The document discusses eConstruct, a European project to develop standards for e-business and e-commerce in the construction industry. It outlines three key aspects needed: 1) a communication grammar (bcxml) to define data exchange; 2) a taxonomy of common terms; and 3) software to enable exchange via catalogues, taxonomies and project databases. Current results include the bcxml model, an xml server, and applications like an IFC browser and catalogue tool. The goal is to prepare the industry for more advanced e-business on next generation internet platforms.

1. eConstruct eBusiness & eWork conference 2001 Venice Thursday 18th October, 2001

2. eConstruct eCommerc e & eBusiness in the European Building and Construction Industry: Preparing for the Next Generation Internet (NGI) The European DG13 5 th Framework IST Programme Key Action II – New Methods of Work and Electronic Commerce – Project No. IST-1999-10303

3. Contents Why eConstruct What is needed to get it working? Our current tangible results

4. Why eConstruct? Contractor Manufacturer Portal Manufacturer Contractor Portal Portal Contractor Manufacturer €

5. Therefore eConstruct € Contractor Manufacturer Portal bcXML

6. What is needed? A communication grammar (bcxml) A set of words (taxonomy) A communication medium (software framework)

7. Grammar (bcXML) Generic bcXML Meta-Schema Called XTD – eXtensible Taxonomy Definition BC-Specific bcTaxonomy Called bcBuildingDefinitions bcXML Meta-Schema bcTaxonomy instance of

8. Set of words/concepts (Taxonomy) bcTaxonomy Dec omposition bc Dictionary Descriptions bc Vocabulary S pecialisation Abstraction (objects & (assigned) properties) Terms [eConstruct: “bcBuildingDefinitions”] Document References External Documents VRML SVG HTML DWG DOC XSL … Interrelation

9. bcXML Glimpse <InnerDoor name=&quot; MyDoor &quot; externalReferences=&quot; http://www.bcXML.org/MyDoor.ppt &quot; > <EAN> <SingleValue>1234-abc-4321</SingleValue> </EAN> <height unit=&quot;m&quot;> <SingleValue>1.9</SingleValue> </height> <thickness unit=&quot;m&quot; prefix=&quot;c&quot;> <Range> <min>6</min> <max>8</max> </Range> </thickness> <rotation> <SingleValue>left</SingleValue> </rotation > <Hinge name=&quot; h1 &quot;> <weight unit=&quot;kg&quot;> <SingleValue>0.1</SingleValue> </weight> </Hinge> <Hinge name=&quot; h2 &quot; > <weight unit=&quot;kg&quot;> <SingleValue>0.1</SingleValue> </weight> </Hinge> </InnerDoor>

10. Communication medium (software framework) Supplier Catalogue Server Catalogues Taxonomies Taxonomy Server Taxonomies Taxonomy Server Taxonomies Taxonomy Server Supplier Catalogue Server Supplier Catalogue Server Catalogues Catalogues  SW Clients Resource DB Server bcXML Browser Web Services Gateway

11. Results bcXML model 1 Project DB based on the EXPRESS Data Manager ™ 9 XML Server based on the EXPRESS Data Manager ™ 8 IfcBrowser 7 Virtual Reality Information Front-end 6 Computer Aided Selling application including the Catalogue Definer 5 LexiCon Explorer with bcXML taxonomy export 4 bcXML software architecture implementation (including taxonomyserver + query generator and catalogue server) 3 bcTaxonomy 2 Description of the Result

12. TNO IfcBrowser

13. bcXML example usage  Resource DB Server Supplier Catalogue Server Catalogues Taxonomies Taxonomy Server ProjectDB server bcXML Browser Web Services Gateway IFC browser

14. Want More Info ? http://www.eConstruct.org Become member eConstruct CPG ! Jeff Stephens Taylor Woodrow ( [email_address] ) Michel Böhms TNO Building and Construction Research ( [email_address] )