Under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. R. Scherer, the Institute of Construction Informatics has been carrying out applied research in the fields of data processing for the construction sector since 1994. In Construction informatics, as interdisciplinary field between informatics and civil engineering, methods for information analyses, knowledge identification and artificial intelligence as well as the application of distributed systems are under research. The main research lies in building and project modeling, information logistics and mobile communication systems. Here, the focus is on the application areas concurrent engineering, virtual organizations and knowledge management in the construction sector. For example, the collaborative project execution in dynamic virtual construction organizations has been advanced by methods for efficient and consolidated use of information, processing power and human knowledge (Intelligrid, BauVOGrid). For a coordinated cooperation of virtual planning teams, an open internet-based information and communication system has been developed (iCSS). Also, suitable cooperation models for the use of divided resources in support of cooperative project processing by use of divided functional models has been designed (DFG). Furthermore, with focus on models and methods for specifying construction processes, the coordination of research and development projects in the construction sector has been supported by developing a process matrix with reference processes (ICCI). Further main research is carried out in linked fluid structure analyses and control of wind induced loads on civil engineering buildings (SARA). Here, the focus is laid on calculation and simulation techniques and their systematic generalization in the construction sector.

gibGREINER offers solutions for project management and controlling in the fields of infrastructure, complex engineering and plant construction. To make projects controllable and secure decisions by knowledge of current states, the software solution GRANID was developed. This software stands out due to its integrated approach, process orientation and the open system architecture for connection of external systems. Depending on the customers’ needs, gibGREINER supports in the system integration or offers services in the area of project management respectively project controlling. Important reference customers are the Deutsche Bahn AG, which use GRANID as trust solution for their project handling - the project company AspTransit AG for the Gotthard base tunnel, Schweizer Bundesbahnen (SBB) for large-scale projects and noise protection actions and the Flughafen München GmbH.

With over 12,000 customers, the RIB Group is one of the leading providers of technical ERP software solutions for the construction industry. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Stuttgart, RIB has become a market leader in Germany. The world’s largest construction companies, the public sector, architectural offices and engineering companies as well as key accounts in the process industries all around the globe use RIB’s software systems to optimise their engineering and construction processes. RIB has its own sales and service offices in EMEA, North America and APAC. The new software solution RIB iTWO® combines traditional construction planning and trail-blazing 5D planning.

Ed. Züblin AG is one of the largest German construction companies with branches and subsidiaries in Germany and abroad and is part of the STRABAG SE group of companies. 2007 Züblin AG had a total operating performance of 2.809 bn Euros, the STRABAG group of companies about 10.7 bn Euros. For 110 years, Züblin has been realizing challenging construction projects inland and abroad and develops customized solutions for technically and economically optimized projects of each kind and dimension. The necessary planning and construction processes will increasingly be supported by models. 5D is the realization of this new technology in construction inside the STRABAG group of companies. 3D modeling 4D simulation and 5D integrated processes. The department for 5D of Züblin’s central technology is responsible for the development and implementation of model-based working in the whole STRABAG group of companies.

AEC3 Deutschland GmbH supports companies in improving their IT-based planning, construction and management processes. This includes process analyses, data exchange concepts, cooperation strategies and technical support and training for the use of integrated IT solutions, especially the appliance of digital building models (BIM). Special importance is attached to the application of standards and open industry standards, especially STEP, IFC and ISO 12006 (catalogues). As internationally acknowledged specialist, AEC3 is a demanded partner in research projects and industry-oriented feasibility studies and holds important functions in standardization committees like buildingSMART and ISO.

The Professorship for Construction Management and Engineering (BUW–BBV), under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Joachim Bargstädt, considers itself as institution for analyses, procurement and application of knowledge for preparation, execution and accounting of the construction process. It covers a wide range of computer-based construction management research with the following research areas: simulation in production and logistics, calculation through process simulation, virtual sites, knowledge and risk management for the construction management, life cycle strategies for buildings, systematic production techniques and refurbishment. Currently, nine academic employees work on different research projects (DFG-project construction calculation through process simulation in virtual site worlds, main focus on simulation of construction logistics processes, practice cooperations, SIMoFIT - Simulation of Outfitting Processes in Shipbuilding and Civil Engineering, BMBF project Innovations Forum “Intelligent Construction”).

Founded in the year 1929 by Mr. Max Boegl, the group of companies with its headquarters in Neumarkt looks back at a successful 80 year history. Creating an annual turnover of 1 bn Euros in the year 2007 and employing over 5,000 employees all over the world, Max Boegl is among the five largest construction companies in Germany. Running the company in third generation, Max Boegl is the largest construction firm in Germany in private hands with special know-how in prefabrication, logistics and integrated planning and production. With its extraordinary vertical range of performance and manufacture Max Boegl is able to cover all areas and levels of difficulty of modern construction. The variety of business activities allows the realization of complex construction projects, from planning via financing to construction and operation. During the centuries, the company advanced from a contractor of pure construction works to a technology and service company. Max Boegl realized that there is the necessity to develop methods and instruments to support and document planning and execution processes systematically. Hence, the Max Boegl group of companies set itself the target to use this room for improvement and consolidate the information of the different ICT solutions on the basis of an open platform gradually. By integration and consistent application of new digital 3D, 4D and 5D techniques, construction projects shall be executed and supervised more cost-efficient and with a considerably increased quality and adherence to schedules through all project phases. Innovative processes and the use of new media will help to improve the cooperation of all persons involved, to increase competitiveness and to open up new markets.

The Institute for Computing in Engineering at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus König, works on the development and application of mathematical structures and methods for the support of project management in the construction sector. This includes methods for modeling, analysis and documentation of operational procedures, execution alternatives and project decisions. Especially, new concepts for a dynamic process modeling, for formalization and re-use of experience knowledge as well as for an efficient creation of simulation models for the construction management has been developed and tested with different industry partners.

SimPlan AG, with its headquarters in Maintal next to Frankfurt and subsidiary company induSim, is a full-range supplier (service, software and maintenance) around the simulation of production and logistics processes and was founded in 1992. Nowadays, about 50 employees at SimPlan and its connected companies work on simulation projects und simulation oriented software developments for the automotive industry, the logistics sector, machine and plant manufacturers and further industries.

Solidpro GmbH, with its headquarters in Langenau next to Ulm, is a system service provider with the target to offer its customers the possibility to construct and produce better products within a shorter time. This should be reached by integrating building blocks of leading manufacturers inside the process chain. Solidpro coaches numerous well-known companies, for example in the areas machine building, plant construction, tool and mold construction and medical engineering. The company with its 90 employees has a twenty year experience in CAD and sells the system SolidWorks from Dassault as core product.

The research of the Institute for Construction Management and Construction Operations (TUD–IBB) focuses on organization in construction companies, facility management, economical, operative and organizational aspects with high-speed-trains, communication in construction and applied construction informatics, safety and health. Under the guidance of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Schach, the institute currently works with 11 employees.

For about 15 years, the Heinz-Nixdorf foundation professorship for multimedia-technology (TUD-MMT) has been engaged in different projects like intelligent visualization concepts and development methods for contextual adaptive applications, funded by public authorities and the industry. The main focus is on multimedia-based web applications and those for mobile application scenarios, which adapt automatically to their current application context, to the system and device characteristics as well as the user preferences (project AMACONT, HyperAdapt and CRIUSe). Furthermore, interesting research outputs exist in the field of semantic description and ontology-based administration of multimedia-based data. The MEFISTO project will be carried out on these results. Numerous international publications and dissertations as well as a close cooperation with regional industry and international research partners emphasize the experience of the professorship.