With a number of disparate, often geographically distributed,organisations involved in the delivery of construction projects,there has been considerable interest in e-business tools within theconstruction industry. These tools open up a range of possibilitiesfor the industry to rethink existing processes and working methods,so their use is increasingly common. Nevertheless, there has beenlittle definitive guidance for practitioners, researchers andstudents on the major issues in electronic business from aconstruction perspective. By bringing together 16 contributions from research and industrycovering theory, technological issues, practical implementation andlegal matters, and illustrated with a number of case studies,e-Business in Construction fills that gap. Starting with thetheoretical aspects of e-commerce and moving on to consider thespecifics of the construction context, it includes a mechanism forthe assessment of the e-readiness of construction sectororganisations. The middle part of the book focuses on the role ofvarious technologies in e-business, with examples included asappropriate. This is followed by a discussion of practical, legaland trust issues. The potential of next generation of informationand communication technologies is also addressed. With a fine blend of theoretical and practical aspects ofe-commerce in construction, and well illustrated with a number ofindustrial case studies, e-Business in Construction will find anappreciative audience of construction practitioners, researchersand students at all levels.

This internationally conducted study of the latest construction industry practices addresses a broad range of Information and Communication Technology applications. Drawing on research conducted in the US and UK, this book presents the state of the art of various ebusiness processes, and examines BIM, virtual environments and mobile technologies. Innovation is a theme that runs throughout this book, so in addition to the direct impact of these new technical achievements, it also considers the management styles that helped them to emerge. Examples from industry are illustrated with case studies and presented alongside research from some of the best known academics in this field. This book is essential reading for all advanced students and researchers interested in how ICT is changing construction management and the construction industry.

This is a comprehensive review of research related to construction informatics, with a particular focus on the related 5th framework EU projects on product and process technology and the implementation of the new economy technologies and business models in the construction industry.

The task of structuring information on built environment has presented challenges to the research community, software developers and the industry for the last 20 years. Recent work has taken advantage of Web and industry standards such as XML, OWL, IFC and STEP. Another important technology for the fragmented AEC industry is digital communication. Wired or wireless, it brings together architects, engineers and construction site workers, enabling them to exchange information, communicate and work together. Virtual enterprise organization structures, involving mobile teams over distance, are highly compatible with the needs of the construction industry.

Since 1994, the European Conference on Product and Process Modelling (www.ecppm.org) has been providing a review of research, development and industrial implementation of product and process model technology in construction. The 7th European Conference on Product and Process Modelling (ECPPM 2008) provided a unique discussion platform for topics of

How can the Internet and world wide web improve my long-term competitive advantage? This book helps answer this question by providing a better understanding of the technologies, their potential applications and the ways they can be used to add value for customers, support new strategies, and improve existing operations. It is not just about e-commerce but the broader theme of e-business which affects products, business processes, strategies, and relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors and competitors. To cover future trends, the editors have collected papers from authors operating at the frontiers of the developments so the reader can more appreciate the directions in which these technologies are heading. The resulting 165 essays have been collated into ten sections, which have been grouped in three parts: key issues, applications areas and applications, tools and technologies. A business rarely makes radical changes but is constantly making adjustments to circumstances. Businesses must now adapt to the global implications of the Internet and world wide web. This book hopes to aid awareness of the implications so that the changes are managed wisely.

Biannually since 1994, the European Conference on Product and Process Modelling in the Building and Construction Industry has provided a review of research, given valuable future work outlooks, and provided a communication platform for future co-operative research and development at both European and global levels.This volume, of special interest t