Contractors are overwhelmed by the wide choice of IT software systems for construction management, said Tony Hyde, managing director of Thomas Vale, at a recent conference on the use of B2B to improve links in the supply chain.

"We have 30 sites running and we do a lot of partnering work in teams that are often led by a client who brings his own concept of what is the proper software tool for the job," said Hyde. "That means we have to buy into it." Thomas Vale has an annual turnover of £60m.

Hyde continued: "It gives us a problem in terms of investment as there are too many systems out there. Which should we go for?

"There must be 60 different systems out there already. And in America there are another 2,000, with a lot of these guys now looking to drive into the UK. We need a government lead to tell us which are the ones to go for."

The event, organised by Ramesys, attracted 45 construction groups who would like to develop links with the Ministry of Defence - Brigadier Tom Foulkes, former director of the Army Estates Organisation was offering details of what the MoD wants by way of supply chain partnering systems for its Estates Programme.

"Don't hold your breathe," said Foulkes. "This government believes in markets finding their own solutions."

Colin Smith, chief executive of BIW Technologies, said: "The adverse market has helped establish a shortlist of leading players. There are just six to eight usable systems in the UK for supply chain collaboration. American ones have historically done badly in the UK because they work in different ways.

"My prediction is that the UK market will eventually settle down to a couple of major players and BIW will be one of them. In addition, we will be left with three or four smaller niche players."