Country or Region: United States Industry: Construction Client Profile: Malcolm Pirnie is one of the largest firms in the U.S. focused exclusively on environmental issues. For over a century, they have provided environmental engineering, science and consulting services to over 5,000 public and private clients. Business Situation: Malcolm Pirnie sought a custom-developed system to be used by the New York City DEP to control its construction program. Solution: FAI Consulting deployed a custom solution based on Exchange, SQL Server, and Windows Server to allow managers to track and review construction-related information, such as the project schedule, project costs, public information, permits, change orders, requests for information, submittals, and contacts in a user-friendly Web interface. Benefits Provides instantaneous and remote access to all project documents Automatically notifies the chain of command via e-mail on any overdue item, such as RFIs or letters that require responses Stores all project information in a central database for easy access Electronically links and shares CPM schedules Uses an automated workflow process to increase visibility and accountability of all involved Microsoft Windows Server Microsoft Windows Server is the most productive infrastructure platform for powering connected applications, networks, and Web services from the workgroup to the data center. Easy to deploy, manage, and use, Windows Server 2003 helps you build a secure IT infrastructure that provides a powerful application platform for quickly building connected solutions and an information worker infrastructure for enhanced communication and collaboration anytime and anywhere. Microsoft SQL Server SQL Server is a comprehensive database platform providing enterprise-class data management with integrated business intelligence (BI) tools. The SQL Server database engine provides more secure, reliable storage for both relational and structured data, enabling you to build and manage highly available, performance data applications that you and your people can use to take your business to the next level. Microsoft Exchange Microsoft Exchange is a messaging and collaborative software product. It is part of the Windows Server System line of server products and is widely used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure solutions. Exchange's major features consist of electronic mail, shared calendars and tasks, and support for mobile and web-based access to information, as well as supporting very large amounts of data storage.

Malcolm Pirnie

Situation
Construction management is difficult because of the plethora of challenges in today’s environment including:

• Fragmented structure creates barriers to effective teamwork (geography, legal, organizational, financial)
• Overwhelming amount of communication causes issues to “fall through the cracks”
• Litigious environment drives process documentation
• Decreasing quality in design and trade labor
• Increasingly demanding clients

Solution
FAI developed CSMS which is a secure, web-based tool for organizing and managing vital project information. By providing a centralized database of project information and the ability to remotely access that data, CSMS facilitates communication between project members, greatly increasing management effectiveness.

CSMS, with its highly refined automated workflow engine, can be used to monitor and track progress, route documents to team members, and produce reports electronically easily and effectively.

The system utilizes and seamlessly integrates various off the shelf products as well as custom developed software both of which feed information into a central database that is then reported/queried on by the CSMS. It provides the following modules: PFiles, Submittals, Change Orders, Correpondence, Contractor Payments, Project Schedule, Meeting Minutes, Request for Information, Progress Photos, Punch Lists, Project Contacts, Monthly Reports, Drawings and Sketches.

The application provides integration with the automated workflows, which allows management to see all outstanding tasks, who’s responsible, when tasks are due, etc. Also, the automated workflow engine integrates with Exchange email system, so users need not learn a completely different interface for doing their work. In addition, the system also seamlessly integrates with Primavera P3 and Primavera Expedition.

CSMS provides the following functionality:

• Documents are available internally and remotely through the internet
• Documents are easily searchable
• Business processes are automated with a state-of-the-art workflow package that uses business rules to electronically route documents to the right people at the right time
• Paper documents are converted into electronic images
• An alert system automatically notifies managers and project leaders via e-mail of any overdue item, such as RFIs or letters that require response
• All project information is stored in a central database for easy access and reduced storage and retrieval costs

Added Value

The system helped the managers to have more time to focus on their key business concerns, solve tough issues, and develop their staffs.

Reduction in Delays

• Earlier notification of potential delays in the contractors schedules
• Reduced RFI and RFC response time
• Faster routing of RFIs and other information
• Faster communication among team members
• Industry statistics estimate a reduction in turnaround time of 15 - 20%

• Reduced filing and reproduction costs
• Less office space and equipment for filing
• Less time to produce reports
• Less time to retrieve information
• Reduced interoffice mail costs
• Reduced time to maintain cost book
• Reduce time and costs compiling pertinent documents and information to examine potential problem
• Estimated savings over 10 years: $6 million