ePlan Room for Estimating and Bidding Construction Projects: A New Tool in Construction Engineering Education Delivery

摘要

Integration of Information Technology (IT) in construction contracting and project delivery has recently resulted in fundamental changes in how contractors can estimate and bid on construction projects. With the introduction of Electronic Plan Room (ePlan Room), construction estimating and bidding projects has become a lot quicker and simpler. Due to the availability of 24-Hour Internet access, contractors can review several projects in a short time, and bid on the jobs that they are serious about. On-Screen take-offs can be done using an easy-to-use system, and contractors can optimize their efforts by saving on travel and labor costs thus resulting in more successful construction project bids. This paper describes the basic and advanced features of Missouri's AGC ePLAN Room, and highlights the advantages of integration of AGC-Missouri's and similar ePLAN rooms in construction engineering/management curriculums in the overall delivery of construction engineering-related education. The paper is directed to the educational and research interests of the community of students and faculty belonging to the disciplines of civil/construction and architectural engineering, construction science and construction management. The exposure of students to the database of several construction projects in a relatively short time allows them to view plans and specifications on-line, and do the quantity take-offs on-screen. Full sets of plans and specifications can be printed in office or a construction trailer. Author's recommendations on the adoption and use of Missouri's AGC ePLAN Room and similar ePlan Rooms is discussed in the context of other recent advancements in the construction engineering and management education.