Construction supply chain integration over the internet and web technology

The construction industry operates through often extended lines of business partners with very diverse backgrounds and competencies. Since a construction supply chain spans over multiple companies, supply chain management highlights the importance of cross-enterprise integration. Therefore, coordination and collaboration among all links of a construction supply chain are essential for success of construction projects. But, construction supply chain integration requires a cost-effective information and communication platform that links multiple companies. The Internet and Web technology have emerged as the most cost-effective means for driving supply chain integration. E-business on the Internet is based on cutting edge software frameworks- a generic open, end-to-end infrastructure of interoperable software solutions that provide functions enabling business communicate efficiently over the Internet. These technologies will all have an increasingly profound influence on the company's business and supply chain processes because they reinforce competitiveness in the construction markets. This paper argues that Internet and web technology are the most effective means for achieving construction supply chain integration. It presents a study of various e-business applications and discusses the potential of e-business frameworks for construction supply chain optimization.