Construction Project Management: Online, Software

The prevalence of computers and web-based resources have had an impact on how every industry does business. As folklore goes, the Internet was a tool for researchers to easily and instantaneously share datasets. It didn't take long for the Internet to be seen as a necessity in all disciplines. Although computers are a common feature of the business landscape, they are fast becoming as popular a tool as the hammer in the toolboxes of the world's construction sites.

In an industry dominated by economy and efficiency, where dependability is determined by meeting deadlines and cost predictions, construction seems an ideal environment for molding man and machine. It is then remarkable that when one considers construction management or construction project management, computers are not one of the first associations to come to mind.

It is important to note, that construction management is a complex field. Construction management, much like architectural engineering and civil engineering, requires a degree. Many colleges and universities have construction management departments that offer construction management degree programs that includes undergraduate and graduate degrees. Considering that the construction industry has grown to become a $500 billion dollar per year industry, the demand for qualified professionals that can utilize all the tools at their disposal to maximize pecuniary potential is especially important.

Although computers have been used in the construction industry for years, their capacity has been limited to the use of generic spreadsheets used to track financial figures such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll and other general ledger needs. However, companies like Dexter + Chaney seek to fully realize the potential of dedicated, duty specific software. Dexter + Chaney's Forefront Construction Suite offers applications for general construction as well as construction management software designed specifically for electrical contractors, heavy/ highway contractors, mechanical/ HVAC-R contractors and materials contractors. Features of their software include construction accounting, job cost analysis, and a host of other construction management features.

The popularity of construction software has also spawned solutions for construction management online. Web-based applications designed by companies like ICEAS offer innovative answers for construction management. Self-proclaimed as the first web-based company to offer a fully customized web-system for construction projects, ICEAS uses the latest and most powerful Internet technologies to streamline construction businesses. Their designs include a general reduction in paperwork , offering the infrastructure to allow for online service requests, estimate approval and project tracking, custom charts and graphs, easy storage solutions for signatures and approvals, and most importantly, an automated e-mail notification system.

It can be expected that, with time, computers will become as prevalent on construction sites as other types of tools. Even though web-based programs and construction management software are still in their infancy, the sophistication of such software will create new applications aimed at revolutionizing construction.


Sources:
Forefront Construction Suite . 2007. Dexter + Chaney. 2 Feb 2007 <http://www.dexterchaney.com/>.
About Us . 2007. ICEAS. 2 Feb 2007 <http://iceas.net/info.cfm>.
Construction Management. 2007. Colorado State University. 2 Feb 2007 <http://www.cm.cahs.colostate.edu/index.stm> .