KUALA LUMPUR: Nova MSC Bhd (NMB) subsidiary novaCITYNETS has recently been awarded a project to develop a localised industry foundation class (IFC) information model by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority (BCA).
Group chief executive officer Lai Teik Kin said the company is thrilled with this project award, which enables it to cement its position by developing the IFC data model for the IFC-SG, where localisation is needed to capture the information that is unique to Singapore.
"We applaud the initiative by Singapore government for pushing ahead the adoption of IFC-building information modelling (BIM) models," Lai said in a statement today.
IFC is a platform-neutral and open file format specifications for data exchange in the construction industry.
The IFC data model was developed and maintained by buildingSMART International since the 1990s.
Its main objective is to provide a universal open digital data-sharing standards to improve the communication, productivity, delivery time, cost and quality of buildings.
BIM technology is an accurate virtual model of a building that is digitally constructed.
It helps architects, engineers, and construction players to visualise what is to be built in a simulated environment to identify any potential design, construction, or operational issues.
"This development augurs well with our flagship product – FORNAX ePlanCheck, which is the world's first artificial intelligence (AI) automated building plan checking software.
"This cloud-based solution could automate the BIM data validation process to ensure that the IFC output from other BIM authoring tools is IFC-SG complaint," Lai added.
FORNAX ePlanCheck system will cut down the time taken by the manual review of building plans currently, from weeks to merely hours.
With the FORNAX ePlanCheck offered in a pay-per-use model, it is not only attractive for adoption among companies and government as it lowers costs, but it will also create a sustainable recurring income stream for the company.
"Being the frontrunner of this AI software and backed by our track record in Singapore, we are also eyeing other countries for the adoption of this solution.
"This cloud-driven business model eliminates the travelling barriers by the Covid-19 pandemic, and supports the digital transformation agenda by the other governments," Lai said.