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KAJIMA SAYS EXTRANETS ARE KEY TO PFI SUCCESS 07 December 2001
Web-based collaboration technology will be the key to the success of private finance initiative (PFI) projects, believes Seamus Mockler from contractor Kajima UK. Speaking at the Construction Plus conference "Making Extranets Work Harder" at the Institution of Civil Engineers in London on 6 December 2001, Mockler says PFI consortia need to adopt web technology as early in the project process as possible. "We have already shown the benefits of project extranets, saving time, cutting costs and improving user efficiency during the design and construction phases of major schemes," he says. "Using BIW Information Channel on an £8m scheme, we cut construction time by a third, achieved a 10% reduction in construction costs, saving over £12,000 in printing and postage costs and over £31,000 in design fees, and cut the time taken for drawing review from ten days to just two. "But we are moving forward and establishing the potential of extranets to deliver real benefits during the development of complex schemes. We are using BIW Technologies' web services to support three PFI projects which went 'live' in November, and it is clear that the earlier we deploy such systems the better." Projects co-ordinator at Kajima Construction Europe, Mockler has nearly 20 years' UK construction industry experience. "Project teams have to be committed to efficient supply chain management and to collaborative working," he says. "Only then can integrated project teams deliver innovative solutions that will satisfy requirements regarding whole life costs. These projects place a premium on the early exchange of key, relevant information between project participants, and sophisticated project extranets are proving invaluable." BIW Information Channel makes project data available to every team member through unique, project-specific websites. Users can create, and have access to, information including drawings, text documents, photographs, comments, team member details and even virtual reality renditions, all viewed and sent securely over the internet. The system also supports decision-making after the construction phase, providing information for managers responsible for a building's operation and maintenance. Further information: - BIW Technologies:
Paul Wilkinson: 0845 1300 800 (mobile 07788 445920)
Editor's Note - Project collaboration services from BIW Technologies (www.biwtech.com) were first employed in 1998 on UK construction projects for Sainsbury. BIW Information Channel is a sophisticated web-based supply chain integration technology, originally designed specifically for construction projects. 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.
- For more information on Kajima Europe - www.kajimaeurope.com
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