The International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI) held a meeting with government in its drive for software compatibility in construction. The IAI, founded in 1995 to create international standards for construction software, met with construction minister Nick Raynsford and John Hobson, director of construction at the DETR, to ask for its backing in spreading its message to the UK construction industry.
The IAI wants to create common standards for Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) or objects such as doors and windows that are represented in CAD drawings. With common standards for IFCs, objects could be moved electronically from manufacturers' catalogues directly into CAD drawings. The objects contain technical data and would also be intelligent. So, for example, a door would automatically allow for the space needed in front of it and let you know if anything in a drawing interferes with that space.
Brian Zelly, chairman of the UK chapter of the IAI, said the response from Raynsford was positive: "He accepted that something has to happen with standards and the importance of our work in helping the industry to achieve the Egan agenda."
Although no definite promises were made at the meeting, Zelly is now lining up further meetings with the DETR to discuss detailed plans. These could range from putting on seminars and presentations to supporting software development.
"We need to work with the whole range of the industry," added Zelly. "There needs to be a greater understanding about software standards from clients right through to manufacturers, and as a small organisation we need government help to try and increase that understanding."
This follows a declaration by the Office of Government Commerce in April's Construction Computing that it intended to standardise its project management by using one system to manage all its construction projects. Construction director Deryk Eke has set up a working group to consider the issue over the next 12 months.
Source
Construction Manager
