10 construction software companies to know

Now may not seem like the time to make significant capital investments, but spending on specialised construction software can help trim costs. Here are ten software providers to know.

1- Aconex
Helping to combat the cost of paper documents and the limitations of e-mail, Aconex provides a web-based system for managing project information such as drawings, documents, tenders and correspondence.

To help prevent disputes and delays, the system maintains a complete audit trail of who did what and when, allowing contractors and project managers to track key deliverables and identify bottlenecks before they impact schedules.

Peter Hedlund, general manager, Aconex Middle East, says: “Effective collaboration between parties is what keeps a project on track. On the Dubai Metro development, for example, more than 250 organisations from 20 countries are using Aconex to collaborate.”

More than 500 projects in the Gulf region and 6000 worldwide, are using Aconex, including developments such as Dubai Sports City and The Lagoons in Dubai, Yas Island and Al Raha Beach in Abu Dhabi, and Reef Island and Downtown Al Areen in Bahrain.

The company has offices in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
www.aconex.com 

2- Causeway
Causeway’s design, cost, financial supply chain and enterprise content management solutions cater to the needs of the construction industry. Its cost management and financial management systems help organisations minimise risk, control cost and increase profits.

Causeway’s enterprise content management solutions help companies gain better control over information relating to projects, departments and entire organisations. The company’s supply chain management solutions help construction firms control costs and increase profit margins throughout the tendering process.

Causeway was selected by civil engineering company Cerbarco, to implement the Causeway Project Accounting Software Suite in the Middle East. Other projects on which it is used are Bahrain Formula One Racing Circuit, Citibank Headquarters and the Seef flyovers.
www.causeway.com

3- CMCS
CMCS offers PPMIS, a portfolio and project management solution that helps companies keep track of project progress. The system centralises all project information, including schedules, costs and documents, so that information is readily available when needed by the user. Amongst those expected to benefit from the system are: developers and owners, financial partners, project management firms, surveyors, consultants, contractors and suppliers. The company’s customer list includes regional developers, project managers, consultants and contractors.
www.cmcs.ae

4- Construction Computer Software (CCS)
Candy Construction Estimating and Project Control system is a software application for the cost management and planning of all construction projects. The system integrates all functions and stages of the construction process, from estimating through to tender award and ultimately, final account. Candy is entirely focused on and designed for construction – it is not a set of relational databases pressed onto construction people. Developed over 30 years through an interactive and consultative process with the industry, Candy manages the numerous links between all functions and all the people in construction in a systemic way.
www.ccsgulf.com

5- Primavera
Oracle subsidiary Primavera, provides project portfolio management solutions for the engineering and construction industry. P6, the latest iteration of the company’s flagship software, is an integrated project portfolio management solution that comprises role-specific functionality to satisfy each team member’s needs, responsibilities and skills.
www.primavera.com

Click here to read more.

6- Red Sky IT
Red Sky IT provides specialist software solutions to each part of the construction sector supply chain, from architects, engineers and consultants to contractors of all size and type. The company has more than 30 years’ experience delivering solutions to the UK market and has supplied its software to top construction companies in the Middle East.Red Sky offers a range of solutions under its Summit, Progression and Informate product lines, covering contract financial accounts, estimating and tendering, project accounting, service and maintenance management, house builder operational control, content and document management and electronic purchasing. The Summit products are available on a ‘software as a service’ basis, where customers pay monthly fees to use the software over the internet.
www.redskyit.com

7- Sage
Sage Construction is part of Sage Group, a UK-based business management supplier. The construction software division provides software and services that help with financial and operational management, contract handling and estimating, cost-planning and post-contract valuations.

It has two flagship lines: Sage Timberline Office software, which provides streamlined financial and operations solutions and Sage Master Builder, which links all phases of the construction cycle — estimating, production, accounting, and analysis. Sage acquired Tekton last year, adding EVision - a set of modules designed to handle contract and project management.
www.sage.co.uk

8- Tekla
Tekla Structures is building information modeling software that enables the creation and management of detailed 3D structural models regardless of material or structural complexity. Tekla models can be used to cover the entire building process from conceptual design to fabrication, erection and construction management.

Tekla Structures can be used to interface with other existing applications, or on its own as a platform to develop a customisable internal solution. Its open platform supports interoperability and standardisation. Examples of standard formats supported by Tekla Structures are IFC, CIS/2, SDNF and DSTV.

Examples of proprietary formats supported by Tekla Structures are DWG, DXF and DGN.The software’s latest version, Tekla Structures 15, allows more intuitive modelling and detailing, creating better drawings and other output, as well as improving project collaboration, management and delivery through enhanced interoperability. In addition, a 64-bit version of Tekla Structures 15 is available that allows tackling of even bigger projects than before. www.tekla.com/ae

9- SoftTech
SoftTech is an India-based company that develops software for the engineering, architectural and construction sectors. It is present in the Middle East through partners in Sharjah and Oman. To help construction companies better manage operations, Softtech has developed Opticon, an enterprise resource planning system.

It is designed for modular implementation, which helps reduce deployment time and allows additional modules to be added quickly to existing ones. Once deployed at head office, the system can also be installed on individual construction sites through secure internet links, allowing effective monitoring of site work.

To help civil engineers and architects with revision management and quantity estimation, SoftTech has developed QE-Pro (Quantity Estimation and Project Management). The software supports the import of drawings from AutoCAD and Struds.
www.softtech-engr.com

10- Vico
Vico’s 5D Virtual Construction suite is designed to bring the benefits of building information modelling to construction companies. Using virtual construction technology, developers and contractors can improve project predictability, reduce risk, manage costs and optimise schedules. Vico has partnered with Synergy Software Systems in Dubai and AtOne in Bahrain.
www.vicosoftware.com