Towards the integration of bcXML in a standard-oriented architecture in the scope of the building product and process life-cycle

During the last decade significant results have been released in the development of standard models and open interoperable platforms to support some of the major building and construction (BC) activities. Nowadays, several standards are already available and others are in advanced stages of development, which is the case of bcXML. bcXML, which stands for Building and Construction eXtensible Mark-up Language , represents the major result produced by the eConstruct IST project and provides the European BC industry with a powerful but low cost XML-based language intended to primarily supports the eBusiness communication needed between the actors involved in the procurement of building products and services. This paper describes the path towards the integration of bcXML in a platform for integration of standard-based application protocols. Such an platform relioes on an architecture intended to support the reuse and extension of already existing standard data models and interfaces, including integration with standard-based libraries of materials and components where bcXML can play an active role supporting the creation of the suppliers’ catalogues. The paper also describes how the bcXML Reference Architecture can be used as proof of concept.