BE Magazine - Volume 5, Issue 1 - (Page 2) QUICK TAKES Interoperability Drives Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration his issue of BE Magazine looks at how interoperability is defined by today’s building community, the costs of noninteroperability, and how new technologies are spawning more collaborative teams by enabling the exchange of data to better integrate project delivery. In a special excerpt from McGraw-Hill Construction’s “Interoperability SmartMarket Report,” 295 architects, engineers, contractors, and owners assess the interoperability of software applications and platforms. The study results demonstrate that most firms recognize the importance of interoperability and are moving toward more collaborative multidisciplinary teams through the expanded use of integrated technology solutions. In the article that begins on page 6 titled “Interoperability Will Be Achieved Through a Combination of Solutions Spurred by People and Technology,” interoperability is defined from a technology-based view as the ability to manage and communicate electronic product and project data among collaborating firms. But interoperability is also defined at a cultural level, the report states, in which it fosters collaborative relationships among members of cross-disciplinary build teams by freely exchanging data. At the 39th Annual Engineering and Construction Contracting Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo., Tony Meggs, BP Group Vice President, Technology, also spoke of collaboration, but in terms of the challenges facing today’s project community. In his keynote titled “Facing the Future: What Will It Take To Succeed in a New Energy Era?” ( page 10), he emphasized that to succeed in today’s complex, high-risk environment, new levels of collaboration will be critical. “The key ingredient for success is going to be the ability to collaborate. Collaboration is hardly a new idea. We all know that this is a highly competitive industry, one of the characteristics that has made it so successful in the past,” said Meggs. “Competition drives innovation in our industry and creates better value for our customers. But the scale and nature of the challenges we face going forward will require unprecedented levels of collaboration in the future.” In “The Last Word” on page 48, CEO Greg Bentley previews some significant changes to this year’s user conference to be held on May 28–30 in Baltimore, Md. With a theme of “BEst Practices for Sustaining Infrastructure,” BE Conference 2008 (www.be.org) will feature a newly condensed two-and-a-half day schedule with a focus on user-led content and networking. As a quick reminder, the 2008 BE Awards of Excellence project submissions are now open to all Bentley users. Nominate your project online by Feb. 29 to be part of this year’s community of technological innovators. Finalists and winners will be recognized at BE Conference 2008. Submit your compelling project now! T BE Magazine Volume 5, Issue 1 EDITOR IN CHIEF Carol Minton carol.minton@be.org CONTRIBUTORS Andreas Asperl Axel Kilian Chris Barron Danny Klima Greg Bentley Ron Kuhfeld Ray Bentley McGraw-Hill Construction Aravinda Billavara Tony Meggs Christine Byrne Ed Mueller Cathy Chatfield-Taylor Steve Norton Warren Chiara Vern Owens Joe Croser Helmut Pottmann Will Doak Huw Roberts Sara Ferris Christopher Rogers Maria Flodin Carey Seaborg Joe Granville Lisa Smith Joan Hatcher Caroline Tyra Chintana Herrin Anne-Marie Walters Gregg Herrin Kellye Whitney Michael Hofer Bobbi Wilson Rich Huffman Brad Workman Jeff Kelly Richard Zambuni ART DIRECTOR Nancy A.Walker ADVERTISING Colleen Fowler Advertising and Circulation Office 685 Stockton Drive Exton, PA 19341-0678 Phone: +1 610-458-2953 Fax: +1 610-458-6284 colleen.fowler@bentley.com To subscribe to BE Magazine, visit www.be.org. Carol Minton Editor in Chief © 2008 Bentley Systems, Incorporated. BE Magazine is published quarterly by Bentley Systems, Incorporated, 685 Stockton Drive, Exton, PA USA 19341. Bentley, the “B” logo, BE, BE Awards of Excellence, BE Careers Network, Bentley CloudWorx, Bentley Fiber, Bentley Geo Web Publisher, Bentley Geospatial Server, Bentley Inside Plant, Bentley Institute, Bentley Institute Press, Bentley LEARN, Bentley Map, Bentley Mechanical, Bentley PowerMap, Bentley Structural, AutoPIPE, AutoPLANT, Enterprise License Subscription, Future Cities India 2020, GenerativeComponents, GEOPAK, Haestad Methods, InRoads, MicroStation, MXRAIL, PlantSpace, PlantSpace P&ID, ProjectWise, ProjectWise Lifecycle Server, ProjectWise Navigator, RAM, RAM Concept, RAM Frame, STAAD, STAAD.Pro, TriForma, and WaterGEMS are either registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks of Bentley Systems, Incorporated, or one of its direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Google Earth is a trademark of Google Inc. All other brands and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Reproducing part or all of this publication for purposes other than personal or internal reference use without express permission of Bentley Systems, Incorporated is prohibited. Write the editor to request such permission: BEmagazine@be.org. Any user material, information or other communication transmitted or otherwise provided to Bentley (“Submission”) is understood by both parties to be non-confidential and non-proprietary. Bentley has no obligation with respect to any Submission and may freely copy, reproduce, incorporate, distribute or use such Submission as it wishes. 2 BE MAGAZINE | Volume 5, Issue 1 http://www.be.org http://www.be.org/en-US/Be%20Magazine/ http://www.be.org/en-US/BE+Awards/2008awards.htm
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