The MIH for information users
Trust in construction product information is essential, but you can’t always be sure the information you use is accurate and up to date.
Every day you source and review product information, making decisions that affect how construction projects go on to be specified and delivered. The problem is, raw data usually goes through multiple steps before you receive it as product information.
- Is the PDF datasheet you downloaded the current version?
- Does the performance data stored by the distributor or online seller match the product they’ll supply?
- Is the information you are sharing in a format that supports the golden thread?
When you request product information from a manufacturer, they are also responding to dozens of other requests for information, in a variety of formats.
What if any manufacturer could provide information that is structured and traceable?
What if data could be pulled into platforms – like specifications, building logbooks, asset management systems or new systems not yet conceived of – via direct, secure access to the data source?
What if tag and track capability could help you to know the product you specified is the one on site?
We aim to simplify access to construction product information through a standardised, interoperable approach. The MIH is not a product database, but a single gateway enabling product information to flow more efficiently direct from the manufacturer to all parts of the construction supply chain – including you.
We are building a community of manufacturers across Europe, from SMEs through to major companies. For our collective approach to work, we need your input into our pan-European, not-for-profit organisation.
The MIH will make your work easier, reducing risk and cost. It can do that even better when you bring your experience to the conversation.
Later this year we will launch our first wave of demonstrator projects. Getting involved with The MIH is your opportunity to learn from those projects, influence them, and potentially participate in the next wave.
Benefits
The MIH for information users
Not-for-profit organisation
A level playing field for all manufacturers, with no paywalls or monetisation of information, gives you real choice.
Seamless and interoperable
Delivers the construction product information you need and reduces errors, saving time and cost.
Trusted, verified product information
Single point of access reduces complexity of sourcing information and drives trust in data across the project life cycle.
Direct link to manufacturers
Unlike a product database, information comes directly from a governed source – the manufacturer themselves.
Not-for-profit organisation
A level playing field for all manufacturers, with no paywalls or monetisation of information, gives you real choice.
Seamless and interoperable
Delivers the construction product information you need and reduces errors, saving time and cost.
Trusted, verified product information
Single point of access reduces complexity of sourcing information and drives trust in data across the project life cycle.
Direct link to manufacturers
Unlike a product database, information comes directly from a governed source – the manufacturer themselves.
How it works
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Step 1
Attend a Welcome Forum to learn more about The MIH and ask questions.
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Step 2
Become a partner of The MIH and engage with a variety of real-world demonstrator projects.
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Step 3
Help to build industry-wide trust in construction product information.
How The MIH solves problems for your business
Information about construction products needs to be accurate, secure and up to date. Currently there is no joined up approach to addressing issues with data credibility, security, and interoperability between multiple systems.
That includes keeping information up to date, making it accessible and managing version control.
The MIH is not a platform for comparing products. Solutions already exist and The MIH is not seeking to disrupt that or replace those platforms. Instead, The MIH will make it simpler and more cost effective for those platforms to be accurate and useful.
In turn, that makes it easier for you to work with accurate, up to date information because The MIH will link directly to manufacturers’ product information management (PIM) systems, data pools and other platforms. That allows The MIH to solve problems related to:
- traceability and the golden thread;
- access to testing and certification evidence;
- accuracy of product marketing;
- verifiable carbon data, and more.
Join the Manufacturer’s Information Hub and engage with our demonstrator projects, join our committees and learn more, and influence the development of The MIH portal.
“It also supports the golden thread of course.
That information is getting drawn directly from manufacturers. It’s not getting rewritten … it can form part of the data that we hand over to our clients, and that’s the register of that product from source all the way to the client in operation.”
James Franklin – Digital Twin Project Director, Kier Construction
FAQs
If the manufacturer is updating their website manually, you may not be accessing the latest information, and the same applies to email. When our portal is up and running, specifiers and contractors will be able to access information at any time they need it and know it comes direct from manufacturers’ verified systems.
Welcome aboard! Our aim is to make it possible for creators of platforms for information users to access manufacturers’ information smoothly and efficiency, without the challenge of curating it yourself. That way you can focus on interacting with your target user and building the dataset and UI that works for them. If you want to find out more, join a welcome forum and we’ll guide you on the next steps.
Join the Welcome Forum to find out! It is the first step to getting involved and there is no obligation to do more than find out what we’re doing. You can also follow us on LinkedIn to keep abreast of our latest news.