Using the web for more than just e-mail.

John Jurewicz, AIA

Along with managing an architecture firm in the historic town square of Woodstock, IL (aka Ground hog day film location), Jurewicz is considered an innovator in his field, holding patents on his mobile office design - collaborative broadband on wheels (www.cadmobile.com), lectures on the implementation of web-based project management systems for various industry technology events, and teaches part time at the Robert McCormack School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Northwestern University. Jurewicz has extensive experience in the implementation of various extranets with construction teams utilizing e-commerce and project collaboration. He is cofounder of the research site ASPTIP.COM and his latest venture: cadmobile.com. Feel free to contact the author at jj@aarchitects.net for BIM estimating requests.

By John Jurewicz of ASPTIP.COM
President, Chicago Trades Online, Inc.

With the advent of high-speed wireless access, web-based tools are experiencing a rebirth of sorts following the bust of the dot-com boom five years ago. If only for use of drawing distribution and collaboration, its time to take a second look into using the Internet to improve your construction processes beyond just email.

We will offer no-nonsense comparisons and feedback from the experts utilizing these tools -- the do’s and don’ts, successes and failures of web-based collaboration. Much has been proclaimed about the value of online interaction, yet there is little written about the proper way to implement such technology. We will give you tips on how to plan and rollout a team collaboration tool, along with invaluable comparisons and guidance from the leaders in the industry.

Now approaching 10 years in age, the origins of web based tools such as bluelineonline, MP Interactive’s e-builder and emerging solutions Constructware, have matured into products that have incomparable means of tracking accountability and team responsiveness. Once your team is properly trained, few people ever wish to go back to the old way of paper because information is so much more accessible and better organized.

Those of you who grew up on managing with Primavera’s Expedition or Meridian’s Prolog now have a broader range of team collaboration tools at your finger tips.

Our goal is to show you how you can train and implement these tools to make the project run more smoothly and have more fun. Subjects include:

• The latest comparisons of features and costs of the five big dogs: Primavera, Meridian, Constructware, Dexter & Cheney and Timberline
• Comparisons of designer tools Buzzsaw, e-Builder and Citadon
• Finding out about more opportunities thru online planrooms
• Change management: Managing all those changes
• Interactive applications: Project Management and accounting
• Differences between various web applications
• Tips on getting your team trained and becoming more responsive
• Using online Calendars and RFI’s
• Proper uses of extranets and email
• Who is hosting your data? Security and backup reviews
• 10 Questions to ask your software solution provider
• Effective use of extranets and e-commerce tools

Many of these application reviews are based on research from returning project managers completing their MPM (Masters in Program Management) at Northwestern University. We freely write about both the bad and good experiences free from any sales hype. Our articles attempt to dispel the falsehoods from inaccurate claims by sales people as we base our opinions on real world testimonials of fellow users we trust you will benefit from.