Challenging electronic procurement in the AEC sector: A BIM-based integrated perspective

The AEC sector has been lagging behind other sectors in the adoption of e-procurement. Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the way companies in the AEC sector are working, providing new processes for collaboration. This paper describes how the BIM combined with the Model-Driven Architecture, Service-Oriented Architecture, and Cloud Computing may challenge e-procurement in the AEC sector. It presents the application of the SOA4BIM Framework in the context of electronic procurement and describes an industrial research case study for validation of the proposed approach in the conception and design phases of building/construction projects. ► Unstructured nature of procurement process hinders adoption of electronic procurement in the AEC sector. ► Building Information Model approach can contribute to overcome unstructureness. ► – SOA4BIM architecture can provide flexibility. ► Electronic procurement, within the design phase of building projects with an architecture based on MDA, SOA, Cloud Computing combined with the BIM approach, proves to be effective.