An XML based standard to enable bulk project data transfer between heterogeneous systems Scott Moses Tarek Hassan Ashraf El-Hamalawi Tim Cole 2134/5150 https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/An_XML_based_standard_to_enable_bulk_project_data_transfer_between_heterogeneous_systems/9451946 The objective of the work reported in this paper was the development of an XML based standard which would enable project data, such as contacts, drawings, documentation, instructions and emails, to be transferred between collaborative systems provided by different software vendors and used by construction organisations. The primary aim being to create a transfer mechanism which would allow project data transfer without modification of existing collaborative system deployed by vendors. This paper discusses the business and technological needs for such a transfer capability between collaborative systems, by examining the current use of these tools and related problems encountered by clients. It sets out the main components that underlie the majority of construction specific collaborative systems which forms the basis of the generic collaborative system model which has been developed, contrasting this with previous data exchange efforts. This paper shows how the XML Schema was developed and the procedures undertaken to ensure that it could be utilised by the maximum possible set of vendors. It sets out the best practice procedure for implementations by vendor organisations and the required testing to confirm a successful transfer. The paper also highlights some of the practical problems that were encountered when transferring projects between heterogeneous systems during the project and in subsequent deployments of the solution. Finally, the paper concludes with methods of taking the work forward as a foundation to allow for greater interoperability between systems in the future. 2009-08-17 14:01:01 Data exchange XML schema Construction Project collaboration Enterprise content management Collaborative software NCCTP Built Environment and Design not elsewhere classified