Questions and Answers
The Rationale for the DAP Forum
Q1. What is the DAP Forum?
A1. The DAP Forum is a unique grouping of supplier, user, Government, regulatory and construction sector interests who are working together to advance the supply and utilisation of integrated digital communications in support of enhanced user services and also to progress step-change in sustainability and carbon reduction within the built environment.
Q2. Why is the DAP Forum needed?
A2. Although the UK market for digital communication technologies has grown rapidly over recent years there is tremendous scope to build on established and anticipated communication infrastructure to deliver step-change innovation in user services which require the seamless transfer of data across all media. The DAP Forum has been recognised by Government as having a particular role in stimulating effective communication and knowledge transfer between the communication technology sector and the built environment.
Q3. What have been the DAP work priorities to date?
A3. Three particular areas of activity. Firstly providing a forum in which service users, clients and technology companies can share information on emerging requirements, opportunities for collaboration to identify and engage with technical issues and also to identify opportunities for common action in support of articulating the business and policy case for market development. Secondly promoting the demonstration of intelligent building technologies based on integrated digital communications within the full-scale showcase buildings on the Building Research Establishment's Garston Campus. A number of these buildings already incorporate technologies to allow integrated connection of building services, energy efficiency, monitoring and ensuring the quality of the internal environment, physical security and user comfort and convenience. The range of technologies will be expanded significantly in the run up to the BRE's INSITE Exhibition which takes place next June. In addition DAP is leading on a major piece of collaborative research to develop new product offerings to deliver assisted living services for those suffering from chronic conditions. This 3 year research programme commenced in July 2008. More information is available via the ALIP tab.
Q4. What benefits will DAP deliver that would not otherwise happen?
A4. We believe that by working through a Forum that represents the full range of interests we will make a positive contribution to achieve the much more rapid development, promotion and implementation of services based on integrated digital communications. We need to bear in mind that these services will make a real difference to people's quality of life as well as making a positive contribution to key elements of public policy. It is in everyone's interests that progress should be as rapid as possible.
Q5. Why not leave things to the market to sort out?
A5. In a mature market place it is likely that this is precisely what will happen. However, the market is still at a formative stage. Technology companies are reat at providing technical solutions and in working together to deal with impediments such as the need for inter-operability. However, clients and user requirements are still developing and developing through islands of excellence. It surely makes most sense for suppliers, clients and others to work together through the DAP Forum and other groups to develop optimum solutions and to share innovations, best practices and requirements.
Q6. Why is BRE supporting DAP with Secretariat resource?
A6. BRE is committed to support developments that will contribute to a more effective and sustainable built environment. BRE takes the view that the application of integrated digital communications within the built and wider environment will deliver tremendous potential to deliver step-change in the performance of both new and existing structures as well as enabling new forms of services for building occupants and users. BRE wishes to be an active participant in this new space.