The AGS data format which has evolved over the last 20 years provides a good mechanism to transfer technical data between different geotechnical partners. Historically, data have been transferred from the contractors to the consultants at the end of the site investigation as a one off transfer of information.

Improvements in information and communication technologies and the growing pressures on time and budgets placed on recent projects have imposed new requirements. Partners, in particular on large projects, are now commonly expected to exchange data in an almost real-time basis. In order to keep track of the status of any test (i.e. the degree of confidence of the level of understanding achieved so far), the latest version of the AGS format (4.0) has introduced a new required TRAN group to convey this information.

However, despite this improvement, the sheer number of transmissions required to achieve this quasi real-time data transfer and the shortcomings of currently available software lead to specific operational challenges which will be developed in detail.

Real life examples of solutions which are being used routinely to mitigate these limitations are presented. In view of current practices, the likely implications of new regulatory framework, such as BIM, will be briefly discussed.