Determine Project Determine Project

CommunicationsCommunications

AimAimThis presentation is prepared to support and give a general overview of the ‘How to Determine Project Communications’ Guide and should be read in conjunction with the publication.

IntroductionIntroduction

Use of the GuideUse of the GuideThis guide aims to inform Project and IT Managers within construction companies of the communications technologies currently available, and the impact of deploying various business applications across them.

The guide covers: Future of communications Business drivers Communications technologies Communication methods Technology roadmap

Various technologies to communicate since Various technologies to communicate since A. Graham BellA. Graham Bell Telephone Internet UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephony Service) Optical fibre

Future of CommunicationsFuture of Communications

Efficient site communications save time and Efficient site communications save time and moneymoney Working with communications provider ensures the

solution that best suits the project Provision and management of communication

services on site can provide valuable revenue for the main contractor

Future of CommunicationsFuture of Communications

Keeping pace with technologyKeeping pace with technology Contractors and subcontractors

currently rely on plant hire companies to provide essential equipment

There’s been a boom in exchange-based services for the construction industry.

Trying to keep ahead in business?Trying to keep ahead in business?

You want better communication between your sites You want to take advantage of new technology and

applications You need flexibility to bring on bandwidth when you

need it You want a solution for today which leads your business

into the future You need to work collaboratively with your business

partners and clients.

Business DriversBusiness Drivers

Why are construction sites demanding Why are construction sites demanding more than simple telephone lines to run more than simple telephone lines to run their operations?their operations?

Unlocking corporate information Extending reach – remote and mobile

corporate workers Accessing outside information Harnessing the public Internet Working with papers

Business DriversBusiness Drivers

e-businesse-business

Using e-commerce applications to transform business processes. For example:

Business DriversBusiness Drivers

An employee placing an order for stationery with a different department, using the company Intranet.

A research organisation distributing reports to clients around the world, via the Internet.

Business DriversBusiness Drivers

e-commercee-commerce

Using networked computing to conduct transactions. For example: The contractor need some building materials, say ‘brick’.

Visit a ‘construction portal’ and compare costs , availability, delivery times, etc of the specified component from a number of suppliers.

The service captures all the information needed to enable the supplier to deliver the materials to the site in order to comply with the contractor’s

requirement.

Analogue and digital transmissionAnalogue and digital transmission Nowadays the preferred method for information

transmission is by digital transmission. Digital transmission of signals is much cleaner and clearer compared to analogue transmission.

ModemModem In order for digital data to be sent over a telephone line,

it must first be converted to analogue form and then converted back to digital at the other end. This is achieved by means of a modem (Modulator DEModulator) at either end of the line.

Communication Communication TechnologiesTechnologies

Terminal adapters, routers, multiplexersTerminal adapters, routers, multiplexers A terminal adapter is a device that connects your

computer to a digital line (ISDN), allowing you to communicate in the way you want – over the Internet, by phone or fax.

A router is used on more sophisticated networks. Routers have the ability to connect different physically and logically organised networks.

A multiplexer is a device that can send several signals over a single line. They are then separated by a similar device at the other end of the link.

Communication Communication TechnologiesTechnologies

BandwidthBandwidth Bandwidth is a physical limitation of any practical

communication system. The lower the bandwidth of the system, the cheaper it is to produce, but the rate at which data can be transferred is usually slower.

Dialup networkingDialup networking PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network): Regular

old-fashioned telephone system. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network): ISDN

upgrades today’s analogue telephone network to a digital system.

It is quite simply a very quick way of sending data via a digital phone line.

Communication Communication TechnologiesTechnologies

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) A high speed data service which will turn an ordinary

telephone line into a high speed digital connection, capable of carrying information at between 10 and 40 times the speed.

Data servicesData services Private Circuits: Private Circuits are permanently connected

communications links dedicated for your exclusive use. There can be data-only services, voice-only services, as well as services that combine voice, data and image.

Short Haul Data Services (SHDS): (SHDS) are high-speed data services enabling customers to interconnect LANs up to 25km apart.

Virtual Private Networks (VPN): A VPN is a private connection through a public network. The primary concerns with VPNs are performance and security.

Communication Communication TechnologiesTechnologies

Wireless TechnologyWireless Technology e-mail

PDA

GPRS

Mobile phones

Communication Communication TechnologiesTechnologies

TelephonyTelephony FaxFax E-mailE-mail The InternetThe Internet

It is a collection of interconnected computer networks that span the globe, linked by telecommunication systems.

IntranetIntranet An Intranet is a private company-wide Web site usually only

accessible by members of the organisation. individuals and organisations.

ExtranetExtranet Extending the Intranet applications to the business partners,

customers and suppliers, such as access to information on products, services, pricing, inventory and scheduling.

ConferencingConferencing Modern communication enables meetings without the physical

participation of people.

Communication MethodsCommunication Methods

What factors do you need to consider when selecting What factors do you need to consider when selecting communications link to site?communications link to site?

How many people will be office-based on site and the types of services they will require?

What applications will be used? How frequently? and by Whom?

When do you need the services on site? Where do you want to connect to and from? Do you have a corporate network? Site programme / Site duration? Do I need to provide services for other parties (client, design

team members, subcontractors etc...)? Do you need a telephone system? What else do I need to make it all work?

Communications ChecklistCommunications Checklist

For Micro Sites: For Micro Sites: Typically less than 6 site office staff (e.g. site agent, QS, etc…) e-mail usage will continue to grow and specific applications

relating to the construction industry are available over the Internet,

It is recommended that the minimum service which construction companies should deploy on any site is ISDN2.

Small and Medium ContractsSmall and Medium Contracts:: A broad range of sites with vastly differing requirements but

generally requiring both voice and data services.

For Major Projects:For Major Projects: Large complex projects where there is generally a need to

communicate with back office systems such as the corporate Intranet, EDMS etc…

The group IS/IT strategy and that of partner organisations must be considered prior to selection of communication services.

Communications ChecklistCommunications Checklist

ResilienceResilience Resilience in your network is like buying an insurance policy in

case something unforeseen happens.

SecuritySecurity In order to make your network systems safe from the outside

world you need to ensure you have adequate security protection.

Future ProofingFuture Proofing It is important to consider the short, medium and long-term

requirements of the project, and base investment decisions on solutions that are scaleable to meet changing requirements.

MaintenanceMaintenance In addition to capital installation and rental cost, maintenance

charges for equipment must also be considered.

Service Lead TimesService Lead Times Constituent products and services should be implemented to

provide effective communications when they are most needed.

Other ConsiderationsOther Considerations