The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched its online App Lab as part of its LEED Automation Program. The lab launched with eight applications, developed by LEED Automation Partners, and is designed for use with Internet browsers, tablets, smartphones and other devices.

The App Lab is a searchable catalog of third-party apps that are integrated with LEED data. Each app is a fully functional software tool that has been enhanced to provide LEED projects teams and administrators integration with LEED Online and address the LEED certification process, according to USGBC. These tools are already being used for helping with task management, data interchange, file uploads, credit scorecards, credit strategies, team messaging and other uses, and are now capable of interacting directly with USGBC's LEED Online system.

"The LEED App Lab has been highly anticipated as a way to leverage multiple partners to expand the presence of green building," said Scot Horst, svp LEED, U.S. Green Building Council. "The potential leverage points are so numerous that we really cannot anticipate the full impact of the App Lab. All we are sure of is that we have created a place to ignite the flames of true innovation and growth. LEED already embodied innovation. Now we are pushing LEED toward an entirely new world of possibilities."

All LEED automation partners have the ability to publish new apps to USGBC's App Lab. The apps available today represent initial LEED Automation Partners; additional apps will be added over time. To use an app from the lab visitwww.usgbc.org/automation.