Improved efficiencies and reduced communication costs were the key messages to emerge from a special conference on mobile IT technologies for Britain’s construction industry.
Among companies backing the event and taking part in presentations alongside Objective Computing were Microsoft, Countryside Properties Plc, COMIT, Aspect Contracts, Destiny Plc, Motion Computing, Kailaz Software and Isotrak.
More than 40 delegates from key players in the construction industry voted the conference a success and plans are being considered to make it an annual event.
Objective Managing Director and Founder Cathryn Fox said she was delighted with the success of the day. She added: “Attendees reported that they benefited from the conference subjects and we are pleased it was so well received.
“It is no secret that the construction industry has had a tough time recently and our conference showed that companies within the sector are embracing IT. As a result they are really beginning to get some serious wins and gain competitive edge through the efficient use of the technology available.
“The technology solutions available from Objective and the other companies presenting at the conference are not always expensive. From an investment of less than £1,000 we have major Health & Safety benefits from bespoke Mobile Safety Alert systems.
“£1m-plus tender wins can be achieved from a few £10,000s invested in bespoke Extranets providing tailored information to key clients.
“We are seeing some construction companies making well thought-out IT investments and benefiting whilst their competitors suffer. It’s very exciting seeing cost reduction, revenue wins and business issues solved from clever and strategic use of technology.”
Among the presentations at the conference were:
- Mobile Applications by Simon Kalp, Technical Director, Objective Computing
- Rapid Site Set-up by Neil Ramsden, Deputy Head of IT, Countryside Properties plc
- User Acceptance of Mobile IT by Neill Pawsey of COMIT
- 3iS in Construction by Jon Hannah, Product Manager, Isotrak
- Unified Communications by Tony Cocks of Microsoft
- Mobile IT in Construction – opportunities and challenges by Rosanna Da Costa of Kailaz Software
Highlights of these presentations can be downloaded from www.objectiveit.com/constructionit
The Construction IT event organised by Objective Computing at Microsoft’s offices in London’s Victoria in November 2009 came at a vital time for the construction industry which is emerging from a trading low and seeking to be as efficient as possible in the future.
Geraldine Samuelsson-Brown Secretariat of COMIT said: "This should be a key annual event for the construction industry. It gives the opportunity for construction stakeholders to learn about new technologies or applications, as well as share lessons learned in order to improve business efficiencies.
“It is also an invaluable platform for technology and service providers better to understand the problems faced on a daily basis by construction firms in order to come together to find solutions."