Category: Vendors

VisualTao: CAD on demand

For the third time this month (following SolidWorks and CADaaS, 2 March, and BIMserver.org: right technology, right time?, 3 March), I return to one of my favourite topics: delivering computer-aided design (CAD) solutions on a Software-as-a-Service model. I received an email from someone at an Israeli business development group, Trendlines. My correspondent had read my …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/03/visualtao-cad-on-demand/

Return to the email argument

More than three years ago, I first wrote (The email argument) about the challenge of managing project-related email. Or, rather, I pointed out that some ‘extranet’ systems, such as [my employer] BIW’s, discourage use of email so that project communications are managed within a self-contained and easily auditable secure repository (see also The email argument …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/03/return-to-the-email-argument/

MJ Medical: not unique

As well as retail, another UK market sector that is helping construction businesses survive the ravages of the current recession is the healthcare sector, buoyed – like education – by government investment. However, I don’t see the latest entrant to the design collaboration market place as a major player (at least not yet). A news …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/mj-medical-not-unique/

UK retail giant selects ICON

Since the late 1990s when Sainsbury’s paved the way with its landmark decision to pilot use of the BIW platform on a new supermarket in Clapham, UK retailers have been keen adopters and users of construction collaboration platforms, and have probably done more than any other sector to popularise their use. And with retail one …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/uk-retail-giant-selects-icon/

AECbytes writes on collaboration

Just a quick note for those interested in developments in the US collaboration market: AECbytes Lachmi Khemlani has just written about Collaboration, Project Management, and Project Information Management Solutions in AEC. The article looks at Newforma, Attolist and Cadac’s SharePoint-based Organice. Of the three, only Attolist is a genuine Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offering.

Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/aecbytes-writes-on-collaboration/

Five SaaS myths debunked?

At ITPro, Nicole Kobie writes about Gartner’s warnings to businesses about Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The IT analysts say firms need to take a good look at the delivery model before jumping aboard the bandwagon, despite the apparent attractions of the model during a recession (Gartner’s views also covered by Brian Tinham at Manufacturing Computer Solutions). Myth …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/five-saas-myths-debunked/

Out of the blue: LotusLive

About a year ago, I wrote a short post about IBM’s prototype Bluehouse product (see IBM targets SME collaboration with SaaS Bluehouse). Today at Public Service Events’ Construction Project Management ’09 conference at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, I had chance to get a quick update on latest iteration of that product from the team …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/out-of-the-blue-lotuslive/

A response to RICS on e-tendering

bldgrics

In a comment article on the Building website, RICS E-tendering champion defends underused system, Peter Sell, chairman of the RICS E-tendering working party, responds to assertions that the RICS should not have ventured into the electronic tendering market (see my recent post RICSe-tendering.com hardly used – not ‘baffling’ – I also commented on the original …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/a-response-to-rics-on-e-tendering/

McGraw-Hill and Meridian to collaborate

Yet another AECcafe story (also carried by Cadalyst). McGraw-Hill Construction has formed a partnership with construction project management software vendor Meridian Systems to provide “more streamlined tools for managing digital program and project controls, project documents, and construction information”. The relationship will see Meridian’s software, including Prolog and Proliance, integrated with McGraw-Hill’s Construction Network and …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/mcgraw-hill-and-meridian-to-collaborate/

Who needs Auto-PDF?

AECcafe.com has details of a new application that automatically converts online construction data such as RFIs and submittals to downloadable PDF files, “increasing convenience and enhancing security for architects, contractors, owners and developers” (or so claims US-based software vendor Construction Communicator). The news release says the PDF file format “is particularly valuable when traveling, when …

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Permanent link to this article: http://extranetevolution.com/2009/02/who-needs-auto-pdf/

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