It is al about being more sustainable in every way, not on digitalisation as a goal. Josefien Vanhuyse from Neanex on digital and sustainability.

Digitalisation is not an aim but a way to evolve. 

‘First, I’d like to point out that there’s a lot of ‘greenwashing’, also in our sector. We must be clear about the purpose and business objectives. 

Neanex is a platform, better described as a digital asset register. Our mission is to develop a data driven way of working, contributing to a more sustainable built environment through a more intelligent use of assets. It’s simple and at the same time incredibly complex. 

Digitalisation is never the aim.

It’s a means to an end. It’s been said countless times before. Every project has its own dataset, every party involved steers and manages based on its own priorities. Your asset management and digital environment should facilitate and make those data streams customized for whomever needing them. 

Sustainability is not about being green or ecological alone. Resources are scarce and for the construction industry, materials is an important aspect to take into consideration. It’s about the efficient use, and re-usage of materials, components, and assets.  

There’s also an economical aspect to that. Gone are the days of ‘hit and run’ businesses. It’s about adding value in the long term, developing infrastructure that sustains a way of living compatible with the future and creating digital and business ecosystems to realize this. That for one, is something we all learned from the pandemic. Imagine we did not have connectivity, or energy? What should our future world look like? How do we use and need spaces, infrastructure, connectivity? There is a human or social aspect where we should take responsibility that critical assets are always available and safe. Nobody is in need for new dramas of collapsing bridges, parking lots, badly maintained cable elevators,... 

The construction passport

That social dimension is a third, important way of thinking. We gain insights through data, and we should use them to steer our decision in a more rational way. 

The ‘construction passport’ is an inevitable step towards a greener future. Notarising, indexing materials and resources used with their specific maintenance instructions, will make for better decisions, better projects and, in the end, more profitable companies, all working together for a sustainable built world. 

It might come across as idealistic, but it isn’t. It’s a plain and simple fact staring you brutally in the face. If you know more about the assets you dispose of you, you will know how to efficiently use them. 

Sustainability through data and knowledge

Data driven management of assets is the gateway to sustainability. The ‘materials passport’ is a first step towards that future. Our platform allows for insights in the actual state of your asset throughout the asset lifecycle. You can approach that in a purely managerial way, or you can use it to steer and improve your processes towards that societal goal.

We already play a role in developing a proactive sustainable attitude through data, because the system allows you to be proactive in terms of maintenance and risk management, but actively developing that circular vision in construction is something that should grow. It implies familiarity with data, with open standards, with management information systems and digital asset management. It is hard work to get the message out there for sure!

There’s still a long road to cover for most companies.
But we will push through!

Hope that you will join us.

Josefien Vanhuyse