Subject: [NEXTEL-1] WackBerry and blue collar Builders embrace high-tech - 2002-12-09 - Boston Bus

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Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 16:47:10 -0500

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From the December 6, 2002 print edition

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BlackBerry and blue collar: Builders embrace high-tech

Jonathan Bloom   Special To The Journal

The average construction worker may not seem like he or she would be the most high-tech-savvy person — or that he or she would need a lot of high-tech know-how to do their job effectively.

But don't let looks fool you: That construction worker's just as liable as a systems analyst to be lugging around a laptop in the front seat of the pickup.

The construction industry in recent years has become increasingly advanced, technologically speaking. While builders have always paid close attention to new technology in heavy machinery, they are now paying equal attention to technology in every other facet of their work.

Even the image evoked by the phrase "construction office" is giving way from trailers packed with plans and tools to sleek, computer-filled offices. Even small businesses are becoming computer savvy.

"We're a small company and we're fully online and networked in the office so all the project managers can review other projects," says Lou Laskey, president of L/R Construction in Framingham, which does business worth less than $10 million a year.

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The larger the construction company, the heavier the technological emphasis.

C.E. Floyd Co. Inc. in Bedford has a part-time IT manager. The $30 million company relies on Greg Cerino to service the computers of the 20-office workers. While he only spends five hours a week in that capacity, it's still part of Cerino's official duties. "I would consider us extremely technologically advanced. We're 100 percent networked in the office and use Windows 2000. We started 13 1/2 years ago, and we made a commitment to get automated," says Cerino.

At a larger company, offices may be more advanced than most any business. At Shawmut Construction, which does over $350 million of projects annually, technology is prevalent in its Boston offices. According to president and CEO Tom Goemaat, "It starts with e-mail, which everyone uses. Any kind of mass communication within the company is done through e-mail. Even our superintendents in the field all have laptops," says Goemaat.

Communication between the administrative office and the field is an essential function of technology in the construction industry. Whether by pager, cell phone, BlackBerry or e-mail, being in touch saves both time and money. To some, e-mail is the preferred means of communication. At C.E. Floyd, e-mail "is a major portion of our communication. It's an integral part of our business," says Cerino.

While some prefer cell phones, many others use instant-communication technology such as Nextel's Direct Connect.

"Like everyone, we use it to keep in touch with our guys and the subcontractors we're working with," says L/R's Laskey. "If I meet a subcontractor who doesn't have Nextel or some other form of instant communication, I hold them suspect," says Laskey.

A major technology decision faced by construction companies usually revolves around what software they use. Prolog is one commonly used project-management tool. It allows companies to track materials ordered, the costs, and the shipping and receipt of materials. Timberline is another common construction program, used for accounting purposes. Both C.E. Floyd and Shawmut say they use both programs religiously. "Just about everyone uses Prolog and Timberline," says C.E. Floyd's Cerino.

Compatibility is another issue. Many companies don't have the Windows-like interactivity between programs. There are some exceptions, of course. "We've made Prolog and Timberline compatible. We're one of the few firms that have done it," says Shawmut's Goemaat.

Web-based communication is the next step. With a web communications program, the owner, architect, contractor, developer and subcontractor all can view information online. "It's like a bulletin board of information," says Goemaat. "It's still being developed, but the larger projects use web sites. But it's not quite there yet in terms of people being able to collaborate."

Beacon Skanska Inc. in Boston currently uses the web-based program Citadon on its Stata Center improvement project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. According to company vice president Paul Hewins, it works, but with some limitations. "Citadon helps ease any communications problems between the many people involved. Unfortunately, because Citadon is evolving, it has limitations like most web-based communication programs," says Hewins.

Yet, as with any new technology, security is a concern. Some bristle at the idea of not physically controlling their own data. According to Hewins, however, there's no reason for concern. "When utilizing the proper applications, security is not a problem. They're secure from the outside and internally. Plus, not everyone has the same amount of access," he says.

Within a few years, web-based communication will likely be the norm. After all, not too long ago, construction companies scoffed at the use of computers.

"Times are changing, and technology may change the way we do business," Cerino says. "We aim to stay on top of those changes."

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2002 American City Business Journals Inc.

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