This book is an introduction to the solution to the problem of interoperability between different engineering software systems. Global collaboration between most industrialised countries and many industrial sectors has resulted in a series of international standards for the computer representation of engineering information by information models in a digital form that is independent from any proprietary software. This enables the information to be exchanged between systems, with suitable interfaces, at lower cost than native file exchanges and with greater accuracy than using individual translators.
The authors of the chapters of this book have been part of this global research and development project for many years and many of them have been primarily responsible for the development of the Standards on which the technology for product data representation and exchanged is based. Part 1 of this book is intended for managers and executives responsible for strategy in their companies to advise them on the scope of this technology and to outline the achievements that are now possible with its use. Part 2 of the book is intended for engineers and software developers who want to know more about the technical scope and some details of the standards. This choice of topics is only a selection of the capability of the technology and the development of further standards is still in progress because of the fundamental concepts on which the technology is founded.

Anna Moreno has been working at Enea since 1983. She always promoted knowledge and know-how transfer among “non-expert” people as she felt that the knowledge should freely flow outside of the domain expert to bring the expected benefits. She received several European awards: for the Enea e-Learn platform (2007), for the best cooperation program in energy (2008), for the best innovation tool for standards dissemination (2008). Finally, in November 2013 she was awarded as gold winner-education during the European Women Inventors & Innovators Network Exhibition in Stockholm.