InformationWeek

ActiveProject is already integrating with existing project-management software. Framework's recent agreement with leading project-management software company Primavera Systems Inc. provides ActiveProject users with a unified environment for project management through an extranet architecture.

As for hosting, Framework's approach is that some users in the building industry will want to host the code as an application instead of renting it as a service. The loss of immediate control and access to project information when using a third-party extranet service can be enough of a reason to bring applications, such as ActiveProject, in-house.

Subscription Advantage
Neither the self-hosted nor third-party model has a universal advantage over the other. But in small and midsize shops, the advantage of a large infrastructure without the overhead is a compelling argument for subscription extranet services. Extranet service providers can also provide on-the-fly upgrades and other customized, on-demand services that traditional software can't. But buyers beware: Lose your Internet connection and you lose your access to project information and the application.

2 of x Getting digital information out to the field where the contractors are putting up the building has always been a tough task. Dust, mud, and the elements are an everyday reality, and paper has traditionally ruled as the choice for communicating information. This won't change quickly, but a strong argument is being made by BidCom to enable project information to break free of paper by using a 3Com Palm III organizer, Oracle8i Lite on the back end, and in-Site.

Using this offering, called in-Site Mobile, users can synchronize their Palm with their project extranet and perform a subset of in-Site tasks. The reading of CAD drawings, an important task in building construction, can't be implemented with a Palm III in this version, but other functions, such as maintaining to-do lists and inspection reporting, are fine.

BidCom also offers paging notification and faxing for certain tasks. These features provide the ability to link team members to the operations of the extranet, even if they don't have a computer.

I tested both in-Site and ProjectNet under real project conditions, while ActiveProject was tested in a simulated environment. All extranets reviewed require a client machine with an Internet connection (ISDN, DSL, cable modem speeds are recommended), a 4.0 browser, a Pentium-class or better processor, and 32 Mbytes of RAM.

Beyond the serious challenges mentioned earlier-the specialization found in different segments of the project and a lack of mechanisms for connecting data between them-the extranet market in the building industry is providing impressive results in an industry not known for leading-edge technology applications. Framework CEO Dan Slavin says the joy of being an early adopter in the extranet market is the rate of innovation and change that each project brings. By focusing on process rather than technology, these project communication tools are creating a new order out of traditional chaos.