CIDB to launch myBIM Centre in May

KUALA LUMPUR: The Construction Industry Development Board Malaysia (CIDB) expects to launch the RM2.5 million myBIM Centre in May.
“Right now we are doing the interior design. It is supposed to be completed by the second week of April. Hopefully we can move in at end of April and we can start our programme in May,” E-Construct Sdn Bhd CEO Rofizlan Ahmad told reporters at a briefing yesterday.
myBIM Centre, to be operated by E-Construct, is a one-stop centre providing resources for the use of Building Information Modelling (BIM), a technology whereby buildings are constructed digitally.
CIDB chief executive Datuk Ahmad Asri Abdul Hamid said the centre aims to promote and increase the usage of BIM in the construction industry, as part of efforts to transform the industry in line with the Construction Industry Transformation Programme (CITP) 2016-2020.
One of the four thrusts under CITP is to increase productivity via use of technology, namely BIM and Industralised Building System, and upgrading of skills, which will increase the industry’s contribution to the economy.
“We set up myBIM Centre to become a centre of reference for the industry on BIM. It will also be a training centre as we will prepare facilities to train developers, contractors, consultants and suppliers on the use of BIM.
“For those who feel that the cost of BIM hardware and software is high, they can come to the centre to use the system on a pay-per-use basis. This is one of the steps in providing a conducive ecosystem for BIM in construction industry,” said Ahmad Asri.
He said the BIM software costs about RM9,000 a year and the basic hardware costs about RM50,000. BIM users will also need to invest on training its staff to use the software.
The issues and challenges faced by CIDB in promoting the adoption of BIM include the high cost of software and hardware, lack of knowledge and competency, mindset and culture, and low emphasis on planning.