Prequalification Tech for Construction
Is a subcontractor qualified for a project? Technology not only helps answer this question, but also stores data associated with subcontractor qualifications for use on a project. These days, more general contractors are using such technology to manage sub qualifications electronically.
One recent example comes from Miller Construction Co., www.millerconstruction.com, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., which is encouraging its subcontractor and supplier base to maintain a complete qualification profile inside the platform from jobsite123, www.jobsite123.com, Plantation, Fla.
According to jobsite123, open access to the platform allows for sharing of qualifications information between all project stakeholders. The data within the jobsite123 platform can also be automatically distributed to other construction software such as SmartBidNet from JB Knowledge Technologies, www.jbknowledge.com, Bryan, Texas.
For Miller Construction Co., the system monitors subcontractor skills and matches with project needs. In addition, Miller provides its clients with a list of proposed subcontractors for each project, which includes the company name and link to the jobsite123 profile.
Not only has the use of prequalification-management systems been on the rise in recent years, a big trend has been being able to collaboratively review status and risk assessment ratings in realtime—and storing that data for use on future projects.
As another instance, The Boldt Co., www.boldt.com, Appleton, Wis., introduced Textura’s, www.texturacorp.com, Deerfield, Ill., PQM (Pre-Qualification Management) system to its subcontractor community this year.
One of the big advantages for Boldt is the ability to improve the effectiveness of its subcontractor default risk-management program. With PQM, project teams can access realtime prequalification risk scores and analysis notes for subs, while limiting access to a few corporate risk analysts. For Boldt, the system allows it to maintain an ongoing dialogue with field team members regarding the prequalification status of the subs.
Textura aims to offer an end-to-end digital platform that connects all players in construction. In order to enable this, Textura made two big moves in 2011, acquiring GradeBeam.com for information management and Submittal Exchange for construction documents. In combination with its existing prequalification system and its construction payment management system, Textura is beginning to piece together an integrated collaboration solution.
The software provider also recently announced the launch of Textura Australasia Pty Ltd., in partnership with Minter Ellison, an Asia Pacific law firm, www.minterellison.com, Sydney, Australia, which will bring Textura’s CPM (Construction Payment Management) solution to Australia and New Zealand.
As the industry searches for new ways to share prequalification data throughout the construction process, technology providers come to market with new solutions to exchange data from one process to the next—and construction companies are taking notice.