TWO MILLION LOG-INS TO BIW INFORMATION CHANNEL

18 October 2002 
 
PFI schemes boost use of BIW collaboration technology

BIW Technologies (BIW) recorded the two millionth user log-in to its BIW Information Channel service on 10 October 2002. It is now believed to be Europe’s most intensively used web-based collaboration system for the construction and property industries.

Ian McKinlay, a partner from the Nottingham office of international management and construction consultancy Gleeds was the two millionth user, logging on to access information relating to a £90 million education-related PFI bid.

“BIW Information Channel is being used to capture and manage information relating to several PFI bid projects, including schools and hospital schemes,” says BIW chief executive Colin Smith. “Collaboration is vital during the information-intensive development of a PFI bid.

“BIW is already hosting several successful PFI bids. The 25-year concession periods typical of PFI schemes place a high premium on managing the whole life costs of built assets. Collaboration technology provides the perfect communication platform to support construction and then the ongoing maintenance and operation of facilities such as schools or hospitals throughout their working lives. We foresee significant growth in this sector.

“It is perhaps fitting that the log-in came from a professional at Gleeds,” Smith continues. “Gleeds was among the earliest consultants to recognise the value of web-based collaboration services, forming a powerful alliance with BIW in October 2000.”

BIW regularly emphasises the resilience and scalability of its hosting infrastructure. Last month (September 2002), the total number of drawings hosted passed the 250,000 mark. For the last six months, BIW users have been averaging over 100,000 log-ins a month – an average of more than 3,500 a day (including weekends).

Clients include Sainsbury’s, Capital One Bank, housebuilders Crest Nicholson and the Peabody Trust, Marks & Spencer, Manchester Airport, the Ministry of Defence, Ikea, the Welsh Development Agency, Asda, the Wellcome Trust, Kajima and developer Garbe.

For further information please contact:
Paul Wilkinson, BIW on 0845 1300 800 (mobile: 07788 445920)

Notes to editors

• At 12 October 2002, BIW Information Channel was being used on 922 projects by 18,313 users from 2283 companies. Total number of drawings submitted was 263,256; total number of documents stood at 133,486. The estimated total value of projects is in excess of £8 billion.
• Project collaboration services from BIW Technologies (www.biwtech.com) were first employed in 1999 on UK construction projects for Sainsbury. BIW believes it is the European leader in web-based collaboration systems for the construction and property industry, measured by both number of projects and number of users.
• BIW Information Channel is a sophisticated web-based supply chain integration technology, designed specifically for construction projects or programmes. Each client is provided with a unique, project-specific website created around a knowledge database. Using this, all data can be made available to every project team member – from the earliest concepts and specification, through detailed design, buildability studies, pre-fabrication, construction, maintenance, operation and improvement to the eventual demolition or dismantling of the facility.
• Recognising that hosting involved complementary but non-core skills and expertise, BIW sought a ‘managed hosting’ partner capable of creating and managing the sophisticated technical infrastructure needed to deliver its software technologies. BIW’s managed host, Attenda procures, configures, installs and maintains the necessary servers, routers, firewalls and other devices. Once configured, Attenda then provides dedicated bandwidth for BIW’s applications, and connects the servers to the web via its own network, where the application is constantly monitored to ensure availability and optimal performance. With Attenda, BIW is able to implement, maintain and update services in less time and with higher reliability than other hosting methods. Moreover, managed hosting ensures BIW’s technology services remain easily and seamlessly scalable. This is vital as its user base grows, as demand for bandwidth increases, and as the applications are upgraded.
• Gleeds (www.gleeds.co.uk) is one of the largest independent international management and construction consultancy practices and currently employs more than 1,000 people in 26 countries worldwide. An extensive portfolio of services is provided to more than 350 clients in every business sector. With more than 115 years of experience, clients are helped to resolve their business issues through the provision of fully integrated, value added consultancy and management services in the construction, property and related sectors. Gleeds is able to leverage its significant knowledge base to provide new and innovative solutions to business problems and has significant knowledge of international markets.