ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the German approach for a holistic information exchange in the building and construction industry. In the building and construction industry a change can be determined from a sub structured to a more holistic enterprise-spreading information exchange. The describing of an information exchange using the neutral XML technology for the construction industry will enable tendering, planning, procurement, regulation, invoicing, and other business processes to be conducted online. The Joint Committee on Information Technology in the Construction Industry (GAEB) promotes the use of data processing in building and construction. The GAEB establishes the preconditions necessary for the use of integrated information exchange in the execution of construction work and supports all partners involved in the building and construction process to use open standard, which serves as a specification for creation of different interface software. The infrastructure of the internet is an ideal platform for the integration of project information in the construction industry where heterogeneous partners are working together.