Building owners and operators, both in the public and private sectors, are invited to learn about the importance of interoperability – the automated exchange of electronic information in the building process, at a specially arranged "Industry Day" conference hosted as a part of the annual meeting of theInternational Alliance for Interoperability, May 14th in Alexandria, VA. One of the biggest and costliest obstacles in the building process is the inability of computer software and platforms to readily exchange and use data pertaining to specific projects. Interoperability allows the seamless flow of data among related software applications and platforms. Interoperability will eliminate repetitive manual data input into the many computers used in the construction process. The "output" from an upstream system becomes the "input" for downstream systems, transferred electronically.

"Industry Day" is being sponsored by the International Alliance for Interoperability. There are currently 10 IAI chapters in Europe, Asia, Australia, South America and North America. The IAI-North America, which serves as the host for this annual meeting, is a council of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).