ICT in Construction Industry

BSV 702 – Information Technology & Communication System

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

SHAH ALAM

SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN

ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA CONSTRUCTION MARKET

MIERANIE WATIE BINTI SHAHARUDIN 2009720821

IDAURA FADHYA BINTI CHE IBRAHIM 2009146071

NOORIKMA ANIS BINTI ISMAIL 2009723207

Master of Science (Facilities Management)

Faculty Of Architecture, Planning And Surveying

Universiti Teknologi Mara

January, 2010


TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER TITLE PAGE

ABSTRACT 1

1 INTRODUCTION 2

2 MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET 3

3 DEFINITION OF ICT 6

4 HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT 7

5 PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA 15

6 PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION

INDUSTRY 16

7 TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT 20

8 KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 21

9 CONCLUSION 27

REFERENCES 28


ABSTRACT

This paper reports on the use of Communication and Information Technologies (ICT) in

Malaysia construction industry. It refers insight of professional building team, Architect,

Quantity Surveyor, Engineer, Designer, Facilities Manager, Procurement, Contractor and

Sub-Contractor. It also intend to explore and describe the role of Malaysia Government to

ensure that ICT if fully adapt in Malaysia Construction Industry.

In the literature on construction related ICT there are no distinction that usually made

between ICT use in the permanent organization (Construction organization) and the

temporary organization (On going construction team- On site) that forming the building

and construction projects.

This study also to investigate how ICT influence, the adoption and also the use of ICT in

building and construction projects. This objective will be pursued by a study of ICT use

in the Malaysia building and construction sector.

Key words : Malaysia construction industry, Information and communication

technology, Key players in construction industry ICT, Penetration of ICT.


INTRODUCTION

Malaysia is a fast developing country and having stable economic, technology and

infrastructure growth. Martinez-Frias (2003) stated that some South East Asian countries

are indicated as “getting ahead”, which is evaluated based on economic parameters,

scientific and technological development.

Construction industry has been providing buildings, facilities and infrastructures and one

of the contributors to the economy in Malaysia, which the industry is directly linked to

other economy sectors, such as manufacturing. Megat Kamil (2002) mentioned that

construction industry supports a multitude of downstream activities that provide

opportunities to small and medium enterprises.

Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) would mean information

infostructure, which generally covers the hard infrastructure, regulatory and monitoring

system. Increasingly though, ICT also covers broadcasting and multimedia in the era of

convergence. However, the role of ICT in the construction industry in Malaysia has

become more crucial. Our construction industry is rather slowly adopting ICT

technology. Stand-alone applications for bookkeeping and 2-dimensional drawings are

GPS and internet technology are still only incidentally applied.

The Government of Malaysia has brought in the awareness of Information and

Communication Technology to the public during 6th Malaysia Plan (1991-1995). Slowly,

the Government started to develop and implement various software for the public to

utilize. Just by a click of the mouse from the comfort of their living room, public can

interact with the Government or pay utility bills at anytime, anywhere. However, ICT is

slowly adopted by key players in construction industry in operating day-to-day affairs.

Somehow, the cost constraint of implementing ICT in daily operations has been a

challenge for small companies.


MALAYSIAN CONSTRUCTION MARKET

The construction industry has been one of the contributors to the Malaysia economy.

Based on a report on Market Watch Malaysia on construction industry by Malaysian-

German Chamber of Commerce (2009), construction industry makes up an important part

of the Malaysian economy although small, but it widely linked to many other sectors,

such as education and manufacturing.

Sundaraj (2006) stated that, since 1990s, contribution of the construction sector to the

GDP fluctuated at a more stable rate varying from a high of 4.8% in 1997 to an estimated

low of 2.7% in 2007. This means that the construction industry in Malaysia depends on

the derived demand from other sectors of economy, as well as public and private sectors.

Sundaraj (2006) also mentioned that, since construction involves long-term investment

and risk, thus, it would be the first to be suspended on an economic downturn and the last

to be revived during an economic upturn, which he said as a merely good business sense.

Malaysian-German Chamber of Commerce (2009) defines the construction industry in

Malaysia as separated into two areas. The first area will be general construction, which

constitutes of residential, non-residential and civil engineering. The second area will

special trade works which includes activities of metal works, electrical works, plumbing,

sewerage and sanitary works, refrigeration and air-conditioning works, painting works,

carpentry, tiling and flooring works and glass works.

As being laid out in the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), Thrust 2, the Government will

provide more classrooms in order to improve the quality of education system, especially

in rural areas. In Thrust 4, the Government will provide more low cost houses for the

low-income earners and to improve transportation system in Malaysia by upgrading and

expanding terminals, railway tracks and highways to ease congestion in urban areas.


Flanagan and Jewell (2009) spelled out that the construction industry is a sector that

comprises of four parts:

� the consultants (architectural, engineering, and cost)

� the construction enterprises who focus on production (including the special trade

contractors)

� the manufacturers and suppliers of components, equipment, plant and raw

materials

� the service providers to the sector (lawyers, accountants, insurers, bankers,

financiers).

Further to that, amongst each part, there will be sector-specific enterprises that will

specialize in one part of the sector, such as repair and maintenance.

During the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Government has introduced long term project region to

sustain construction industry in Malaysia and also creating opportunities. For example,

the Iskandar Malaysia or formerly known as South Johor Economic Region was made

successfully realized by Middle East investors. Later, the economic growth corridors are

launched nationwide, the Northern Corridor Economic Region which covers Perlis,

Kedah, Penang and northern Perak was launched in July 2007. The East Coast Economic

Region which includes Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang was launched in October 2007

whilst the Sabah Development Corridor and Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy was

launched in early 2009.

The construction industry is directly affected by the increment of prices of building

materials and fuel price. According to Reuters UK (2008), in the 9th Malaysia Plan, the

Government has allocated 200 billion ringgit to find projects but later been raised by 15%

to 230 billion ringgit to accommodate more expensive building materials and also to fund

additional development objectives. However, an average of 53.33 billion ringgit per

annum for the year 2008 to 2010, it seems that it is challenged by the cost hiking of the

building materials and also fuel price hikes on labour and transportation cost.


Sundaraj (2006) spelled out that the Construction Industry Master Plan (CIMP) was

initiated in order to improve the industry’s performance and mainly to rectify and

overcome weaknesses in the construction industry, which includes, quality deficiencies,

over dependency on foreign labours, social and health problem and low productivity in

the industry within the period of ten years (2006 to 2015).

The CIMP (2006-2015) has outlined the vision, mission, success factors and thrusts as

follows:

Vision

The Malaysian construction industry shall be a world class, innovative and

knowledgeable global solution provider.

Mission

To be a dynamic, productive and resilient enabling sector, supporting sustainable wealth

creation and value creation, driven by technologically-pervasive, creative and cohesion

construction community.

Critical Success Factors

� Productivity

� Quality

� Human resources

� Knowledge

� Innovation

� Environment-friendly practices

� Industry sustainability

� Professionalism


Seven Strategic Thrusts

� Integrate the construction industry value chain to enhance productivity and

efficiency.

� Strengthen the construction industry’s image.

� Strive for the highest standard of quality, occupational safety and health, and

environmental practices.

� Develop human resource capabilities and capacities in the construction industry.

� Innovate through research and development and adopt new construction methods.

� Leverage on information and communication technology in the construction

industry.

� Benefit from globalization including the export of construction products and

services.

(Source: Construction Industry Master Plan, 2006-2015, CIDB (2007))

DEFINITION OF ICT

For a good understanding of the research, it is useful to define the definition of ICT and

the stages of development of the construction process and the characteristic of the tools

used and tasks performed.

In construction industry, there are two categories of ICT. There are automation and

information and communication technology (ICT).

Construction Automation

The construction automation is base on the use of IT product such as computer in most of

the job site application. Such as surveying application, equipment control, the installation

and fabricating construction product.


Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

The used of computer application system for capturing, organizing, storing, analyzing as

defined by the Information, Technology Association of America (ITTA), ICT is the study

design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based

information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware. It deals

with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect,

process, transmit, and securely retrieve information.

HISTORY AND CHRONOLOGY OF ICT

The role of ICT in Malaysia has become more crucial than ever with the Malaysian

Government exhilarating the pace for various sectors of the industry to embrace ICT.

The government of Malaysia has realized the need and importance of ICT in helping the

nation to grow. Data and information can be kept and retrieved in databases. Then, ICT is

being introduced in the Malaysia Plan.

The Seventh Malaysia Plan (1996-2000), which guides and charts the policy direction of

ICT saw the Malaysian Government providing various incentives to facilitate the greater

adoption of ICT to improve capacity in the business sector, industry and life in general.

The related incentives covered areas such as computerization and automation, creation of

venture capital funds, enhancement of education and training programmes and the

conducive legal environment to facilitate the development of ICT.

ICT was really booming up with the launching of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)

project, which was to attract multimedia enterprises to utilize the region as a testing

ground of ICT applications in an excellent environment. Moreover, the E-Initiatives, for

example, E-Community and E-Learning were introduced. Furthermore, in accordance to

the report by MOSTI (2007), ICT services were expanded among general public and rural


areas. Cellular telephony, Internet and broadcasting were three technologies introduced in

the Malaysian Information Communication and Multimedia Services in 2005.

As a continuity in promoting ICT development, the Eighth Malaysian Plan (2001-2005)

has further emphasized on the strengthening of human resources capabilities, hard and

soft infrastructure of ICT, the building of a critical mass of Small Medium Enterprises

(SMEs) keen on utilizing ICT for further empowerment and encouraging increased

internet usage among users.

Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the government focused on ICT as an important driver to

put Malaysia as a knowledge based economy and global ICT and multimedia hub. As

stated in the report, the existing cyber cities will be upgraded and a new one will be

developed under this current plan. Furthermore, the information security will be

prioritized in this era of information society.


Source: Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry

Date Milestone

1985 MIMOS was established as the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic

Systems on 1 January.

1994 Creation of the National Information Technology Council (NITC)

NITC created the Strategic Thrusts Implementation Committee (STIC) to

operationalize the Strategic Thrust Agenda.

May 1977 – Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU)

January 1985 - Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS)

1996 - Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC)

August 1986 – Association of Computer and Multimedia Industry (PIKOM)

January 1996 – National IT Council (NITC)

December 1996 – National IT Agenda (NITA)

1996 – Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)


The NITC Secretariat also held yearly InfoSoc conference and exposition

events to provide a platform for dialogue and exchange of national and

international experiences on ICT as well as raising awareness among the

Malaysian public about information age developments.

The Second Global Knowledge Conference (GKII) was then held in

Malaysia in the year 2000 with the assistance of the NITC.

1996 Formulation of the National Information Technology Agenda (NITA)

governing three programme areas namely people development,

infrastructure development; and content and application development.

� People development concentrated on building potential capabilities

such as e-learning and human resources building

� Infrastructure development focused on building the necessary ICT

infrastructure throughout Malaysia with a concentration on rural

areas

� Content and application development encouraged the usage of

local content and the Malay language which is also the national

language of Malaysia.

1996 Desa Wawasan, a programme under the Ministry of Rural Development

aimed to create an awareness among the rural population to bring about

change and development in their areas. Under this programme, the Village

development and Security Committees were given computer facilities to

assist in the administration of the villages.


The birth of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) and the setting of

the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) to manage the

flagships under the MSC which are:

� The Electronic Government which aimed to improve operations.

Examples are the E-Services, Electronic procurement, Generic

Office Environment (GOE), Human Resources Management

Information Systems (HRMIS), Project Monitoring System

� E-Services, this covered the scope such as renewal of licenses, fine

processing, utilities and other features. GOE, governs document

management, messaging system and other related features.

� Smart Schools, aim at producing a new generation of Malaysians

who are ICT literate and innovative.

� Multipurpose Card, covers two aspects such as the Payment

Multipurpose card and the Government Multipurpose card. The

latter can contain data for driving license, bank account,

immigration entry/exit records, health information

� Telehealth, the purpose is to accelerate Malaysia’s health care

system.

� R&D cluster, to form a cluster of collaborating multimedia R&D

centers, firms to produce leading edge products and technologies.

Under this same initiative, the MSC Research and Development Grant

Scheme (MGS) was formed in 1997 with an allocation of RM 100 million

under the Eighth Malaysian Plan.


1997 Formulation of relevant laws to encourage internet protection and

copyrights such as:

� The Digital Signature Act 1997

� Computer Crimes Act 1997

� Copyrights Act 1997

7 Flagships of

MSC

Electronic Government

Multi-purpose Card Smart School

Telehealth

R&D Cluster E-Business

Technopreneur Development

E-Government

Pilot

Applications

E-Service

E-Procurement

Human Resource

Management System

Project Monitoring

System Generic Office Environment

Electronic Labour

Exchange

E-Syariah


1998 Creation of the NITC Strategic Agenda which aims at pushing Malaysia

forward into the E-World. The E-World governed a few important scopes

as depicted inthe following diagrams. The five initiatives under the E-

World include the EEconomy, E-Public Services, E-Community, E-

Learning and E-overeignty.

Source: Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems

1998 Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA 1998) was introduced

to monitor economic sectors such as market content, network services,

network facilities, regulatory control and application sectors.

1998 Set up of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission as

a regulatory body for the ICT industry.


2000 Set up of the Universal Access Policy which covers 3 principles namely

availability, accessibility and affordability as well as the Universal Service

Programme and fund.

2000 Rural Internet Programme (RIP) initiated by the then Ministry of Energy,

Communications and Multimedia (MECM) or now known as the Ministry

of Energy, Water and Communications, Malaysia.

This programme aimed to create an ICT literate society among the rural

folks. ICT infrastructure set up at post offices and the launching of

websites provides information concerning government services, local

events and activities.

2002 The Electronic Transaction Bill and the Electronic Government Bill

were formed.

2003 Formulation of the Personal Data Protection Bill.

2003 Transfer of the NITC Secretariat from MIMOS Berhad to the Ministry of

Energy, Communications & Multimedia to enable the Ministry to handle

ICT Policy matters.

2004 Transfer of the NITC Secretariat from the Ministry of Energy, Water and

Communications to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

(MOSTI) to handle ICT policy matters.


PRIORITY OF ICT USAGE IN MALAYSIA

ICT plays a crucial role in all aspects of the Malaysian industry with certain sectors

utilizing more of ICT. In 2003, Malaysia’s ICT spending projected a figure of US$7.8

billion as compared to US$7 billion spent in 2002 which was an increase of 10.9%

(“Malaysia’s ICT Spending to Grow...”, 2004, Bernama”).

The Manufacturing sector spent the most on ICT amounting to 18% or RM 1416 million

in 2003 and followed by the Banking and Finance sector with 14% or RM1101 million.

The Government sector invested substantially in ICT with an expenditure of RM865

million or amounting to 11% (Source: Association of the Computer and Multimedia

Industry (PIKOM), 2003).

Subsequently, both the Home and Telecommunications sectors invested about 8% in ICT

or around RM629 million in 2003. The Oil and Gas sector recorded an expenditure of

RM393 million in terms of ICT spending while the Utilities, Professional Services,

Education and Research sectors spent RM314 million or 4% on ICT.

About RM236 million was spent by the Transportation sector in ICT while the

Healthcare sector projected an amount of RM79 million in terms of ICT spending

(Source: PIKOM).

Expenditure by Sector 2003

SECTOR % IN MIL (RM)

Manufacturing 18 1416

Banking and Finance 14 1101

Government 11 865

Distribution 11 865

Home 8 629

Telecommunications 8 629

Oil and Gas 5 393

Utilities 4 314

Professional Services 4 314

Education and Research 4 314

Transportation 3 236

Healthcare 1 79

Others 9 708

Source: PIKOM 2003


PENETRATION OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

The awareness of ICT has been seen by Malaysia since the technology has been invited

decades ago. However, due to rapid growth of intelligence and technology nowadays, it

seems very costly to adapt ICT into daily operations, especially the construction industry.

ICT should support the whole process of construction.

In Malaysian construction industry, the awareness is increasing as the public recognized

the importance of ICT usage. We know that the ICT can help in improving the efficiency

and productivity in construction. Thus, ICT become the tools in construction process.

As cited by Public Works Department, director-general Datuk Seri Prof Judin Abdul

Karim, the cost of investing in technologies is the constraint especially for small

companies compared to big companies. Moreover, according to him also, there are small

companies adopting ICT to leverage their operations but they do not have much capitals

to upgrade them.

Construction is a late adaptor of ICT. Applications for bookkeeping and drawings are

generally accepted. Advanced applications such as modeling, GPS and internet are

incidentally applied. For the development of the industry, ICT is of major importance. To

set up a knowledge database for construction industry would require a huge amount of

resources especially in the application of information and communication technology of

ICT. The described scenario is inherent in the Malaysia construction industry at the

present time.


The findings found that all construction companies used internet. The internet users most

companies used internet for e-mail, had internet connections installed on building sites,

E-commerce, E-procurement and for communication with external parties in the building

process. Internet technology may support a number of activities. The most important

options found by the project team clustered into 7 main groups:

� Exchange of drawings

� Exchange of planning

� Time registration and worksheets

� Material Identification

� Equipment Identification

� Access to experts knowledge

� Registration of inspection

There are three areas where use of computers is very high. These are the areas of Office

Administration, Communication and Construction Drawings Production. As expected,

the technology provides efficiency and speed. Firstly, in administration, activities

generally involve the production, alteration and storage of the written word in the form of

letters, memos, reports and documents.

Secondly, communication is another major area of use but will be further elaborated in

the Networks section below.

The third area of high use of computers is a profession-specific area where it displays the

use of IT at the core production at the workplace, which is a construction drawing. The

area of design though was ranked average, and the area of presentations was the least of

all seven categories provided.


Use of Computer-Aided-Design (CAD)

It is believed that the core activities of any architectural practice are design,

representation and communication, (Pressman, 1997). In the first two core activities, the

use of computers is based on CAD and its applications. CAD systems are proving to be

essential in two main areas as drafting tools and as design and presentation tools. They

are particularly useful as an aid for the design and construction drawings of buildings

with high degree of repetition, (Phiri, 1999). CAD then reduces drawing workloads and

saves time in labour-intensive tasks.

Local Area Networks (LAN):

There are several benefits to the use of a network environment. Some of which are the

sharing of data, sharing of expensive resources and peripherals, easy sending / receiving

of data for central processing and the smooth communication between users.

Electronic Mail

E-mail offers many advantages, in reaching a large number of people promptly and

easily, and in improving productivity, (Phiri, 1999).

By attaching documents and graphics to E-mail messages, users can essentially reduce

phone and fax expenses. Messages are sent using inexpensive means. It certainly presents

itself as a critical element of technology, but again lends itself to the disadvantage of the

security issue.

Internet

The Internet and its powerful accessibility from anywhere, anytime, have certainly

changed and influenced the way work is accomplished in the various businesses and

professions. Notwithstanding a number of major unresolved technology and system

issues, such as security, privacy, bandwidth and network reliability, for the construction

industry there are several benefits of being connected to the Internet.


This global network of networks, which connects endless number of user’s world-wide,

allows for access to current data offered on the net by suppliers and consultants, a fast

inexpensive means to communicate interactively with one or multiple users across the

globe, and more importantly,an opportunity to make information about the organisation

available to other net-users.

As cited in The New Straits Time Press (Malaysia) Bhd, 2007, ICT can enhance

productivity and efficiency of the construction industry through the use 3D Computer

Aided Design (CAD) during design and the use of the internet to improve team

productivity. The architects, for instance, can create an intelligent 3D CAD models that

can be viewed and shared with the rest of the design team members. Working from the

same based model, the engineers can rapidly develop their respective engineering and

detail designs allowing the quantity surveyors to quickly quantify preliminary cost

estimates of the project.

ICT in construction process

Source : Alan Hore, 2000

Inception Feasibility

Design & Specification

Construction Operation & Maintenance

Collaboration and Knowledge Management

E-Tendering and Estimating

Back Office Application

e-Commerce & Supply Chain Management


TRENDS AND DRIVES BEHIND IT

Chao (2001), as cited by Wan and Amran (2005), mentioned that most construction

projects are large, extensive, expensive and subjected to tight schedule and budget. Thus,

construction industry is getting more unique and complex, which deals with various

disciplines, both from public and private sectors. Wan and Amran (2005) also outlined

unpredictable factors that influence construction projects, which are, rapid changing

market environment, technology changes and advancement and competitive trends.

Malaysia is now moving towards applying ICT-based knowledge in daily operations of

both public and private sectors. Initiatives have been taken by the Government in order

for the society to be knowledge-based. Thus, ICT-based knowledge is being applied

among construction consulting companies to support an efficient project performance.

Based on a study on the current situation in Republic of Lithuania, Zavadskas and

Kaklauskas (2008) have outlined five main trends in order to implement advance

information and communication technologies in construction area:-

� transformation of sector of construction and real estate

� construction materials, equipment and machines

� construction process

� built environment and its management

� training, education and experience adoption.

Continuous research and development urges the players in the construction industry to

keep up with the rapid growth of technology. Inventions of new and creative methods,

materials and tooling and equipment helps players to operate day to day operations in a

shorter period of time in a more systematic and standardized manner.

Sundaraj (2006) explained that the players in the construction industry have not been

fully utilizing the powers of ICT and optimizing the performance in daily operations, not

only in Malaysia, but also globally.


Furthermore, ICT is seen as a medium of connection and integration among various

disciplines in the construction industry, which includes public and private sector.

Sundaraj (2006) stated that the use of ICT will allow the industry to traverse the digital

world, providing opportunity for outsourcing, allowing formation of virtual partnership

and also providing opportunities for the construction market of services and products to

expand.

Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) (1998) defined ICT

sector as ‘a combination of manufacturing and services industries that capture, transmit

and display data and information electronically’. Thus, keeping and retrieving data and

information virtually is very crucial in this borderless world. Internet is seen as the best

one-stop centre to access to information all round the clock and in shorter period of time

whilst email has been the fastest medium in exchanging and receiving data and

information.

KEY PLAYERS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

In the construction industry, the key players who utilized ICT in their daily affairs will be

the professionals i.e. architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, etc. softwares have been

created and to suit each profession. This software have helped the construction players to

complete the job in shorter period of time than conventional method of using pen and

papers or typewriters.

As cited by Public Works Department director-general Datuk Seri Prof Judin Abdul

Karim, he suggested that there should be an integrated software system rather than the

professionals such as architects and engineers are using various kinds of software, in

order to set a standard, which will be effective in project development and

implementation.


As cited in the article (New Straits Times, Leveraging on ICT usage in construction

industry, 13 May 2007), CIDB has conducted a survey which showed that the contractors

and builders are still not adopting ICT in their daily operations due to reasons such as, the

mindset of contractors to only transforms resources into built environment, remote

project site and computer literacy.

Further to the article, the consultants or professionals are the fastest group to absorb ICT

in their concept or idea into information to be forwarded to the contractors for

construction purposes.

The Key Players in Construction Industry

ICT

Facilities

Architect & Designer

Sub-Cont

Engineer

Client

QS

Contractor

Consultant

Construction

FM

procurement


All of these key players are using computer facilities as their tools of information and

communication (ICT) in order to complete their job. They are such as internet, Local

Area Network, E-mail, Computer Aided Design, Masterbill, Buildsoft and Computer

Aided Engineering.

Communication Model In Construction Industry ( Sarshar et.al,2000)

Construction Team

Internet

Internet is the most important tools that always being used in accessing information every

time, anytime and anywhere. It also influenced the way of work to accomplish in any

type of business. (Aza A.Arif & Aly H. Karam, 2001)

Architect & Designer

Sub-Cont

Engineer

Client

QS

Contractor

Consultant

Construction

FM

procurement


Local Area Networks (LAN)

It is being used for sharing information and data, sharing expensive resources and

peripherals, central data storage and easy communication among users. For the designers

teams it always being used on sharing data in huge file.

E-Mail

E-mail offers a lot of advantage in connecting and reaching a large number of people

promptly and easily. It also improving the productivity (Phiri, 1999). People can reduce

expenses on phone calls and fax by attaching writing and graphic document in E-mail.

They also can communicate using the e-mail massagers.

Connection Of ICT Use

ICT

email

LAN

Internet

FM

Software

QS

FM

Architect

& Designer

Engineer

procurement

Contractor CAD

CAE

Sub-Cont

Masterbill

Myob


Architect and Designers

Computer Aided Design

As we know architect and designer work are based on design, Representation and

communication. (Pressman, 1997). This CAD system providing application in drafting as

design and presentation tools. It provide useful aids for design and construction of

drawing (Phiri, 1999). This ICT tools helps in reducing the drawing workload and also

labour intensive task.

Engineers

Computer Aided Engineer

Same as the Designers engineer also related in design workload of building. This CAE

system also providing application in drafting as design and presentation tools. It provide

tools for design and construction of drawing. This ICT tools helps in reducing the

drawing workload and also labour intensive task.

Quantity Surveyor

Masterbill, Ripac and Buildsoft

In quantity surveying works they are more on calculating cost and budget of construction

works. Masterbill, Ripac and Buildsoft is a fully featured Bills Of Quantity production

package comprising pricing, tender analysis, estimation and valuation. This software

application helping in reducing the workload and labour intensive task.

Facilities Manager

Computer Aided Facilities Management

This software is based on combination of CAD and management database system. The

services known as CAD, CMMS and CAFM. The CAD system is used to locate the

facilities together with their services. It is important software for FM to keep update and

in holds data on people and their services.


Procurement

Myob and USB

This is more on accountancy software which link with procurement works. The most

being used in Malaysia is USB. This ICT tools help in collecting data and updating the

flow of material supplies order during construction. The using of it helping out to make it

more systematic for each project.

FRAMEWORK OF ICT IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Leverage on ICT in Construction Industry

Strategic Goals

Encourage knowledge sharing for continuous improvement

Lev

eage o

n M

SC

infra

structu

re an

d in

centiv

e

wh

ere ICT

softw

are ea

sily

availa

ble a

nd

easy

pu

rchase

Pro

mote th

e Use o

f

Tech

nolo

gy in

Con

structio

n

Com

mu

nity

Dev

elop

loca

l con

structio

n

softw

are in

du

stry

Iniciative Educated /

knowledge Efficient Effective

E-Tendering

E-Construction E-Government


CONCLUSION

The construction industry in Malaysia is growing steadily despite of the hiking prices of

building materials and fuel-prices. ICT is very much synonym to our everyday life in this

borderless world where information and data are kept and retrieved at just a click of a

mouse. Internet application is considered to be the most promising technology for the

construction sector, followed by the most common tools used are Microsoft Office tools

and AutoCAD. However, the construction industry is relatively slow in adopting

available ICT tools. Professionals such as architects, engineers and surveyors have been

applying the benefits of ICT in the daily operations. Apparently, ICT has not been fully

optimized. This scenario does not only applicable to Malaysia but also worldwide.


REFERENCES

CIDB, (2007) Construction Industry Master Plan, 2006-2015

URL : http://www.cidb.gov.my/cimp/index.php

NST,A.(2007) Leverage On ICT In Construction Industry

NST- Business Times, A. (2007) ICT To Enhance Productivity, Efficiency In

Construction Industry

Phiri, M.(1999) Information Technology in Construction Design, Thomas Telford

Publishing, London, United Kingdom

Azza A. Arif & Aly H. Karam, A. (2001) A Comparative Study : With Insight Into The

Use Of IT in Local Architectural Practices.

Pressman, A. (1997) Professional Practice 101 : A Compendium of Business and

Management in Architecture, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, USA.

Flanagan, R. and Jewell, C., International Competitiveness of the Finnish Construction

Sector. School of Construction Management & Engineering, University of Reading, UK

Government of Malaysia, 9th Malaysia Plan (2006-2010)

Unpublished report. Market Watch Malaysia 2009, Construction Industry. Malaysian

German Chamber of Commerce (2009).

TEXT-RAM’s Statement on Malaysia’s Construction Industry. (7 July 2008). Reuters

UK.


Sundaraj, G. The Way Forward: Construction Industry Master Plan (2006-2015). Master

Builders, 1st Quarter 2007: pp. 48-49.

Unpublished report. Strategic ICT Roadmap for Malaysia. (2007). MOSTI.

Zavadskas E.K., Kaklauskas, A., Advanced Information and Communication

Technologies in Construction.

ICT in Construction Industry

Documents

construction industry

malaysia construction

technology ict

ict technology

construction team

construction sector

construction projects

general construction