and insurance issues surrounding Building Information Modeling.

We will be in Buffalo on June 15, 2010 and Syracuse on June 22, 2010.

Click here for more information or to register for BIM: Facts, Fiction, Future.

May 11, 2010

We're getting ready to make some big announcements and what better ways to reach you than through Facebook?

Become a Fan of BIM Coalition today to make sure you hear all the exciting news as it is happening!

Click the image below to be taken right to our page:

April 27, 2010 (Updated June 06, 2010)

BIM Coalition is pleased to jointly present BIM: Facts, Fiction, Future where we will discuss the truth behind the implementation, legal, and insurance issues surrounding BIM and IDP.

BIM Coalition will be represented by Leigh Waterman, RA, NCARB, AIA. Our partners from the legal and insurance world will also be presenting.

We will be in Buffalo on June 15 and Syracuse on June 22.

Click here for more information or to register for BIM: Facts, Fiction, Future.

Feb 6, 2010

We've been busy helping firms around the world with their BIM Support, Training, and Consulting needs, however we found some time to update our BIM / Revit Consulting Service descriptions!

Sept 1, 2009

It's amazing to think that BIM Coalition was founded around 5 months ago. At that time, we had great ambitions of getting this website up-and-running so we could start helping the masses implement BIM properly.

It's even more amazing, after telling literally less than one hand full of you out there in the industry, that our phone lines have not stopped ringing!

Since we were setting up the business, designing our own website, and now had clients lined up.. of course we did what anyone would do in this economy - focus on what paid the immediate bills!

Well now we have expanded to the point where we no longer need to be a well kept secret by those thriving under our direction. So come one, come all - let us help you enhance your ability to leverage BIM!

So please pardon the dust.. the misspellings, and those pages that still seem kind of sparse... we're working on it!

In the meantime, other than selling you the actual software (which we think is really a conflict of interest) - we are here to meet all of your BIM training, consulting, and support needs - particularly for the Revit world!. So if you don't see what you are looking for on our site - be sure to contact us!

For those interested in our online training, our classroom is all setup and ready to go! Several class descriptions (complete with typo's!!) are available for you to browse. We hope to have the initial class dates set by mid-September with the actual classes starting in October. Keep an eye out in this column for updates! Again, if you need some specific training now.. or are really interested in a particular topic - please let our training department know!