I’m wanting some clarification on the best way to share models/boq/cost code etc in realtime.
I am currently working as a consultant for a building business. We both have active licences to plus-design-build. We want to be able to share a model via a cloud-based platform (one-drive, google drive etc) We need all the model and BOQ data to be shared so that each member of our team can access and update different parts of the model.
I understand that the cost codes, vendors, pricing can be updated via .csc import/export. I’ve also noticed that new template feature but am a little uncertain of how this works? I also understand that the material library can be shared.
I guess my question is, is there a way to have all these things shared across users without constantly having to update .csv files? And can a model be shared via a cloud-based system?
What is the best methodology and/or process to make this happen
To collaborate on a model & maintain all the same results, the following info needs to be the same amongst everyone involved.
The material libraries. This is done in the Share Library Tool by sharing your library code with the others & them also sharing theirs with you. If any new materials are created by anyone you will need to sync you materials via the Sync Tool to get access to them. Note: If only one person is making changes to the geometry in the model they everyone should only need their library code.
The BOQ data. To do this the following data will need to be shared; cost codes, vendors, prices (for both materials & components), prelim items & correct template (this is to get the recipes but only get this from one person - i.e. the person with the most data is best). Tip: Create a template for this company first & then import the data with this template selected (see feature explanation below).
Access to the same model (via OneDrive, Google Drive, etc. - as you mentioned). Note: Simultaneous changes cannot currently be done to models, so you may want to make changes in separate files & then paste them into a master file (copy & paste in place can be very handy with this).
Regarding the maintenance of the data, most of it can be edited from within the BOQ & then just using the CSV files as a means to share the data. In the future there may be an option of sharing & syncing BOQ data but I’m not able to provide any ETA on this.
Hope this helps.
Feature Explanation: BOQ Templates
The templates feature allows you to have different BOQ data stored for each template (i.e. vendors, cost codes, prices, margins, recipes, etc.). In doing this the data displayed in the BOQ can be more specific to your individual needs but also reduces the amount of data needed in each BOQ, therefore hopefully reducing your time doing repetitious, tedious tasks. Note: The ‘Original’ template will have everything you entered in the BOQ before this feature was available & the ‘Example’ template is mainly just for new users.
Here are some example scenarios for using templates.
A template for each type of job you do (i.e. new builds, extensions & alterations, knockdown-rebuilds, etc.). This means that you can have items that are more specific for the job type & have things like different rates if that job type has more complexity or needs extra allowances/contingencies.
A template for each company you do consulting work for. This means you can have specific data set up for each company that is different from your own data. Once each company template is set up only minor changes should hopefully be needed for each job you do for them, therefore saving you time & making you more profit.
Share Library Tool by sharing your library code with the others & them also sharing theirs with you. If any new materials are created by anyone you will need to sync you materials via the 
Sync Tool to get access to them. Note: If only one person is making changes to the geometry in the model they everyone should only need their library code.