Databases vs Spreadsheets: What to consider for asset data and document collection

Managing asset data in Excel can only take you so far. So, what does your team actually need to stay on track?

Between unauditable, complex datasets and incorrect asset mapping, spreadsheets just weren’t made for asset data collection. (We wrote a whole blog about meeting a COBie deliverable using Excel vs a database). This post from 365 DataScience digs further into the fundamental differences between spreadsheets and databases.

Go beyond spreadsheets to manage your asset data

To successfully manage your project and deliver asset data, you need more than an Excel spreadsheet.

A tool for asset data and document collection lets you:

1. Collaborate easily and effectively

Spreadsheets aren’t built for collaboration, but asset data tools are. Instead of juggling data mapping from Revit, manually keying in missing information, and links to documents, manage your projects from a single source of truth. Asset data tools keep all data connected in a central location with a full audit trail of the information retained.

2. Easily see and understand your asset data

Without a dashboard to visually view all your project information, it’s hard to know the status of your project or identify issues quickly. With a more powerful data asset management tool, you can easily view and compare information that is typically scattered across multiple drawings and spreadsheets.

3. Visually explore data quality

If you’re managing data in spreadsheets, you may also spend a lot of time manually auditing the dataset. Unlike Excel, asset data tools automatically detect and highlight data quality issues; constrain inputs; instantly check your datasets for accuracy, completeness, and validity – and help you address issues as needed.

4. Deliver data digitally to the owner

Excel provides a familiar interface, but its workflow is laborious. A database approach results in robust data linked to related assets, viewable in both 2D and 3D, that is ready for transfer to the owner and facility management and operations teams at handover.

Easily collect asset data and documentation with BIMFMi

BIMFMi is an asset data management tool that makes it easy to collect and collate asset data during construction. Instead of organizing and updating spreadsheets, improve project quality with a single source of truth. No advanced Excel or BIM skills required.

Manage, collect, and take ownership of your asset data.