Has anyone else just about “had it” with IWMS vendors and proponents?  IWMS is little more than the facility management version of an ERP system, and many/most of us know how well ERP turned out.

There isn’t a single IWMS vendor that handles each knowledge domain of facility life-cycle management well.  The reason is obvious, no single IWMS vendor can possibly have true expertise, at a granular level, as well as demonstrated robust business process acumen/capability across all competencies associated with life-cycle management of the built environment.

Now comes the basic question… do I … as a facility Owner… decide to perform a mediocre job in certain “critical areas” of facility management and thus select and IWMS system… or do I attempt to integrate “best-in-class” technology solutions from each knowledge domain?

Luckily the decision is being made for us… though some of us may not be aware of this fact.   BIM is the “life-cycle management of the built environment supported by digital technology”.  Forget the current pervasive and silly focus upon 3D visualization for a second, but instead concentrate on BIM as collaborative, transparent, standard-based integration of best business practices, information, and decision support.

Cloud computing is transforming the very fabric of how we all conduct business on a daily basis.  Current  “monolithic” and or “patchwork” systems are disappearing, and being replaced by granular “plug-ins”, linked via standard cloud computing rules that perform functions exactly as the Owner and associated Stakeholders desire…and further more can be continuously improved without major delay or investment.

IWMS vs. BIM?   There wasn’t even a skirmish.  IWMS never even made it to the battlefield.

Focus today is, as it should be, upon collaborative efficient construction delivery methods supported by technology.  Integrated Project Delivery (IPD), Job Order Contracting (JOC), and Public Private Partnership (PPP) are examples of these “project delivery methods of the future”, being practice today by savvy Owners, Contractors, Sub-contractors, AE’s, and oversight groups as we speak.