ProjectXnet Services for Prolog Connect
February 05, 2009
With the current economic strains it can be difficult for construction companies to implement new technologies. However, hosted services providers offer the perfect solution to help contractors continually improve business processes without having to worry about the technical aspects.
The hosted environment allows contractors to outsource the technology problems to a third-party provider. This way the technology experts can focus on the infrastructure and managing the technology, while contractors can focus on the building process.
The Cram Group, www.thecramgroup.com, New York, N.Y., is one company that is offering these services via its ProjectXnet hosting solution. It specializes in services for Prolog from Meridian Systems, www.meridiansystems.com, Folsom, Calif., among others.
It recently added Meridian’s Prolog Connect—an extension to Meridian’s Prolog Manager—to its list of services. The technology securely connects and shares construction project information via the Internet.
The Web services product is built on a SOA (service-oriented architecture) platform, which will exchange Prolog information with other software systems. The solution also creates Microsoft Office Business Applications (OBAs), allowing the bi-directional exchange of data. A Collaboration Pack within Prolog Connect has pre-built OBAs for daily work journals, punchlists, RFIs (requests for information), submittals, meeting minutes, and reports.
For contractors, technology can be a good tool to help improve processes, but contractors can’t always do it all on their own. A provider—hosting all applications in one location—is a good option for helping manage the technology infrastructure.