M. Betts, P.S. Brandon

"This volume contains the results of worldwide research and practice in the integration of construction information, showing how different types and sources of information can be integrated on individual construction projects, within construction companies and in the construction industry worldwide." - Civil Engineering"...the volume bears witness to the vast range of development efforts which can be said to deal with integration in construction...the book gives much that will be of use not only to IT specialists but also to those whose interests lie in the mainstream of construction management" - Construction Management and Economics

• What is integration and why is it important? The purpose and definition of integration. Managerial issues affecting integration. The role of data transfer. Integrating different views of integration. An integrating interface to data.The history of construction integration. Integrated construction information efforts since 1945. Logical structure of classification systems. Construction integration - from the past to the present. Construction integration - from the present to the future.Product modelling. Product models and beyond. Integration of design and construction knowledge. Design systems in a computer intergrated manufacturing context (CIM). Software environments for integrated construction.Process and information modelling. A building server for a construction industry client. Integrating points of view through information modelling. A process support environment for design management. From modelling to applications.Applications of integration. Information management of construction projects. Multi-agent collaboration in integrated information systems. Integrated document management. Environmental design of buildings. Project historical information system.