Traditionally, applying for LEED certification has been time-consuming and paper-intensive. The length and perceived difficulty of the application process has deterred projects from applying for LEED certification despite the environmental and economic benefits.
Using Adobe software to automate application processing, the new paperless application process cuts the LEED application submission time by as much as 50 percent, according to USGBC. LEED Online debuted in November 2005, and hundreds of projects are already using the online documentation and submission forms, according to USGBC.
"The LEED documentation and certification process used to be very cumbersome," says Joe Diianni, Director of Technology, USGBC. "Projects were required to submit binders of paperwork and documentation. Working with Adobe to simplify the application process will encourage more projects to seek LEED certification, save paper, as well as improve our own processes for handling and reviewing submissions."
Among the benefits of LEED Online are:
- Easy calculations: The PDF forms contain built-in functions for calculating complex equations for LEED measurements.
- Enhanced collaboration: Team members can download the specific forms they need, complete the Adobe PDF forms offline, and e-mail the forms to co-workers for additional input.
- Simplified submittals: LEED Online replaces thick binders full of paper documentation. After applicants have completed the Adobe® PDF forms, they can attach supporting documentation and upload materials to LEED-Online.
- Streamlined reviews: Via LEED Online, project teams, USGBC staff, and third-party experts can conveniently review the application information. They can add their input to the application documents using adobe Acrobat commenting tools to highlight areas of interest or concern.
- Increased security: The new system also enhances information security, because username and password permissions are associated with each Adobe PDF form.
