Potential bidders can now use the same system used by the design team to view or download drawings and documents, to submit queries and to receive information about design changes relevant to the particular tender or work package. Bidders will also use the system to submit their final tender responses quickly, simply and securely, at the push of a button.
Version 3.5 of BIW Information Channel also allows project teams to establish ‘viewing rooms’ for clients to monitor project progress, and includes some new ‘ease of use’ enhancements.
“Online tendering systems have been much talked-about in recent years,” says BIW chief executive Colin Smith, “but often their value has been limited by the constraints of the available technology. Currently, tendering tools tend to be separate to collaboration systems and so require documents and drawings to be loaded onto them. The tender manager then may have to use this separate system or traditional methods to manage queries or points for clarification, or to issue details of design changes.”
With BIW, design information in the collaboration environment is seamlessly re-used in the tendering system. Bidders are given access only to information relevant to the particular tender or work package, and can view, download and print out batches of drawings or specifications if they wish. They will always have access to the latest information made available by the tender manager, and – if the client uses BIW’s standards management technology – they can also refer to the latest, relevant corporate guidance.
BIW’s collaborative process management (CPM) technology builds flexibility into the tendering system, allowing it to be easily fine-tuned to allow a project team to apply different naming conventions or other processes.
“The system offers huge benefits to both clients and bidders,” says Smith. “Issuing tender documentation will no longer be expensive, slow and laborious and involve lots of paper or CDs full of information. During the tender period, tender managers will only need to use one system to manage queries or notify changes, helping ensure that a full audit trail is maintained. Another big advantage is that tender managers don’t need to be trained to use a separate system; they use the same Channel interface they use in everyday collaboration activity.
“Submitting tenders will also be easier,” Smith continues. “There will be no anxious last-minute rush to complete paperwork and organise couriers; bidders can publish their response and all associated documentation direct to the system, secure in the knowledge that only the tender manager can see their submission.”
Making BIW Information Channel easier to use, BIW has also used its CPM technology to allow information generated during particular processes (eg: a request for information) to populate, say, a change order. It has also devised ‘viewing rooms’ – particular configurations of the Channel that can be used, for example, to give client representatives a quick overview of a project. BIW has also enhanced the customisation features relating to its user interface so that users can vary the range and depth of information presented to them.
- ends - Notes to editors:
- 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.
- At 29 June 2003, the total number of registered users had reached 25,923, from 2908 different companies. The total number of projects was 1309, with a total capital value conservatively estimated at around £11 billion. The total number of drawings hosted was 448,810; the total number of documents stood at 276,896.
- 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.
- BIW, BIW Information Channel and BIW Information Channel: Collaborative Process Management are registered trademarks or trademarks of BIW Technologies Ltd.
