Open formats vs vendor lock-in. Two approaches to sharing information. openBIM relies on open, vendor-neutral formats - IFC, BCF, IDS - so every party can work in the software they choose and the information is never locked to one vendor. closedBIM assumes everyone works in the same ecosystem ("everyone on Revit"), which simplifies day-to-day coordination but creates vendor lock-in and complicates long-term handover.

Public projects increasingly require openBIM deliverables.