SMART INTERNET BASED
OVERVIEW
Background: Internet is changing the
entire outlook of the construction industry. The construction industry
is becoming increasingly reliant on new internet-based technologies,
ranging from project-specific websites and online equipment auctioning,
to bid analysis software and negotiation tools. Companies are
contracting by e-mail, surfing the Net for supplies and equipment, and
looking online to complete projects faster and cheaper. The pace is slow
but steady, as construction companies and related sectors adapt to these
new approaches and practices for conducting business.
Emerging Technologies: Online trading
for the construction industry represents a novel opportunity to
negotiate bulk prices, purchase hard-to-find products and selling of
surplus materials to a market place that expands well beyond traditional
regional boundaries1. All of this has resulted in the
offering of more opportunities for sellers and better selection and
prices for consumers. Online bidding offers construction companies
looking to sell their services online an ideal means for contracting.
On-line bidding helps them in actually eliminating many of the
ambiguities and other problems inherent in conventional written
agreements2. More and more companies and governments are
heading towards the Internet and related electronic avenues to
streamline bidding and procurement practices. Many entities use online
means for posting solicitations for bids on contracts and for receiving
proposals.
Project–management specific websites and extranets
represent the biggest change to how construction companies conduct
day-to-day business. These project-management systems promises reduce
paper consumption, lower costs, improved communications, and quicker
turnaround on requests and timely (or even early) project completion.
One web based application suite of construction project management tools
is Project Village a subsidiary of Bostleman Corp., in Maumee, Ohio a
commercial construction company and real estate developer. Project
Village is consider by many to be the most robust and sustainable
web-based platforms for project management, communications and
e-commerce.
Benefits: These internet based
technologies have facilitated and contributed to almost all aspects of
construction—ranging from online bidding, procurement of supplies and
materials, specifications and design of products…to project management,
trading between suppliers, owners and contractors, and modeling of the
project sites. As continued awareness, knowledge, and implementation of
these technologies accelerate, many of the potential benefits and
practices associated with these technologies will in turn increase
leading to maximum profits and increase in productivity.
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