Bridging the Gap with BIM and Openings Studio™

From Concept to Continuity: Starting the Digital Journey

In our previous article, we explored the importance of the Golden Thread—a continuous line of digital information that supports safety, compliance, and accountability in the built environment.

But how do you actually create and maintain that thread across a project’s lifecycle?

The answer lies in combining Building Information Modelling (BIM) with tools like Openings Studio^™ from ASSA ABLOY.

What Is BIM?

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is more than just 3D models—it’s a collaborative process for creating and managing information across the entire lifecycle of a building.

BIM enables:

Shared digital representations of physical and functional characteristics
Early-stage coordination between disciplines
Enhanced decision-making during design, construction, and maintenance

With BIM, you're not just designing a building—you're creating a digital twin that evolves with the real-world asset.

The Risks of Going Without

Without BIM, key information is often:

Lost between project phases
Stored in disconnected spreadsheets or documents
Miscommunicated between designers, contractors, and facility managers

This leads to increased rework, compliance issues, and long-term risk—especially for safety-critical assets like doors.

Enter Openings Studio^™

Openings Studio^™ is ASSA ABLOY’s powerful BIM software add-in, built specifically to manage door and hardware information.

It works seamlessly with platforms like Revit to:

Generate fully detailed, accurate door schedules
Visualise doors and hardware in the 3D model
Coordinate with architectural intent and security requirements
Ensure compliance with regulations and specifications

Whether you're a specifier selecting products, a contractor installing them, or an FM managing them, Openings Studio^™ helps deliver the right solution—digitally, clearly, and on time.

Real-World Benefits

By integrating Openings Studio^™ into your BIM workflow, you gain:

Early-stage visualisation – See how door sets interact with walls, escape routes, and other critical zones.
Reduced errors – With automated checks and validated data, mistakes are caught before they become costly.
Time savings – Automatic scheduling replaces manual documentation.
Consistency – Every stakeholder sees the same, current information.
Seamless updates – Design changes sync in real time, keeping records accurate throughout the build.

Building the Golden Thread—From the Start

Openings Studio^™ helps form the foundation of the Golden Thread by capturing accurate data from day one—and keeping it usable long after handover.

In the next blog, we’ll show how this digital thread continues into the operational phase of a building, using RFID tagging and mobile tools to track, inspect, and maintain doors throughout their lifecycle.

The Digital Asset Management Series

What is the Golden Thread and Why it Matters More Than Ever
Read more
Bridging the Gap with BIM and Openings Studio^™
Read more
From Design to Maintenance: RFID and the Future of Digital Asset Management
Read more