To properly use BIM for all stages of the construction lifecycle, high-performance software that integrates 3D modeling with vast construction data is essential. Globally, the BIM software market is dominated by major corporations. Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Dassault Systems, Nemetschek Group, and Trimble have nearly monopolized BIM software and related technologies. In the case of the Yangpyeong–Icheon Expressway Section 4, Autodesk products such as ‘Civil 3D’ for earthworks, drainage and pavement modeling, and ‘Revit’ for bridge, tunnel, and structure modeling were used. The domestic market share of these two software products is estimated at 80-90%. Additionally, Trimble’s ‘VICO OFFICE’ was used as an integrated management program to handle schedule and progress payment. Unfortunately, all of these are foreign software.

Professor Jin Sang-yoon of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University pointed out, "As specific foreign products dominate the domestic BIM software market, prices are rising, but the quality of service is not improving."
He further stated, "Just as imported cars are modified to comply with domestic regulations before being brought into the country, global software companies also need to develop services that can enhance the BIM competitiveness of domestic firms." Domestic companies are also actively engaged in developing a variety of BIM software, including native authoring tools, add-ins, third-party applications, and collaboration systems.

Midas IT, the leading domestic company in structural analysis and design solutions, launched its native BIM solution, 'Midas CIM,' in December 2020 under the banner of "technological independence for engineering in Korea." Midas IT holds a market share of over 95% in the domestic structural analysis and design solution market. Midas CIM is rapidly gaining traction in a short period because it is interoperable with the civil structural analysis software, Midas Civil, and provides an LOD (Level of Detail) of 350 or higher, which enables detailed quantity take-offs. The solution has been used for various domestic and international BIM projects, including the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link Project in India for modeling, interference checking, and construction quantity take-off as well as domestic projects such as Daesan–Dangjin Expressway Section 4, Incheon New Port, Honam High-speed Railway Stage 2, Section 2 for various purposes.

"Notably, the company leveraged the strengths of a domestic business, such as immediately incorporating customer demands—especially in earthworks and by enhancing the analysis interoperability with Midas Civil—leading to four version upgrades within approximately one year of its launch. A representative from Midas IT stated, "CIM is a turning point for Midas as it expands its scope from structural analysis and calculation to design, construction, and maintenance." While Midas IT is a native IT company excelling in the civil engineering sector such as roads, Changsoft I&I's 'BuilderHub' is drawing attention in architectural construction."

Changsoft I&I successfully commercialized the first domestically developed 3D BIM core technology in the domestic architectural BIM solution market, which had previously been 100% dependent on foreign technology. The company is considered to have elevated the productivity, accuracy, and completeness of architectural design through its world-leading 3D digital detailed design automation technology. Changsoft is expanding its service areas to cover formwork, finishes, and facilities(MEP—Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing), etc, in addition to its structural construction BIM solution(BuilderHub-Q), which even incorporates the work style of site foremen as an option.

Furthermore, other domestic companies, such as Hanmac Engineering, a pioneer in domestic BIM development; Koryo Software, which developed KaceBIM, a domestic BIM platform specialized in infrastructure; and Hangil IT, which has its own civil engineering BIM solution, Apier, are all striving for technological independence.

Source: e-Daehan Gyeongje, Reporter Kim Tae Hyung
(translated from Korean article)