Long term preservation of textual information in the AEC sector

Abstract

As we are living in a vast changing technological era, the hardware and software required to read electronic documents continue to evolve, and the technology may be so different in the near future that it may not work on older documents. Preserving information over long term is already known as a problem. This research investigates the potential of using XML in improving long term preservation of textual information resulting from AEC (Architectural, Engineering and Construction) projects. It identifies and analyses the issues involved in the subject of handling information over a long period of time in this sector and maps out a strategy to solve those issues. The main focus is not the centralized preservation of documents, but rather the preservation of segments of information scattered between different decision makers in the AEC. In the end a methodology for exchanging information between different decision makers, collecting related information from different decision makers, and preserving such information in the AEC sector for long term purposes that is based on the use of XML will be presented.

Date of Award	2007
Original language	English