Exploring context-awareness in the construction logistics services delivery

Omar, B., Abu Hassan, S. and Ballal, T. (2009) Exploring context-awareness in the construction logistics services delivery. In: Managing IT in Construction/Managing Construction for Tomorrow, CIB W078, 26th International Conference, 2009, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey.

Abstract/Summary

Managing a construction project supply chain effectively and efficiently is extremely difficult due to involvement of numerous sectors that are supported by ineffective communication system. An efficient construction supply chain system ensures the delivery of materials and other services to construction site while minimising costs and rewarding all sectors based on value added to the supply chain. The advancement of information, communication and wireless technologies is driving construction companies to deploy supply chain management strategies to seek better outputs. As part of the emerging wireless technologies, contextaware computing capability represents the next generation of ICT to the construction services. Conceptually, context-awareness could be integrated with Web Services in order to ensure the delivery of pertinent information to construction site and enhance construction supply chain collaboration. An initial study has indicated that this integrated system has the potential of serving and improving the construction services delivery through access to context-specific data, information and services on as-needed basis.