Direct Networking Between Customers, Consultants and Suppliers: Problems and Opportunities in the 90's from the Consultants Viewpoint, 1990 Pulping Conference Proceedings

As design systems become more complex and more tightly integrated, the potential benefit of direct networking between all of the contributors to a successful project has become more evident. Considering the volume information which is transferred between Suppliers, Consultants, Contractors and the Owner, improved systems and procedures which allow time critical information to be passed quickly and accurately from point to point can offer significant opportunities for improved efficiency.

The problem is instituting the proper controls over computer network architecture, communication protocols, data format, data transmission, receipt and verification, multiple system security, audit trails, quality control procedures, multiple version management and change control. These problems must be addressed as combined project management and data management issues. The typical blue print and transmittal letter can no longer serve the purpose for documenting the sending, receipt and verification of vital information which is sent in a flurry of bits and bites through a computer data network.

This presentation will describe sane of the opportunities for cost reduction, quality improvement and schedule compression available in design projects through the use of Supplier, Consultant, Contractor and Owner networked data sharing and exchange. It will identify and discuss sane of the project and data management obstacle to overcame in order to successfully implement such a system.