Analysis on the development of e-platforms in the AEC sector

Abstract

Recent studies have illustrated that despite the fact that the AEC sector has yet to adopt international standards like STEP and IFC in order to have interoperability and information integration across its value chain and within the construction life cycle, it has embraced e-commerce and e-business. Indeed, case studies demonstrate that the use of electronic collaborative and commerce platforms by the different players in the AEC sector can be as sophisticated as the best practices found in automotive, aeronautics, or retailing sectors. However, the same studies do also recognise that though the best practices are at the same level, they are much less frequently deployed. This paper presents a methodology based on business factors to assess the readiness and likeliness of the development of e-business and e-commerce between disparate players in AEC projects.