Launch of data exchange model for construction projects

As a founding member, NHP Electrical Engineering Products has announced the launch of a local chapter of ETIM International — ETIM Australia and New Zealand — in conjunction with Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) and some of the electrical industry’s leading organisations.

ETIM is an international classification model that provides construction industry participants with a much-needed structure for standardised (technical) product data exchange. The ETIM technical information model has already been adopted in over 20 countries and has been translated into many different languages across global markets. Specifically, it defines in a consistent way the technical attributes that business-to-business buyers need in order to match a product to a particular need.

Implementing it for Australian and New Zealand businesses in the construction sector will have a number of benefits, including cost savings in design and construction delivery times and processes. It will also support more sophisticated supply chain management practices.

NHP’s Corporate Affairs Lead, Stephanie Edwards, is also the inaugural co-chair of the ETIM Local Chapter — Australia and New Zealand.

“NHP began discussions regarding ETIM adoption as part of the ever-present digital transformation journey that we are undertaking. A significant phase in this project was to reach out to our wide range of suppliers and industry partners to test their interest in collaborating on refining and sharing a data classification system,” Edwards said.

“What we found was an industry that was hungry to be able to agree on a system which incorporated a shared data integrity standard, while eliminating existing inefficiencies by allowing for the real-time exchange of data between commercial entities and regulatory bodies.”

Edwards went on to explain the benefits of the model for members of the local chapter, as well as their customers, suppliers and industry partners.

“NHP will benefit from the ETIM model — as will other members of the local chapter — because our systems will be able to search and surface answers for customers, suppliers, wholesale networks and end users, as we all begin to adopt a shared data classification approach.”

A list of the founding members of the ETIM chapter may be obtained by visiting the ETIM Australia and New Zealand website.

ETIM will initially be implemented for the electrotechnology sector, followed by the plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning sectors, then general building products.

For further information about ETIM Australia and New Zealand, visit etim-aunz.com.

Image credit: iStock.com/simoncarter