The digitalization of construction is becoming increasingly apparent in the way site conditions are monitored and managed. Quality assurance (QA) in construction projects is no longer merely based on visual inspection or the correction of errors post factum (Abbas et al. 2020). Soon, emerging technologies will enable almost real-time, automated, and predictive identification of deviations. This article delves into a comparison—conducted within the framework of the RADIAL project—between two leading point cloud platforms, Cintoo and Imerso, highlighting the strengths and best use cases of each technology. The intention is for this text to help construction professionals and decision-makers choose the right solution for their own projects.
Introduction
The perspectives in this article are based on both hands-on trials and an expert interview. In Metropolia’s RADIAL project pilot, both software solutions were tested for the same task: quality assurance of HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) elements and other structures in a residential apartment building under construction. The interviewee, Jussi Ketoja, has an exceptionally broad background in building information models and laser scanning: he has worked for many years at Trimble, was responsible for the business development of Imerso, and now serves as a Strategic Account Manager at Cintoo.
The RADIAL project, led by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, aims to identify best practices for as-built modeling in collaboration with construction industry stakeholders, to raise awareness of various as-built BIM (Building Information Modeling) solutions, and to foster the development of new methods. In this context, 3D laser scanning and information modeling play a decisive role: fast and accurate modeling of reality enables both the monitoring of site progress and the detection of deviations with a precision that would have still been impossible ten years ago.
But how is this executed in practice? Cloud-based analysis platforms like Cintoo and Imerso offer tools that allow point clouds, a collection of three-dimensional data that represents an object or a space, to be linked with BIM models, and their differences to be analyzed automatically or semi-manually.
Digital solutions for as-built and QA
Imerso is a Norwegian software company and service whose core concept centers around highly automated quality assurance. Its AI-powered technology analyzes point clouds generated on the construction site and links them directly to the BIM model—searching for and reporting deviations without the user necessarily even knowing where the errors are most likely to be located. Imerso’s algorithm can, for example, verify the straightness of walls, the flatness of floors, the location of HVAC ducts, or even find missing or misplaced openings, highlighting any out-of-tolerance values visually and numerically. It also enables significant streamlining of as-built modeling when based on the design model by classifying deviating elements in the BIM as Correct/Incorrect/Missing, automatically modifying the IFC (Industry Foundation Class) model according to findings, and carrying out clash detection checks between the BIM models not yet built and the point cloud. Also, by analyzing whether objects from the model are present in the scans, Imerso can track project progress. The cloud-based platform allows for collaboration among an unlimited number of users both internal and external, and Imerso’s integrations with different Common Data Environments lets users synchronize models and issues.
Cintoo, on the other hand, represents French IT expertise and offers a combination of a communication platform and analysis tools. It specializes in efficient processing and sharing of point clouds: conversion of datasets into lighter mesh formats means that even massive site data can be quickly viewed and accessed by large teams—whether related to project management, designers, or the client’s own representatives. One of the latest Cintoo features is a so-called “cloud-to-cloud” integration, which allows datasets to be transferred, for example, from Azure cloud services directly to Cintoo, without downloading to a computer or installing Cintoo Connect, which was previously a mandatory part of the workflow. Another recent feature is the gradual automation of progress tracking. Starting from the end of 2024, Cintoo can generate reports indicating where and how the BIM model differs from the point cloud. This feature called “Progress monitoring” does not yet indicate the presence/absence of BIM model objects but gives an idea of deviations by means of reporting distance by listing elements and their distances to the nearest point cloud points. If a distance is large, the report creator has reason to suspect that the BIM element in question is missing or its position deviates significantly from the design. The report also shows in percentages how large a share of a particular element has been constructed, helping users track the progress of large entities.
Laser scanners and analysis software have advanced at an incredible pace. Back in the early 2010s, the first-generation scanning devices entering the market were bulky, slow, and required profound specialist expertise. Today, many projects use handheld scanners, wearable mobile mapping devices, and even drones. Using these new technologies requires less and less specialized skill, and that might be the reason why scanners are spreading rapidly. However, ease of use does not automatically mean that the results are ‘correct.’ It is the responsibility of the client or contractor to recognize what results are actually being targeted and to select the tool accordingly. For example, 360-degree photo capture methods are widely used on sites: they allow for convenient visual comparison of materials with the BIM model, but they possess a major drawback of a lack of measurement accuracy (Ketoja 2025.).
Practical applications and data transferring
In the RADIAL project’s trials, two different devices were used: the Leica RTC360 terrestrial laser scanner and the FARO Orbis handheld laser scanner. With these devices, floor-by-floor point cloud measurements were performed on one apartment stack in a residential building, registering the data to a real-world (e.g. global) coordinate system using known control points in the area surrounding the worksite. However, it turned out that one control point had physically shifted from its designated place, creating a discrepancy in registration and providing a real-life challenge to solve. In regard to scanning equipment, both Imerso and Cintoo support a wide variety of scanners, whether terrestrial, mobile or drones, as long as standard point cloud file formats are used.
The first significant point of comparison is transferring data to Cintoo and Imerso. In Cintoo’s workflow, pre-registration of scanned point clouds (in other words, aligning separate scans against each other using specialized software) is always required, for example using Faro Connect or Cyclone Register 360 software. Only then can the unified point cloud be imported into Cintoo Connect, which performs the mesh conversion and uploads the optimized file to Cintoo’s servers. The Cintoo Connect algorithm reduces the point cloud’s size by about 20–30 times (Ketoja 2025). This, however, adds an additional step that can slow down the data processing workflow. Imerso, on the other hand, supports a streamlined workflow with the Leica BLK360 scanner, allowing for direct cloud uploads and simultaneous registration. In general, it is not advised to upload unregistered point clouds to both software packages, as this can easily lead to errors that can be avoided by using the previously mentioned specialized registration softwares. However, Imerso has a functionality to fix certain registration issues.
It is advisable to reserve sufficient time for transferring data to either software, as this phase may prove rather time-intensive, especially in the case of Cintoo. Users need to take into consideration and schedule the time needed for transferring the data from scanner to computer and uploading the data into the platforms, as it can easily accumulate. To upload one 3.6 GB point cloud and two BIM models (50 MB and 150 MB), the time needed was as detailed below. However, comparing the workflows to a system of manual checks on-site, the overall time saved can still be substantial:
Cintoo Connect:
- Point cloud conversion to mesh, uploading to the project, and QA results: 15 min
- BIM model uploads to the project: 4 min
Imerso:
- Scan upload processing: 17 minutes
- BIM upload processing: 12 minutes
- Scan Deviation analysis: 10 minutes
In the case of Cintoo Connect, the processing speed depends on the computer’s performance, as the mesh conversion is performed locally and it’s possible to process several files simultaneously if the system’s memory allows. Imerso, on the other hand, processes files on network servers and can do so in parallel, but the files must first be uploaded, which, depending on the speed of the user’s internet connection, may take as much time as in the case of Cintoo.
Troubleshooting coordinates system
Once the data has been imported into the software, the next step is to check whether the point cloud and the BIM are aligned well. In a pre-planned scanning process the coordinate systems of BIM and point cloud are matched by having the designer move the BIM model into a global coordinate system for scanning purposes. This is because, with a tachymeter (total station), the point clouds are linked specifically to the global coordinate system, allowing the most accurate results possible. Managing coordinate systems is one of the most important tasks in a scanning project, and many companies face difficulties with this step. If there is a significant difference between the coordinate systems of the BIM and the point cloud, both Cintoo and Imerso will initially not be able to display such disconnected datasets and will require the user to move the point clouds closer to the BIM.
Another option is to move the point cloud to the project coordinate system, which requires known points from both the model and the point clouds. The transfer itself is done using specialized software like Trimble Business Center or such. Cintoo’s website provides comprehensive instructions for this process.
A third option is to manually align point clouds using the BIM model as the reference, without separate measurements with a tachymeter. Both Imerso and Cintoo support this feature, but in different ways. In Cintoo, you must manually set the X, Y, and Z offsets and ensure the correct rotation angle. If this step has been taken into consideration when preparing the BIM model instructions and/or the laser scanning report, and the XYZ offset is known, these values can simply be entered into Cintoo. Otherwise, the user has to “eyeball” the displacement for the point clouds, which is inadvisable as it leads to inaccurate results, especially if the rotation angle must be set. Edits to the coordinate system in Cintoo are final and cannot be tracked or undone, and the only way to reset them is to re-upload the original point clouds. Therefore, all point clouds should be shifted at once if their unity is to be preserved, which is a task that requires a lot of computational power from Cintoo as well as meticulous point-cloud picking.
Imerso, on the other hand, has a built-in algorithm that allows for automatic registration of point clouds against the BIM. The user roughly assigns the position of the point clouds along the X, Y, and Z axes (with the BIM model as a background reference), and the software fine-tunes the rest. According to an Imerso representative, this algorithm was found to be very accurate, with the deviation from a tachymeter measurement being less than 7 mm.
A general note regarding this manual approach: a well-prepared BIM model and clear scanning reports greatly facilitate finding and linking the correct spaces. For example, writing the apartment and floor numbers into the target and point cloud file names speeds up orientation in the BIM, especially since apartments of the same type are often very similar in multi-story apartment buildings. Both Cintoo and Imerso make it possible to view element-specific information from the IFC model (such as floor number) and to hide unnecessary floors from view. In Cintoo, however, this feature is somewhat hidden, but instructions are available.
Registering a point cloud against the BIM is a powerful method that greatly reduces the expertise needed for performing measurements. However, this approach presents particular challenges when registration is carried out floor by floor or room by room. While local alignment between scanned data and the BIM can be highly accurate in each area, this method may mask larger issues on the scale of the whole building, for example if the structure has a tilt. One way to circumvent this is to register the point clouds of different floors together so they represent the entire building. Then the algorithm will take all points into account and overall differences between the building and the design will be visible. For a truly precise assessment of the entire building’s position, orientation, and potential deviations from design, the most reliable method is unified alignment using a total station as a global reference that ties all scans to a real-world coordinate system. In addition, the alignment accuracy is likely to be a few millimeters higher than if alignment against the BIM is used.
Product philosophy and focus
The next comparison point is the actual user experience itself, the logic behind the technologies, and pricing, all of which go hand in hand. The choice of program should always be based on the client’s own goals. Cintoo requires the user to have expertise and an understanding of what constitutes a serious deviation and what does not. A user can, for example, review only one type of building element at a time and look for specific points of interest and check for possible variations. In this case, the ultimate benefit you can extract from Cintoo during inspections entirely depends on the end user, their objectives, and the challenges of the site (Ketoja 2025.). Still, Cintoo has the additional advantage of serving as a point cloud data platform, which facilitates the communication of large files between all parties. Therefore, if a company does a lot of scanning, Cintoo’s benefit within the business model is quite versatile. Also, Cintoo’s pricing is based on the number of scan stations, instead of the number of projects or storage usage as with Imerso. Thanks to mesh conversion, Cintoo encourages the use of high-resolution scanning even on large projects, as the final data size becomes many times smaller. Old or unnecessary files can also be deleted if more available scans are needed. Cintoo’s minimum order included in the most basic license is 1,000 scan stations for one year at a time. The smallest available capacity extension is another 1000 scans, purchasing which effectively doubles the license fee.
Imerso, in contrast, as a technology solution, aims to reduce skill dependency and approaches deviation checking from another angle. Imerso’s strength lies in its AI, which finds deviations on behalf of the user and reports them, freeing the engineer from having to spend time on visual inspection or having to know what specific quality assurance priorities the project has (Ketoja 2025). That is why, for example, hospital or laboratory projects are a particularly good use case for Imerso, as there are a large number of ducts and tight tolerances, making systematic checking of HVAC elements and their surroundings particularly important.
Both programs offer similar features for manual deviation analysis, such as setting tolerance limits and assigning color-codes. In terms of computer aided deviation analysis, however, Imerso is more advanced, as it provides a list of BIM elements with deviations and a colour coded BIM model to reflect both how much and how well a certain structure has been built, whereas Cintoo simply provides a report of distances between point clouds and the BIM model that exceed tolerances. In Cintoo this feature is called “Progress monitoring” and it is being further developed over the course of the year 2025 to allow for automatic element presence recognition and categorization on a “Present/Not present” basis. This same feature already can be used to calculate the degree of a specific element’s completeness in percentages.
However, Imerso offers a more advanced method for checking, for example, floor flatness by generating a flat mesh grid over the point cloud surface and providing precise variation data for each point. Imerso’s prices for basic licenses depend on storage size and the number of projects: the customer can purchase either a 100 GB annual license, which allows only one active project at a time, or bigger annual licenses starting with 250 GB that allow for an unlimited number of projects. If storage space is insufficient, the user can either delete old scans or buy more space, and volume discounts are available for higher tiers.
Comparing the basic licenses of Cintoo and Imerso, Cintoo offers better cost-effectiveness per scan. However, if it is assumed that each non-critical deviation (of which there is plenty in any construction project) discovered early by Imerso’s AI saves several thousand euros in extra work (costs in the form of avoided rework, schedule delays, wasted materials and so on), then just one or two such errors detected would cover the cost of the basic license for a whole year. Additionally, major issues costing tens of thousands of euros, would instantly cover the cost of investment many times over; whereas with Cintoo, the benefit is entirely user- and expertise-dependent.
The benefits of new tools are realized only if organizations are ready to embrace a new way of thinking and implement systematic, managed, data-driven models. Technology enables a lot—but attitude, in practice, is even more decisive (Ketoja 2025.). On site, this often means active management support, clear role allocation, and comprehensive training on both the hardware and the software sides. Yet, the construction industry has long been characterized by a traditional mindset and a certain resistance to change, making the adoption of new solutions a slow process. Every construction project is a unique and complex system of many moving parts and changing factors, all of which rely heavily on human input. The same way CAD (computer-aided drawing) revolutionized building planning across all disciplines, it is now possible to revolutionize quality assurance and compliance checking with the use of modern technologies and digital solutions, minimizing the human error factor. This, however, requires not only technical capability, but also a cultural shift to fully realize the advantages of digital transformation.
The final comparison reviewed in this article concerns customer service models, which differ substantially between the products. Although the RADIAL project’s experience with customer service was equally excellent in both the case of Cintoo and Imerso, the experience can differ significantly depending on the size of the client organization. Cintoo licenses can be obtained directly from Cintoo or through a network of regional resellers (such as Geotrim in Finland). All customers have access to support via support@cintoo.com, with a typical response time of approximately two hours. Cintoo provides onboarding training for its customers using projects of up to 5,000 scans, and offers direct access to technical experts upon request. In addition, a comprehensive video library is available to assist users in getting started independently. This combined approach provides customers with both local support and a standardized training approach. This can be especially beneficial for larger or international companies, particularly if regional expertise is needed, such as language skills or regulatory requirements. Similarly, Imerso offers direct customer service, which enables quick response, low-threshold access to developers and, and user-specific training which is included in the license fee. Such a service model provides value for companies or teams that appreciate speed, flexibility, and the possibility to influence product development. Both technologies, however, can be used successfully by enterprises of all sizes, with headcount ranging from a few to many thousands.
Let’s conclude
In summary, the biggest difference between Cintoo and Imerso is based on how much automation is required from the software and how large the scope is:
- Imerso is especially well-suited for situations where scanning without high skills, automated error detection, systematic documentation and/or as-built models are critical—for example, in complex building services installations or projects with especially tight tolerances such as data centers and hospitals.
- Cintoo, on the other hand, best serves large, multi-disciplinary project organizations where information sharing, large volumes of point cloud data, and documentation of project progress are at the core of operations.
Both Cintoo and Imerso streamline the use of 3D measurements for construction quality assurance and support more efficient creation of as-built BIMs . In the future, the skill threshold required for 3D measurements will likely continue to decrease, the use of such technologies will become even more widespread, and the role of AI will grow. The decision on when to facilitate the use of these technologies and which tools to select is a strategic one for each construction company, with impacts reaching as far as project efficiency, quality, and collaboration across all levels (Gholami 2023.).
References
Abbas, R., Westling, F.A., Skinner, C., Hanus-Smith, M., Harris, A. & Kirchner, N. 2020. BuiltView: Integrating LiDAR and BIM for Real-Time Quality Control of Construction Projects (pdf). 37th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC 2020).
Gholami, Y. 2023. Investigating Adoption of Digital Technologies in Construction Projects (pdf). Linköping Studies in Science and Technology, Thesis No. 1954. Norrköping: Linköpings Universitet.
Ketoja, J. 2025. Strategic Account Manager, Cintoo, Conversation with author, 10.1.2025
Author
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Nikolai Gordeev
Project Manager, Metropolia University of Applied SciencesAn engineer with a diverse background in construction sector. I can both model and process BIMs for different purposes.
About the author
