How to Extend BIM Across Supply Chain with Geometrid

How to Extend Your BIM across Supply Chain with Geometrid

Breathing New Life Into Your Models

Your BIM models contain valuable information that's often trapped in technical systems. With Geometrid, you can open these models to everyone in your supply chain—from factory workers to site supervisors to executives—regardless of their technical expertise.

The goal is simple: enable teams that aren't BIM specialists to easily track and organize their work through a visual interface. When your models are accessible to everyone, you transform static designs into living, collaborative tools.

Three Keys to Success

1. Identify Each Asset

Ensure each trackable element has a unique identifier. This simple step creates the foundation for tracking throughout your project and optionally enables QR code or RFID tag implementation.

While Geometrid supports batch tracking (multiple elements sharing the same identifier), unique naming provides maximum granularity and accuracy in progress tracking. For critical components where precise status updates matter, individual identification is strongly recommended.

Success Tip: If you already have a naming convention, check that it distinguishes individual elements. If not, consider adding simple sequential numbers or location indicators to create unique identifiers.

2. Keep Models Simple

Include only what needs tracking and optimize geometry for performance where possible. Small components are typically part of larger assemblies and can be excluded without affecting tracking accuracy.

Simplified geometry dramatically improves performance while maintaining all tracking functionality. You don't need fully detailed models—just enough visual information to identify elements in the field.

Success Tip: Your field teams will appreciate lean models that focus only on what they need to keep track of for successful delivery. Better performance means easier adoption and more effective use.

3. Include Relevant Context

Include model properties that help teams quickly find what they need. Instead of exporting all model data, focus on practical information like location, component types, and construction phases that answer field questions.

Selective property inclusion creates powerful filtering capabilities without overwhelming users with technical data they'll never use. This targeted approach helps each team member quickly find the information relevant to their role.

Success Tip: Collaborate with project teams to identify the critical information needed for effective tracking and monitoring in their daily workflows. Otherwise, noise will stand in their way.

Why Lean BIM Matters

When your BIM models are optimized for Geometrid, you transform technical design data into a powerful tracking tool accessible to everyone in your supply chain.

• Universal accessibility: Team members with zero BIM experience can track elements
• Focused visibility: Each role sees only what's relevant to their specific tasks
• Responsive performance: Simplified models load quickly on any device, including mobile
• Granular tracking: Unique identifiers enable precise status updates throughout the supply chain
• Collaborative workflows: Field teams collaborate directly through the model interface
• Real-time intelligence: Decision-makers access current progress data without manual reports

Properly configured models enable real-time progress monitoring, reduce miscommunication, and create unprecedented visibility across factory, shipping, and site operations—all without requiring team members to learn complex BIM software.

Remember Your Impact

By simplifying your models for field use, you're breaking down barriers between design and construction teams. Your work creates a visual communication platform that connects every stakeholder regardless of technical expertise, such as:

• Factory workers tracking fabrication
• Site teams monitoring installation
• Project managers planning execution
• Executives reviewing progress
• And others across factories, warehouses, offices, and sites

When field teams can easily understand and update element status, you'll see faster decision-making, reduced delays, and more accurate reporting throughout your building lifecycle. As we like to say at Geometrid:

Cabbage in, cabbage out.

The thoughtfulness you put into preparing your models directly determines the value your entire team harvests from them.

Quick Start Guides on Your Preferred Software

Making your existing models work with Geometrid takes just minutes:

• Revit Quick Start Guide
• Rhino Quick Start Guide
• ArchiCAD Quick Start Guide
• Tekla Quick Start Guide
• SketchUp Quick Start Guide