Integration of material flow management tools in workplace environments

This chapter describes how information technology (IT) support for industrial ecology can be integrated in a workplace environment, providing a homogeneous user interface and role-based access to information. The term “industrial ecology” comprises all activities of a company in regard to the natural environment. These can be, among others: operative tasks (e.g., handling of hazardous materials), compliance tasks (e.g., preparing declarations to be submitted to authorities), as well tasks involved in building up an environmental management system. It may also include innovative new approaches, such as “Design for Environment” or recycling oriented design. Other terms with a similar connotation are “cycle-oriented industry” or “integrated production”. To the user it is not really relevant which application furnishes the data he or she accesses. Rather, the user wants the data to be served in a harmonized way and adapted to his or her specific work context; the user wishes to use it in material flow models and he or she needs to utilize the data in cooperative work processes. Computer support and data aggregation are therefore only one aspect. Additionally it is required to work with adequate tools for creating and using material flow models as well as for supporting communication in business processes. The result is a “Business Package for Industrial Ecology”.