Frequently asked questions
If you can't find an answer to your question below or need tailored support, reach out to the Data Octopus team anytime. We're here to make BIM compliance easy.
Contact UsUpload your model (IFC) and the requirements (IDS), pick the checks you want, and hit run. We validate the model data against your IDS, then give you an easy-to-read pass/fail report with the exact elements and properties that need attention. Export the results, share them with your team, and re-run as your model evolves.
We offer a free trial to get you started with simple paid plans for teams that need unlimited pay as you go checks, advanced reporting and admin controls. Pricing is straightforward - no per-project limits and you only pay for what you need. Get in touch for a quote or see our Pricing.
No - upload as many files and create as many projects as you like.
Yes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest, with role-based access controls and strict retention options. Your data stays yours - we never sell it, and you can delete it at any time.
Yes. You can export reports and coming soon you will be able to share a secure link so collaborators can view results without needing your login.
Not yet. But please get in touch if you want to tell us more about your plans to scale your model checks.
Yes. All accounts start with our free demo project for you to use and help you get up to speed.
- DataOctopus is a fast, lightweight, browser-based, IDS-first workflow for fast conformance checks,
- We allow easy sharing and unlimited projects/uploads
- It is ideal for validating information requirements early and often
- It is intended to be used alongside other solutions
- There are no expensive subscriptions
- There are no complex model navigation tools to learn
- No training is needed
- Pay as you go pricing
Correctly formatted IFC (Industry Foundation Classes, typically *.ifc) and IDS (Information Delivery Specification IDS, typically *.ids) files are supported.
Data Octopus can process an IFC file against an IDS in a few minutes. No need to watch, you will receive an email when processing is complete. Compare this to manual checking which can take 4–8 hours per project with human error rates of up to 20%!
You will receive a detailed report on elements which have failed under which rules. Any errors with the IDS or IFC structure will also be reported.
Data Octopus stores all data securely. Please contact support if you would like a bulk wipe of your account.
You can compare only one IFC against one IDS at a time. Maybe in the future we will offer this if there is demand — please let us know!
A list of failed and passed elements with details of any rules. You can export this result to CSV for further processing. You can also share this result to key stakeholders with a special link.
The report will give you a steer on what needs changing.
Currently this is set to 500MB.
Unfortunately not — it is your responsibility to provide files that are of the correct structure. If there are system errors that are the fault of Data Octopus then please let us know.
Snapshots are shareable, read-only views of your IFC and IDS validation results. They allow stakeholders to review BIM compliance progress through a simple link, without needing a Data Octopus account.
Project managers, BIM coordinators, clients, and design teams all benefit from Snapshots. They provide visibility into validation status, helping stakeholders stay aligned without extra software or logins.
Yes — Snapshots are read-only, so the data cannot be changed. However, anyone with the link can access them, so we recommend not including commercially sensitive information.
You can archive Snapshots at any time, which makes them inaccessible even if someone has the link. Archived Snapshots can be restored when needed, and titles or descriptions can be edited for clarity.
No — Snapshots are designed for easy access. Anyone with the link can open and view them in a web browser, making it simple to include external partners or clients in your BIM validation workflow.
Snapshots act as progress markers. They help teams capture and share the status of validation checks at key project milestones, creating a transparent record of compliance over time.
Currently, you can create as many Snapshots as you need. Project teams often use multiple Snapshots across different phases to build an audit trail of validation progress.