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Building & Construction (November / December 2000) A Construction Basics Feature explaining the context of project collaboration and detailing BIW's services. Supply Chain Integration The Building Information Warehouse (BIW) provides supply chain integration services to the global AEC (architectural, engineering and construction) community. An application service provider (ASP), it deploys, hosts and manages access to software applications from a centrally managed facility. Clients pay subscriptions for the duration of a project, speeding implementation and minimising expenses and risks. Its core services were developed in partnership with UK government and several major construction industry clients, professionals and contractors, with research inputs from Salford and Loughborough universities among others. The Context Since the early 1900's, the UK construction industry has seen a number of initiatives aimed at improving its efficiency and image. Foremost were the influential 1994 Latham report, Constructing the Team, and the 1998 Egan report, Rethinking Construction. Latham (now BIW's deputy chairman) recommended improved coordination and project information while Egan aimed to create an integrated project process around four key elements (product development, project implementation, partnering the supply chain and production of components). BIW is working towards the achievement of these aims. Rather than taking the perspective of the consultants, contractors and other professionals involved, BIW focuses on the client's building and aims to capture all of the information associated with it, fostering openness and transparency, and promoting partnering. The client can then operate and maintain its facility more efficiently, and, for repeat clients, knowledge gained in initial projects allows continuous improvement in later schemes. Driving the business forward is an experienced management team used to running businesses that deliver industry-strength IT solutions to the construction industry. Currently, BIW offers construction clients two services: a supply chain integration tool (the Project Information Channel), and an information-based website. Project Information Channel The Project Information Channel is a sophisticated web-based supply chain integration communication platform, designed specifically for construction projects. It is being marketed directly, through consultants (eg: Gleeds) and as a core project in construction e-commerce marketplaces (eg: Mercadium). Each client is provided with a unique project-specific website created around a knowledge database. Using this, all the client's building project data can be made available to every authorised team project member - from the earliest concepts and specifications of a project, through detailed design, buildability studies, pre-fabrication, construction, maintenance and operation of the building, to the eventual demolition or dismantling of the facility. Team members can create and share project information (including drawings, comments, queries, requests for information, procedures, minutes, team member details, orders, variations, photographs, video, even virtual reality renditions) securely over the internet. Up-to-date, accurate information is constantly available, and is held securely in a central repository. Users can view, zoom-in and comment on all drawings, hold virtual meetings and both create and be alerted to variations. The product also maintains a full audit trail. The implementation cost is small. It requires no specific hardware or software, only a standard internet browser. The service is fast and completely accessible over standard telephone lines, even via mobile' phones. Remote working is no barrier: detailed drawings can be viewed in less than a minute, even without a CAD system. |
