Final Report Summary - PRODUCTINFOX (Development of a cost effective system for exchange and management of information related to construction products in terms of articles, addressing European legislation and market requirements)
Executive Summary:
The initial work in the ProductInfoX project has focused on identification of regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behavior in order to specifically adapt the system to construction sector requirements and SME construction end user needs in particular. Identification and evaluation of relevant European and national legislation has been performed in order to identify legislation relevant for the definition of content and functionality in the ProductXchange system and to ensure that the solutions meet the specific legislative requirements. Specially, the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) has been especially evaluated in order to ensure that the ProductXChanage solution fully meet the requirements and challenges for the building and construction industry that this regulation does represent.
Based on the identification of regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behavior, the detailed system specifications were defined and the software system was developed. In order to address the issues of lack of reliable information regarding construction products, the system specification include development of a common platform integrating all relevant information regarding construction products, including but not limited to the Declaration of Performance. Key functionalities with regards to construction product information include facilitating import of relevant information from the supplier and an interface with software solutions for preparation of relevant information including declaration of performances, positive environmental labelling, assembly instruction, technical specifications, translation of information in the Declaration of Performance between different languages, tools for electronic information exchange up and down the supply chain, multi- accessible and searchable product database with construction product raw data and tool for logging and informing on quality assurance of information.
The ProductXchange system is a software application complying with CPR, REACH and other EU legislation. The information technology system has been demonstrated and the feedback from end-users testing the system has been positive indicating that the system is fit for its purpose:
a) It helps end-users to comply with legal requirements and EU regulation (CPR, REACH and other).
b) It makes it possible to efficiently communicate product information up and down the supply chain between the different actors involved in the use of construction products, from manufacturer through intermediaries to end user.
c) It makes it possible to quickly identify and react to specific hazardous substances in products, safeguard the workers and reduce the environmental pollution.
d) It eliminates a significant part of the management burden for construction SMEs, as many lack the knowledge, resources and systems for information control on construction products and controlled chemical management.
e) It facilitates the proper handling of waste.
f) It helps performing risk management to ensure safe use and handling of products and chemicals by a Built-in functionality for risk assessment and substitution.
g) A project based system where all partners can collaborate. Documentation on the complete building – all products and chemicals that are used in project
h) A filter functionality to identify products that interfere with any of a user defined set of criteria on technical and environmental settings
i) Updated with input from maintenance and renovation processes to document the whole life cycle of the building and provide valuable information for demolition and disposal of waste
j) A web portal for search by SMEs and SME-AGs for product information
k) Communication with CAD/IFC systems to provide detailed information (technical specifications etc.) on products planned to be used or used in a construction. This is tailor made for buildingSMART technology and will provide valuable information for demolition and disposal of waste
The software system developed has been evaluated compered to the relevant legislation and the content and functionalities of the ProductXchange management system will strongly contribute and facilitate the obligations of the construction and building industry. In addition, a major conclusion is that the ProductXchange system is of great assistance to enterprises whom will implement and follow quality and environmental standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BS OHSAS 18001.
The ProductXchange software system has been developed in several European languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Bulgarian. The ProductXchange system was officially launched and presented in a major event at Gardermoen the 12th of May 2016 and included demonstration of the final modules/tools integrated in ProductXChange system. Further exploitation and roll out plans for different European countries have been prepared and will be followed post project period.
Project Context and Objectives:
The objective of ProductXchange is to offer the European construction sector a tailormade, low-priced, fully digitalized system for collecting construction product information and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The system will ensure communication up and down the supply chain and effective management on information on construction products and chemicals, including ensuring correct information readily available, risk assessment and substitution. The ProductXchange project addresses the challenges in the European construction and building sector and will ensure compliance with existing and new relevant legislation on construction products and chemicals.
The construction sector is of enormous environmental, economic and social importance. The European construction industry is the largest industrial sector in Europe, accounting for 7 % of total employment, and 30.7 % of industrial employment in the EU; of which the majority (95 %) is small enterprises (see text box). The ProductInfoX project will solve a major problem identified for SME construction companies throughout Europe. A wide range of articles are marketed and used by the construction sector and incorporated into buildings. Technical, health, environmental and regulatory information on these products is important to enable sound selection of the right article for a specific application. As opposed to chemical products, the information on articles provided to the users is normally very limited, and regulatory requirements for such products are rather sparse. The use of hazardous substances in articles is a growing concern.
Our ProjectInfoX project does address the collective challenge faced by the SMEs in the construction sector of collecting and using information on products and equipment – designated articles – to comply with regulatory requirements and expectations from their customers. Information is seldom provided to the end user; the proposed ProductXChange information exchange system will fulfil the needs of the European construction sector regarding compliance with the new European regulation on construction products (Regulation 305/2011) and other relevant European and national legislation on construction products, risk assessment and communication. ProductInfoX project will offer the construction sector a tailor-made, low-priced, fully digitized system that centralizes the collection and quality assurance of the required information.
The Scientific Objectives of the ProductInfoX project are:
*Enhanced knowledge about European and national technical, health and environmental legislation, standards and policies regarding products for the construction industry
*Identify European and national bodies of importance regarding products for the construction sector
*Gather knowledge about construction sector product end users’ understanding of product types, product properties and their behaviour towards information
*Gather knowledge about the internationalization of European construction sites and problems related to technology use, culture and language
*Gather knowledge about product suppliers’ information delivery practices and needs
*Gather knowledge about different construction SME end users’ needs and expectations
*Initially 50 product types with their relevant technical, health and environmental properties will be defined, and translated into: English, Norwegian, Bulgarian, and Italian.
*Development of system framework such as user and supplier agreements, product procurement requirements and product information delivery specifications
The Technological Objectives of the ProductInfoX project are:
*Development of software solution, including requirements, planning, specification, design, development and testing
*Development of a product information exchange system that safeguards the specific needs of the construction SMEs, including the development of tools/modules such as:
*A common platform integrating all relevant technical, health and environmental information on products
*Tools for defining product types and their relevant properties, including integration with IFD. The integration will involve adding data to IFD and using this as a source for definition of product types, product categories and product properties
*Tools for electronic product information exchange up and down the supply chain, including product properties entry by suppliers (manufacturers, importers or distributors) and data usage by wholesalers, construction SMEs, etc.
*Tool for entering product properties in several languages: English, Norwegian, Bulgarian, and Italian
*Multi-accessible and searchable product properties database available online via a portal solution
*Modules for individually linking projects/sub-projects (integration with the ChemXchange system) with automatic connection to centralised products database, allowing automatic information update
*Investigate possibilities for functionalities on mobileWeb and applications (IPhone and Android)
*Tools for technical, health and environmental compliance assessment and products used management system modules (through integration with the ChemXchange system)
*Tools for automatic import/export of product property data in standardised formats (possibly WEB services) based on SMEs’ and suppliers’ needs
*Tools for providing product property and product property values to various IFC compatible systems used by SMEs, including CAD systems
*Module to compile various user statistics
The workplan is structured in the following work packages:
*WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters.
*WP 2 Technical specification of construction product types
*WP 3 System specification
*WP 4 Software development
*WP 5 User tests, validation and assessment
*WP 6 Demonstration of pilot system
*WP 7 IPR, dissemination and training activities
*WP 8 Consortium management
The project includes the following RTD deliverables and milestones. Lead partners in brackets:
*D1.1 – Report on regulatory requirements related to products (TI)
*D1.2 – Report on end user survey and user behaviour (TI)
*D1.3 – Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format (TI)
*D1.4 - Report on existing approaches for exchange of construction product information
*D1.5 – System framework of agreements (TI)
*D2.1 – Draft – property sets of at least 50 product types in different languages. Status at end of RP1 (TI)
*D2.2 - Property sets for at least 50 product types, in different languages (TI).
*D3.1 – System v1.0 specification (ICB)
*D3.2 – Use case model & test case scenario (TI)
* D3.3 - System v2.0 specification (ICB)
*D 3.4 - System v2.1 specification (ICB)
*D4.1 – WP4, status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan if any (ICB)
*D 4.2 - Software v1.0 (ICB)
*D 4.3 - Software v2.0 (ICB)
*D 4.4 - Software v2.1 (ICB)
*D5.1. WP5 Status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan (if any)
*D 5.2 Analysis of the tests on the preliminary pilot system v1.0 (TI)
*D 5.3 D 5.3 Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0.
*D 5.4 Usability test results of both versions Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0 (TI)
*D 5.5 Evaluation of compliance of system against construction product legislation and standards (TI)
*D 6.1 Report on feedback from the demonstrations regarding system improvements, user reactions and improved future dissemination activities (coBuilder)
*D7.1 – Project Web site prepared (TI)
*D7.2 – Report potentially competitive patents and a plan for patent application(s) or other strategies for production of IPR/foreground (TI)
*D7.3 – PUDK, Draft Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (TI)
* D7.4 Final Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK) incl. exploitation agreement (UNIEP)
*D 7.5 Report on training material (TI)
*D8.1 – Consortium agreement (TI)
Milestones:
* MS1: Completion of scientific investigation (WP1)
*MS2: System v1.0 successfully completed based on the activity and results in WP1 and 2.
*MS3: Completed the first development of the first prototype of the ProductXchange system
*MS4: Assessment at end of RP1 – go/no go decision. Based on successful achievements of Milestones MS1, MS2 and MS3 and successful completion of Deliverables D1.1 D1.2 D2.1 D3.1 and D4.1
*MS5 - Completed the development of version 2.1 of the prototype of the ProductInfoX system (WP 4)
*MS6 - Successful testing of the second version of the ProductInfoX prototype (WP5)
*MS7 – Successful evaluation of the second prototype compared with regards to legislation/standards (WP5)
Project Results:
The workplan is structured in the following work packages:
*WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters.
*WP 2 Technical specification of construction product types
*WP 3 System specification
*WP 4 Software development
*WP 5 User tests, validation and assessment
*WP 6 Demonstration of pilot system
*WP 7 IPR, dissemination and training activities
*WP 8 Consortium management
WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters. The objectives of WP1 include:
*To establish scientific characterization of European, regional and national legislation relevant for construction products
*Identification of lists of restricted chemicals or substances of concern, in both EU and national level.
Identification of Environmental and Technical standards according to known EU and national legislation, ISO standards and NGO standards (e.g. UN)
*Collect knowledge about construction sector end users’ understanding of potential product risks and behavior related to collecting and using such information
*Collect knowledge about construction sector product supplier systems for the compilation, update, and distribution of product information
*Create a model of work practice and user behaviour related to product information at the construction site
*Collect information about existing systems, standards and formats for exchange of information on products, and investigate possible synergies in the construction sector as well as in other sectors and markets. Evaluate buildingSMART – an initiative that introduces open, ISO-standard based formats for exchanging 3D models and product information between CAD systems and Building Information Models (BIMs) in general
Task 1.1 and 1.2 in the Description of Work focuses on European legislation and standards on construction products. Relevant national and European regulatory requirements, standards and policies on construction products will be investigated, such as Construction Product regulation, REACH regulation and other EU legislation. The work methodology of task 1.1 includes identification of existing EU regulations relevant in respect of the ProductInfoX project. The EU web site “EUR-Lex, Access to European Union Law” as well as http://europa.eu/legislation does represent the primary source of information. The different legislations 1 are analysed with regards to relevance for the ProductInfoX project. The different legislations are categorized into these categories:
*Highly relevant. This includes legislations that has direct consequences for content and/or key functionalities of the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX project
*Partly relevant. This includes legislations which to some extent have consequences for the content/functionality of the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX and legislations where the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX project can contribute to the objectives of the legislation.
Totally 28 legislations (plus their amending legislations) are evaluated at highly relevant and further evaluated with regards to relevance with regards to documentation, filter and waste treatment:
*Documentation; Totally 18 legislations (plus amending legislations) that include provisions with regards information to be included in the ProductXchange system are identified. In addition, 4 legislations can be relevant
*Filter: Totally 14 legislation (plus amending legislations) that include provisions with regards to substances that are prohibited for use or where use is regulated or subject to special conditions are identified. In addition, 1 legislation can be relevant
*Waste treatment: 15 legislation (plus amending directives) that include provisions with regards to regulations and recommendations regarding waste treatment are identified.
Further activity in the ProductInfoX project includes detailed specification of the content and key functionalities to be implemented in the ProductXchange system in order for the system to assist the users with compliance with relevant legislations:
*Results with regards to “documentation” is to be further discussed and detailed input/specification to the ProductXchange system is included in Deliverable D1.4 Report on existing approaches for exchange of Construction Product information.
*Results with regards to “filter” is to be evaluated by the ProductInfoX project and decision is to be made with regards to whether or not the different legislation should be included in the filter functionality of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of “filter” will be included in Work Package 3.
*Results with regards to “waste” is to be evaluated by the ProductInfoX project and decision is to be made with regards to whether or not the different legislation should be included in further development of functionalities of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of “waste” will be included in Work Package 3.
Initially in the project, activity has focused on identification of key operational parameters in order to specify the content and functionalities of the ProductXchange system. This activity includes an identification of EU legislations relevant for the ProductXchange system and do also include a survey in the building and construction sector in order to identify:
*End-user needs, especially with regards to content, information and key functionalities of an information system
*Current obstacles for the lack of regulatory compliance
*Today’s format and practice for the exchange of information on construction products as well as supplier practices, needs and specific requirements
*Currently available software tools for a management/information system on construction products
The end user survey performed in the building and construction sector comprise both manufacturer/supplier of construction products as well as construction companies and includes a series of interviews in 6 European countries (UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Norway). Key results from this survey include:
*The type of information that the respondents request as most important on construction products is technical specifications as well as instructions for assembly, safety etc.
*CPR (305/2011) is well known in the industry and the requirements in the CPR (Declaration of Performance – DoP) are better implemented in the quality control systems compared to requirements in other EU legislation.
*International legislations in the area of construction products and hence, less specific national requirements were evaluated as highly welcome.
*A web-based, electronic system for management of information related to constructions products were evaluated as highly welcomed and important for effective communication, documentation and cost reduction.
The respondents identified the following recommendations as relevant with regards to EU legislation:
*Simplification of regulation and legislation. Same type of information and specification of properties are required according to different legislations. This applies especially to documentation related to EU Regulation and Directive on energy as well as health and environment and documentation according to Construction Product Regulation. This is evaluated as confusing as well as inefficient and represents higher costs for the industry (costs for testing and documentation). CPR is already well implemented in the industry and primarily, objectives with regards to energy (as well as other characteristics) should primarily be regulated through Construction Product Regulation and to a lesser degree through other legislations
*Efficient system for translations/documentation in different languages. According to the Construction Product Regulation, the documentation should be made available in language or languages required by the Member States where the product is made available. The ProductInfoX projects is targeting this issue and the project does include a functionality of providing the key documentation in different languages.
*Seamless communication with systems for building information. The ProductInfoX projects is targeting this issue and the project does include f.ex communication with Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Task 1.4 in the ProductInfoX project focuses on possible information delivery and exchange formats and systems and include examination of existing systems for supply of information on products and description of existing delivery formats and and practices as well as supplier practices, needs and requirements related to IFC, IFD, buildingSMART, CAD systems, model servers, and BIM models in general. Task 1.5 focuses on available software tools including identification of available software tools to handle construction product information. Deliverable D1.3 Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format include the results from activity in task 1.4 and 1.5.
The main source of the information with regards to existing systems for exchange of information on chemical products has been information available on internet. A total of 28 companies/systems are identified and this report include information with regards to location, web address, type of system as well as further information with regards to the individual company/software system.
Information with regards to exchange of information on construction products have been compiled in close cooperation and with input from project partners coBuilder and Catenda. Special focus is made on the Building Information Model including BIM Object Libraries, BuildingSMART, Open BIM and BIM collaboration format.
Task 1.6 in the ProductInfoX project focus on existing approaches for exchange of product information based on a survey of legislation on products (fixed articles) regarding health and environment aspects from cradle to grave. Task 1.6 includes collection of knowledge about existing approaches for exchange of product information. Accordingly, in task 1.6 the different directives and regulations are carefully evaluated with regards to specification of information/content, language, format and requirements regarding archive of relevant documentation.
Further activity in the project is for the ProductInfoX project to decide which documents and reports that should be included in the further development of the IT tool and system. Decision should include whether or not the documents and reports should be included as content in ProductXchange and whether or not the ProductXchange IT tool should include templates and guidelines for preparing such documents and reports as part of the functionality of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of documents and reports will be evaluated in WorkPackage 3 System Specification.
Task 1.7 in the ProductInfoX project focus on Development of agreements and include development of system framework such as user and supplier agreements, product procurement requirements and product information delivery specification. The Deliverable D1.5 Report presents the result of activity in task 1.7. This deliverable D1.5 Report does focus on the responsibility in the value and supply chain to prepare and provide the documentation required in order to comply with the identified legislation. Section 3 Results and discussion specify the different legislations that include provisions for documentation relevant for the building and construction sector and include objective, document required, responsible party incl. definition of responsible party according to the actual legislation. It is primarily the manufacturer/producer/supplier whom is responsible to prepare and provide the different types of documentation to the building and construction enterprises as user of the different type of products. In most cases, the relevant legislation does not provide any further specific details as to how and when this documentation is supplied. However, with regards to Regulation (EU) no 305/2011 (construction product regulation) and Regulation (EC) no 1907/2006 (REACH), these regulations include specific provisions with regards to providing information to user of chemicals and constructions products respectively.
coBuilder as the service provider and the system operator of the ProductXchange system will act as an intermediary between the manufacturer/supplier/producer to the construction and building sector and the actual construction and building enterprises themselves as end user of products and services. The role of coBuilder and the ChemXchange system is to be a facilitator and ensure efficient exchange of information between the different actors in the value chain. In order to perform this role and ensure compliance with the different legislations in this respect, further evaluation incl. legal advice must be considered addressing the following issues:
*Need of and provisions in contract between coBuilder as operator of ProductXchange system and manufacturer/supplier/producer of products (incl. chemicals)
*Need of and provisions in contract between coBuilder as operator of the ProductXchange system and the construction and building enterprises being end user of products (inc. chemicals).
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D1.1 – Report on regulatory requirements related to products (TI)
*D1.2 – Report on end user survey and user behaviour (TI)
*D1.3 – Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format (TI)
*D1.4 - Report on existing approaches for exchange of construction product information
*D1.5 – System framework of agreements (TI)
WP2 – Technical specification of construction product types. The objectives of WP2 include:
*Identify 50 important construction product types that are widely used
*Define in detail the relevant technical, health and environmental properties for each of the 50 product types
*Translate the property sets into relevant languages
Totally 53 defined product types are completed with regards to specification of essential characteristics and properties as central information to be included and presented in the Declaration of Performances (DoP’s) fot the different product types. The different products types described include a wide variety of construction products and include f.ex glues, sealants, aggregates, polystyrene products, tiles, gypsum, sheets, fire stoves, mineral wool, glass, membranes, prefabricated tanks, windows and doors. The following elements of information is specified for the 53 different product types: Product type, Properties, Measures, Reference standards, Units, Technical specification, Values, Essential characteristics and Intended use.
The 53 different product types are regulated by 47 Harmonized standards and 6 ETAGs (European Technical Approval Guidelines). WorkPackage 2 include identification of national legislations/national appendices associated with the different standards relevant for the 53 different product types that are further defined and described in the ProductInfoX project.
Unfortunately, the Harmonized Standards and ETAGs are to a limited extent available in the different languages. The project has been in contact with the National standardization organizations as well as the different national Contact Points for Construction Regulation (EU) 305/2011, Art 10. However, none of these were able to assist or provide information in the different languages with regards to information related to the main elements of information regarding the different product types. Accordingly, the ProductinfoX has translated the information in the 47 Harmonized Standards and 6 ETAGs of special focus in the ProductInfoX project to the different languages focused in the ProductInfoX project. The project has established a methodology where the totally 53 different product types information (47 Harmonized Standards and 6 ETAGs) and the information related to Product type, Properties, Measures, Reference standards, Units, Technical specification, Values, Essential characteristics and Intended use. is translated into the following languages: Norwegian, German, French, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Italian, Polish, Bulgarian and Spanish.
Results from the translations are included and made available in the building smart Data Dictionary (bsDD). The bsDD is operated by buildingSMART who is the worldwide authority driving the transformation of the built asset economy through creation & adoption of open, international standards. buildingSMART has a Bold New Vision for quality, engagement, and community for openBIM within the global built asset economy and was founded twenty years ago and has evolved to meet the demands of the building and infrastructure sectors. The buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) is a library of objects and their attributes. It’s used to identify objects in the built environment and their specific properties regardless of language, so that “door” means the same thing in Iceland as it does in India. Through the ProductInfoX project the content development in bSDD was greatly improved in the period of 2014 - 2016 by adding the IFC4 entities and a significant number of product types together with the related product information.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D2.1 – Draft – property sets of at least 50 product types in different languages. Status at end of RP1 (TI)
*D2.2 - Property sets for at least 50 product types, in different languages (TI).
WP3 – System specification. The objectives of WP3 include:
*Specification of a software management system and its functionalities based on the scientific findings in WP 1 on the regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behaviour, and input from WP 2 on property sets for the product types
*Specifically adapt the system to construction sector requirements, and SME construction end users’ needs in particular
Due to the innovative character of the ProductInfoX project, the large number of stakeholders and the amount of scientific and research work it has been decided on early stage that the most appropriate model for management of the project is from the Agile family.
As the key motto of the Agile development is that requirements will change ICB focused on understanding of the intent of the stakeholders and participate in describing a solution that adequately addresses these needs. ICB business consultant described the input to system requirements in a form of business process using the professional modeling tool ARIS. The graphical representation then allowed focused discussions and served as a common language to both business and technical people.
ICB team leader carried out regular meetings and discussed mainly functional and technical details. There are meeting minutes recorded from non-written communication and the decisions were reflected in the system design or system requirements. In parallel interactive prototypes of complex functionalities were created using Indigo studio which allowed presentation of the look and feel on early stage. As a result of the acquired feedback the requirement specification was iteratively improved and extended.
The system was separated into 6 modules with clear delegation of responsibilities and the corresponding requirements were grouped accordingly and labelled with unique identifier for easier reference. The following number requirements were described for each system module:
*Account and user administration – 5
*Manage product types – 20
*Manage products data – 16
*ProductXchange workplace management – 10
*Reports –11
*Services – 3
The requirements were prioritized using levels defined in the MoSCoW technique used in business analysis and software development and received target software versions. These were:
*MUST – 29: Requirement that must be satisfied in the final solution
*SHOULD – 19: High-priority item that should be included in the solution if it is possible. This is often a critical function that can be executed in another way – i.e. with manual effort.
*COULD – 6: Requirement which is considered desirable but not necessary
*WON’T – 11: Requirement that stakeholders have agreed will not be implemented in a given release, but may be considered for the future.
Based on input from User tests, validation and assessment in WP5, knowledge on described functionalities and further discussions some major changes in the requirements specification were made including in version 2.1:
*Business process model update and detail description of requirements that were in draft (by module), i.e. System Administration, Manage Product Types, Manage Product Data, ProductXchange Workplace Management and Reports.
*Updated data models
*Update of requirements criticality and priority (by the end of Report Period 1)
*Update of the user role to system feature access matrix
*Analysis and update of critical parameters of system usage for a period of 5 years
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D3.1 – System v1.0 specification (ICB)
*D3.2 – Use case model & test case scenario (TI)
* D3.3 - System v2.0 specification (ICB)
*D 3.4 - System v2.1 specification (ICB)
WP4 – Software development. The objectives of WP4 include:
*Design and development of a software management tool based on product information management specification
The main objective of WP4 is system development and coding that is split into 3 main deliverables – System v1.0 System v2.0 and System v2.1.
The complete project plan was split into 1-month sprints grouped into 9 larger iterations 4 of which did fall in reporting period 1. Following a predefined set of prioritized functional requirements the iterations aimed to providing stable and testable system.
The scope of the system was split in 6 well defined modules with clear objectives which also received a short name to group related functional requirements. These are:
*System Administration (SA)
*Manage Product Types (PT)
*Manage Product Data (MPD)
*ProductXchange Workplace Management (PXC)
*Reporting (REP)
*Services and External Integration (SVC)
In System v1.0 there were implemented the core functionalities related to definition and management of product type templates as well as assignment of specific product to these templates.
ICB performed regular and ad-hoc meetings with coBuilder AS employees on which progress and future tasks were discussed. Each meeting has a corresponding meeting minutes document stored on the project portal in Microsoft SharePoint to which coBuilder AS has access via secure site-to-site VPN connection. For collecting, storing and processing feedback from testing coBuilder were also granted access to the project ticketing system.
To present the main capabilities of the final solution at early stage ICB applied our ISO 9001:2008 process for system design and prepared functional and design prototypes. Software quality test activities were also scheduled according to the project development plan while deliverables were maintained continuously during all phases.
An external stable environment was set up on premises of coBuilder AS. The environment was primarily used for testing, demonstration and pilot set up of data. The environment was updated on monthly basis upon sprint completion and is available at the following address: http://cobuilder.com/Products
During that period the team progressed on 31 functional and 11 non-functional requirements.
Due to the innovative character of the project and the required scientific research there were cases where additional input was delivered at a stage that required introduction of changes or even non-minor redesign and refactoring of the developed code. Input causing redesign and modifications was documented in the issue tracking system of the project portal. These are mostly reflected as changes and additions to the original documentation.
In order to support in more effective way the scientific research and demo activities some tasks were degraded in priority while other were rescheduled for development from System v2.0 and v2.1 to earlier stage.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D4.1 – WP4, status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan if any (ICB)
*D 4.2 - Software v1.0 (ICB)
*D 4.3 - Software v2.0 (ICB)
*D 4.4 - Software v2.1 (ICB)
WP5 – User tests, validation and assessment. The objectives of WP5 include:
*Test and validate the first and second versions of the system according to user trial manuals. This will include tests both by the professional users and by the SME end users
*Analyse the feedback from the test. The results from test of v.1.0 will be used to improve and enhance v 2.0
*Adjust the system according to the analysis of the feedback from the experts and SME end users.
*Assess usability through expert evaluations and user tests of both versions. Tests of language modules in v2.0
Coordination of activities in WorkPackage 5 has been discussed as part of the progress plan for WP5 in Reporting Period 2 and it was decided to integrate testing with the software develop go a higher degree than planned in the project plan and testing is performed as an integrated part of the software development. Further clarifications or the activity in Work Package 5 was made including:
*Deliverable 5.2 does focus on testing of the software system as integrated part of the system development. This activity is primarily performed by Interconsult Bulgaria as RTD partner responsible for the software development in close cooperation with coBuilder. This testing include and focus on usability, compatibility testing, security testing, regression testing, multi-language testing, performance testing and acceptance testing.
*Deliverable 5.3 does focus on the results from the end user testing performed by the test panel which include key members of the EBA in Norway performed by RTD partner Teknologisk Institutt AS as well as end user tests performed RTD partner Labor. This testing include and focus on the quality of information as well as the functionality and user friendliness of the software tool developed.
For the purpose of the testing, the following tools has been used:
*ARIS 9 - Business process analysis and management
*SOAP UI - Web service testing
*LOAD UI - Load testing of web services
*IE Developer tools, Firefox developer tool - Web site monitoring and debugging for different browsers and cross browser compatibility
*Microsoft SharePoint Services - Document management
*Team Foundation Server (TFS) - Test management, Requirements management and Reporting
The overall assessment is that the ProductXchange system do comply with the Product Construction Regulation (CPR) and REACH and assist the upstream and downstream users to fulfill their obligations according to CPR and REACH respectively. Further, 26 legislations are evaluated at highly relevant with regards to the content and the functionalities of the ProductXchange system and the content and the functionalities of the ProductXchange management system developed in the ProductInfoX project will strongly contribute and facilitate the obligations of the user of construction products and chemicals in the workplace. International standards with relevance to the ProductInfoX project include ISO 9001: Quality management systems, ISO 14001: Environmental management systems and BS OHSAS 18001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements. The ProductXchange management system for construction products and chemicals does have a significant contribution with regards to companies who will follow these management system standard.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D5.1. WP5 Status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan (if any)
*D 5.2 Analysis of the tests on the preliminary pilot system v1.0 (TI)
*D 5.3 D 5.3 Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0.
*D 5.4 Usability test results of both versions Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0 (TI)
*D 5.5 Evaluation of compliance of system against construction product legislation and standards (TI)
WP6 – Demonstration of pilot system. The objectives of WP6 include:
*Demonstrate the pilot system to SME end users outside the consortium and to information providers in the construction industry
*Get feedback on technology, system use and validation of system performance and functionality from the construction community
The SME-AGs have been playing a central role in the demonstrations and been involved in identifying suitable venues in the construction sector (meetings, conferences, seminars) to demonstrate the pilot system. Typically, this has been conferences and seminars where the SME-AGs are the organizers.
In all the Demonstrations there has been an introduction to the ProductInfoX project followed by a presentation of the tools/modules to be integrated in the existing system ProductXchange. The online demonstrations have been based on the pilot versions available online from the test servers at that time. The Demonstrations have been emphasizing on the key content and the planned new modules/tools and how this will be introduced in the market as new module/tools in the existing system ProductXchange.
In the first Demonstrations we exphasized on producttypes and how to include new productdata in the existing system ProductXchange. In our first demonstrations we started out by informing the market about the content in ProductXchange and what the system solved. We ended this early stage demonstration by showing existing functionality in ProductXchange and tried to introduce how we considered the future information exchange to be in the construction value to chain – empathizing on:
*The structure behind ProductXchange is taylor made for providing «As built» product information to BIM models, as the construction products contain real declared performances.
*The solution makes it possible for involved in BIM projects to search for products who meets requirements laid down in legislation, or from market demands.
In the last stage of our demonstration, we had pilot versions and in the end the v1.0 and the v.2.0 software to demonstrate. We started all demonstration by showing the old functionality of ProductXchange, before introducing the new developed tools/modules taking the ProductXchange system from pdf to Product Data.
The demonstrations of the ProductinfoX-project and the new developed tools/module have received positive evaluations. We have in the early demonstration empathized on presenting the new tools/modules as practical self- help tool for the construction sector, aimed at solving the information challenge created by the CPR - for both manufacturers and users alike. This message worked very well and we got a positive response on this early stage message.
Later in the project when showing the pilot-versions we empathized more on system demonstration and tried to get feedback regarding detailed functionality. We got a lot of response resulting in several late system changes – mostly related to make more user-friendly functionality. These changes was registrered in a back log and several changes have already been implemented, and coBuilder AS is prepared to invest in technical development in the post project period for further system improvement.
Further information is provided in deliverable report D6.1 D 6.1 Report on feedback from the demonstrations regarding system improvements, user reactions and improved future dissemination activities.
Potential Impact:
The consortium participants have been carefully selected to act at a European level creating an integrated network hub to disseminate, train and exploit the knowledge and technology Europe-wide. The consortiums SME-AGs represent an important and highly effective tool for dissemination of the results from this project into the European construction industry and represent contractors and sub-contractors all over Europe.
Dissemination of project results within chemical management skills is a key element to the success of this project. Extensive demonstration and dissemination is leveraged through the SME-AGs aiming at the construction SME end-users to ensure rapid ”take up” of the system. Optimal use of the projects results have been ensured by formulating and starting the dissemination process right at the very start of the project. The early dissemination activities in the project have addressed the awareness among the contractors in Europe regarding the requirements and the obligations of the Construction Industry according of European legislation especially:
*Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
*Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC
Further, a key element in the dissemination activity has been the development of new tools and system to cost-effectively comply with key legislation.
The ProductXchange system is a software application complying with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products . The system is designed especially focusing on:
a)Helping end-users to comply with legal requirements.
b)Making it possible to efficiently communicate chemical information and information on construction products up and down the supply chain between the different actors involved from manufacturer through intermediaries to end user.
c)Making it possible to quickly identify and react to specific hazardous chemicals at the individual workplace, safeguard the workers and reduce the environmental pollution.
d)Making it possible to ensure that only approved construction products are used at the building and construction sites and thereby contributing to quality assurance and increased quality
e)Eliminating a significant part of the management burden for construction SMEs
f)Facilitating the proper handling of waste.
g)Helping in performing risk management to ensure safe use and handling of chemicals by a Built-in functionality for risk assessment and substitution.
The ProductXchange system is initially targeting the construction industry - the largest industrial sector in Europe with app. 3,3 M enterprises of which 95% of the enterprises are SMEs with fewer less than 20 employees and 93% with fewer than 10 employees.
The ProductInfoX project target groups are identified as:
*The Building and Construction SME as end user of building products
*Members of SME Associations (downstream users)
*Construction companies that handle construction products
*Manufacturers and suppliers of construction products
The primary target group for the ProductXchange system is SME contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry (carpenters, insulators, plumbers, painters, electricians, etc.) using construction products. The typical customer will be a construction SME with 10-20 employees.
Offering European construction SMEs access to ProductXchange system will enable them to comply with existing and the new European chemical legislation. SMEs will benefit economically both by lowering management costs as well as by achieving improved standard. SMEs with access to ProductXchange system may benefit from competitive advantages, as they will:
*be able to participate as subcontractors in bigger projects complying with European legislation especially regarding REACH and construction products with minimal administrative cost.
* acquire contracts without administrative time loss caused by collecting and providing information on chemical products and construction products
*easily provide product substitutions when required by (main) contractor
*be able to work internationally more easily as they will be able to provide their information on chemicals and construction products in several languages
*be able to recruit workers internationally without extra costs in providing them information in their native language
*offer their work to specified environmental standards i.e. they will be able to document that their work is performed with environmentally safe products complying with standards set by the contactors or environmental organisations
*be a preferred contractor / subcontractor as they can document their compliance with legislations
The manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals and construction products are another target group. They will have one point of contact to distribute relevant information to a large number of projects that use their products. The manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals and construction products can distribute all relevant information relevant to a project to their customers by the ProductXchange system.
Other user groups for the ProductXchange system are identified as:
*Actors involved in the construction projects.
*Consulting firms providing HES and QA services to other organizations.
*Standardization bodies
Task 1.4 in the ProductInfoX project focuses on possible information delivery and exchange formats and systems and include examination of existing systems for supply of information on products and description of existing delivery formats and and practices as well as supplier practices, needs and requirements related to IFC, IFD, buildingSMART, CAD
systems, model servers, and BIM models in general. Task 1.5 focuses on available software tools including identification of available software tools to handle construction product information.
The main source of the information with regards to existing systems for exchange of information on chemical products has been information available on internet. A total of 28 companies/systems are identified and this report include information with regards to location, web address, type of system as well as further information with regards to the individual company/software system.
Information with regards to exchange of information on construction products have been compiled in close cooperation and with input from project partners coBuilder and Catenda. Special focus is made on the Building Information Model including BIM Object Libraries, BuildingSMART, Open BIM and BIM collaboration format.
Deliverable D1.3 Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format include the results from activity in task 1.4 and 1.5. Then project has not been able to identify any existing software solutions or service providers that has the functionality to cover the objectives of our ProductInfoX project with regards to content and functionalities of the ProductXchange system. However, during Reporting Period 1 of the ProductInfoX project period, we have identified the “Innovance project” which focus on development of a database for construction products for the Italian construction industry. This initiative is further described in point 3.3. in the Deliverable D1.3 Report. The ProductInfoX project has contacted the “Innovance prosjekt” and meetings are planned to discuss the potential cooperation. For further information with regards to competitive software and services, we do refer to the Deliverable D1.3 Report.
The unique strengths of the ProductXchange system are:
• It is a tailor made system for the construction SMEs.
• It is a low-priced product and it is free of charge for the smallest actors.
• It is owned and controlled by the leading SME associations in the construction industry which will easy the work establishing the system as an industry standard in Europe.
• It is a cross national software service offering validated information complying with chemical legislation Europe wide.
The ProductXchange System has a trans-national approach due to the fact that all actors are using the same system and database regardless of which country they are operating in. System support and administrative actions will improve pan-European cooperation by the possibility to enter steering groups, user forum etc. This will ease the market roll-out and show the scalable potential for this web-application. The users will also have the possibilities to enter into joint agreements. By integrating various languages, the system also helps the users to deal with existing linguistic problems at the building site.
The consortium SME-AGs aim at safeguarding and promoting the common interests of the contractors and sub-contractors towards other institutions, organizations, the authorities and the society in general. They have ensured that the ProductXchange system has been developed in accordance with the needs of their members and they have played an important role in coordinating the dissemination and training activities. They will post project participate in both the international and the national steering committees in the various countries in Europe.
The SME-AGs expect the ProductXchange system to:
*Increase the competitive power of construction SMEs by providing them with a tool to comply with rules and regulations and thereby increase their competitiveness.
*Raise the general knowledge of REACH and regulations concerning construction products in the construction sector through the ProductInfoX project dissemination activities. In addition, their member SMEs will achieve an increased general expertise regarding safe handling of chemicals and increased quality of construction products.
*Enhance product quality and safety at the work sites, by their members actively using quality assured information readily available in the ProductXchange system.
During the ProductXchange system development phase, integration with the FP7 funded project ChemXchange will take place to form a complete information management system for both chemicals and products. The goal is to be able to offer ProductIXchange system to the construction sector throughout Europe.
The roll-out of the ProductXchange system is organized in 4 steps. Selection of relevant countries is based on:
*The market potential in terms of market size.
*The interest for environmental issues in that specific country.
*The possibility to obtain synergy from the strong market position in the Norwegian market.
Time-to-market for new countries is estimated to be 6-12 months, depending on the market size and complexity. All the steps in our roll-out plan have 12 months duration.
The system was launched in January 2013 in Norway and we did a successful transfer from the old system BASS. Other countries in step 1 are UK, Sweden and Finland. These countries have been selected due to the strong interest from both national associations and leading national players. In these countries we have established relationship with potential system operators and we have been visiting several end-users.
Finland - we have in cooperation with FIEC member, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT, arranged several meetings and work-shops with key players in the Finnish market the last 12 months. There is a common understanding of having a common system for the Finnish market. They have agreed on a national distributor well known in the industry and we have already completed the pretest for system compatibility between their existing system and ProductXchange.
The potential distributor in Finland is Building Information Ltd (Rakennustieto). Building Information Ltd is a publishing house owned by the Building Information Foundation RTS. The Building Information Foundation RTS is a private, non-profitmaking Foundation whose task is to foster both good planning and building methods and good property management practices. Nearly all Finnish building professionals are clients of Building Information Ltd. The company publishes instructions for building and property management, regulations, contract documents and forms and product information both in printed format, on CD and on the Internet.
We are waiting for them to decide whether to go for ProductXchange or to develop a similar system by themselves. Hopefully we have a positive decision this autumn.
Sweden - we have introduced the system to the FIEC member BI - Sveriges Byggindustrier and several leading contractors and key players in the industry – among others Skanska AB, JM AB and Veidekke AB. We have established a good relationship to the organization BASTAonline as a potential distributor. BASTA is a non-profit-driven company and is jointly owned by IVL – the Swedish Environmental Research Institute, and the Swedish Construction Federation. The BASTA system has been developed with an in-depth proficiency in environmental issues and with the particular needs of the industry in mind. BASTA targets public sector purchasers, property owners, developers, contractors, architects, consultants, wholesalers and suppliers of materials. Major players in the construction industry support BASTA, as do authorities such as the Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish Transport Administration.
We are to arrange new meetings with both BASTA and the leading contractors in Sweden and we are aiming at a partnership with the BASTAonline system. Hopefully we have an agreement signed this year.
UK - in the UK we presented the system to Trade Association for Construction Products Manufacturers, Builders Merchants Federation, British Standards Institute and the contractors Laing O’Rourke and Skanska UK. We are still in a position where we are identifying potential distributors and we aim to sign a market agreement during 2015.
International Steering committee
The first meeting of the International Steering committee was held 14th January 2013. By introducing this international steering committee, we have a structure for organizing the roll-out in Europe.
In Norway there is already a functioning steering committee. We will establish national steering committees in other markets responsible for the system launch in their own country. In these steering committees there will be members from the building associations recruited by FIEC and UNIEP and members representing end-users. The national system operator will be represented in each steering committee as a secretary, securing that decisions made by the steering committee is carried out.
Roll-out tasks
Time-to-market for new countries is estimated to be 6-12 months, depending on the market size and complexity. Changes or new requirements in the EU or national legislation might lead to further technical development in the system.
In each new market/country we need to:
1. Provide industrial validation of the system towards national market requirements, the user needs and the compatibility towards existing systems/applications.
2. Enter a critical mass of Safety Data sheets and national lists of hazardous substances in the system database before launching the system. A standard selection of 3000 of the most used building materials with a compulsory SDS and DoP will be registered in each new market/country.
3. Define which substances to avoid by setting up a pre-defined filter. The system needs to be prepared with a set of these pre-defined national filters to comply with national legislation and best practices.
4. To quantify the price level. The system is initiated by the leading construction associations to offer their members a low-cost efficient chemical information system. In the feasibility study from Norway all SMEs with an income less than NOK 10 mill. got the license for free. We will collect information regarding the SMEs` income in each new market before the pricelist is set.
The system will also generate various services including training and consultancy within risk assessment and risk management. New market opportunities will typically be transferring the system to other business sectors.
The Demonstrations have focused on organized demonstration activities to allow SME end-user and information providers in the construction industry to learn about the pilot system and to collect feedback for the work in WP 3 System specification v2.0 and v2.1 and WP 4 Software development v.2.0 and v2.1. The SME-AGs have been playing a central role in the demonstrations and been involved in identifying suitable venues in the construction sector (meetings, conferences, seminars) to demonstrate the pilot system. Typically, this has been conferences and seminars where the SME-AGs are the organizers.
The Objectives have been to:
*Demonstrate the pilot system to SME end users outside the consortium and to information-providers in the construction industry.
*Get feedback on technology, system use and validation of system performance and functionality from the Construction community.
Valuable feedback from the demonstrations have been fed back to the development WPs:
*D 3.3 System v2.0 specification
*D 3.4 System v2.1 specification
*D 4.3 Software v2.0
*D 4.4Software v2.1
coBuilder AS has been the task leader and have organized the Demonstrations in cooperation with the SME-AGs. TI has been supporting and Other-SMEs have been involved nationally.
Evaluation of the demonstration feedback based on information collected during the demonstrations, has been used to improve the system and to improve the promotional activities itself. This work (case study) has been validated by TI in cooperation with CoBuilder and the SME-AGs.
The overall aim for the SME-AGs when it comes to the dissemination in the ProductInfoX project is to move the European construction sector considerably forward with regards to quality as well as health, safety and environment. The SME-AGs in the consortium have played an important role in dissemination activity in the ProductInfoX project dissemination of the project results to their members.
The main elements of the dissemination and exploitation strategy includes the dissemination of knowledge, experience and benefits from the developed system to SME end-users, expert groups, system providers and SME-AGs. This is to be done with use of existing SME-AG networks and the activities will begin with internal presentations disseminated by FIEC and UNIEP to their national SME members at conferences and major exhibitions. In addition national SME-AGs EBA and BCC have been very active in dissemination to their national members. Further coBuilder and Catenda as service providers and with their key competance has been very active in the dissemination activity.
The demonstrations have in most cases been part of the dissemination events and
have also been combined with the testing of the software modules/tools. We started to demonstrate the findings in the project in early stage to get input to the System specification and the software development.
Demonstration events arranged during the course of the project include:
*03.06.2013: Demonstration of ProductinfoX to UNIEP’s Board: UNIEP / coBuilder AS: Brussels, Belgium
*19.09.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*26.09.2013: Updating of the project and Demonstration to the Association of Painting contractors of Berlin: UNIEP: Berlin, Germany
*07.10.2013: Conference – buildingSmart: Product Room Meetings Munich, Germany – giving a demo of product types from the PIX-project to be integrated in a BIM (bSDD/IFC): coBuilder AS: Munich, Germany
*14.10.2013: Meeting with BASTA and Skanska: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Swedish market: Stockholm, Sweden
*15.10.2013: Demonstration to the Swedish association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: Stockholm, Sweden
*23.10.2013: Demonstration on “UNIEP Policy Day”: UNIEP: Brussels, Belgium
*11.11.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Germany: coBuilder AS: Berlin, Germany
*27.11.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT: Helsinki, Finland
*4.12.2013: Demonstration to the UK association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: London, UK
*12.12.2013: Demonstration to the Belgium association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: Brussels, Belgium
*15.01.2014: Demonstration / meeting with Confederation of Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Finnish Construction Industries RT / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*04.02.2014: Meeting with UK associations to discuss impact of PIX results: coBuilder AS: London, UK
*25.02.2014: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*05.03.2014: Demonstration of the PIX-project at the conference «Vägen till giftfritt byggande 2014»: coBuilder AS: Stockholm, Sweden
*16.03.2014: Demonstration at buildingSMART meeting: coBuilder AS: Oslo, Norway
*17.03.2014: Presentation at the Summit – BuildingSMART International: coBuilder AS: Stockholm: Sweden
*20.03.2014: Demonstration for Skanska and other stakeholders in the UK market: coBuilder AS: London, UK
*23.05.2014:Demonstration of the ProductinfoX project at UNIEP General Assembly: UNIEP: Frankfurt, Germany
*04.06.2014: Workshop/Demonstration at the Conference “Painting Skills Legacy 2014”: Uniep / coBuilder AS: Amsterdam, Netherlands
*06.06.2014: Demonstration to the French association of Painting Contractors during the National General Assembly: UNIEP / coBuilder AS: Paris, France
*17.06.2014: Demonstration at the Exhibition “Building Test Expo“: coBuilder AS: Brussels, Belgium
*26.08.2014: Workshop with stakeholders in the Finnish market: Rakennustieto / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*12.04.2016: Demonstration at the Summit Conference - buildingSMART International: coBuilder AS: Rotterdam, Netherlands
*19.04.2016: Demonstration for stakeholders in Bulgaria: Bulgarian Construction Chambe / coBuilder AS: Sofia, Bulgaria
*12.05.2016: Demonstration of the final modules/tools integrated in ProductXchange: coBuilder AS: Oslo, Norway
These different events are further presented in the Deliverable:
*D7.3 Draft Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK)
*D7.4 Final Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK).
List of Websites:
A project web site has been established at www.ProductXcange.com in order to ensure information to the public from the project.
The front page of the project web site does present the overall project description, all beneficiaries of the project and contact details. Through the presentation of the different project beneficiaries – links are made to their respective home page. The front page also includes a “Search” function and provide facilities to contact the project representatives. Further information on the project web site does include:
• Project description
• Project results
• Dissemination
English has been the main language of the project and reporting has primarily been done in English. However, in order to ensure sufficient information to project partners, the project has included the key information in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian and Bulgarian. Accordingly, the project web page has also included a functionality with regards to information provided in this different languages.
The initial work in the ProductInfoX project has focused on identification of regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behavior in order to specifically adapt the system to construction sector requirements and SME construction end user needs in particular. Identification and evaluation of relevant European and national legislation has been performed in order to identify legislation relevant for the definition of content and functionality in the ProductXchange system and to ensure that the solutions meet the specific legislative requirements. Specially, the Construction Product Regulation (CPR) has been especially evaluated in order to ensure that the ProductXChanage solution fully meet the requirements and challenges for the building and construction industry that this regulation does represent.
Based on the identification of regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behavior, the detailed system specifications were defined and the software system was developed. In order to address the issues of lack of reliable information regarding construction products, the system specification include development of a common platform integrating all relevant information regarding construction products, including but not limited to the Declaration of Performance. Key functionalities with regards to construction product information include facilitating import of relevant information from the supplier and an interface with software solutions for preparation of relevant information including declaration of performances, positive environmental labelling, assembly instruction, technical specifications, translation of information in the Declaration of Performance between different languages, tools for electronic information exchange up and down the supply chain, multi- accessible and searchable product database with construction product raw data and tool for logging and informing on quality assurance of information.
The ProductXchange system is a software application complying with CPR, REACH and other EU legislation. The information technology system has been demonstrated and the feedback from end-users testing the system has been positive indicating that the system is fit for its purpose:
a) It helps end-users to comply with legal requirements and EU regulation (CPR, REACH and other).
b) It makes it possible to efficiently communicate product information up and down the supply chain between the different actors involved in the use of construction products, from manufacturer through intermediaries to end user.
c) It makes it possible to quickly identify and react to specific hazardous substances in products, safeguard the workers and reduce the environmental pollution.
d) It eliminates a significant part of the management burden for construction SMEs, as many lack the knowledge, resources and systems for information control on construction products and controlled chemical management.
e) It facilitates the proper handling of waste.
f) It helps performing risk management to ensure safe use and handling of products and chemicals by a Built-in functionality for risk assessment and substitution.
g) A project based system where all partners can collaborate. Documentation on the complete building – all products and chemicals that are used in project
h) A filter functionality to identify products that interfere with any of a user defined set of criteria on technical and environmental settings
i) Updated with input from maintenance and renovation processes to document the whole life cycle of the building and provide valuable information for demolition and disposal of waste
j) A web portal for search by SMEs and SME-AGs for product information
k) Communication with CAD/IFC systems to provide detailed information (technical specifications etc.) on products planned to be used or used in a construction. This is tailor made for buildingSMART technology and will provide valuable information for demolition and disposal of waste
The software system developed has been evaluated compered to the relevant legislation and the content and functionalities of the ProductXchange management system will strongly contribute and facilitate the obligations of the construction and building industry. In addition, a major conclusion is that the ProductXchange system is of great assistance to enterprises whom will implement and follow quality and environmental standards including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, BS OHSAS 18001.
The ProductXchange software system has been developed in several European languages including English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Bulgarian. The ProductXchange system was officially launched and presented in a major event at Gardermoen the 12th of May 2016 and included demonstration of the final modules/tools integrated in ProductXChange system. Further exploitation and roll out plans for different European countries have been prepared and will be followed post project period.
Project Context and Objectives:
The objective of ProductXchange is to offer the European construction sector a tailormade, low-priced, fully digitalized system for collecting construction product information and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). The system will ensure communication up and down the supply chain and effective management on information on construction products and chemicals, including ensuring correct information readily available, risk assessment and substitution. The ProductXchange project addresses the challenges in the European construction and building sector and will ensure compliance with existing and new relevant legislation on construction products and chemicals.
The construction sector is of enormous environmental, economic and social importance. The European construction industry is the largest industrial sector in Europe, accounting for 7 % of total employment, and 30.7 % of industrial employment in the EU; of which the majority (95 %) is small enterprises (see text box). The ProductInfoX project will solve a major problem identified for SME construction companies throughout Europe. A wide range of articles are marketed and used by the construction sector and incorporated into buildings. Technical, health, environmental and regulatory information on these products is important to enable sound selection of the right article for a specific application. As opposed to chemical products, the information on articles provided to the users is normally very limited, and regulatory requirements for such products are rather sparse. The use of hazardous substances in articles is a growing concern.
Our ProjectInfoX project does address the collective challenge faced by the SMEs in the construction sector of collecting and using information on products and equipment – designated articles – to comply with regulatory requirements and expectations from their customers. Information is seldom provided to the end user; the proposed ProductXChange information exchange system will fulfil the needs of the European construction sector regarding compliance with the new European regulation on construction products (Regulation 305/2011) and other relevant European and national legislation on construction products, risk assessment and communication. ProductInfoX project will offer the construction sector a tailor-made, low-priced, fully digitized system that centralizes the collection and quality assurance of the required information.
The Scientific Objectives of the ProductInfoX project are:
*Enhanced knowledge about European and national technical, health and environmental legislation, standards and policies regarding products for the construction industry
*Identify European and national bodies of importance regarding products for the construction sector
*Gather knowledge about construction sector product end users’ understanding of product types, product properties and their behaviour towards information
*Gather knowledge about the internationalization of European construction sites and problems related to technology use, culture and language
*Gather knowledge about product suppliers’ information delivery practices and needs
*Gather knowledge about different construction SME end users’ needs and expectations
*Initially 50 product types with their relevant technical, health and environmental properties will be defined, and translated into: English, Norwegian, Bulgarian, and Italian.
*Development of system framework such as user and supplier agreements, product procurement requirements and product information delivery specifications
The Technological Objectives of the ProductInfoX project are:
*Development of software solution, including requirements, planning, specification, design, development and testing
*Development of a product information exchange system that safeguards the specific needs of the construction SMEs, including the development of tools/modules such as:
*A common platform integrating all relevant technical, health and environmental information on products
*Tools for defining product types and their relevant properties, including integration with IFD. The integration will involve adding data to IFD and using this as a source for definition of product types, product categories and product properties
*Tools for electronic product information exchange up and down the supply chain, including product properties entry by suppliers (manufacturers, importers or distributors) and data usage by wholesalers, construction SMEs, etc.
*Tool for entering product properties in several languages: English, Norwegian, Bulgarian, and Italian
*Multi-accessible and searchable product properties database available online via a portal solution
*Modules for individually linking projects/sub-projects (integration with the ChemXchange system) with automatic connection to centralised products database, allowing automatic information update
*Investigate possibilities for functionalities on mobileWeb and applications (IPhone and Android)
*Tools for technical, health and environmental compliance assessment and products used management system modules (through integration with the ChemXchange system)
*Tools for automatic import/export of product property data in standardised formats (possibly WEB services) based on SMEs’ and suppliers’ needs
*Tools for providing product property and product property values to various IFC compatible systems used by SMEs, including CAD systems
*Module to compile various user statistics
The workplan is structured in the following work packages:
*WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters.
*WP 2 Technical specification of construction product types
*WP 3 System specification
*WP 4 Software development
*WP 5 User tests, validation and assessment
*WP 6 Demonstration of pilot system
*WP 7 IPR, dissemination and training activities
*WP 8 Consortium management
The project includes the following RTD deliverables and milestones. Lead partners in brackets:
*D1.1 – Report on regulatory requirements related to products (TI)
*D1.2 – Report on end user survey and user behaviour (TI)
*D1.3 – Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format (TI)
*D1.4 - Report on existing approaches for exchange of construction product information
*D1.5 – System framework of agreements (TI)
*D2.1 – Draft – property sets of at least 50 product types in different languages. Status at end of RP1 (TI)
*D2.2 - Property sets for at least 50 product types, in different languages (TI).
*D3.1 – System v1.0 specification (ICB)
*D3.2 – Use case model & test case scenario (TI)
* D3.3 - System v2.0 specification (ICB)
*D 3.4 - System v2.1 specification (ICB)
*D4.1 – WP4, status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan if any (ICB)
*D 4.2 - Software v1.0 (ICB)
*D 4.3 - Software v2.0 (ICB)
*D 4.4 - Software v2.1 (ICB)
*D5.1. WP5 Status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan (if any)
*D 5.2 Analysis of the tests on the preliminary pilot system v1.0 (TI)
*D 5.3 D 5.3 Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0.
*D 5.4 Usability test results of both versions Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0 (TI)
*D 5.5 Evaluation of compliance of system against construction product legislation and standards (TI)
*D 6.1 Report on feedback from the demonstrations regarding system improvements, user reactions and improved future dissemination activities (coBuilder)
*D7.1 – Project Web site prepared (TI)
*D7.2 – Report potentially competitive patents and a plan for patent application(s) or other strategies for production of IPR/foreground (TI)
*D7.3 – PUDK, Draft Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (TI)
* D7.4 Final Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK) incl. exploitation agreement (UNIEP)
*D 7.5 Report on training material (TI)
*D8.1 – Consortium agreement (TI)
Milestones:
* MS1: Completion of scientific investigation (WP1)
*MS2: System v1.0 successfully completed based on the activity and results in WP1 and 2.
*MS3: Completed the first development of the first prototype of the ProductXchange system
*MS4: Assessment at end of RP1 – go/no go decision. Based on successful achievements of Milestones MS1, MS2 and MS3 and successful completion of Deliverables D1.1 D1.2 D2.1 D3.1 and D4.1
*MS5 - Completed the development of version 2.1 of the prototype of the ProductInfoX system (WP 4)
*MS6 - Successful testing of the second version of the ProductInfoX prototype (WP5)
*MS7 – Successful evaluation of the second prototype compared with regards to legislation/standards (WP5)
Project Results:
The workplan is structured in the following work packages:
*WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters.
*WP 2 Technical specification of construction product types
*WP 3 System specification
*WP 4 Software development
*WP 5 User tests, validation and assessment
*WP 6 Demonstration of pilot system
*WP 7 IPR, dissemination and training activities
*WP 8 Consortium management
WP 1 Scientific understanding and identification of key operational parameters. The objectives of WP1 include:
*To establish scientific characterization of European, regional and national legislation relevant for construction products
*Identification of lists of restricted chemicals or substances of concern, in both EU and national level.
Identification of Environmental and Technical standards according to known EU and national legislation, ISO standards and NGO standards (e.g. UN)
*Collect knowledge about construction sector end users’ understanding of potential product risks and behavior related to collecting and using such information
*Collect knowledge about construction sector product supplier systems for the compilation, update, and distribution of product information
*Create a model of work practice and user behaviour related to product information at the construction site
*Collect information about existing systems, standards and formats for exchange of information on products, and investigate possible synergies in the construction sector as well as in other sectors and markets. Evaluate buildingSMART – an initiative that introduces open, ISO-standard based formats for exchanging 3D models and product information between CAD systems and Building Information Models (BIMs) in general
Task 1.1 and 1.2 in the Description of Work focuses on European legislation and standards on construction products. Relevant national and European regulatory requirements, standards and policies on construction products will be investigated, such as Construction Product regulation, REACH regulation and other EU legislation. The work methodology of task 1.1 includes identification of existing EU regulations relevant in respect of the ProductInfoX project. The EU web site “EUR-Lex, Access to European Union Law” as well as http://europa.eu/legislation does represent the primary source of information. The different legislations 1 are analysed with regards to relevance for the ProductInfoX project. The different legislations are categorized into these categories:
*Highly relevant. This includes legislations that has direct consequences for content and/or key functionalities of the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX project
*Partly relevant. This includes legislations which to some extent have consequences for the content/functionality of the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX and legislations where the information system to be developed in the ProductInfoX project can contribute to the objectives of the legislation.
Totally 28 legislations (plus their amending legislations) are evaluated at highly relevant and further evaluated with regards to relevance with regards to documentation, filter and waste treatment:
*Documentation; Totally 18 legislations (plus amending legislations) that include provisions with regards information to be included in the ProductXchange system are identified. In addition, 4 legislations can be relevant
*Filter: Totally 14 legislation (plus amending legislations) that include provisions with regards to substances that are prohibited for use or where use is regulated or subject to special conditions are identified. In addition, 1 legislation can be relevant
*Waste treatment: 15 legislation (plus amending directives) that include provisions with regards to regulations and recommendations regarding waste treatment are identified.
Further activity in the ProductInfoX project includes detailed specification of the content and key functionalities to be implemented in the ProductXchange system in order for the system to assist the users with compliance with relevant legislations:
*Results with regards to “documentation” is to be further discussed and detailed input/specification to the ProductXchange system is included in Deliverable D1.4 Report on existing approaches for exchange of Construction Product information.
*Results with regards to “filter” is to be evaluated by the ProductInfoX project and decision is to be made with regards to whether or not the different legislation should be included in the filter functionality of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of “filter” will be included in Work Package 3.
*Results with regards to “waste” is to be evaluated by the ProductInfoX project and decision is to be made with regards to whether or not the different legislation should be included in further development of functionalities of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of “waste” will be included in Work Package 3.
Initially in the project, activity has focused on identification of key operational parameters in order to specify the content and functionalities of the ProductXchange system. This activity includes an identification of EU legislations relevant for the ProductXchange system and do also include a survey in the building and construction sector in order to identify:
*End-user needs, especially with regards to content, information and key functionalities of an information system
*Current obstacles for the lack of regulatory compliance
*Today’s format and practice for the exchange of information on construction products as well as supplier practices, needs and specific requirements
*Currently available software tools for a management/information system on construction products
The end user survey performed in the building and construction sector comprise both manufacturer/supplier of construction products as well as construction companies and includes a series of interviews in 6 European countries (UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Norway). Key results from this survey include:
*The type of information that the respondents request as most important on construction products is technical specifications as well as instructions for assembly, safety etc.
*CPR (305/2011) is well known in the industry and the requirements in the CPR (Declaration of Performance – DoP) are better implemented in the quality control systems compared to requirements in other EU legislation.
*International legislations in the area of construction products and hence, less specific national requirements were evaluated as highly welcome.
*A web-based, electronic system for management of information related to constructions products were evaluated as highly welcomed and important for effective communication, documentation and cost reduction.
The respondents identified the following recommendations as relevant with regards to EU legislation:
*Simplification of regulation and legislation. Same type of information and specification of properties are required according to different legislations. This applies especially to documentation related to EU Regulation and Directive on energy as well as health and environment and documentation according to Construction Product Regulation. This is evaluated as confusing as well as inefficient and represents higher costs for the industry (costs for testing and documentation). CPR is already well implemented in the industry and primarily, objectives with regards to energy (as well as other characteristics) should primarily be regulated through Construction Product Regulation and to a lesser degree through other legislations
*Efficient system for translations/documentation in different languages. According to the Construction Product Regulation, the documentation should be made available in language or languages required by the Member States where the product is made available. The ProductInfoX projects is targeting this issue and the project does include a functionality of providing the key documentation in different languages.
*Seamless communication with systems for building information. The ProductInfoX projects is targeting this issue and the project does include f.ex communication with Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Task 1.4 in the ProductInfoX project focuses on possible information delivery and exchange formats and systems and include examination of existing systems for supply of information on products and description of existing delivery formats and and practices as well as supplier practices, needs and requirements related to IFC, IFD, buildingSMART, CAD systems, model servers, and BIM models in general. Task 1.5 focuses on available software tools including identification of available software tools to handle construction product information. Deliverable D1.3 Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format include the results from activity in task 1.4 and 1.5.
The main source of the information with regards to existing systems for exchange of information on chemical products has been information available on internet. A total of 28 companies/systems are identified and this report include information with regards to location, web address, type of system as well as further information with regards to the individual company/software system.
Information with regards to exchange of information on construction products have been compiled in close cooperation and with input from project partners coBuilder and Catenda. Special focus is made on the Building Information Model including BIM Object Libraries, BuildingSMART, Open BIM and BIM collaboration format.
Task 1.6 in the ProductInfoX project focus on existing approaches for exchange of product information based on a survey of legislation on products (fixed articles) regarding health and environment aspects from cradle to grave. Task 1.6 includes collection of knowledge about existing approaches for exchange of product information. Accordingly, in task 1.6 the different directives and regulations are carefully evaluated with regards to specification of information/content, language, format and requirements regarding archive of relevant documentation.
Further activity in the project is for the ProductInfoX project to decide which documents and reports that should be included in the further development of the IT tool and system. Decision should include whether or not the documents and reports should be included as content in ProductXchange and whether or not the ProductXchange IT tool should include templates and guidelines for preparing such documents and reports as part of the functionality of the ProductXchange system. Based on this decision, further specification of documents and reports will be evaluated in WorkPackage 3 System Specification.
Task 1.7 in the ProductInfoX project focus on Development of agreements and include development of system framework such as user and supplier agreements, product procurement requirements and product information delivery specification. The Deliverable D1.5 Report presents the result of activity in task 1.7. This deliverable D1.5 Report does focus on the responsibility in the value and supply chain to prepare and provide the documentation required in order to comply with the identified legislation. Section 3 Results and discussion specify the different legislations that include provisions for documentation relevant for the building and construction sector and include objective, document required, responsible party incl. definition of responsible party according to the actual legislation. It is primarily the manufacturer/producer/supplier whom is responsible to prepare and provide the different types of documentation to the building and construction enterprises as user of the different type of products. In most cases, the relevant legislation does not provide any further specific details as to how and when this documentation is supplied. However, with regards to Regulation (EU) no 305/2011 (construction product regulation) and Regulation (EC) no 1907/2006 (REACH), these regulations include specific provisions with regards to providing information to user of chemicals and constructions products respectively.
coBuilder as the service provider and the system operator of the ProductXchange system will act as an intermediary between the manufacturer/supplier/producer to the construction and building sector and the actual construction and building enterprises themselves as end user of products and services. The role of coBuilder and the ChemXchange system is to be a facilitator and ensure efficient exchange of information between the different actors in the value chain. In order to perform this role and ensure compliance with the different legislations in this respect, further evaluation incl. legal advice must be considered addressing the following issues:
*Need of and provisions in contract between coBuilder as operator of ProductXchange system and manufacturer/supplier/producer of products (incl. chemicals)
*Need of and provisions in contract between coBuilder as operator of the ProductXchange system and the construction and building enterprises being end user of products (inc. chemicals).
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D1.1 – Report on regulatory requirements related to products (TI)
*D1.2 – Report on end user survey and user behaviour (TI)
*D1.3 – Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format (TI)
*D1.4 - Report on existing approaches for exchange of construction product information
*D1.5 – System framework of agreements (TI)
WP2 – Technical specification of construction product types. The objectives of WP2 include:
*Identify 50 important construction product types that are widely used
*Define in detail the relevant technical, health and environmental properties for each of the 50 product types
*Translate the property sets into relevant languages
Totally 53 defined product types are completed with regards to specification of essential characteristics and properties as central information to be included and presented in the Declaration of Performances (DoP’s) fot the different product types. The different products types described include a wide variety of construction products and include f.ex glues, sealants, aggregates, polystyrene products, tiles, gypsum, sheets, fire stoves, mineral wool, glass, membranes, prefabricated tanks, windows and doors. The following elements of information is specified for the 53 different product types: Product type, Properties, Measures, Reference standards, Units, Technical specification, Values, Essential characteristics and Intended use.
The 53 different product types are regulated by 47 Harmonized standards and 6 ETAGs (European Technical Approval Guidelines). WorkPackage 2 include identification of national legislations/national appendices associated with the different standards relevant for the 53 different product types that are further defined and described in the ProductInfoX project.
Unfortunately, the Harmonized Standards and ETAGs are to a limited extent available in the different languages. The project has been in contact with the National standardization organizations as well as the different national Contact Points for Construction Regulation (EU) 305/2011, Art 10. However, none of these were able to assist or provide information in the different languages with regards to information related to the main elements of information regarding the different product types. Accordingly, the ProductinfoX has translated the information in the 47 Harmonized Standards and 6 ETAGs of special focus in the ProductInfoX project to the different languages focused in the ProductInfoX project. The project has established a methodology where the totally 53 different product types information (47 Harmonized Standards and 6 ETAGs) and the information related to Product type, Properties, Measures, Reference standards, Units, Technical specification, Values, Essential characteristics and Intended use. is translated into the following languages: Norwegian, German, French, Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Italian, Polish, Bulgarian and Spanish.
Results from the translations are included and made available in the building smart Data Dictionary (bsDD). The bsDD is operated by buildingSMART who is the worldwide authority driving the transformation of the built asset economy through creation & adoption of open, international standards. buildingSMART has a Bold New Vision for quality, engagement, and community for openBIM within the global built asset economy and was founded twenty years ago and has evolved to meet the demands of the building and infrastructure sectors. The buildingSMART Data Dictionary (bSDD) is a library of objects and their attributes. It’s used to identify objects in the built environment and their specific properties regardless of language, so that “door” means the same thing in Iceland as it does in India. Through the ProductInfoX project the content development in bSDD was greatly improved in the period of 2014 - 2016 by adding the IFC4 entities and a significant number of product types together with the related product information.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D2.1 – Draft – property sets of at least 50 product types in different languages. Status at end of RP1 (TI)
*D2.2 - Property sets for at least 50 product types, in different languages (TI).
WP3 – System specification. The objectives of WP3 include:
*Specification of a software management system and its functionalities based on the scientific findings in WP 1 on the regulatory framework, organizational needs and user behaviour, and input from WP 2 on property sets for the product types
*Specifically adapt the system to construction sector requirements, and SME construction end users’ needs in particular
Due to the innovative character of the ProductInfoX project, the large number of stakeholders and the amount of scientific and research work it has been decided on early stage that the most appropriate model for management of the project is from the Agile family.
As the key motto of the Agile development is that requirements will change ICB focused on understanding of the intent of the stakeholders and participate in describing a solution that adequately addresses these needs. ICB business consultant described the input to system requirements in a form of business process using the professional modeling tool ARIS. The graphical representation then allowed focused discussions and served as a common language to both business and technical people.
ICB team leader carried out regular meetings and discussed mainly functional and technical details. There are meeting minutes recorded from non-written communication and the decisions were reflected in the system design or system requirements. In parallel interactive prototypes of complex functionalities were created using Indigo studio which allowed presentation of the look and feel on early stage. As a result of the acquired feedback the requirement specification was iteratively improved and extended.
The system was separated into 6 modules with clear delegation of responsibilities and the corresponding requirements were grouped accordingly and labelled with unique identifier for easier reference. The following number requirements were described for each system module:
*Account and user administration – 5
*Manage product types – 20
*Manage products data – 16
*ProductXchange workplace management – 10
*Reports –11
*Services – 3
The requirements were prioritized using levels defined in the MoSCoW technique used in business analysis and software development and received target software versions. These were:
*MUST – 29: Requirement that must be satisfied in the final solution
*SHOULD – 19: High-priority item that should be included in the solution if it is possible. This is often a critical function that can be executed in another way – i.e. with manual effort.
*COULD – 6: Requirement which is considered desirable but not necessary
*WON’T – 11: Requirement that stakeholders have agreed will not be implemented in a given release, but may be considered for the future.
Based on input from User tests, validation and assessment in WP5, knowledge on described functionalities and further discussions some major changes in the requirements specification were made including in version 2.1:
*Business process model update and detail description of requirements that were in draft (by module), i.e. System Administration, Manage Product Types, Manage Product Data, ProductXchange Workplace Management and Reports.
*Updated data models
*Update of requirements criticality and priority (by the end of Report Period 1)
*Update of the user role to system feature access matrix
*Analysis and update of critical parameters of system usage for a period of 5 years
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D3.1 – System v1.0 specification (ICB)
*D3.2 – Use case model & test case scenario (TI)
* D3.3 - System v2.0 specification (ICB)
*D 3.4 - System v2.1 specification (ICB)
WP4 – Software development. The objectives of WP4 include:
*Design and development of a software management tool based on product information management specification
The main objective of WP4 is system development and coding that is split into 3 main deliverables – System v1.0 System v2.0 and System v2.1.
The complete project plan was split into 1-month sprints grouped into 9 larger iterations 4 of which did fall in reporting period 1. Following a predefined set of prioritized functional requirements the iterations aimed to providing stable and testable system.
The scope of the system was split in 6 well defined modules with clear objectives which also received a short name to group related functional requirements. These are:
*System Administration (SA)
*Manage Product Types (PT)
*Manage Product Data (MPD)
*ProductXchange Workplace Management (PXC)
*Reporting (REP)
*Services and External Integration (SVC)
In System v1.0 there were implemented the core functionalities related to definition and management of product type templates as well as assignment of specific product to these templates.
ICB performed regular and ad-hoc meetings with coBuilder AS employees on which progress and future tasks were discussed. Each meeting has a corresponding meeting minutes document stored on the project portal in Microsoft SharePoint to which coBuilder AS has access via secure site-to-site VPN connection. For collecting, storing and processing feedback from testing coBuilder were also granted access to the project ticketing system.
To present the main capabilities of the final solution at early stage ICB applied our ISO 9001:2008 process for system design and prepared functional and design prototypes. Software quality test activities were also scheduled according to the project development plan while deliverables were maintained continuously during all phases.
An external stable environment was set up on premises of coBuilder AS. The environment was primarily used for testing, demonstration and pilot set up of data. The environment was updated on monthly basis upon sprint completion and is available at the following address: http://cobuilder.com/Products
During that period the team progressed on 31 functional and 11 non-functional requirements.
Due to the innovative character of the project and the required scientific research there were cases where additional input was delivered at a stage that required introduction of changes or even non-minor redesign and refactoring of the developed code. Input causing redesign and modifications was documented in the issue tracking system of the project portal. These are mostly reflected as changes and additions to the original documentation.
In order to support in more effective way the scientific research and demo activities some tasks were degraded in priority while other were rescheduled for development from System v2.0 and v2.1 to earlier stage.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D4.1 – WP4, status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan if any (ICB)
*D 4.2 - Software v1.0 (ICB)
*D 4.3 - Software v2.0 (ICB)
*D 4.4 - Software v2.1 (ICB)
WP5 – User tests, validation and assessment. The objectives of WP5 include:
*Test and validate the first and second versions of the system according to user trial manuals. This will include tests both by the professional users and by the SME end users
*Analyse the feedback from the test. The results from test of v.1.0 will be used to improve and enhance v 2.0
*Adjust the system according to the analysis of the feedback from the experts and SME end users.
*Assess usability through expert evaluations and user tests of both versions. Tests of language modules in v2.0
Coordination of activities in WorkPackage 5 has been discussed as part of the progress plan for WP5 in Reporting Period 2 and it was decided to integrate testing with the software develop go a higher degree than planned in the project plan and testing is performed as an integrated part of the software development. Further clarifications or the activity in Work Package 5 was made including:
*Deliverable 5.2 does focus on testing of the software system as integrated part of the system development. This activity is primarily performed by Interconsult Bulgaria as RTD partner responsible for the software development in close cooperation with coBuilder. This testing include and focus on usability, compatibility testing, security testing, regression testing, multi-language testing, performance testing and acceptance testing.
*Deliverable 5.3 does focus on the results from the end user testing performed by the test panel which include key members of the EBA in Norway performed by RTD partner Teknologisk Institutt AS as well as end user tests performed RTD partner Labor. This testing include and focus on the quality of information as well as the functionality and user friendliness of the software tool developed.
For the purpose of the testing, the following tools has been used:
*ARIS 9 - Business process analysis and management
*SOAP UI - Web service testing
*LOAD UI - Load testing of web services
*IE Developer tools, Firefox developer tool - Web site monitoring and debugging for different browsers and cross browser compatibility
*Microsoft SharePoint Services - Document management
*Team Foundation Server (TFS) - Test management, Requirements management and Reporting
The overall assessment is that the ProductXchange system do comply with the Product Construction Regulation (CPR) and REACH and assist the upstream and downstream users to fulfill their obligations according to CPR and REACH respectively. Further, 26 legislations are evaluated at highly relevant with regards to the content and the functionalities of the ProductXchange system and the content and the functionalities of the ProductXchange management system developed in the ProductInfoX project will strongly contribute and facilitate the obligations of the user of construction products and chemicals in the workplace. International standards with relevance to the ProductInfoX project include ISO 9001: Quality management systems, ISO 14001: Environmental management systems and BS OHSAS 18001: Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements. The ProductXchange management system for construction products and chemicals does have a significant contribution with regards to companies who will follow these management system standard.
Further information is provided in the following deliverable reports:
*D5.1. WP5 Status report of activity, progress and deviation from plan (if any)
*D 5.2 Analysis of the tests on the preliminary pilot system v1.0 (TI)
*D 5.3 D 5.3 Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0.
*D 5.4 Usability test results of both versions Analysis of the tests on the second pilot system v2.0 (TI)
*D 5.5 Evaluation of compliance of system against construction product legislation and standards (TI)
WP6 – Demonstration of pilot system. The objectives of WP6 include:
*Demonstrate the pilot system to SME end users outside the consortium and to information providers in the construction industry
*Get feedback on technology, system use and validation of system performance and functionality from the construction community
The SME-AGs have been playing a central role in the demonstrations and been involved in identifying suitable venues in the construction sector (meetings, conferences, seminars) to demonstrate the pilot system. Typically, this has been conferences and seminars where the SME-AGs are the organizers.
In all the Demonstrations there has been an introduction to the ProductInfoX project followed by a presentation of the tools/modules to be integrated in the existing system ProductXchange. The online demonstrations have been based on the pilot versions available online from the test servers at that time. The Demonstrations have been emphasizing on the key content and the planned new modules/tools and how this will be introduced in the market as new module/tools in the existing system ProductXchange.
In the first Demonstrations we exphasized on producttypes and how to include new productdata in the existing system ProductXchange. In our first demonstrations we started out by informing the market about the content in ProductXchange and what the system solved. We ended this early stage demonstration by showing existing functionality in ProductXchange and tried to introduce how we considered the future information exchange to be in the construction value to chain – empathizing on:
*The structure behind ProductXchange is taylor made for providing «As built» product information to BIM models, as the construction products contain real declared performances.
*The solution makes it possible for involved in BIM projects to search for products who meets requirements laid down in legislation, or from market demands.
In the last stage of our demonstration, we had pilot versions and in the end the v1.0 and the v.2.0 software to demonstrate. We started all demonstration by showing the old functionality of ProductXchange, before introducing the new developed tools/modules taking the ProductXchange system from pdf to Product Data.
The demonstrations of the ProductinfoX-project and the new developed tools/module have received positive evaluations. We have in the early demonstration empathized on presenting the new tools/modules as practical self- help tool for the construction sector, aimed at solving the information challenge created by the CPR - for both manufacturers and users alike. This message worked very well and we got a positive response on this early stage message.
Later in the project when showing the pilot-versions we empathized more on system demonstration and tried to get feedback regarding detailed functionality. We got a lot of response resulting in several late system changes – mostly related to make more user-friendly functionality. These changes was registrered in a back log and several changes have already been implemented, and coBuilder AS is prepared to invest in technical development in the post project period for further system improvement.
Further information is provided in deliverable report D6.1 D 6.1 Report on feedback from the demonstrations regarding system improvements, user reactions and improved future dissemination activities.
Potential Impact:
The consortium participants have been carefully selected to act at a European level creating an integrated network hub to disseminate, train and exploit the knowledge and technology Europe-wide. The consortiums SME-AGs represent an important and highly effective tool for dissemination of the results from this project into the European construction industry and represent contractors and sub-contractors all over Europe.
Dissemination of project results within chemical management skills is a key element to the success of this project. Extensive demonstration and dissemination is leveraged through the SME-AGs aiming at the construction SME end-users to ensure rapid ”take up” of the system. Optimal use of the projects results have been ensured by formulating and starting the dissemination process right at the very start of the project. The early dissemination activities in the project have addressed the awareness among the contractors in Europe regarding the requirements and the obligations of the Construction Industry according of European legislation especially:
*Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)
*Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products and repealing Council Directive 89/106/EEC
Further, a key element in the dissemination activity has been the development of new tools and system to cost-effectively comply with key legislation.
The ProductXchange system is a software application complying with Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and Regulation (EU) No 305/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 laying down harmonised conditions for the marketing of construction products . The system is designed especially focusing on:
a)Helping end-users to comply with legal requirements.
b)Making it possible to efficiently communicate chemical information and information on construction products up and down the supply chain between the different actors involved from manufacturer through intermediaries to end user.
c)Making it possible to quickly identify and react to specific hazardous chemicals at the individual workplace, safeguard the workers and reduce the environmental pollution.
d)Making it possible to ensure that only approved construction products are used at the building and construction sites and thereby contributing to quality assurance and increased quality
e)Eliminating a significant part of the management burden for construction SMEs
f)Facilitating the proper handling of waste.
g)Helping in performing risk management to ensure safe use and handling of chemicals by a Built-in functionality for risk assessment and substitution.
The ProductXchange system is initially targeting the construction industry - the largest industrial sector in Europe with app. 3,3 M enterprises of which 95% of the enterprises are SMEs with fewer less than 20 employees and 93% with fewer than 10 employees.
The ProductInfoX project target groups are identified as:
*The Building and Construction SME as end user of building products
*Members of SME Associations (downstream users)
*Construction companies that handle construction products
*Manufacturers and suppliers of construction products
The primary target group for the ProductXchange system is SME contractors and sub-contractors in the construction industry (carpenters, insulators, plumbers, painters, electricians, etc.) using construction products. The typical customer will be a construction SME with 10-20 employees.
Offering European construction SMEs access to ProductXchange system will enable them to comply with existing and the new European chemical legislation. SMEs will benefit economically both by lowering management costs as well as by achieving improved standard. SMEs with access to ProductXchange system may benefit from competitive advantages, as they will:
*be able to participate as subcontractors in bigger projects complying with European legislation especially regarding REACH and construction products with minimal administrative cost.
* acquire contracts without administrative time loss caused by collecting and providing information on chemical products and construction products
*easily provide product substitutions when required by (main) contractor
*be able to work internationally more easily as they will be able to provide their information on chemicals and construction products in several languages
*be able to recruit workers internationally without extra costs in providing them information in their native language
*offer their work to specified environmental standards i.e. they will be able to document that their work is performed with environmentally safe products complying with standards set by the contactors or environmental organisations
*be a preferred contractor / subcontractor as they can document their compliance with legislations
The manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals and construction products are another target group. They will have one point of contact to distribute relevant information to a large number of projects that use their products. The manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals and construction products can distribute all relevant information relevant to a project to their customers by the ProductXchange system.
Other user groups for the ProductXchange system are identified as:
*Actors involved in the construction projects.
*Consulting firms providing HES and QA services to other organizations.
*Standardization bodies
Task 1.4 in the ProductInfoX project focuses on possible information delivery and exchange formats and systems and include examination of existing systems for supply of information on products and description of existing delivery formats and and practices as well as supplier practices, needs and requirements related to IFC, IFD, buildingSMART, CAD
systems, model servers, and BIM models in general. Task 1.5 focuses on available software tools including identification of available software tools to handle construction product information.
The main source of the information with regards to existing systems for exchange of information on chemical products has been information available on internet. A total of 28 companies/systems are identified and this report include information with regards to location, web address, type of system as well as further information with regards to the individual company/software system.
Information with regards to exchange of information on construction products have been compiled in close cooperation and with input from project partners coBuilder and Catenda. Special focus is made on the Building Information Model including BIM Object Libraries, BuildingSMART, Open BIM and BIM collaboration format.
Deliverable D1.3 Report on existing systems, functionalities and information exchange format include the results from activity in task 1.4 and 1.5. Then project has not been able to identify any existing software solutions or service providers that has the functionality to cover the objectives of our ProductInfoX project with regards to content and functionalities of the ProductXchange system. However, during Reporting Period 1 of the ProductInfoX project period, we have identified the “Innovance project” which focus on development of a database for construction products for the Italian construction industry. This initiative is further described in point 3.3. in the Deliverable D1.3 Report. The ProductInfoX project has contacted the “Innovance prosjekt” and meetings are planned to discuss the potential cooperation. For further information with regards to competitive software and services, we do refer to the Deliverable D1.3 Report.
The unique strengths of the ProductXchange system are:
• It is a tailor made system for the construction SMEs.
• It is a low-priced product and it is free of charge for the smallest actors.
• It is owned and controlled by the leading SME associations in the construction industry which will easy the work establishing the system as an industry standard in Europe.
• It is a cross national software service offering validated information complying with chemical legislation Europe wide.
The ProductXchange System has a trans-national approach due to the fact that all actors are using the same system and database regardless of which country they are operating in. System support and administrative actions will improve pan-European cooperation by the possibility to enter steering groups, user forum etc. This will ease the market roll-out and show the scalable potential for this web-application. The users will also have the possibilities to enter into joint agreements. By integrating various languages, the system also helps the users to deal with existing linguistic problems at the building site.
The consortium SME-AGs aim at safeguarding and promoting the common interests of the contractors and sub-contractors towards other institutions, organizations, the authorities and the society in general. They have ensured that the ProductXchange system has been developed in accordance with the needs of their members and they have played an important role in coordinating the dissemination and training activities. They will post project participate in both the international and the national steering committees in the various countries in Europe.
The SME-AGs expect the ProductXchange system to:
*Increase the competitive power of construction SMEs by providing them with a tool to comply with rules and regulations and thereby increase their competitiveness.
*Raise the general knowledge of REACH and regulations concerning construction products in the construction sector through the ProductInfoX project dissemination activities. In addition, their member SMEs will achieve an increased general expertise regarding safe handling of chemicals and increased quality of construction products.
*Enhance product quality and safety at the work sites, by their members actively using quality assured information readily available in the ProductXchange system.
During the ProductXchange system development phase, integration with the FP7 funded project ChemXchange will take place to form a complete information management system for both chemicals and products. The goal is to be able to offer ProductIXchange system to the construction sector throughout Europe.
The roll-out of the ProductXchange system is organized in 4 steps. Selection of relevant countries is based on:
*The market potential in terms of market size.
*The interest for environmental issues in that specific country.
*The possibility to obtain synergy from the strong market position in the Norwegian market.
Time-to-market for new countries is estimated to be 6-12 months, depending on the market size and complexity. All the steps in our roll-out plan have 12 months duration.
The system was launched in January 2013 in Norway and we did a successful transfer from the old system BASS. Other countries in step 1 are UK, Sweden and Finland. These countries have been selected due to the strong interest from both national associations and leading national players. In these countries we have established relationship with potential system operators and we have been visiting several end-users.
Finland - we have in cooperation with FIEC member, Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT, arranged several meetings and work-shops with key players in the Finnish market the last 12 months. There is a common understanding of having a common system for the Finnish market. They have agreed on a national distributor well known in the industry and we have already completed the pretest for system compatibility between their existing system and ProductXchange.
The potential distributor in Finland is Building Information Ltd (Rakennustieto). Building Information Ltd is a publishing house owned by the Building Information Foundation RTS. The Building Information Foundation RTS is a private, non-profitmaking Foundation whose task is to foster both good planning and building methods and good property management practices. Nearly all Finnish building professionals are clients of Building Information Ltd. The company publishes instructions for building and property management, regulations, contract documents and forms and product information both in printed format, on CD and on the Internet.
We are waiting for them to decide whether to go for ProductXchange or to develop a similar system by themselves. Hopefully we have a positive decision this autumn.
Sweden - we have introduced the system to the FIEC member BI - Sveriges Byggindustrier and several leading contractors and key players in the industry – among others Skanska AB, JM AB and Veidekke AB. We have established a good relationship to the organization BASTAonline as a potential distributor. BASTA is a non-profit-driven company and is jointly owned by IVL – the Swedish Environmental Research Institute, and the Swedish Construction Federation. The BASTA system has been developed with an in-depth proficiency in environmental issues and with the particular needs of the industry in mind. BASTA targets public sector purchasers, property owners, developers, contractors, architects, consultants, wholesalers and suppliers of materials. Major players in the construction industry support BASTA, as do authorities such as the Swedish Chemicals Agency and the Swedish Transport Administration.
We are to arrange new meetings with both BASTA and the leading contractors in Sweden and we are aiming at a partnership with the BASTAonline system. Hopefully we have an agreement signed this year.
UK - in the UK we presented the system to Trade Association for Construction Products Manufacturers, Builders Merchants Federation, British Standards Institute and the contractors Laing O’Rourke and Skanska UK. We are still in a position where we are identifying potential distributors and we aim to sign a market agreement during 2015.
International Steering committee
The first meeting of the International Steering committee was held 14th January 2013. By introducing this international steering committee, we have a structure for organizing the roll-out in Europe.
In Norway there is already a functioning steering committee. We will establish national steering committees in other markets responsible for the system launch in their own country. In these steering committees there will be members from the building associations recruited by FIEC and UNIEP and members representing end-users. The national system operator will be represented in each steering committee as a secretary, securing that decisions made by the steering committee is carried out.
Roll-out tasks
Time-to-market for new countries is estimated to be 6-12 months, depending on the market size and complexity. Changes or new requirements in the EU or national legislation might lead to further technical development in the system.
In each new market/country we need to:
1. Provide industrial validation of the system towards national market requirements, the user needs and the compatibility towards existing systems/applications.
2. Enter a critical mass of Safety Data sheets and national lists of hazardous substances in the system database before launching the system. A standard selection of 3000 of the most used building materials with a compulsory SDS and DoP will be registered in each new market/country.
3. Define which substances to avoid by setting up a pre-defined filter. The system needs to be prepared with a set of these pre-defined national filters to comply with national legislation and best practices.
4. To quantify the price level. The system is initiated by the leading construction associations to offer their members a low-cost efficient chemical information system. In the feasibility study from Norway all SMEs with an income less than NOK 10 mill. got the license for free. We will collect information regarding the SMEs` income in each new market before the pricelist is set.
The system will also generate various services including training and consultancy within risk assessment and risk management. New market opportunities will typically be transferring the system to other business sectors.
The Demonstrations have focused on organized demonstration activities to allow SME end-user and information providers in the construction industry to learn about the pilot system and to collect feedback for the work in WP 3 System specification v2.0 and v2.1 and WP 4 Software development v.2.0 and v2.1. The SME-AGs have been playing a central role in the demonstrations and been involved in identifying suitable venues in the construction sector (meetings, conferences, seminars) to demonstrate the pilot system. Typically, this has been conferences and seminars where the SME-AGs are the organizers.
The Objectives have been to:
*Demonstrate the pilot system to SME end users outside the consortium and to information-providers in the construction industry.
*Get feedback on technology, system use and validation of system performance and functionality from the Construction community.
Valuable feedback from the demonstrations have been fed back to the development WPs:
*D 3.3 System v2.0 specification
*D 3.4 System v2.1 specification
*D 4.3 Software v2.0
*D 4.4Software v2.1
coBuilder AS has been the task leader and have organized the Demonstrations in cooperation with the SME-AGs. TI has been supporting and Other-SMEs have been involved nationally.
Evaluation of the demonstration feedback based on information collected during the demonstrations, has been used to improve the system and to improve the promotional activities itself. This work (case study) has been validated by TI in cooperation with CoBuilder and the SME-AGs.
The overall aim for the SME-AGs when it comes to the dissemination in the ProductInfoX project is to move the European construction sector considerably forward with regards to quality as well as health, safety and environment. The SME-AGs in the consortium have played an important role in dissemination activity in the ProductInfoX project dissemination of the project results to their members.
The main elements of the dissemination and exploitation strategy includes the dissemination of knowledge, experience and benefits from the developed system to SME end-users, expert groups, system providers and SME-AGs. This is to be done with use of existing SME-AG networks and the activities will begin with internal presentations disseminated by FIEC and UNIEP to their national SME members at conferences and major exhibitions. In addition national SME-AGs EBA and BCC have been very active in dissemination to their national members. Further coBuilder and Catenda as service providers and with their key competance has been very active in the dissemination activity.
The demonstrations have in most cases been part of the dissemination events and
have also been combined with the testing of the software modules/tools. We started to demonstrate the findings in the project in early stage to get input to the System specification and the software development.
Demonstration events arranged during the course of the project include:
*03.06.2013: Demonstration of ProductinfoX to UNIEP’s Board: UNIEP / coBuilder AS: Brussels, Belgium
*19.09.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*26.09.2013: Updating of the project and Demonstration to the Association of Painting contractors of Berlin: UNIEP: Berlin, Germany
*07.10.2013: Conference – buildingSmart: Product Room Meetings Munich, Germany – giving a demo of product types from the PIX-project to be integrated in a BIM (bSDD/IFC): coBuilder AS: Munich, Germany
*14.10.2013: Meeting with BASTA and Skanska: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Swedish market: Stockholm, Sweden
*15.10.2013: Demonstration to the Swedish association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: Stockholm, Sweden
*23.10.2013: Demonstration on “UNIEP Policy Day”: UNIEP: Brussels, Belgium
*11.11.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Germany: coBuilder AS: Berlin, Germany
*27.11.2013: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT: Helsinki, Finland
*4.12.2013: Demonstration to the UK association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: London, UK
*12.12.2013: Demonstration to the Belgium association of Painting Contractors during a National Council’s meeting: UNIEP: Brussels, Belgium
*15.01.2014: Demonstration / meeting with Confederation of Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: Finnish Construction Industries RT / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*04.02.2014: Meeting with UK associations to discuss impact of PIX results: coBuilder AS: London, UK
*25.02.2014: Demonstration of the PIX – project to stakeholders in the Finnish market: coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*05.03.2014: Demonstration of the PIX-project at the conference «Vägen till giftfritt byggande 2014»: coBuilder AS: Stockholm, Sweden
*16.03.2014: Demonstration at buildingSMART meeting: coBuilder AS: Oslo, Norway
*17.03.2014: Presentation at the Summit – BuildingSMART International: coBuilder AS: Stockholm: Sweden
*20.03.2014: Demonstration for Skanska and other stakeholders in the UK market: coBuilder AS: London, UK
*23.05.2014:Demonstration of the ProductinfoX project at UNIEP General Assembly: UNIEP: Frankfurt, Germany
*04.06.2014: Workshop/Demonstration at the Conference “Painting Skills Legacy 2014”: Uniep / coBuilder AS: Amsterdam, Netherlands
*06.06.2014: Demonstration to the French association of Painting Contractors during the National General Assembly: UNIEP / coBuilder AS: Paris, France
*17.06.2014: Demonstration at the Exhibition “Building Test Expo“: coBuilder AS: Brussels, Belgium
*26.08.2014: Workshop with stakeholders in the Finnish market: Rakennustieto / coBuilder AS: Helsinki, Finland
*12.04.2016: Demonstration at the Summit Conference - buildingSMART International: coBuilder AS: Rotterdam, Netherlands
*19.04.2016: Demonstration for stakeholders in Bulgaria: Bulgarian Construction Chambe / coBuilder AS: Sofia, Bulgaria
*12.05.2016: Demonstration of the final modules/tools integrated in ProductXchange: coBuilder AS: Oslo, Norway
These different events are further presented in the Deliverable:
*D7.3 Draft Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK)
*D7.4 Final Plan for Use and Dissemination of Knowledge (PUDK).
List of Websites:
A project web site has been established at www.ProductXcange.com in order to ensure information to the public from the project.
The front page of the project web site does present the overall project description, all beneficiaries of the project and contact details. Through the presentation of the different project beneficiaries – links are made to their respective home page. The front page also includes a “Search” function and provide facilities to contact the project representatives. Further information on the project web site does include:
• Project description
• Project results
• Dissemination
English has been the main language of the project and reporting has primarily been done in English. However, in order to ensure sufficient information to project partners, the project has included the key information in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Norwegian and Bulgarian. Accordingly, the project web page has also included a functionality with regards to information provided in this different languages.