A study into the use of on line tendering and e procurement in the construction procurement process.docx
The emergence of web enabled software has derived as a response to the construction industry's need to drive towards more efficient processes. The purpose of this study is to investigate and establish whether adopting a method of tendering on line will improve efficiencies in the tendering processes, resulting in time and cost savings at the tender stage of a project. Case Studies were carried out to identify and compare the processes involved in: 1) tendering on line, via a specialist service provider and 2) tendering traditionally, via post, fax and telephone. A questionnaire survey of quantity surveyors and contractors was also undertaken to provide an insight into their experiences and perceptions regarding the use of on line tendering. Findings suggest that tendering on line has the potential to reduce the amount of time taken and costs incurred over traditional methods. The amount of cost savings achieved seems to be dependant upon the specific project details, whereas the time savings appear significant regardless of project type. The future use of on line tendering is difficult to predict. The results suggest that the barriers for the adoption of on line tendering reflect the barriers faced by the construction industry generally when embracing new technology, which mainly comprise issues relating to people, cost and technology.