Construction software and equipment manufacturer Trimble has joined the BuildingSMART Alliance, a group developing industry data standards for use with building information modeling.

The alliance is part of a National Institute of Building Sciences council working with governments and the private sector to improve building technologies.

Trimble officials said joining the alliance was a natural after organizing the BIM to Field alliance that has been educating the construction industry on the use of BIM on location.

“The next several years are pivotal in the future of the building construction industry,” explains Pat Bohle, general manager of Trimble’s building construction division. “With the adoption of BIM growing every year, we believe the industry needs standards to help ensure that these new technologies have the opportunity to leverage a common thread that can be utilized across the industry at every level.”