Bar code applications in construction

Although the construction industry does not yet have a broad base of experience with bar code technology, a wide range of applications has recently been developed by member firms of the Construction Industry Institute. The findings of a research project supported by the Construction Industry Institute are summarized. Specific applications in the areas of quantity takeoff, field material control, warehouse inventory and maintenance, tool and consumable material issue, timekeeping and cost engineering, purchasing and accounting, and document control and office operations are discussed. Research findings indicate that bar code use in construction can improve the speed and accuracy of computer data entry, and produce tangible cost savings similar to those that have been documented in other industries.