Innovation, Flexibility and Recognizing Opportunity Are Always Key to Success

Another new innovation has appeared on the Internet that will benefit the construction industry. A team of experienced project and construction managers have developed a systemic approach for contractors and builders to obtain construction equipment and supplies that will improve cost controls, insure timely delivery and smooth out the process of getting construction supplies to the work site. Their approach harnesses the technological application of a database listing of equipment and supplies for the benefit of project managers. While their approach is the first, it is likely that others will try to emulate it and one can expect to find a variety of clones as the construction industry embraces the idea.

Contractors or project managers simply post their material and build a list on the Internet and then view the suppliers that can provide the products. Communications are private and the system automatically targets only the suppliers that are geographically able to provide the specific materials based on inventories that are continually updated and posted to the database. Price information is provided via the system and the contractor has saved the substantial time that would be consumed in phone and fax communications with potential suppliers. Perhaps the biggest incentive to use this approach is that there is no fee for contractors or construction managers to utilize the system and suppliers are obviously interested in widening their markets and competing for the business.

There already is an impressive list of construction supply and equipment companies that have signed up and recognize that this system may be the new model for obtaining the right stuff, at the right time, to the right spot without the impediments or delays that often accompany the effort. This approach is designed for the large multi-faceted project, but is just as effective and efficient for the smaller contractor as well.

A recent conversation with an enthusiastic Chad Smith, President of GetaSupplier.com provided some insight into the significant organizational and programming efforts necessary to bring the company on-line. He compared his efforts to those of the developers of the popular "My Space". He stated that, "we have now provided a system that will enable construction companies and suppliers to "hook up" efficiently and reduce the communication delays that often provide frustration in the project management cycle.

This simple, time saving, innovative and effective solution can reduce the time and frustration that is often confronted in this critical phase of the construction process. Additionally, while a phone call is subject to interruption a computer monitor that provides information and detail can be quickly accessed at any time. Finally this system will provide "just in time" delivery which will further serve to create cost savings and efficiencies.

Will the old way of obtaining supplies and equipment continue to be embraced or will this efficient and innovative systemic approach be adopted? This team of project and construction managers believes that the future of obtaining construction equipment and supplies will be changed by their system; however the project management and construction community will have the final say.