Why standardization is the key to more efficient procurement in the construction and installation sector

Last month, we attended the Partner Rendez-Vous 2026 organized by Ketenstandaard. During this event, one theme took center stage: improving the way data is recorded, shared, and managed within the construction and installation sector.

Topics such as sustainability, traceability, building registrations, and data structures were discussed in depth. While these subjects may seem technical at first glance, they all serve the same purpose: enabling companies to collaborate more effectively by speaking the same language.

For BarTrack, these developments are highly relevant. Not only because we want to remain actively involved in the digital transformation of the sector, but above all because standardization has a direct impact on the efficiency of procurement processes.

The challenge of fragmented information

In many construction and installation projects, information about materials, systems, and maintenance is stored across multiple locations. Product data resides in different systems, suppliers use varying naming conventions, and project information is often processed manually.

This creates daily challenges:

• Employees need to search for information manually.
• Material lists are compiled from multiple sources.
• Product information requires regular verification.
• Errors occur due to differences in naming conventions or product data.
• Ordering processes take more time than necessary.

As projects grow in size, complexity increases as well. As a result, a significant amount of time is spent on administrative tasks that add little value.

Why standardization is so important

Standardization ensures that all parties within the supply chain use the same definitions, structures, and data. When information is recorded in a consistent way, systems can exchange and process that data more easily.

Take product information for materials, for example. When manufacturers, wholesalers, software providers, and installers use the same standards, information no longer needs to be entered or verified repeatedly.

This offers several benefits:

• Reduced risk of errors.
• Faster data exchange.
• Higher data quality.
• Fewer administrative tasks.
• Greater opportunities for automation.

Automation is becoming increasingly important as companies face labor shortages, rising costs, and growing project complexity.

From maintenance plan to order

At BarTrack, we see every day how important reliable data is for an efficient procurement process. A maintenance or construction plan often contains all the information needed to order materials. In practice, however, this information is still frequently translated manually into a material list and then into a purchase order. When standardized data is available, many of these steps can be automated.

A maintenance schedule can then be automatically linked to the correct materials. Product data becomes immediately available, and the required items can be added to an order list more quickly. This makes it easier to order the right materials at the right time. Not only does this save time, but it also reduces the risk of errors and provides greater control over project execution.

The role of Ketenstandaard

During the Partner Rendez-Vous, it once again became clear how much work is being done behind the scenes to make this level of standardization possible. Initiatives such as the KIS Framework, TRAIL, and the Building Installation Register all contribute to a future in which information can be exchanged more easily between organizations and software platforms.

This is not a transformation that will happen overnight. It requires collaboration between software providers, manufacturers, wholesalers, installers, and industry organizations. That is precisely why events such as the Partner Rendez-Vous are so valuable. They bring together stakeholders who are all working toward the same goal: a more efficient, transparent, and better connected supply chain.

Ready for the future

The construction and installation sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation. As a result, high-quality data is becoming increasingly important. Not only for reporting and compliance purposes, but also for practical processes such as maintenance, project planning, and procurement.

At BarTrack, we closely follow these developments. By participating in standardization initiatives, we ensure that our platform remains future-ready and that our users can benefit from more efficient processes, reduced administrative workload, and better collaboration across the supply chain. Ultimately, efficient procurement does not begin with placing an order—it starts with the quality and availability of the information that comes before it.