Computer systems provide more information than most of us will ever need; the real challenge is in managing the information to make it really useful.

As developers of buildings, and as custodians of a vast array of information about our buildings, we asked ourselves how we could we use this to assist our customers to run and maintain their buildings more effectively.

We initiated the development of the 'Single Model Environment' to measure and help produce the most environmentally advanced warehouses in the most cost effective manner, driven by a 'leaner and greener' philosophy. Technology innovation consultant MASS is undertaking this effort with Gazeley.

The work captures every piece of information generated throughout an entire project lifecycle - from site acquisition to asset disposal and beyond, into facilities management - and will even extend to calculating the building's carbon footprint throughout its life.

The project is being led by Michael Johnson at MASS. An evangelist for the managing and sharing of information, Johnson comments:

"We are creating a single-point repository for all the information related to Gazeley's sites and buildings, and then gluing together the 'best-of-breed' software to access, understand, and use it - wherever in the world you, or the site, happens to be," he says.

The 'Single Model Environment' will drive out waste of time, duplication of effort and re-working. It also has the capacity to turn data into useful information on demand - whether that demand be made in India, Mexico or China - night or day.

A working model has been developed by the MASS team and the system is being implemented throughout the company.