N.C.C.T.P. BECOMES NEW MEMBERSHIP FORUM WITHIN CONSTRUCTING EXCELLENCE

13 August 2007

In an initiative part-led by BIW, the Network for Construction Collaboration Technology Providers (NCCTP) has become a new membership forum within the national construction organisation Constructing Excellence (CE).

The NCCTP's current members include almost all the leading UK providers of collaboration or 'extranet' software: 4Projects, Aconex, Asite, BIW Technologies, Business Collaborator, Cadweb, Causeway Technologies and Sarcophagus. As a new CE grouping, it will contribute technology-related expertise to the continued development of collaborative working initiatives within the UK construction industry.

From CIRIA to CE

Established in late 2003, the NCCTP promotes the effective use of online technologies to support collaborative working on construction projects, with secretariat functions provided by CIRIA, the Construction Industry Research and Information Association.

"CIRIA provided excellent support to the NCCTP during its formative years," said Paul Wilkinson, head of corporate communications at BIW, and the driving force behind the Constructing Excellence/NCCTP initiative. "CIRIA provided marketing support, aided development of the NCCTP data exchange standard, organised the first NCCTP national conference in 2005 and assisted with the NCCTP's landmark research project, 'Proving Collaboration Pays', published in July 2006."

In the meantime, 4Projects, Asite and BIW were also active members of Constructing Excellence's Building & Estates Forum and involved with the its sister organisation, the IT Construction Forum. The NCCTP's research findings were also presented at Constructing Excellence's 2006 members' convention.

"Our technologies are increasingly used to support integrated multi-disciplinary project teams," continued Wilkinson. "It seemed logical to reposition the NCCTP within Constructing Excellence where it could participate in pan-industry initiatives - rather than continue as yet another stand-alone construction IT organisation."

Constructing Excellence welcome

Constructing Excellence chief executive Don Ward has welcomed the new grouping:

"Constructing Excellence members have been at the forefront in the adoption of information and communication technologies to support collaborative working, and the technological challenges will continue to grow," he said. "And we are keen to lead industry debates about the future use of ICT. As well as the IT Construction Forum, Constructing Excellence is supporting the National Platform for the Built Environment and the 'Uniting Construction Information' initiative, and is managing continued development of the Avanti approach. By bringing the NCCTP within Constructing Excellence, we are building a strong platform of ICT expertise that can be immediately related to the real-world needs of numerous construction clients, contractors, consultants, suppliers and other organisations who are also Constructing Excellence members.”

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Notes to editors:

• The Network for Construction Collaboration Technology Providers (NCCTP – www.ncctp.net) was established in late 2003 to promote the effective use of online technology to support collaborative working on construction projects.
• The NCCTP's members include all the leading UK providers: 4Projects, Aconex, Asite, BIW Technologies, Business Collaborator, Cadweb, Causeway Technologies and Sarcophagus.
• Constructing Excellence is the main pan-industry membership organisation for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector in the UK, drawing its 253 members from clients, contractors, consultants and specialist services and products suppliers. Constructing Excellence is also the main UK organisation committed to promoting collaborative working.
• Paul Wilkinson’s book "Construction Collaboration Technologies: The Extranet Evolution" was published by Taylor & Francis in September 2005, and has been endorsed by the NCCTP as the UK's first detailed guide to construction project 'extranets'.

More information from:
For NCCTP: Paul Wilkinson (BIW) – 01483 712620 or mobile 07788 445920
For Constructing Excellence: Karl Williams – 020 7592 1100