Efficient Support for Mobile Computing on Construction Site

Abstract

Today's information exchange in managing projects are to a great extent supported by information technology. Especially mobile computing potencials can significantly improve the information exchange in construction. This paper addresses some important mobile computing potencials which can help tackle project collaboration and information dissemination problems. Special attention is given to the organizational and mobility issues of construction projects which must be considered by implementing mobile computing in construction. The final objective of the paper is to show why should be further research on mobile computing more focused on identifying the weaknesses of the present project information exchange procedures and their optimisation according to the applied IT in order to employ all of its advantages. The paper, however resides on practical experiences, which have been accurnulated through a series of experimental projects called e-site.

Mobile Computing Changing the Traditional Ways of Organizing the Construction Company

“…The term 'mobile computing' (also known as 'ubiquitous computing') is quite new and has no clear definition. Some sources define it as a group of mobile systems, which encompass mobile computing devices (such as laptops, notebooks, PDA's and wearable computers), wireless networks, as well as an extensive array of mobile services [4] . Mobile computing technology enables the mobile worker to: (a) create; (b) access; (c) process; (d) store; and (e) communicate information without being constrained to a single location.…”

“…Our research performed so far in facilitating the process in construction project was supported by a series of experimental education research projects called Mobile Computing at a Construction Site [6,7] Mobile Document Management System: For systematic use of mobile computing, especially on construction site, the so called Mobile document management system was obtained [8] . Figure 1 shows the system that was formed especially as a support on a construction site.…”