Category: Marketing

BIM – a new role for collaboration tools?

For the past few years, I have been writing about building information modelling (BIM); I have, for example, talked about the potential for BIM to be delivered via Software-as-a-Service routes (BIMaaS), and considered how current SaaS construction collaboration technology platforms might be used to manage the ‘i’ in BIM. The latter is already beginning to …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/06/bim-a-new-role-for-collaboration-tools/

OpenBuildings.com: crowd-sourcing a building directory

OpenBuildings article on Charlton House

When I discovered the crowd-sourced building directory OpenBuildings.com I was immediately intrigued, not least because of its ambitious strapline: “Archiving the world’s built environment.” I have been a long-time editor of Wikipedia and am interested in how social media can be used in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) field to share and develop information and …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/06/openbuildings-com-crowd-sourcing-buildings/

First, Hitler. Next, serial killer t-shirts…

When a controversy about Nazi-related images on t-shirts is largely contained within the blogosphere, it is easy for companies to pretend that it’s a small issue. But if coverage then extends to the front pages of national newspapers, then it can become a major reputation problem. Blog outrage about Hipster Hitler t-shirts on RedBubble led …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/06/first-hitler-next-serial-killer-t-shirts/

Is no news bad news?

There seems to be dearth of positive news among the the leading UK-based construction collaboration vendors. A glance at their website news sections would have you wondering if they are still active, still winning work or still developing new applications. Excepting Aconex‘s international news and one or two client stories from 4Projects, there is a distinct …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/06/is-no-news-bad-news/

HP ePrint and Share – as you were….

I travelled to Hewlett Packard‘s UK HQ in Bracknell, Berkshire today for an update on its strategy concerning the architecture, engineering and construction sector. My previous interactions with the company included the 2010 launch of its ePrint & Share service supporting large format printers (see post) and I was hoping to hear about some significant …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/06/hp-eprint-and-share-as-you-were/

The Docia interview

Denmark-based collaboration vendor Docia is growing and has appointed a UK-based partner, MPS, to market its AEC solutions in the UK. From time to time, I talk to established construction collaboration technology businesses about which I know relatively little and it has been useful to conduct online interviews to learn more (see my conject and …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/05/the-docia-interview/

BIW, a conject company

Maybe it’s a sign of things to come or just a one-off, but I received an email from UK SaaS construction collaboration technology provider BIW Technologies this morning (about a sustainability survey) which had a slightly amended BIW logo at the top. The email had been distributed via parent company Conject’s email engine, and the …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/05/biw-a-conject-company/

4Projects in advertising push

I have just noticed that SaaS construction collaboration technology vendor 4Projects is advertising via the Construction Enquirer e-newsletter. The first sponsored edition landed in my in-box yesterday, with another today, and it appears 4Projects might be paying “from £300 per day” for the privilege. A free UK-based and online-only industry news service, with 80% of …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/05/4projects-in-advertising-push/

A look at BidConTender

Two weeks ago (post), I noted the soft launch of an Aconex service branded BidContender, where the Australian SaaS construction collaboration technology provider is aiming to create an e-tendering portal that will allow contractors to distribute tender documentation and subcontractors to have easy access to that data. Last week I had a chat with Bernard (‘Bern’) …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/05/a-look-at-bidcontender/

AppDirect will sell your B2B apps, er, direct

The cost and complexity of creating a new business-to-business software-as-a-service (SaaS) application has reduced significantly over the past decade, but the challenge of getting that carefully developed new software more widely known and then getting revenues from end-user customers can defeat some developers. Launched in the US in July 2009 (and recently seed-funded to the …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2011/05/appdirect-will-sell-your-b2b-apps-er-direct/

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