ABSTRACT
This chapter proposes a novel approach for project collaboration based on product data technology, the C/S paradigm and the concept of long transactions. It provides an open server-based solution that can tackle problems caused by the heterogeneity of information and communication technology environments in Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) and does not presume neither require tightly integrated application systems. The chapter focuses on problems related to the reintegration of changed model subsets. It describes envisaged possibilities to apply the developed concepts to the Industry Foundation Class project model and give a critical discussion for its application in AEC practice. In architecture, engineering, construction and facilities management, and in fact in most other engineering domains as well, ‘check-out/checkin’ of model data is a typical long transaction, comprising a set of well identified data modification processes.
