Graphisoft's BIM server for ArchiCAD has brought some fantastic features to the table, as does BIMserver.org (open source). Rather than dwell on what we don't like about them, I figure it would be better to make a list of what we would like in a BIM server (& to manage all of our building information modeling data). Feel free to add to the list:
- Web-based. Everything is moving to the clouds these days, a good BIM server would have to be web-based.
- Cross platform, it can't just support Revit or ArchiCAD it needs to support all the major systems. Whether this be via IFC or preferably some sort of built-in converters.
- Have a web-based viewer - it would be great to have a 3D preview of the building within the system, where you could turn different layers or users info on & off. This should not need the download of a clunky plugin.
- Built in communication platform, preferably real time, along the lines of Autodesk bluestreak or bimlet.com
- Revisions saving, and back saving. This would be handy to check who said what and as a safe guard.
- Last but not least; an API! This allows everyone to build on top of it.
