The industry is saddled with a supply chain worthy of Rube Goldberg, with materials filtering through multiple distributors before reaching a building site. That's where the dot-coms come in. LeBlanc is on the forefront of this new approach. Indeed, his visit to the site that afternoon was somewhat unusual. Merck Co. Software firm Bentley launched Viecon last year to help architects, engineers and contractors collaborate online.
Users can share documents, archive drawings and manage other tasks.
Bricsnet C.B Richard Ellis, Cisco Systems, Hilton Hotels, 3Com, Harvard University Corporate landlords use Bricsnet's Building Center technology to manage design and construction projects, leasing, financial reporting and other aspects of operating commercial real estate. BuildPoint Baugh Enterprises, Gilbane, Hoffman Construction, Huber Hunt Nichols BuildPoint's marketplace facilitates online negotiations for the procurement, sale and exchange of construction materials and equipment. Members can finance and insure their purchases. Citadon American Airlines, Bechtel, DaimlerChrysler, GE Power Systems, Marriott Citadon facilitates online collaboration, document and project management, and printing of architectural drawings. It also has an online marketplace for buying building materials.