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To become the leading provider of Internet / Intranet related systems and services for the Construction Industry. To Develop new methods of communicating in this Industry. To Educate and Train Construction related participants in the use and benefits of new communications systems through the use of the Internet.
Structnet is a communications company born out of the Construction Industry. Its founder, David E. Black, served as a design and build General Contractor for 35 years until retirement in 1989. David knows the value of good communications in the Construction Industry and sees the tremendous value in the Internet as a vehicle to provide those communications services.
Communications ideas that were heretofore impractical are now viable systems just because of the existance of the Internet. As an example, the much maligned construction schedule is a device that has been used as a tool to pummel contractors after completion of the project, instead of an effective communications device to encourage teamwork and help the contractors succeed in meeting the stated goals. The primary reason has been the dificulty of publishing and disiminating that information in a timely manner. Today, companies with scheduling software, have produced products that can publish construction schedules on the web, making it a living, breathing tool to improve project progress.
The advent of the practical FAX machine in 1986 is a very similar story to the E-mail and the Internet. When they were first made available, people were asking "why do we need this new toy?". It did not take long before they understood the value of rapid written communications. Suddenly people were more accountable for their actions. There were fewer reasons why the owner or architect could not give the contractor written instructions rapidly. Within 6 months of its being a practical device, companies were requireing all participants in the construction process to have a FAX on line 24 hours per day or you could no longer be a part of the team. E-mail and Internet access will be the same story in a very short period of time.
Don't throw your FAX machine away yet. There will be a transition period where computer systems will have to be connected to the Internet, and training on its use will be required. E-mail and the world wide web is a much more powerful system than FAX and it will take time to bring all participants in the construction process up to speed.
The Internet is a world wide communications tool. When you publish your Company Capabilities and promotional information on the World Wide Web (WWW) it can be viewed by anyone with Internet access from anyone around the world. This is a power that is a double edged swoard. It is an advantage to manufacturers of Construction related products that can ship anywhere around the world. It improves their exposure and market area. The primary limiting factor becomes freight and service.
On the other hand, the supply and installation of Construction products is generally a regional business. This requires some ingenuity to tame this tremendously powerful system. The Structnet Search Engine is the tool that tames this tiger. It makes it easy for a Customer (General Contractor, Architect or Developer) to find the services they need without being bogged down with a glut of information. It substantially reduces the chances of vendors (General Contractors, Subcontractors, and Suppliers), being inundated with requests for bid on projects in which they have no interest. In short, it taylors the request to the need. It provides a platform for vendors to expose thier company to everyone by publishing his market profile in a way that he can be selected solely by his published market profile.
Structnet is a member of AGC of California, Construction Specification Institute, and the California Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association. As a member of these organizations, Structnet sees the problems and has the opportunity to find practical solutions to industry chalanges through the use of this new communications medium.