Former Turner & Townsend principal consultant Tom Oulton (pictured above) has joined BIM start-up Operance as digital transformation lead.
Oulton is chair of both Constructing Excellence digital group and Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber. He also sits on the steering group of thinkBIM.
In his new role, he will guide clients through the process of creating an easy-to-manage virtual estate to improve the safety and efficiency of their buildings.
Operance’s software defines, coordinates and audits building operations and maintenance information via its Coordinate web application during the design development and construction stage.
It then provides end-users with detail in real time via the Operate mobile app post-handover, ensuring risks and facilities management operations are managed through the full lifecycle of buildings.
Operance is set to be launched to the market early next year, having recently secured a £250,000 grant from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund – Mercia Equity Finance (https://www.bimplus.co.uk/news/bimsense-secures-250k-northern-powerhouse-funding/).
Oulton said: “To me, this genuinely is a game-changer,” he said. “There isn’t anything out there that does what Operance does, in the way it does it. There are software packages that address some aspects of digital estate management, but nothing that brings it all together on one platform that is easily accessible on the user’s phone.
“Operance will take information from cradle to grave and bring together whole life data management for the built environment. Crucially, it will benefit those that need it most, including housing associations, schools and hospitals. That’s why I believe this is the perfect move for me.”
Scott Pilgrim, Operance chief product officer, said: “His industry knowledge, vision, leadership and commitment to the successful implementation of digital estate initiatives make him stand out among the construction community. His appointment will be of great benefit to clients aiming to extract greater value from their estates.”
