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Features of Internet-based Services for Construction
Strategies
The convergence of information
services, communication and computing functionality in the Web
technologies allows practitioners in construction to perform a
Web-based project management over the Internet. A number of
construction companies all over the world adopted this technology
either because they realized its competitive advantages or they are
being forced to adopt it by their clients. To be competitive and
profitable in the 21st century, more construction companies should
try to embrace the Internet technologies. When a construction
company commits to adopt a Web-based project management system,
there are two possible strategies that the company can choose in
developing the system: in-house development or outsourcing this
activity to a professional consultant.
Regarding the first option,
construction firms that decide on in-house development should keep
in mind the substantial financial, technical and human resources
necessary to develop and to maintain the system. The company can
host a Web server internally and customize its functionality to
fulfill the corporate needs and those of the project operations.
Also commercially available Web-enabled and Web-based project
management software can be customized into proprietary systems.
Examples of this software include Microsoft Project 98®, Primavera
Sure Track Project Manager® with its Webster for Primavera®,
Prolog Manager™ and Prolog WebSite™ from Meridian Project
SystemsTM, AEC Connect, WebProject™, and TeamFlow® from CFM
Inc.
Regarding the second option, useful
for companies with limited resources to develop their own Web-based
project management systems, outsourcing strategies provide a variety
of options. Consultants may be hired to build a web page to fulfill
the company's Internet advertising needs, solicit job applications,
or to accomplish comprehensive project management over the Internet.
Many Internet-based information services for the construction
industry provide a capability to build one's own free limited web
page residing on the provider's server, e.g. with ConstructionNet
and AEC Info™. Fee-based project management services such as
AdvantageNet™ from Emerging Solutions, Project Center® from EVOLV,
Active Project™ from Framework Technologies, and e-Builder™ from
MP Interactive have established Extranet project services. This kind
of service offers additional utility through maintaining and
upgrading the originally developed system.
Comparison Matrices
We provide three comparison
matrices of features provided by Internet-based services. They are
available in HTML format and PDF format.
- Information Services for
Construction. | PDF |
- Web-based Project Management. |
PDF |
- Web-enabled Project Management
Software. | PDF |
The matrices are intended to help a
construction firm determine the optimal service for its needs. The
matrices are developed based on the relevant feature criteria in
selecting the service. The matrices will be continuously updated as
new features and new services emerge.
References
- Doherty, P.: 1999, "Data from
a California State University Study Provide a Basis for
Comparing Project Web Site Services and Help Highlight the Need
for Project Portals", ASCE Civil Engineering Magazine,
May.
- Schulz, R.C., "1999
Electronic Project Management Tools Comparison", Integrated
AEC
- Skibniewski, M., and Abduh, M., "Web-based Project Management for Construction",
Proceedings of INCITE 2000, January 2000, Hong Kong
- Smith, S., "Team Up on the
Internet", CADALYST, Vol. 17 No. 02, February 2001
Disclaimer Statement
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Neither the Construction
Industry Institute nor Purdue University in any way endorses this
technology or represents
that the information presented can be relied upon without further investigation. |
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