Analyse e-commerce and e-business in the construction industry, at the request of a construction company called Buildrite.

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Advanced Construction Information Technology

Assignment 2

E-commence

1.        Introduction

  1. This report has been designed to analyse e-commerce and e-business in the construction industry, at the request of a construction company called Buildrite.

  1. “Buildrite Construction Limited, is a construction firm with a nation-wide presence, undertaking projects ranging from medium sized up to major projects all over the UK”

  1. Like many construction companies in present times. Buildrite are looking at bringing their company into the e-business age. Due to the advancement of technology, i.e. the internet and computers being at the front of innovation and the business world, general businesses risk falling behind their competition unless they keep up-to-date with technology.

  1. Technology is having a profound impact on the way construction businesses/companies operate. It affects everything from the way products are marketed to the collaboration between project team members. Doing business electronically can streamline the way in which Buildrite work and open up their organisation to new clients and customers.

  1. Being traditionally a manual industry, the construction industry may not have been at the forefront of technology, as technology has progressed so rapidly over the past few decades.

  1. As the electronic age develops so rapidly, construction companies are becoming more computer literate and using it to their advantage in the industry.

  1. Although the industry is primarily a manual based industry, nowadays there is nearly the same, if not more, academic and paper based work done in the industry than there ever has been before.

  1. This report will initially focus on the e-commerce and e-business in the construction industry and more in depth on the subjects of: -

  1. E-Procurement
  2. E-Tendering
  3. Online Project Collaboration

2.        E-Procurement

  1. “The term e-Procurement covers a wide range of web-based methods spanning every stage of the purchase of goods or services. It includes tools for obtaining prices, for awarding the contract, for requesting and making payment, and even for the management of the contract.”

  1. E-commerce is a major part of the internet and the way in which companies are run on-line. It helps speed up the process of a number of elements within the industry.

  1. Due to the internet being at the forefront of technology in the current business world, companies intend to maximise their usage.

  1. E-procurement benefits numerous different companies in the industry ranging from material suppliers, tool and plant hire to the actual procurement of contracts.
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  1. Major material suppliers like Travis Perkens, Carvers, Plumb Centre/Build Centre and other associated companies all have on-line facilities for ordering materials. Where companies have lead-in times for standard materials, they can use the facilities to arrange the delivery of these materials on time.

  1. Under normal circumstance this can be very beneficial for construction companies and save a lot of time.

  1. Under emergency circumstances this may not be possible due items being out of stock, so telephone contact may be used. But planned effectively these facilities can be used to there full potential.

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