Do We Really Need to Argue? On Interoperability, Point Clouds, and Flexibility in BIM

Author: Szymon Bloch - CEO scan 3D - Digital Transformation | Digital Facility Management | Digital Twin | GPR

Introduction: Technology Should Serve People, Not the Other Way Around

Is BIM meant to be useful? Yes. Should point clouds provide reliable data? Of course. Should every company be forced to use one "true" tool? Absolutely not!

And yet, we constantly see divisions into different camps:

?? Only my scanner is precise; the rest are just toys!

?? BIM can only be done in my software; everything else is inferior!

?? A point cloud must look exactly the way I want it, or I won’t use it!

Sound familiar? The problem is that such an approach doesn’t help the industry. On the contrary—it limits possibilities instead of expanding them.

Point Clouds: Mobile or Stationary – It's a Choice, Not a Battle

Yes, the debate about "which scanner is the best" sparks emotions. But instead of arguing about brands, we should focus on choosing the right technology for the job.

The accuracy of data doesn’t depend only on the scanner’s brand, but on:

? Did we choose the right tool for the task?

? Was the data captured correctly?

? Can we effectively use it in the next stages of the project?

?? Stationary scanners – for maximum precision, details, and reference accuracy.

?? Mobile scanners – for speed, large-area documentation, and sufficient accuracy for modeling.

?? A combination of different technologies – because in practice, a mix of methods delivers the best results.

And yet, we still hear:

? “Only stationary scanning makes sense.”

? “Mobile scanners are unreliable.”

? “I don’t trust data unless it comes from my method.”

And that’s exactly the problem. The key is not what tool we use, but how well we can use it.

BIM Is Not a Religion – There’s No One True Software

Sometimes, it seems like every design office has its own sacred BIM bible and treats it as the only truth.

But in reality:

? BIM models can be created in different environments – because different companies have different needs.

? Various standards and formats can coexist – after all, we have IFC, BCF, and other data exchange solutions.

? BIM is a tool, not an end goal – its purpose is to streamline design and construction processes, not to satisfy personal beliefs.

Is it really worth rejecting a well-prepared model just because it was created in different software? No!

Should BIM be understandable and useful for end users? Yes!

Being Too Rigid with Rules Can Be a Problem, Not a Solution

Of course, standards are important—without them, there would be chaos. But...

?? Is it worth following them so strictly that it blocks progress and flexibility?

?? Should we really reject well-prepared data just because "it’s not in our preferred format"?

?? Is it better to have a "perfect" model or a usable and realistic one?

Instead of asking: “Was this BIM model created exactly the way I prefer?”, a better question would be: “Can I use it effectively?”.

Conclusion: Focus on Value, Not Just Tools

?? A point cloud is a point cloud – what matters is its quality, not the scanner’s brand.

?? BIM should help, not limit – its functionality is more important than the software used. ?? Standardization is important, but flexibility and pragmatism matter even more.

?? Let’s educate people and show them how to use tools both effectively and efficiently.

Because in the end, technology is meant for people, not the other way around. If we stop arguing about tools and start using them wisely, everyone will benefit.

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