The Alaska Contractor: Fall 2006

deal with hundreds of questions on
different projects every day, this is an
easier way to keep track of what decisions
were made on a specifi c project
and to assign accountability.”
Because the projects are online all
the time, everyone who has been given
access to the data can see minute-byminute
updates. “This type of project
management system really changes
how projects are run,” Antevy said . “It
is an open-book mentality. In the old
days, a person might give you a report
that was massaged so that you would
see what they wanted you to see. With
e-Builder, all of the information is out
there in real time for everyone to see.
“Some companies actually don’t
like this type of transparency,” he said,
giving the example of a construction
owner who could see online that a
consultant hadn’t yet opened drawings
he’d been given days before.
The advantages to this transparency,
however, are the creation of a
streamlined construction management
process that can signifi cantly improve
delivery time and decrease the
likelihood of budget overruns caused
by delays. It also decreases risk as team
collaboration and communication is
improved and everyone responds to
issues in real-time.
“I believe the construction industry
is fi nally beginning to understand the
power of these types of tools,” said Antevy,
who believes that Web-enabled
systems are still in the infant stages of
growth.“ They no longer call us and
ask ‘what is this?’ They ask what it
costs and how it can make their companies
more effi cient.”
Making the Change
While there are many issues to
consider when making a new technology
investment, one of the most important
is training. Staff who is used
to a paper-based system may have
diffi culty transitioning to a computerbased
program; those who are computer
savvy may not know how to best
utilize the many features inherent in
program management software.
When considering a computerbased
project management system, it
is important to determine what types
of training they provide. Some, like
Sage Software, offer training by certifi
ed trainers and consultants, as well
as an Anytime Learning service and
unlimited customer support the fi rst
year. Others, like Primavera, offer ondemand
user training online, or inperson
training at their annual conference
and at Primavera sites around the
world. e-Builder offers on-site training
for administrators and users after setting
up and confi guring a company’s
system.
Once the technology is in place,
however, the benefi ts soon follow.
“We will continue to see a trend to-
ward construction companies using
more computer-based applications,”
said Sappe. “It enables contractors
and subcontractors to meet or undercut
budgets and complete projects
on time, and it allows contractors and
owners to standardize their systems,
helping them serve their clients more
effi ciently.”
Vanessa Orr is a freelance writer
who specializes in construction, business,
health and travel writing.
Fall 2006 The Alaska CONTRACTOR 31