Integrated project based information systems provide good quality information but are not commonly adopted in the property and construction industries.

The modern world is shaped by technology as it is the means through which various economic sectors engage in while executing their duties. With advancement in technology, various changes have been adopted regarding the manner in which businesses carry on with their operations. A major attributable factor to this end is the aspect of globalisation whereby technology has played a very important role. In this respect, information systems are key players in meeting of organisations goals.
According to Moursund (2003), information system refers to a wider system of activities, people and data that helps an entity to gather, process, store, and disseminate information through computerised or manual ways (p.11). As a major discipline in relation to promotion of organisation’s information needs, information systems focus to explore an interface between management, computer science and information science. Computer science a major attribute of information systems basically focuses on information technology. Two common opposing worlds such as human activity and information technology are brought together through the application of information systems. As per Devaux (1999), business businesses in the modern world have become more and more dependent on information systems as a measure of dealing with complex markets in which they operate (p.19). The major concern in respect to this attribute is the internal organisation of structures in which business businesses operate. Currently, accurate and complete information is a basic tool used by business businesses to survive in competitive markets. Major developments such as dynamic cooperation networks, end-to-end process control, and mass customization of products have made it possible for business businesses to recognise their goals.
Business requirements to information systems are therefore increasing at a rapid rate. This has gone a step further to be incorporated in construction and property sectors especially in system designs. Galliers (1999) states that, the application or use of information technology is a major considerable attribute which focuses on system design and support of operational business process (p.67). However, despite considering the basic importance in relation to application of integrated project based projects which leads to existence of tension between business requirements pull and technology push. The tension is an important aspect that leads to a measure of how different stakeholders participate in construction and property industries.
There are several ad vantages associated with the use of information systems. These include first the use of information systems providing relevant information necessary to carry on with duties in an appropriate manner. Secondly, information systems are an important tool that allows businesses to carry on with research in relevant fields. According to Thierauf (2001), a third reason is that, information systems help an entity to carry on with its transactions in a fast and efficient manner (p.23). Fourthly, information systems are critical in respect to availability of data necessary to carry on with businesses functions. These advantages are considered by various users of information systems, an important consideration being within the property and construction industries. Considering this factor, integrated project based information systems are considered to provide high quality information. However, it’s application in property and construction industries is minimal making it hard for users of information systems, leaving a number of unanswered questions. Adequate information is a basic tool especially for construction and property industries in respect to design strategies. According to Barnes (2004), the main concern in relation to the application of information systems in property and construction industries is in Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). These have been the recent developments in the construction market which replace CAD and other delivery methods. The construction and property industries are complex and calls for the application of complex information systems. The BIM is the current technological innovation in construction industry which involves various practices necessary for better implementations. Indeed, the restructuring of the BIM involves the integration of the project team, open mind and leveraging of current BIM capabilities. This means that it is an intensive and complex practice although it yields good results (Earl, 1998, p.20). Considering this factor, developers and designers in the construction and property industries usually fear the challenges associated with implementation of BIM.
The definition of building information modelling is an important aspect as it exposes the various challenges associated with its applicability. In his argument, Kendrick (2003) provides that BIM refers to the process that leads to generation and management of building data through the use of real time, three-dimensional, and dynamic building modelling software (p.32). This is an important attribute necessary to increase the productivity in property and construction industries. It is an incorporation of various elements such as geographic information, building geometry, properties of building components, and spatial relationships.
With recent technology, processes and communication tools in project delivery BIM has proven to be an important tool necessary to communicate construction, design, and maintenance of construction facilities. It is also an important consideration in provision of financial information in respect to the lifecycle of a facility. BIM strategies are used in construction and property industries with complex designs. As a major technique in design of various constructions, BIM has proved to be one of the most complex considerations making it hard for users of information systems to avoid using the model. Integrated project based information systems not commonly used in construction and property industries is the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). This refers to a delivery approach that integrates systems, business practices and people into a process that brings together talents of different participants (Fernandez, 2008 ,p.6). The objective of incorporating this integrated project based system is to reduce wastage of resources. It is also a considerable method necessary to optimize efficiency in different phases of construction, design, and fabrication.
The principles of IPD are applied in a variety of contractual arrangements. This is enhanced through the use of IPD teams such as members beyond the scope of contractors, owners and designers. It is a process which includes a variety of various complex components. An integrated project in this respect therefore, corresponds to incorporation of tight collaboration between engineers, owners, and builders with the responsibility of constructing a project. It is a long and involving development which calls for consideration of important elements from early stages of design until the project is handed over. Elsewhere, Krahnen (2004) states that integrated project based information system such as BIM and IPD currently are used in a short-sighted manner as they support Integrated Program Controls (IPC) one of the best methods of communication and controls (p.27). Considering this, IPD stops once ownership of the building is transferred to the owner. This however, contrasts the provisions of IPC whereby ownership lasts throughout the life cycle of the project. In the modern world of technological advancement, owners and project teams prefer to use different applications to provide financial information, communication data and internal communications. These are important measures necessary in any typical process of business functions. For instance, through proper communication, business businesses are in a position to acquire their needs and promote the existence of proper business functions. The applicability of integrated project based information systems in property and construction industries is one of the relevant attributes necessary to promote internal communication strategies. It is an important attribute necessary to promote a common understanding between various stakeholders in construction and property industries. In yet another argument, Garcia (2005) holds that integrated project based information systems also apply to data, telecommunication, security, audiovisual and building operation controls (p.103). These various attributes under integrated design are considered as separate operating systems. The design objectives in respect to integrated project based information systems affects all complex modern commercial, government and institutions. Major corresponding attributes in respect to integrated design objectives include productivity in relation to user’s health and recognition of business needs. A second attribute is cost efficiency which entails initial construction and user life-cycle costs being catered for.
Third, the integrated project based information systems ensures that the buildings are accessible by physically challenged users and security details. Fourth, the integrated design serves the objective of ensuring that a building has surveillance, alarm systems, fire detection system, and availability of LAN/WAN networks (Thierauf, 1999, p.12). Fifth, integrated design serves the purpose of sustainability whereby there is enhanced quality of indoor environment and enhanced performance of building controls in addition to operational systems.
Finally, integrated design is important as it leads to proper wiring and cabling necessary for aesthetics and preservation of historic spaces. These objectives in relation to integrated project based information systems are vital considerations that lead to the evaluation of important measures in relation to construction of buildings. However, it is important to note that despite these advantages, users of information systems find it hard to incorporate such systems. This is because of complexity in the nature of applying the integrated information systems to give out good results.
According to Best (2001), in construction and property industries, integrated building systems are designed in a manner that allows them to use a structured cable network. It is also an important measure that allows interoperability across different systems (p.17). The IT engineer is supposed to have adequate knowledge to design a structured cable system that incorporates the users of technology systems and building operating systems to perform their duties in an integrated manner. The incorporation of these systems through an integrated project based information systems leads to a synergy relationship. This enables the users of the systems to be comfortable and leads to saving of buildings energy through integrated systems. It is an easily achievable model achieved once building stakeholders and design members are brought together into an integrated design process (Falliers,1999, p.91). Considering this, it is an easy approach but on the other hand it is seemingly a hard task. This is because information technology engineers are supposed to involved the design decisions from the start of the project.
Basically, failure to consider these important attributes it leads to an overlap of IT design which entirely affects building operation systems. Other major affected key areas in relation to the overlap of information technology design are the business needs of an organisation and utilisation of space (Ramiller, 2005, p.88). It is important thus to note that, although integrated design information systems provide important information, there are also challenges involved with its applicability. This makes it hard for designers, engineers, constructors and property owners to avoid using these integrated project based information systems.
Wireless technologies are other major probable consideration in respect to integrated project based information systems. The modern world of technological advancement has led to changes in respect to individual’s lifestyle. A major development in regard to construction and property industries is the scope of business use of wireless technologies. This is enhanced due to applicability of network security issues especially in residential and business buildings. A major development to this end is GSA (General services administration) envisions which is an integrated workplace (Barnes, 2004, p.45). This allows for easy addition or removal of plug and play technologies from a service infrastructure grid without necessarily rewiring the entire building.
Due to various uncertainties related to use of information systems, it has been a major challenge to use the integrated project based information systems despite their positive implications to users. A major concern is security threat in relation to use of information systems. According to Heikka (2006), hacking is a major threat which has led to loss of private data and information to unauthorized users. Engineers and owners of buildings are faced with this challenge and it makes it hard for related parties to approve such technologies (p.39). Another considerable drawback that poses as a challenge in respect to use of integrated project based information systems is privacy issues.
The use of surveillance and other detective devices threatens the security of users. The occupiers of a building whether for business or family purposes are protected by common law provisions. This means that there should be no attempt to violate their fundamental right of privacy (Hutton, 2004, p.11). The conflict between common law provisions and that of building technologies programs is a major challenge in respect to use of integrated project based information systems. It becomes hard for architects to consider putting into place certain measures that result to an innovative building that incorporates network securities. Bibliography
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