Engineering collaboration 2.0: requirements and expectations

Despite the fact that it has taken a long time for construction industry to enter the information era, information technologies significantly changed and still changes the way professionals in building and construction (BC) industry work. Consequently, construction industry is in relatively early phase of adopting web-based technology, even though the web has already moved deep into its second phase. The Internet today is not only the source of information, but also the way people do business. During the recent years, a phenomenon of Web 2.0 attracted a lot of attention not only in the Internet, but also in business community. It is considered as a next step and a major evolution of the traditional web from both technological and social perspective. This paper presents the concepts, trends and technologies which can affect the way how construction industry currently works and the key reasons why the AEC community should seriously consider the shift towards the next generation of the web. User scenario of the future is presented, most promising technologies are outlined and key predictions for the future are presented.