Transferring data among team members can be a time-consuming process. In the past, architects have transferred data to the contractor by means of printing CAD files or other 2D drawing information into a PDF or other noneditable format and then mailing CDs, posting to a firm FTP site, couriering DVDs, or attaching ZIP files to email. This followed converting the native file format and limiting any input from other team members into the native file. Until recent years, many projects were architect-led, and the architect dispersed the data to the relevant parties. But more recently, some projects are contractor-led, and the contractors are running more sophisticated technology than the architect's software. Although this is not always the case, it is definitely an interesting turn of events in that both professions are realizing the value of information-rich data and are demonstrating this belief by investing in BIM software. With collaboration and integration in mind, many companies are now seeing the value in creating information sharing standards before construction. (See Figure 2.8) This concept is different from past models in that the goal is not at any point to "lock" or "freeze" data prior to distribution. The freezing of data occurs, for example, when a sheet is plotted or is converted to another read-only format. BIM involves linking multiple models, testing them, and then further coordinating the virtual construction. Because there are so many stakeholders and so many model changes and updates, an archiving strategy must be developed.